2002 S Engine

[PascalBuyens]

Any paticular issues I should look out for on this engine?

Might be replacing the 2000 RR in my Tuscan very soon, but I'd like to know if there are things I should look out for...

[yzf1070]

PascalBuyens said:

Any paticular issues I should look out for on this engine?

Might be replacing the 2000 RR in my Tuscan very soon, but I'd like to know if there are things I should look out for...

Pascal this is just my personnal opinion so take it as you will...

Its potentially a case of "Out of the frying pan and into the fire...." A 2002 S engine is, I believe, every much as likely to have component issues as any other early built engine. If its a cheap buy, for 1500 quid there is one on ebay fire damaged(to what extent I have no idea and it would need to be determined). I would strip it, remove all the internal parts made in the Willy Wonka Chocolate factory and replace them with properly engineered components available from the likes of AutoCraft.

Don't be fooled by the so called S spec. It was/is cam timing and a few other mods (all external to the engine). Your redrose engine is upto S spec if it received the cam timing changes (increased overlap, inlet and exhaust) and the modded ECU.

If you still want to take a risk on a direct transplant opt for a later engine (personnally I would'nt touch anything less than 2005 onwards, and even these engines still DO NOT address the side load on the valve train, however the materials used are better than those in previous engines and so should last longer). For the record, Craft have had a couple 2004 engines in that have had worn out cams etc... The valve stems are phosphor coated and they DO show signs of wear of the phosphor coating at both ends of the valve stem but on opposite sides. A sure sign the side loading of the valves still exists in these later engines. However, the iron valve guides are less prone to premature wear than the phosphor bronze of the original engine builds.

If your RR engine is either goosed or on its way out, why not just stay with that and get that properly sorted?

Its a fact that these cars offer great performance value when brand new, but the reality is that they are cheaply designed and made and thats reflected in the expensive longer term running costs. Engine wise many folk seem to have few if any problems so far and I take my my hat off to them, long may they enjoy their cars.

I say it again "this is my opinion only" and is based mostly on my cars project and what I have seen inside these engines... its over to you and I say good luck to you, which ever way you decide to go.

G

[PascalBuyens]

Hey Graham,

Engine is coming out this Saturday, and as soon as I've seen the damage to the bottom end, I'll make a decision. So far I've seen that the oil pump filter was broken (no bottom in it anymore), pieces of crankshaft bearings were in the oil, and one cat is totally burnt.

If it's still repairable, I'll be going for a "bullet proof" solution and replace as much as possible parts that have design flaws.

On one side, I do want to stick with a TVR engine (rebuilding mine or buying a low mileage one, as I don't think I'll be able to buy new ones right now...), because I promised myself, unlike with the Elise, to keep the car original.

On the other hand, this is VERY tempting:
www.corvettemuseum.com/specs/2006/LS7.shtml

Bring on Saturday

Edited by PascalBuyens on Thursday 26th April 07:58

[sidewayz]

Thread hijack alert!!!!

yzf1070 said:

Don't be fooled by the so called S spec. It was/is cam timing and a few other mods (all external to the engine). Your redrose engine is upto S spec if it received the cam timing changes (increased overlap, inlet and exhaust) and the modded ECU.

So.........its relativly easy to move from a stock engine to an RR?
Just asking?

Back on topic.You might want to factor in that there are now three companies offering rebuild services should anything go wrong.Each one has a fan base.They will all warranty the work done.