Noble purchase - help
Discussion
5 gear is famous for going is the 6 speed not 5 speed as far as I am aware.... the weakness in the 5 speed box is the open diff....There are cars running 500bhp on modified 5 speed box's.
all 6 speeds were fitted with an lsd.
So the must have check is that it has an LSD.
Id go for a car with a track day sump, expensive to do and an absolute must if going on track even gently.
Also check for rust around the rear of the chassis
Check for wet floors in the cabin.
Mostly I would check for condition generally, well maintained and cared for cars stand out.
If its modified you need to check carefully whats been done... its relatively easy to up the power significantly, but if you want reliability a whole host of other things need to be done if power has risen significantly. However some choice mods like fuel pump wiring are considered a must even for stock cars.
all 6 speeds were fitted with an lsd.
So the must have check is that it has an LSD.
Id go for a car with a track day sump, expensive to do and an absolute must if going on track even gently.
Also check for rust around the rear of the chassis
Check for wet floors in the cabin.
Mostly I would check for condition generally, well maintained and cared for cars stand out.
If its modified you need to check carefully whats been done... its relatively easy to up the power significantly, but if you want reliability a whole host of other things need to be done if power has risen significantly. However some choice mods like fuel pump wiring are considered a must even for stock cars.
A rebuild and fitting of LSD in a 5 speeder will be 1-2k including fitting (if no LSD is present)... You don't NEED to uprgrade to a 6 speeder as a 5 speed is more than up to the job with an LSD unless you go silly on power.
I did over 30k in my noble in a 5 speeder without an LSD before rebuilding it and it never failed.
I did over 30k in my noble in a 5 speeder without an LSD before rebuilding it and it never failed.
Gadgeroonie said:
That sold ages agoIt really depends on what you want the car for.
If it's just a 'weekend car,' the only thing to really look out for is the LSD as this is definitely a weak point in the car.
If it's running standard power, the gearbox won't let you down but if you upgrade the power, the 5 spd boxes break as do the 6 spd boxes (which were fitted as standard on some GT03s)
The problem is, once you buy one of these cars, whether it's a M12 or M400, you feel compelled to tinker with them so if you are in the market for one, make sure you know what you want and base your purchase on that as you will never recoup the money you'll spend upgrading a factory car if you want to track it or are looking for more power etc. Best buy a car that has all the upgrades done to it already.
If it's just a 'weekend car,' the only thing to really look out for is the LSD as this is definitely a weak point in the car.
If it's running standard power, the gearbox won't let you down but if you upgrade the power, the 5 spd boxes break as do the 6 spd boxes (which were fitted as standard on some GT03s)
The problem is, once you buy one of these cars, whether it's a M12 or M400, you feel compelled to tinker with them so if you are in the market for one, make sure you know what you want and base your purchase on that as you will never recoup the money you'll spend upgrading a factory car if you want to track it or are looking for more power etc. Best buy a car that has all the upgrades done to it already.
As an owner of an early 3, I would check (on top of crash damage / normal checks etc):
Fan cowling upgrade (usually dealer completed)
Fuel pump wiring upgrade (easy)
TDS (essential for track use)
LSD (option on five speed from new)
Chassis corrosion / condition of heat protection
Wet interior (probably floor seal)
My five speed is very easy to use and not notchy / stiff which is the usual complaint, I keep the linkages lubricated which definately helps. My car is on 33k still with the open diff with no problems although it has an easy life, so if you find the perfect car you can have this done at a later date.
All of the above and the general condition will point to it being a cared for car, these aren't your normal machine though and a few owners on here have spent a lot of money putting theirs right so make sure you have a few grand put by for a rainy day.
mgbond said:
But that's not on a std clutch though, which is a engine out job to change. So if you upgrade clutch then it's a good idea to upgrade gear box.
Steve, isn't your box upgraded?
Bondy
Sorry should have said Martin.Steve, isn't your box upgraded?
Bondy
Box have a lsd n paddle upgraded clutch.
Iv taken box out through side twice on my own, pig of a job but doable
D_G said:
As an owner of an early 3, I would check (on top of crash damage / normal checks etc):
Fan cowling upgrade (usually dealer completed)
Fuel pump wiring upgrade (easy)
TDS (essential for track use)
LSD (option on five speed from new)
Chassis corrosion / condition of heat protection
Wet interior (probably floor seal)
My five speed is very easy to use and not notchy / stiff which is the usual complaint, I keep the linkages lubricated which definately helps. My car is on 33k still with the open diff with no problems although it has an easy life, so if you find the perfect car you can have this done at a later date.
All of the above and the general condition will point to it being a cared for car, these aren't your normal machine though and a few owners on here have spent a lot of money putting theirs right so make sure you have a few grand put by for a rainy day.
Where in particular would I need to check for chassis corrosion? Any weak points in particular or just general?Fan cowling upgrade (usually dealer completed)
Fuel pump wiring upgrade (easy)
TDS (essential for track use)
LSD (option on five speed from new)
Chassis corrosion / condition of heat protection
Wet interior (probably floor seal)
My five speed is very easy to use and not notchy / stiff which is the usual complaint, I keep the linkages lubricated which definately helps. My car is on 33k still with the open diff with no problems although it has an easy life, so if you find the perfect car you can have this done at a later date.
All of the above and the general condition will point to it being a cared for car, these aren't your normal machine though and a few owners on here have spent a lot of money putting theirs right so make sure you have a few grand put by for a rainy day.
Gassing Station | Noble | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff