Tuscan project or money pit?

Tuscan project or money pit?

Author
Discussion

Ian187

Original Poster:

407 posts

254 months

Saturday 20th April
quotequote all
Hi all,
I'm really fancying a Tuscan as a bit of a project that I can have some fun with. Like the look of this:
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16572459

Seems as though an engine rebuild is definitely needed.
Q/ how much is that likley to be realistically? £10k or more?

I've had a few TVRs Chims and a T350... but seems the Tuscan 4.0 Speed 6 engine is a lot more for a rebuild. Appreciate your thoughts and are there other major costs I might need to factor in?

nawarne

3,098 posts

268 months

Saturday 20th April
quotequote all
Hmmm,
Firstly, advert identifies build date as 2000. Photos look reasonable
Why do you say requires engine work? - I haven't read advert though.
A full rebuild will be in region of £8-10K.
Think you'd then look at possible re-trim and paint?
How big is your wallet?
Nick

MikeE

1,850 posts

292 months

Saturday 20th April
quotequote all
That's a very early Tuscan, I would have thought even earlier than the PDI suggests as its got the retangular radio which was phased out very early on.

Given the engine will have been built in early 2000 I'm surprised it's got this far without a rebuild, but as stated look at £8K-£10K for a rebuild, £6K-£7K for bodywork and respray. retrim £5K? Then what is the chassis going to be like, if the outriggers are gone then you might as well do a full resto with body off.

All doable but you'll spend more than it'll finally be worth which is not necessarily a problem but just to make you aware

Ian187

Original Poster:

407 posts

254 months

Saturday 20th April
quotequote all
Really helpful advice, thanks all....
Yes I can see how it would add up quickly, thanks for the idea of costs - good to have in mind and might check a few other cars out.

Basil Brush

5,230 posts

271 months

Monday 22nd April
quotequote all
It could well have been factory rebuilt in the early years but there would be no paperwork to show it, so subsequent owners may not be aware.

The fact the owner has mentioned a rebuild makes we think there may be something not being said. It looks like a very rough car and, given no paperwork for lots of years, worst case it could need a absolutely everything doing. I'm doing mine at the moment and without paint and interior I'll be in for between 15 and 20k by the time I've finished.

keynsham

318 posts

279 months

Monday 22nd April
quotequote all
I have seen a lot of comments on PH regarding engine builds for the Speed Six engine and they do seem to be £10-£12k. I have a friend recently who had it done. But this was an turnkey rebuild...drop the car off and pick it up when it is finished so labour is I suspect at least half if not more of the cost.

What I am really asking is what goes wrong with these engines that requires a rebuild and what needs replacing? My friends engine lost all oil pressure at idle and lights came on so he was told a complete engine rebuild was needed, but I am not sure even he knew what they did. There was shiny bits in the oil apparently which to me means main bearing or big end shells but I wouldn't necessarily rebuild an engine totally for that. A clean, flush and shell replacement would be a good start and a tip end check too.

Maybe there is something complicated about rebuilding one such as special tools etc?

I was just wondering as I have rebuild a lot of engines over the years and some very complex ones so I may even have a go at a speed six one day!!!

Basil Brush

5,230 posts

271 months

Monday 22nd April
quotequote all
keynsham said:
I have seen a lot of comments on PH regarding engine builds for the Speed Six engine and they do seem to be £10-£12k. I have a friend recently who had it done. But this was an turnkey rebuild...drop the car off and pick it up when it is finished so labour is I suspect at least half if not more of the cost.

What I am really asking is what goes wrong with these engines that requires a rebuild and what needs replacing? My friends engine lost all oil pressure at idle and lights came on so he was told a complete engine rebuild was needed, but I am not sure even he knew what they did. There was shiny bits in the oil apparently which to me means main bearing or big end shells but I wouldn't necessarily rebuild an engine totally for that. A clean, flush and shell replacement would be a good start and a tip end check too.

Maybe there is something complicated about rebuilding one such as special tools etc?

I was just wondering as I have rebuild a lot of engines over the years and some very complex ones so I may even have a go at a speed six one day!!!
TVR Power's website has an itemised list of what their rebuild includes.

https://powersperformance.co.uk/upgrades/engine-re...

so called

9,130 posts

217 months

Monday 22nd April
quotequote all
Basil Brush said:
It could well have been factory rebuilt in the early years but there would be no paperwork to show it, so subsequent owners may not be aware.

The fact the owner has mentioned a rebuild makes we think there may be something not being said. It looks like a very rough car and, given no paperwork for lots of years, worst case it could need a absolutely everything doing. I'm doing mine at the moment and without paint and interior I'll be in for between 15 and 20k by the time I've finished.
I bought a year 2000 Tuscan in Sept 2006. It was on 70k miles with stated rebuild at 35k.
So 35k miles later it needed a rebuild as the first had been done at the factory with the same dodgy materials.
Got it back in March 2007 with a nice little £11k bill.
The bill also included new diff and engine mounts and some body repair work.