Anyone had a speed 6 TVR / Auto Craft Rebuild yet?
Discussion
Hi guys,
Sorry if this question has been posed recently, but I have done a quick search and can't find what I'm looking for.
As the TVR Craft rebuild solution was originally advertised I'm sure almost a year ago and the Al melling talk has been and gone, I was wondering if anyone had had their car rebuilt and was using it on a regular basis.
If the answer is yes, how is it running and how many miles have you done since?
I'm just finding out how their solution fares compared with the alternatives (Austec, TVR Power, TVR factory, etc...)
Thanks for the info,
Simon
Sorry if this question has been posed recently, but I have done a quick search and can't find what I'm looking for.
As the TVR Craft rebuild solution was originally advertised I'm sure almost a year ago and the Al melling talk has been and gone, I was wondering if anyone had had their car rebuilt and was using it on a regular basis.
If the answer is yes, how is it running and how many miles have you done since?
I'm just finding out how their solution fares compared with the alternatives (Austec, TVR Power, TVR factory, etc...)
Thanks for the info,
Simon
See This Topic Just three below this one 
Now one above
>> Edited by NCE 61 on Tuesday 8th November 17:41
Now one above
>> Edited by NCE 61 on Tuesday 8th November 17:41
Now then Chris, that's just a touch disingenuous 
Blutusc, my Cerb is next out of the TVR Craft workshop and I've spent nothing like £11k. The basic top end re-build/modification package is comparable to that charged by Power - it's a different solution, you pay your money and take your choice.
The great thing about the Craft team is that they are passionate about doing a 100% job - if they spot other problems then they will make recommendations and offer solutions. I have had a few extras as there was severe piston 'slap' - my crank has been re-balanced, small end re-bushed and the clutch re-conditioned whilst the car was apart.
Ultimately, only time will tell of the relaibility and performance and I will report back on progress including before and after rolling road figures.
There is a wealth of information (and opinion) on the 'Al Melling/Autocraft' thread and a couple of others. As always, feel free to contact me though my profile if you would like to know more.
JT
>> Edited by J.T. on Tuesday 8th November 20:53
Blutusc, my Cerb is next out of the TVR Craft workshop and I've spent nothing like £11k. The basic top end re-build/modification package is comparable to that charged by Power - it's a different solution, you pay your money and take your choice.
The great thing about the Craft team is that they are passionate about doing a 100% job - if they spot other problems then they will make recommendations and offer solutions. I have had a few extras as there was severe piston 'slap' - my crank has been re-balanced, small end re-bushed and the clutch re-conditioned whilst the car was apart.
Ultimately, only time will tell of the relaibility and performance and I will report back on progress including before and after rolling road figures.
There is a wealth of information (and opinion) on the 'Al Melling/Autocraft' thread and a couple of others. As always, feel free to contact me though my profile if you would like to know more.
JT
>> Edited by J.T. on Tuesday 8th November 20:53
Thanks for the quick replies guys. So it seems as if its early days yet, with even the first car(s) to get done have not been even run in yet.
The thing that would really p#ss me off would be to shell out £££'s for a rebuild to then have a load of other problems occur with the car due to it being sat around for months not moving whilst being re-built (i.e. clutch, electrics, etc....)which will cost more money and mroe time off the road.... bummer....
Hey ho.....
Simon
The thing that would really p#ss me off would be to shell out £££'s for a rebuild to then have a load of other problems occur with the car due to it being sat around for months not moving whilst being re-built (i.e. clutch, electrics, etc....)which will cost more money and mroe time off the road.... bummer....
Hey ho.....
Simon
Hi Simon,
My car is the first back on the road after the modifications. So far I have driven about 50 miles without any problems (clutch issue is unrelated to engine rebuild) so it is really a bit too early to comment !
My car was off the road for 8 months whilst the work was undertaken – remember this time included proper analysis of the problems as well as design and manufacture of the new parts. There was also a period of inactivity whilst the commercial agreement between TVR Craft and MCD was negotiated.
TVR Craft are aware that we expect a faster service and are trying to secure additional premises next door to their existing workshop to help cope with demand. I know that Dave is also considering modifying some spare heads to reduce lead time. (although I suspect many of us would prefer to take a little longer and have our original rebuilt rather than use an exchange). Hopefully once these issues are sorted they should be able to complete a standard head upgrade in three or four weeks.
BTW, I have only noticed one problem following my cars 8 month rest. This is with the door mirror switch which seems to be sticking and sends a continual adjust message to the mirror. Will try the WD40 cure at the weekend !
Cheers
Ian
My car is the first back on the road after the modifications. So far I have driven about 50 miles without any problems (clutch issue is unrelated to engine rebuild) so it is really a bit too early to comment !
My car was off the road for 8 months whilst the work was undertaken – remember this time included proper analysis of the problems as well as design and manufacture of the new parts. There was also a period of inactivity whilst the commercial agreement between TVR Craft and MCD was negotiated.
TVR Craft are aware that we expect a faster service and are trying to secure additional premises next door to their existing workshop to help cope with demand. I know that Dave is also considering modifying some spare heads to reduce lead time. (although I suspect many of us would prefer to take a little longer and have our original rebuilt rather than use an exchange). Hopefully once these issues are sorted they should be able to complete a standard head upgrade in three or four weeks.
BTW, I have only noticed one problem following my cars 8 month rest. This is with the door mirror switch which seems to be sticking and sends a continual adjust message to the mirror. Will try the WD40 cure at the weekend !
Cheers
Ian
Ian,
Would be very informative if you could keep us updated as to how the car is running, etc.... Do you partake in the Hampshire runs up to the hen and chicken; it would be good to catch up and get some more info first hand - as I live in Portsmouth which is probably not too far from you.
Simon
Would be very informative if you could keep us updated as to how the car is running, etc.... Do you partake in the Hampshire runs up to the hen and chicken; it would be good to catch up and get some more info first hand - as I live in Portsmouth which is probably not too far from you.
Simon
Does it sound or feel any different since the mods? And is the bhp claim the same as before?
For 11k or whatever I'd find it better value if it included a bhp increase as well. I bet 11k would go a long way if given to the people who prepared the t400 GT race engines... and they had to be made more reliable to last for 24 hours at race pace...
Caterham R500's (1.8 rover k series with 230bhp) need to be 'refreshed' which could mean a full rebuild after 3000 track miles (or 9000 road miles). And that's pretty good longevity for a race engine.
For 11k or whatever I'd find it better value if it included a bhp increase as well. I bet 11k would go a long way if given to the people who prepared the t400 GT race engines... and they had to be made more reliable to last for 24 hours at race pace...
Caterham R500's (1.8 rover k series with 230bhp) need to be 'refreshed' which could mean a full rebuild after 3000 track miles (or 9000 road miles). And that's pretty good longevity for a race engine.
Hi all.
I picked up the Cerb from TVRCraft at the weekend - much like Ian's post above it is early days and I'm now in the process of running her in for 1000 miles at max 3.5k revs as I also had some work done to the bottom end.
Covered 200 miles so far and initial feedback is that the engine is running a lot more smoothly - especially noticeable on start-up and tickover. There's a lot less engine 'rattle' and the exhaust note is noticeably different - a bit deeper, maybe more mellow is a better word.
Will hopefully be taking her back to Craft between Xmas and NY for a strip-down, tappet & tolerance check and oil change. After that, it should be all systems go to find out how she really performs. I have a 'before' rolling road print out and we'll be running an 'after' when she's fully run-in so I will post both (along with an update) in the new year.
TVRCraft have just secured additional workshop space and the parts pipeline is now coming on stream so turn-a-round should also be quicker in 2006.
At the moment I'm just enjoying driving the Cerb again, albeit slowly and in this grim weather
JT
I picked up the Cerb from TVRCraft at the weekend - much like Ian's post above it is early days and I'm now in the process of running her in for 1000 miles at max 3.5k revs as I also had some work done to the bottom end.
Covered 200 miles so far and initial feedback is that the engine is running a lot more smoothly - especially noticeable on start-up and tickover. There's a lot less engine 'rattle' and the exhaust note is noticeably different - a bit deeper, maybe more mellow is a better word.
Will hopefully be taking her back to Craft between Xmas and NY for a strip-down, tappet & tolerance check and oil change. After that, it should be all systems go to find out how she really performs. I have a 'before' rolling road print out and we'll be running an 'after' when she's fully run-in so I will post both (along with an update) in the new year.
TVRCraft have just secured additional workshop space and the parts pipeline is now coming on stream so turn-a-round should also be quicker in 2006.
At the moment I'm just enjoying driving the Cerb again, albeit slowly and in this grim weather
JT
Following the engine rebuild and modifications by Autocraft, my car ran beautifully. After running in was complete I dropped it back to the guys for a check over. It had a clean bill of health and we decided to run it on the rolling road to see if the modifications had changed the output.
The power run went well until a huge spray of water and oil shot up from the engine bay when lifting off the power ... at first we hoped that it was just an oil pipe that had burst, but as soon as the undertray was removed it was obvious from the shrapnel that things were more serious.
The guys removed and stripped the engine, finding that number one con rod had broken just below the little end. This had twisted and broken the piston, tearing the gudgeon pin and the piston skirt away. The head looks good, except for a couple of bent valves but there is a hole in the side of the block and another in the sump.
So what went wrong ?
Al Melling had warned that the standard con rods are weak - and can break if the engine exceeds 7500 rpm.
The rev limiter has cut in at 7300 on all the other speed 6 engines that have been dynoed at Autocraft - but for reasons we don't yet understand my engine exceeded 7500 (confirmed by the rolling road software and the data logger in the pod).
We think that these high revs combined with the high vacuum on the over run from well sealed valves and rings caused the con rod to stretch and fail.
As you can imagine, I am extremely disappointed but I think my feelings are nothing compared to how Dave, Al and the other guys at Autocraft feel. They took this really personally, but on a positive note I am pleased to report that none of their new improved components failed !
Autocraft offered to do whatever they could to get me back on the road ASAP, but after some thought I have decided to wait for a set of upgraded con rods that are due to arrive at the end of January - I didn't really want to spend any more money, but don't want to be worrying about a repeat performance every time I stretch my right toe !
So ... a warning to all - DON'T ASSUME YOUR CAR HAS A REV LIMITER !
Ian
PS Does anyone know how to interrogate the ECU to see what rev limit is set ?
The power run went well until a huge spray of water and oil shot up from the engine bay when lifting off the power ... at first we hoped that it was just an oil pipe that had burst, but as soon as the undertray was removed it was obvious from the shrapnel that things were more serious.
The guys removed and stripped the engine, finding that number one con rod had broken just below the little end. This had twisted and broken the piston, tearing the gudgeon pin and the piston skirt away. The head looks good, except for a couple of bent valves but there is a hole in the side of the block and another in the sump.
So what went wrong ?
Al Melling had warned that the standard con rods are weak - and can break if the engine exceeds 7500 rpm.
The rev limiter has cut in at 7300 on all the other speed 6 engines that have been dynoed at Autocraft - but for reasons we don't yet understand my engine exceeded 7500 (confirmed by the rolling road software and the data logger in the pod).
We think that these high revs combined with the high vacuum on the over run from well sealed valves and rings caused the con rod to stretch and fail.
As you can imagine, I am extremely disappointed but I think my feelings are nothing compared to how Dave, Al and the other guys at Autocraft feel. They took this really personally, but on a positive note I am pleased to report that none of their new improved components failed !
Autocraft offered to do whatever they could to get me back on the road ASAP, but after some thought I have decided to wait for a set of upgraded con rods that are due to arrive at the end of January - I didn't really want to spend any more money, but don't want to be worrying about a repeat performance every time I stretch my right toe !
So ... a warning to all - DON'T ASSUME YOUR CAR HAS A REV LIMITER !
Ian
PS Does anyone know how to interrogate the ECU to see what rev limit is set ?
Damn, that is a REAL shame. I'm sorry to hear things went 'the way of the pear' so soon after, but I guess it's good that all of Autocraft's work was OK!!
Will your new conrods actually be a different design? IIRC from Melling's talk, the standard ones have extra material around the little end which wasn't in the original spec, and that alters the centre of gravity (which at 7500rpm dooms your 'rod).
Will your new conrods actually be a different design? IIRC from Melling's talk, the standard ones have extra material around the little end which wasn't in the original spec, and that alters the centre of gravity (which at 7500rpm dooms your 'rod).
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