OK What the story with this engine...??
Discussion
Ok stop the clock...I can't bear it any longer...Let me get this straight you go and buy a 40k car do just circa 14k miles and then have to pocket a 4-5k bill for an engine re-build because of inherant weaknesses in the engine design. I'm at a complete loss as to why this is not deemed a re-call or at least TVR hold their hands up and help these guys out. No wonder they have such a poor press when it comes to build quality when you have to foot the bill for their development costs...!! And this is all viewed as just one of those "little" things you put up with when owning a TVR.....rubbish
I'm in the process of buying a T350 and do not want to buy a lemon..who does..can anyone answer the question of what the problen is with this speed six engine...14k for goodness sakes...it's appaulling And what to look for when buying...?? Ahhh thats better...
I'm in the process of buying a T350 and do not want to buy a lemon..who does..can anyone answer the question of what the problen is with this speed six engine...14k for goodness sakes...it's appaulling And what to look for when buying...?? Ahhh thats better...
I guess honesty from TVR could lead to bankruptcy, if they did a recall of every SP6 that had engine wear.
If you're buying a T350, buy the latest you can, under factory warranty and at least you'll be covered...well as long as the TVR factory is around..
Or calculate the difference of buying an earlier car, and having a modified engine fitted by an independent.
No pointing moaning about "how it should be" because that's the way it is if you want a TVR. It's all been done to death on here.
Good luck, you won't regret it.
If you're buying a T350, buy the latest you can, under factory warranty and at least you'll be covered...well as long as the TVR factory is around..
Or calculate the difference of buying an earlier car, and having a modified engine fitted by an independent.
No pointing moaning about "how it should be" because that's the way it is if you want a TVR. It's all been done to death on here.
Good luck, you won't regret it.
I'm not an engineer, but from what I understand, the issues varied from car to car. A few common themes are -
- Poor quality control was one aspect with sub-standard batches of components on very early engines.
- A design decision to half the number of oil feeds into the head from four down to two, resulting in oil starvation and engine wear.
- Ill-balanced con rods that at high revs put the engine under tremendous stress.
All these issues are being addressed in different ways by indy engine builders (see below threads).
Later engines are rumoured to better by all accounts, but not immune.
Someone more qualified will doubtless be along soon to tell you more.
Al.
spwheeler said:
Thanks guys....
What is the fundamental problem with the early engines...that's giving all the heart ache...??
What is the fundamental problem with the early engines...that's giving all the heart ache...??
you can remove 'early' from your question....
its a cottage industry developed and built high performance engine.
let it warm up properly, dont cane it too much and you might see 30k-50k tops before a rebuild but dont expect mercedes diesel like reliability
Bennno
Thanks for the pointers guys....I find it incrediable that these design faults have not been acknowledged by TVR in anyway and are not trying to support their "VERY" loyal customer base....to rectify what can only be described as horror stories that I've read on some of these threads........
Have TVR ever given an offical line on the number of failures to these "glass" engines....??
Have TVR ever given an offical line on the number of failures to these "glass" engines....??
spwheeler said:
GREEN V8S .....Thanks for your diamond insight to the question....
This topic has been done to death 10 times over. There are thousands of pages in this forum devoted to the alleged design problems with the Speed 6 and the reasons behind it. Just have a look for yourself.
Basically, if you can't stomach the possibility of a £5k rebuild then a non-rebuilt Speed 6 engined car is not for you. It's a common misconception that because a TVR is relativly cheap to buy, people expect equally low running costs. Not the case I'm afraid.
Look at it this way, what else for the money can give the performance and drama of a TVR? I can tell you now that it will cost a damn sight more than £5K more than a similar age/miles Speed 6 car. That kind of justifies it totally.
no.53 said:
as an independent high performance specialist I have seen three speed six motors in need of rebuild - every single one has ahd oil starvation at the top end and blown up while relatively cold. If you dont warm up a dry sump car properly you will blow the engine - bottom line!!!
Absolutely true...but it goes so much further than just that. Whilst I cannot vouch for the first 3800 miles of my car, the 3400 miles I did in it before it failed the engine was treat with utmost respect especially when cold...never taken beyond 3000 rpm before the oil reached its steady running temp which was 65-70 deg C on mine. When I get it back it will get the very same treatment, respect when cold and used to its potential when conditons allow but only when properly warmed through...I really wish it was as simple as you make it sound..if that were the case I would not be investing 14+ K on a total rebuild using all new customised parts. I would have opted for the standard factory rebuild and relied solely on my respectful driving style.....
From a high performance specialists point of view, just out of interest did you note the oil feed path to the head and around the head and in particular the feed to the cams and the follower pads.....did you notice anything odd? Further more did you notice anything unusual with the con rods?
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