Defending the Speed 6
Discussion
Right time for me to make a few points.
1) There seems to be a feeling among many V8 Cerbera owners that the Speed6 is somehow the poor relation, even to the extent tat a car that I love has been described as a 'complete Lemon'.
2) Mostly the criticism refers to the engine, so does that mean that Tuscans, Tamoras, T350Cs are 'complete Lemons' too?
3) The Speed 6 Cerbera has advatages over the V8 cars for many people, indeed all contemporary roadtests preferred the Speed 6 over the V8 cars. The reasons for this were: a) Better Engine refinement b) Better Engine sound c) Steering slightly lower geared meaning that you do not have to make constant steering corrections d) More compliant ride (but hardly soft)
4) The performance on paper is slightly less, but is more than enough for the road, and the engine was designed with a rising torque curve and has a great power delivery. In any case the cars have 350Hp which is the same as the 4.2V8, and by all accounts the 4.5V8 does not in reality have much more pover. The speed 6 engine actually has more torque than the 4.2V8.
5) I use my car every day and have no other car for me the Speed 6 is perfect.
6)The engine in my car had an upgrade at 17000 miles, although it had not actually failed, since then it has been perfect and now has 29000 miles on. It has just been serviced and the engine has no problems, I believe that the engine has now been srted and will give no further trouble, the minor problems it did have are common to all Cerberas.
So come on the Speed 6 is a different animal but IMHO is just as good if not better than the V8 cars, which incidentally are hardly a byword for reliability.
I realise that this is a long post but I am quite upset about this issue. Right Ill duck for cover for a couple of hours.
Ocean1
1) There seems to be a feeling among many V8 Cerbera owners that the Speed6 is somehow the poor relation, even to the extent tat a car that I love has been described as a 'complete Lemon'.
2) Mostly the criticism refers to the engine, so does that mean that Tuscans, Tamoras, T350Cs are 'complete Lemons' too?
3) The Speed 6 Cerbera has advatages over the V8 cars for many people, indeed all contemporary roadtests preferred the Speed 6 over the V8 cars. The reasons for this were: a) Better Engine refinement b) Better Engine sound c) Steering slightly lower geared meaning that you do not have to make constant steering corrections d) More compliant ride (but hardly soft)
4) The performance on paper is slightly less, but is more than enough for the road, and the engine was designed with a rising torque curve and has a great power delivery. In any case the cars have 350Hp which is the same as the 4.2V8, and by all accounts the 4.5V8 does not in reality have much more pover. The speed 6 engine actually has more torque than the 4.2V8.
5) I use my car every day and have no other car for me the Speed 6 is perfect.
6)The engine in my car had an upgrade at 17000 miles, although it had not actually failed, since then it has been perfect and now has 29000 miles on. It has just been serviced and the engine has no problems, I believe that the engine has now been srted and will give no further trouble, the minor problems it did have are common to all Cerberas.
So come on the Speed 6 is a different animal but IMHO is just as good if not better than the V8 cars, which incidentally are hardly a byword for reliability.
I realise that this is a long post but I am quite upset about this issue. Right Ill duck for cover for a couple of hours.
Ocean1
Go on. Admit it. It's a lemon. Trade it in for a V8 
The Speed 6 engine is a pile of pooh. Ok, it's better than it was, but I have a friend who has had 7 YES SEVEN! rebuilds on his Tuscan. Almost everybody I know who has bought a car with the Speed 6 engine has had it go back to the factory at least once for a full rebuild. Several more than once. I've heard many times that "It's ok now", but that is usually followed by me hearing that somebody with the new fantastic upgraded engine has gone bang.
It's simple. The AJP8 is named after Al Melling (who designed it), Peter Wheeler (who paid for it) and John Ravenscroft (who made the tea).
Who designed the Speed 6? That's right. The tea boy! It's a bad design. Simple.
As for the rest of the car. There's nothing wrong with it. I can't really see the point of making a car like the Cerbie softer, but then I suppose that if you drive around town all day, you might want it like that (although why you would want a car like a Cerbie to drive around the City in is beyond me, unless you just want to pose).
Basically, you're right. It's the engine. That's the lemony bit. The rest is just down to personal taste. Mind you. Where would a Gin and Tonic be, if it wasn't for the lemony bit?
James
PS. Chill out
It's only fun.
The Speed 6 engine is a pile of pooh. Ok, it's better than it was, but I have a friend who has had 7 YES SEVEN! rebuilds on his Tuscan. Almost everybody I know who has bought a car with the Speed 6 engine has had it go back to the factory at least once for a full rebuild. Several more than once. I've heard many times that "It's ok now", but that is usually followed by me hearing that somebody with the new fantastic upgraded engine has gone bang.
It's simple. The AJP8 is named after Al Melling (who designed it), Peter Wheeler (who paid for it) and John Ravenscroft (who made the tea).
Who designed the Speed 6? That's right. The tea boy! It's a bad design. Simple.
As for the rest of the car. There's nothing wrong with it. I can't really see the point of making a car like the Cerbie softer, but then I suppose that if you drive around town all day, you might want it like that (although why you would want a car like a Cerbie to drive around the City in is beyond me, unless you just want to pose).
Basically, you're right. It's the engine. That's the lemony bit. The rest is just down to personal taste. Mind you. Where would a Gin and Tonic be, if it wasn't for the lemony bit?
James
PS. Chill out
It's only fun.James
Gin and tonic is nicer with a fat slice of lime in it.
When you and Mad dog barber were on your high speed run how stable did your car feel?
Was Steve on his 4.2 or was it the car he replaced it with which I assume was a 4.5.
How standard was your car at this point?
Sorry for all the questions (not really).
D.
Gin and tonic is nicer with a fat slice of lime in it.
When you and Mad dog barber were on your high speed run how stable did your car feel?
Was Steve on his 4.2 or was it the car he replaced it with which I assume was a 4.5.
How standard was your car at this point?
Sorry for all the questions (not really).
D.
Both cars felt totally stable. Mad Dog was in his 4.5 at the time (which he had only got a couple of months before), and his car was totally standard.
Mine had the Ohlins suspension, no cats and a sports exhaust, so it probably sounded like a high speed natural disaster as it blatted past the lorries (they don't half get small in your rear view mirror quickly at that speed).
James
Mine had the Ohlins suspension, no cats and a sports exhaust, so it probably sounded like a high speed natural disaster as it blatted past the lorries (they don't half get small in your rear view mirror quickly at that speed).
James
Ocean1,
Don't worry about what others say/think.
I am a V8 fan, and dismissed the speed six when the tuscan was released. Many months later, I heard a tuscan, and though WOW, that sounds better than the cerbera.
As you say it is less brutal, and more progressive, and ultimately a better 'road' engine.
If anyone is giving away a car, I don't care which engine, but if I was buying, I think I would also go for the speed six, be it cerbera, tuscan, tamora or T350.
Unfortunatley, if I ever get a TVR, it is likely to be an S (six in there somewhere
)
Sparks
Edited because I a muppet
Don't worry about what others say/think.
I am a V8 fan, and dismissed the speed six when the tuscan was released. Many months later, I heard a tuscan, and though WOW, that sounds better than the cerbera.
As you say it is less brutal, and more progressive, and ultimately a better 'road' engine.
If anyone is giving away a car, I don't care which engine, but if I was buying, I think I would also go for the speed six, be it cerbera, tuscan, tamora or T350.
Unfortunatley, if I ever get a TVR, it is likely to be an S (six in there somewhere
) Sparks
Edited because I a muppet
I have been in 2 V8 Cerberas, one was a standard 4.2, which I thought sounded uninteresting. The other was a decatted 4.2 with sports pipes I think, this was loud but still not a pleasant note IMHO. There seems to be tendancy to equate 'better' with 'loud', ie setting off car alarms,spitting flames,overrun crackle etc. The note of the speed 6 is purer without needing to wake the dead.
Ocean1
Ocean1
ocean1 said: I have been in 2 V8 Cerberas, one was a standard 4.2, which I thought sounded uninteresting. The other was a decatted 4.2 with sports pipes I think, this was loud but still not a pleasant note IMHO. There seems to be tendancy to equate 'better' with 'loud', ie setting off car alarms,spitting flames,overrun crackle etc. The note of the speed 6 is purer without needing to wake the dead.
Ocean1
then whats the problem if you are happy with your choice
Horses for courses as far as noise goes.
I do love the sound of an S6, but then I love the sound of my cerbera 4.2 decat when I'm on a bit of a mission. I thought my old Griff 500 with a back box conversion sounded excellent and the bloke over the road has a ducati with some sort of drainpipe on the back which is probably the best sounding thing on the road.
The field where I walk my dogs backs onto the A1307 (the most dangerous road in suffolk, odd as I live in cambs) anyway people tend to be on it a bit when they go past. The best thing I have ever heard go past (no TVRs of any sort whilst I have been there) was a V8 esprit, the chap was thrashing the pants off it and it sounded utterly wonderfull.
As I said horses for courses..
D.
I do love the sound of an S6, but then I love the sound of my cerbera 4.2 decat when I'm on a bit of a mission. I thought my old Griff 500 with a back box conversion sounded excellent and the bloke over the road has a ducati with some sort of drainpipe on the back which is probably the best sounding thing on the road.
The field where I walk my dogs backs onto the A1307 (the most dangerous road in suffolk, odd as I live in cambs) anyway people tend to be on it a bit when they go past. The best thing I have ever heard go past (no TVRs of any sort whilst I have been there) was a V8 esprit, the chap was thrashing the pants off it and it sounded utterly wonderfull.
As I said horses for courses..
D.
Not being cynical here but...
The Speed 6 Cerbera is/was slagged off by many, prices fall like a stone...ocean1 buys one cheap...then wants to promote its good name...to increase its resale value????? (stop it plummeting??)
Seriously ocean1 if we were all the same then the world would be very boring. You like your Speed6 engined Cerbera, others prefer V8s. Some people like Tuscans/Tamoras/T350Cs and others like the Griffiths and Chimaeras. Each to their own.
It is unfortuante for you that the Cerbera is the only model to have both of TVRs (roadgoing) engine projects fitted so there will always be comparisons.
I suggest that you chill a bit, enjoy your car.
davidy
The Speed 6 Cerbera is/was slagged off by many, prices fall like a stone...ocean1 buys one cheap...then wants to promote its good name...to increase its resale value????? (stop it plummeting??)
Seriously ocean1 if we were all the same then the world would be very boring. You like your Speed6 engined Cerbera, others prefer V8s. Some people like Tuscans/Tamoras/T350Cs and others like the Griffiths and Chimaeras. Each to their own.
It is unfortuante for you that the Cerbera is the only model to have both of TVRs (roadgoing) engine projects fitted so there will always be comparisons.
I suggest that you chill a bit, enjoy your car.
davidy
Agree with David, all down to personal opinion and circumstance. With us to replace the Chimeara 500 (which was great) we wanted an increase in performance and circumstances luckily allowed for a new car. Love the Cerbera and the Tuscan so was a clear choice between Tuscan S or 4.5 RR. In the end we chose the cerbera for the V8 and possible extra reliability due to the longer development time (Tuscan Racers etc..) over the speed6.
IMO all Cerberas and TVRs for that matter are fantastic cars which is why we are owners.
Lost Boys
IMO all Cerberas and TVRs for that matter are fantastic cars which is why we are owners.
Lost Boys
Speed 6 engines certainly were lemons , they seem to have improved but I dont think that makes them better or as good as the V8. I assume that the 3.6 speed six engine is more reliable than the 4 ltr.
It isnt just the pistonheaders with problems that grumble about them. People in the know also grumble ie dealers and independents.
IMHO - A V8 that is well looked after ie regularly serviced and fettled, that is used reguarly and that is warmed up properly could probably do at least 50K before major work on average.I would guess that a speed six is nearer 15K on avg. (Or 15 miles in the case of James mate - who I understand is very popular with the factory).
It isnt just the pistonheaders with problems that grumble about them. People in the know also grumble ie dealers and independents.
IMHO - A V8 that is well looked after ie regularly serviced and fettled, that is used reguarly and that is warmed up properly could probably do at least 50K before major work on average.I would guess that a speed six is nearer 15K on avg. (Or 15 miles in the case of James mate - who I understand is very popular with the factory).
There will now be a short pose intermission. I have two other cars. (apart from the cerbie 4.5) One is a V12 BMW, and the other is a V8 Cobra. Now, while you can muse about the relative merits of a V6 on practicality or even performance you surely can't in all honesty say its a better sound. My two V8's walk all over the V12 for sound pleasure and the only time I would bother with a V6 would be to get in my wife's BMW to go shopping! 
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