Is the SP6 engine a flawed gem?
Discussion
Is the speed six engine fundamentally flawed? Or is the engine fine but poorly installed. Or both, or neither?
I ask this because there seems to be HUGE efforts from firms and private individuals alike just to get the engines to try and run reliably.
I am not having a stab, I am curious to know what modifications people think are necessary/desirable for safe & reliable use.
I ask this because there seems to be HUGE efforts from firms and private individuals alike just to get the engines to try and run reliably.
I am not having a stab, I am curious to know what modifications people think are necessary/desirable for safe & reliable use.
Many of the early ones seem to be flawed, however..
The latest rebuilds seem to have brought some quality control to the party, the major problems shouldnt be happening as often. But there are a few bits and pieces i read about from time to time (oil starvation on one of the far end cyclindesr for example) which as yet still require re engineering.
Racing Green have just developed a 'bucket' modification to the cams (or something) now i havent got a clue what the benefits of this are in terms or performance and reliability but if it is an improvement then that means they have something over all of the other rebuild services.
Then there is Wilder who have made loads of improvements but it costs a fortune.
Similarly TVR Power seems to be the number 1 choice for value for money and reliability as well as piece of mind warranty.
In some respects its a shame all developers cant share technology and between them i think they have pretty muxch engineered the S6 to as near as perfection that the original design allows (and from many accounts it should be a very good engine). On the other hand it is the rivalry between the companys which means that the development continues to be pushed forward.
My opinion is that it is a very special engine, handbuild in small numbers it is unlike anything else on the road (even BMW M engines are produced in their hundreds of thousands). The most important thing is to accept that there is going to be trouble, dont for one minute expect it to be like a porsche engine (although they blow up too - but that is another matter!). I plan to be in a S6 engined car within the next couple of years and regardless of wether its a bit or a s
tter or from a dealer i would still budget for a rebuild just to avoid being left high and dry with a blown up car and no money to fix it.
The latest rebuilds seem to have brought some quality control to the party, the major problems shouldnt be happening as often. But there are a few bits and pieces i read about from time to time (oil starvation on one of the far end cyclindesr for example) which as yet still require re engineering.
Racing Green have just developed a 'bucket' modification to the cams (or something) now i havent got a clue what the benefits of this are in terms or performance and reliability but if it is an improvement then that means they have something over all of the other rebuild services.
Then there is Wilder who have made loads of improvements but it costs a fortune.
Similarly TVR Power seems to be the number 1 choice for value for money and reliability as well as piece of mind warranty.
In some respects its a shame all developers cant share technology and between them i think they have pretty muxch engineered the S6 to as near as perfection that the original design allows (and from many accounts it should be a very good engine). On the other hand it is the rivalry between the companys which means that the development continues to be pushed forward.
My opinion is that it is a very special engine, handbuild in small numbers it is unlike anything else on the road (even BMW M engines are produced in their hundreds of thousands). The most important thing is to accept that there is going to be trouble, dont for one minute expect it to be like a porsche engine (although they blow up too - but that is another matter!). I plan to be in a S6 engined car within the next couple of years and regardless of wether its a bit or a s
tter or from a dealer i would still budget for a rebuild just to avoid being left high and dry with a blown up car and no money to fix it. 
It's what TVR always planned- modern take on a classic English straight six. Think mutant offspring of a Jag straight six shagged by a Formula One engine.
It's just a shame they never got there in one go but frankly,that would have been an unbelievable acheivement.
Now there of lots of upgrade options which release the real potential and sort reliability.
It's just a shame they never got there in one go but frankly,that would have been an unbelievable acheivement.
Now there of lots of upgrade options which release the real potential and sort reliability.
Isn't it a flawed jem because the geometry of the valve train is incorrect?Thought i've read that somewhere-Melling maybe?If thats the case then it sounds like Racing green are the first people to go so far in rectifying a flawed design?
I find it very frustrating,when i think of what a great engine my S6 was and yet it couldn't be reliable.It's sad that mostly until now,people have been having to pay out for rebuilds consisting of better wearing components,rather than something which solves the issues that are at the heart of the matter.I'd love nothing more than to see a permanenet cure for this engine,it certainly deserves one.
I find it very frustrating,when i think of what a great engine my S6 was and yet it couldn't be reliable.It's sad that mostly until now,people have been having to pay out for rebuilds consisting of better wearing components,rather than something which solves the issues that are at the heart of the matter.I'd love nothing more than to see a permanenet cure for this engine,it certainly deserves one.
T40ORA said:
Well, whether it was flawed or not, it ain't now!
At least the RG Bucket engine isn't. Just driven it again, now that it's been run in and mapped.
Excellent!
Well only 60,000 miles of trouble free running on several cars will really prove this...At least the RG Bucket engine isn't. Just driven it again, now that it's been run in and mapped.
Excellent!
But I hope it's the end of this story.
rev-erend said:
T40ORA said:
Well, whether it was flawed or not, it ain't now!
At least the RG Bucket engine isn't. Just driven it again, now that it's been run in and mapped.
Excellent!
Well only 60,000 miles of trouble free running on several cars will really prove this...At least the RG Bucket engine isn't. Just driven it again, now that it's been run in and mapped.
Excellent!
But I hope it's the end of this story.
I'll let you know how I get on in 3 years time with mine.
Mind you, 60k might be a bit pessimistic. I've 46 on mine and the only real issue is one case of valve recession.
T40ORA said:
rev-erend said:
T40ORA said:
Well, whether it was flawed or not, it ain't now!
At least the RG Bucket engine isn't. Just driven it again, now that it's been run in and mapped.
Excellent!
Well only 60,000 miles of trouble free running on several cars will really prove this...At least the RG Bucket engine isn't. Just driven it again, now that it's been run in and mapped.
Excellent!
But I hope it's the end of this story.
I'll let you know how I get on in 3 years time with mine.
Mind you, 60k might be a bit pessimistic. I've 46 on mine and the only real issue is one case of valve recession.
rev-erend said:
T40ORA said:
rev-erend said:
T40ORA said:
Well, whether it was flawed or not, it ain't now!
At least the RG Bucket engine isn't. Just driven it again, now that it's been run in and mapped.
Excellent!
Well only 60,000 miles of trouble free running on several cars will really prove this...At least the RG Bucket engine isn't. Just driven it again, now that it's been run in and mapped.
Excellent!
But I hope it's the end of this story.
I'll let you know how I get on in 3 years time with mine.
Mind you, 60k might be a bit pessimistic. I've 46 on mine and the only real issue is one case of valve recession.
J
The AJP Griff said:
Isn't it a flawed jem because the geometry of the valve train is incorrect?Thought i've read that somewhere-Melling maybe?If thats the case then it sounds like Racing green are the first people to go so far in rectifying a flawed design?
I find it very frustrating,when i think of what a great engine my S6 was and yet it couldn't be reliable.It's sad that mostly until now,people have been having to pay out for rebuilds consisting of better wearing components,rather than something which solves the issues that are at the heart of the matter.I'd love nothing more than to see a permanenet cure for this engine,it certainly deserves one.
For me the important thing is that serveral companies have now looked at the six in depth ( 2+ years focussed development that I know about for one) and have found ways to resolve the problems that were present.The Wallop talks were not giving the full story,or nessacerily an entirely accurate story ,but the result of all the development work that has been undertaken are engines that can release the full promise of what is a truely great design. All IMHO of course.I find it very frustrating,when i think of what a great engine my S6 was and yet it couldn't be reliable.It's sad that mostly until now,people have been having to pay out for rebuilds consisting of better wearing components,rather than something which solves the issues that are at the heart of the matter.I'd love nothing more than to see a permanenet cure for this engine,it certainly deserves one.
T40ORA said:
rev-erend said:
T40ORA said:
Well, whether it was flawed or not, it ain't now!
At least the RG Bucket engine isn't. Just driven it again, now that it's been run in and mapped.
Excellent!
Well only 60,000 miles of trouble free running on several cars will really prove this...At least the RG Bucket engine isn't. Just driven it again, now that it's been run in and mapped.
Excellent!
But I hope it's the end of this story.
I'll let you know how I get on in 3 years time with mine.
Mind you, 60k might be a bit pessimistic. I've 46 on mine and the only real issue is one case of valve recession.
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