4.5 V8 or 4.0 S6
Discussion
I've always thought that the AJP V8 would be the way to go, and in 4.5 form for the extra performance, however recently I've read a number of reviews and heard a few opinions that the Speed 6 is an easier to use engine, with it's torque in an every day rev-range, making it potentially the better choice.
I'm going to do a back-to-back test drive to get my own view point, would be interested in anyone else's experience of the two.
I'm going to do a back-to-back test drive to get my own view point, would be interested in anyone else's experience of the two.
Have tried both, far prefer the V8, I think general reliability is better with the V8 from what i've heard from people. Also, in my view, the noises that come out of the V8 are without equal, but then it's all personal choice really. Best bet is what you are doing really, to go & try both. Have fun.
ok on holiday in this thread,before I bought the Tamora, I drove both 4.5 and S6 cerbie's, S6 was easier to drive (like the Tamora) but you want a cerbie to be a beast so it has to be the 4.5, the growllll is ...................oh heaven. 
>> Edited by Dicky on Friday 11th April 19:35
>> Edited by Dicky on Friday 11th April 19:35
As you well know
!Drove quite a few of all 3 cerbera types when looking - went for a 4.2 in the end. Sorry, but there is nothing quite like a V8. I drive the Cerbera in all driving conditions and all types of traffic, and have never found the V8 a problem to live with - even on the daily commute.
I suggest trying all the options - very personal thing, but dont rule out those 4.2s either!
Cheers,
Tommo
>> Edited by tommomic on Friday 11th April 20:48
>> Edited by tommomic on Friday 11th April 20:51
I suggest trying all the options - very personal thing, but dont rule out those 4.2s either!
Cheers,
Tommo
>> Edited by tommomic on Friday 11th April 20:48
>> Edited by tommomic on Friday 11th April 20:51
ches said: Have you driven a Cerbera Nick? I'm guessing not otherwise there wouldn't be a Griffith in your drive
i have to agree with nick here and yes i have driven a 4.5 cerbie (with sports exhaust). they are two very different beasts. on the road i would rather have the griff as it is much more drivable without having to rev the nuts off it and on the track i would take the cerbie.
for noise, the griff (same for all rover v8's) wins hands down, no contest.
Its a fair point - if the speed 6 puts out a genuine 350bhp and the 4.5 (in good nick) puts out a real 350bhp (as opposed to the quoted 420bhp) then why does the 4.5 "feel" such a missile compared to the speed 6? I have driven all 3 and the 4.5 is on a different planet - is it torque? I don't know the torque figures.
All I can tell you is the 4.5 is the muts nuts, once driven, forever smacked round the face with a wet fish.
All I can tell you is the 4.5 is the muts nuts, once driven, forever smacked round the face with a wet fish.
as a belgian, i fell in love with the cerbera in 1997, 23 years , now 30, i got my new cerb 4.5 redrose and as one said it's a big differnce with the speed 6 in torque, but as the car only has now 70km i'll have to talk to you guys within some weeks because not going over 3000 t/m is a torture when you know what it can, bang....
Sorry its taken a while to reply re have I driven a Cerbera...answer is yes, many times & I love them to bits. I know why Rob (Tripps for those that dont know him as well as I do)wants a Cerbie & it makes perfect sense, go on Rob..do it & get them to throw in a couple of baby seats!!
Then you can come round to mine & upset the neighbours again.
Nick
(in sunny France, checking out the run for later this year)
Then you can come round to mine & upset the neighbours again.
Nick
(in sunny France, checking out the run for later this year)
It's all academic really - I've just bought my first TVR (Cerbera 4.2 '97) and they're all beauties - just buy it and enjoy it - permanent grin material. What I would personally recommend, though, is to have it checked out (if you're buying private) 'cos there are some morons out there ready to shaft you (I found a few of 'em) and "buyer beware" 'n all that.
4.2, 4.5, speed 6 - they're all well cool and will blow you away - go for it and whatever choice you make will be the right one.
4.2, 4.5, speed 6 - they're all well cool and will blow you away - go for it and whatever choice you make will be the right one.
beej said: Its a fair point - if the speed 6 puts out a genuine 350bhp and the 4.5 (in good nick) puts out a real 350bhp (as opposed to the quoted 420bhp) then why does the 4.5 "feel" such a missile compared to the speed 6? I have driven all 3 and the 4.5 is on a different planet - is it torque? I don't know the torque figures..
Because nobody really knows what an average speed 6 power figure is. There have only been 2 dyno reading that I'm aware of. The 4.5 probably feels faster because of the step in torque above 3.5k. Besides, sounds better!
jodypress said:
ches said: Have you driven a Cerbera Nick? I'm guessing not otherwise there wouldn't be a Griffith in your drive
i have to agree with nick here and yes i have driven a 4.5 cerbie (with sports exhaust). they are two very different beasts. on the road i would rather have the griff as it is much more drivable without having to rev the nuts off it and on the track i would take the cerbie.
for noise, the griff (same for all rover v8's) wins hands down, no contest.
having had two 4.2 cerbs and now a speed six t350 i sort of agree with the above.
The ajp v8 is an experience in the way it pops and bangs, and revs, and feels like a race engine. The downside is from outside the car it sounds like a pair of 4 cylinder motorbike engines, or from inside it sounds like a rattly old fiesta engine. Thats why they all have sports exhausts!
The S6 by comparison sounds better, and has much more torque at low revs, making it drive much more like a Griff for ease of use. There is none of the AJP style rev it before you try to pull off to stop it stalling stuff.
The AJP engine perhaps has an edge in reliability.
Different character really s6 is more GT, AJP is more like a racing engine. Both are nice in a different way.
Bennno
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