Life expectancy of a Speed 6 engine

[SonicHedgeHog]

This is not a wind up, but a genuine question. I've read everything about TVRs since the early 90s so am well aware about engine rebuilds on, in particular, early Speed 6 engines. Looking through the classifieds there are very few cars that mention having had an engine rebuild. Is this simply because:
a)sellers fear it might put buyers off, or
b)anything that might blow up has blown up by now and the cars that are left have good engines, or
c)is it simply a matter time of time before the inevitable, or
d)something else?

The reason I ask is that it's the time of year when I start window shopping and looking for the key to my wallet and a very nice T350/Tamora is now available for about £20k. I came so close to buying a Griffith in January and am wondering if a more modern car might offer whatever I felt was lacking.

[G20RG B]

2003 SP6 engines onwards seem to be a better bet. But I can't back that up with any statistics. The SP6 is a cracking engine when set up properly. Letting the engine reach operating temperature before you thrash it will certainly preserve the life span of the engine but there are no gaurentees!!
The AJP8 and the rover engines while admittadly reaching higher miles before they require rebuilds also have issues but the experience of owning a TVR for me outweighs any impending issues. I just get in and enjoy it. If something happens then I'll worry about it at the time but remember, anycar that gives you this performance and thrill is going to cost at some point and most of theses cars will also cost you twice the price!!.

[Jasper Gilder]

I'd buy a really early Tuscan at a low price, have the engine done at Power (5 year warranty) and job's done!

Edited by Jasper Gilder on Friday 11th December 22:41

[tuscan_al]

Treat yourself to mine, I have just put it up in the classifieds. Rebuild in 06 and 30k since, no signs of problems or valve wear, enjoy it and dont worry.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1397371.htm

Edited by tuscan_al on Friday 11th December 22:58

[S6 Devil]

tuscan_al said:

Treat yourself to mine, I have just put it up in the classifieds. Rebuild in 06 and 30k since, no signs of problems or valve wear, enjoy it and dont worry.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1397371.htm

Edited by tuscan_al on Friday 11th December 22:58

I'd snap that up if I were in the market for a Tuscan.
A bit cheap isn't it

Edited by S6 Devil on Saturday 12th December 04:25

[scotty_d]

S6 Devil said:

tuscan_al said:

Treat yourself to mine, I have just put it up in the classifieds. Rebuild in 06 and 30k since, no signs of problems or valve wear, enjoy it and dont worry.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1397371.htm

Edited by tuscan_al on Friday 11th December 22:58

I'd snap that up if I were in the market for a Tuscan. A bit cheap isn't it, what's wrong with it...!

Why did i just buy a new flat doh!!! Stunning car some will get a nice one.

[tuscan_al]

S6 Devil said:

tuscan_al said:

Treat yourself to mine, I have just put it up in the classifieds. Rebuild in 06 and 30k since, no signs of problems or valve wear, enjoy it and dont worry.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1397371.htm

Edited by tuscan_al on Friday 11th December 22:58

I'd snap that up if I were in the market for a Tuscan.
A bit cheap isn't it

Edited by S6 Devil on Saturday 12th December 04:25

I think its a fair price. Looking at what else actually sells and what seems overpriced. It is a great car, just people might be picky about the stone chips, so it leaves them some cash to respray it if they like.

[so called]

I wrote my Tuscan off this year. It was a W reg year 2000 with over 80k on the clock with a rebuild at 70k.
I did a search to try to get an idea of value and concluded 14k to 15k. Insurance Valuer agreed 14k.

Yours looks a much tidier examüle than mine.
Glad it wasnt on the classifieds in May, the Valuer would have realy knocked my claim back.
Your price is a real bargain. It shouldnt be up for sale long.
Good luck

As far as the Speed 6 engine is concerned, I think that most people on hear can only speak from their own experiences and so its a case of doing what youve already started to do and read some of the threads on here.
I've read about SP6 engines giving out at 5k and then some still going fine at nearly 90k.
I would guess that anything down at the 5k end must have suffered a mechanical failure such as losing a shim or something. I can see how their failures can be down to the normal issue of valve guide and finger follower wear.

My Mk1 had a rebuild at 35k and agaikn at 70k.
The first was done late 2002 at TVR and the second
I bought her at 70k and so the second rebuild was done at Str8Six and payed for by myself.
So on the face of it, she lasted 35k miles from new and then a further 35k miles after the TVR rebuild. 35k seems to be fairly average judging by other threads.
However, the last rebuild I had introduced various improvements such as new oilways and better materials etc.
As with the post 2003 TVR engines lasting much longer, I was absolutely convinced that mine was also going to give me a much longer life. Unfortunately and as mentioned above she got broke this year but with no sign of any engine problems.
As people have said in the past, most of the problems with the engine have been known for a long time. TVR had a list of improvements but couldnt afford to deal with every one. They obviously took action in 2003 and the improvment were clear.
All of the various rebuilders undertake to bring these improvements into their rebuilds and so are confident enough to offer extended warranttee's.
I now have a Mk2 Tuscan with 34k on the clock and still running fine, uses a bit of oil but not excesive. I am again confident that the engine is going to give me quite a few more miles yet but when a rebuild is necessary I know that I will be getting a fantastic engine reconditioned which will be giving me lots of smiles for many more miles to come.
Long live Speed6.

Edited by so called on Saturday 12th December 11:13

Edited by so called on Saturday 12th December 11:15

[shaunsmith]

Jasper Gilder said:

I'd buy a really early Tuscan at a low price, have the engine done at Power (5 year warranty) and job's done!

Edited by Jasper Gilder on Friday 11th December 22:41

That is the way I would go for definate when I return to TVR.

[pete]

My 2003 3.6 has done 40k now. Zero oil consumption and even compressions, and no rebuild.

I will probably advertise it in the New Year; will be interesting to see people's reactions to lack of rebuild. Like Alex's it wants for nothing but a few stone chip repairs.

Pete

[da_murphster]

shaunsmith said:

Jasper Gilder said:

I'd buy a really early Tuscan at a low price, have the engine done at Power (5 year warranty) and job's done!

Edited by Jasper Gilder on Friday 11th December 22:41

That is the way I would go for definate when I return to TVR.

Or buy one as above, mentally put the money aside and enjoy the car for as long as it will let you.

No need to throw money at an engine that could well give you years of service.

[Don]

tuscan_al said:

Treat yourself to mine, I have just put it up in the classifieds. Rebuild in 06 and 30k since, no signs of problems or valve wear, enjoy it and dont worry.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1397371.htm

That's a beautiful example, that is.

Still a headturner all these years on.

[FUBAR]

tuscan_al said:

Treat yourself to mine, I have just put it up in the classifieds. Rebuild in 06 and 30k since, no signs of problems or valve wear, enjoy it and dont worry.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1397371.htm

Edited by tuscan_al on Friday 11th December 22:58

If you sell that gorgeous car of yours Al you will have to change your PH name.

May I suggest Gay_Al










PS Dont do it man!

[mikeinsheffield]

Don said:

tuscan_al said:

Treat yourself to mine, I have just put it up in the classifieds. Rebuild in 06 and 30k since, no signs of problems or valve wear, enjoy it and dont worry.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1397371.htm

That's a beautiful example, that is.

Still a headturner all these years on.

^^^ Wot he said.

I particularly like your photo number 3 of "the car in a puddle" (now there's a title that doesn't do the shot justice )

I was looking for a Tuscan before I bought my Cerbera (the lure of 4 seats means it's now done 7000 miles since I bought it in January, and it's only really a weekend car - I couldn't justify a 2 seater as wouldn't get used as much), and if I was in the market for one now, I would be tempted by your advert to give you a call.

As I posted on a Cerbera thread, it just never ceases to amaze me that people advertise their cars without fully describing them in the advert - yours does.

If I were buying a S6 engined car now, I'd be looking for one that had the rebuild / work done, or be looking to pick one up REALLY cheap so would have the budget to go 4.3 when the rebuild time came.....

[tuscan_al]

Thanks for the good words guys. And your right I prob am mad, will see what happens with selling it. And I did try to word things and put down the important points.

I too hate those adverts where people just seem to go on about how great it is and put no details, then you see the car and find out why they put nothing about it!

Thanks to Nick, NWVT on here for the pics.

Edited by tuscan_al on Monday 14th December 18:18