T350 - any problems yet?
Discussion
I am really starting to get the hots for the T350, by all accounts its the best TVR drivers car to date. Tempted to sell my other motors and get one but a bit nervous of the reliability reputation of the Speed 6 engine. have anyone had an engine rebuild yet or is the smaller sp6 engine now sorted?
spartacus said:
The 2000 miles Europe trip in June, that wouldn't be a very round about trip to Le Mans by any chance? saw a nice metallic green one in the queue for ferry at Dieppe, first one I have seen in the flesh, that's when I started to quite fancy one.
That may have been mine, going back to Newhaven approx 1800 CET on the Monday.
Mike
spartacus said:
The 2000 miles Europe trip in June, that wouldn't be a very round about trip to Le Mans by any chance? saw a nice metallic green one in the queue for ferry at Dieppe, first one I have seen in the flesh, that's when I started to quite fancy one.
No it wasn't, we have a rosso pearl one, see my profile. We just took it on our annual europe road trip. We did Italy, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland.
Mrs Fish, that sounds like and excellent bedding in journey for a car like that. Its so much more fun driving in other European countries, open roads, no speed cameras - although I am not sure about Italy - seem to remember from my childhood holidays, even in the late 60s, it being horribly congested around the major cities to the north.
Mike, I think it must have been your car as it was about that time on the Monday, seem to remember the ferry queue contained a small fortune in fabulous classic cars - 50s Gull Wing Merc, D-Type Jag and numerous vintage sports jobs and a big Healey stuck on the unloading ramp at Newhaven.
Mike, I think it must have been your car as it was about that time on the Monday, seem to remember the ferry queue contained a small fortune in fabulous classic cars - 50s Gull Wing Merc, D-Type Jag and numerous vintage sports jobs and a big Healey stuck on the unloading ramp at Newhaven.
Spartacus,
I was just musing the other day that after the wave of posts regarding build quality (like most owners I've had some of the niggles mentioned in them), I can't remember one where a T350 had actually gone pop or had a really serious problem.
The only mechanical/oily bit that I've had a problem with has been an oil pressure sensor and that the other things you either live with (petrol filling etc), or the dealer will sort out (rear valances, gear gaitors etc.
I'd recommend a 6 month old car where the owner has fastidiously noted and fixed the inital problems, the engines been run in and been seen to be a good un. It still has plenty of warrenty for peace of mind and you'll save a packet.
In fact the Cameleon Green one in the classifieds sound right up your street....... (not that I'm biased of course)
I was just musing the other day that after the wave of posts regarding build quality (like most owners I've had some of the niggles mentioned in them), I can't remember one where a T350 had actually gone pop or had a really serious problem.
The only mechanical/oily bit that I've had a problem with has been an oil pressure sensor and that the other things you either live with (petrol filling etc), or the dealer will sort out (rear valances, gear gaitors etc.
I'd recommend a 6 month old car where the owner has fastidiously noted and fixed the inital problems, the engines been run in and been seen to be a good un. It still has plenty of warrenty for peace of mind and you'll save a packet.
In fact the Cameleon Green one in the classifieds sound right up your street....... (not that I'm biased of course)
spartacus said:
Mike, I think it must have been your car as it was about that time on the Monday, seem to remember the ferry queue contained a small fortune in fabulous classic cars - 50s Gull Wing Merc, D-Type Jag and numerous vintage sports jobs and a big Healey stuck on the unloading ramp at Newhaven.
Yes that was me!
Mr Fish Speaking:
Didn't have a problem in Italy (155mph into Venice) car still going great. I've now done 27,000miles with speed sixes (18,000 in a 4.0l and 9,000 in a 3.6l). Personnaly I still prefer the 4.0l, it catches you out the torque comes in very early and pulls fantasticaly, shame the no longer make it in 360bhp form. The 3.6l is good but far more civilised as the torque doesn't hit till 4,000rpm ie you have to boot it to get warp factor performance because the torqe is down by 50lbft.
Anyhow the T350 is great and the ebgine feels unbustabale. The 4.0l was rebuilt because of the finger follower problem but once resolved it felt very solid and I did use it....
In conclusion the sp6 is quite a stressed engine but if looked after reasonably will not let you down and should ou have a problem I've found the factory very good.
P.S. When you really ring it out you get the following sensations;
1)Huge Grin
2)Great soundtrack(although I may fit a sports exhaust!)
3)Feeling of license disappearing......
Didn't have a problem in Italy (155mph into Venice) car still going great. I've now done 27,000miles with speed sixes (18,000 in a 4.0l and 9,000 in a 3.6l). Personnaly I still prefer the 4.0l, it catches you out the torque comes in very early and pulls fantasticaly, shame the no longer make it in 360bhp form. The 3.6l is good but far more civilised as the torque doesn't hit till 4,000rpm ie you have to boot it to get warp factor performance because the torqe is down by 50lbft.
Anyhow the T350 is great and the ebgine feels unbustabale. The 4.0l was rebuilt because of the finger follower problem but once resolved it felt very solid and I did use it....
In conclusion the sp6 is quite a stressed engine but if looked after reasonably will not let you down and should ou have a problem I've found the factory very good.
P.S. When you really ring it out you get the following sensations;
1)Huge Grin
2)Great soundtrack(although I may fit a sports exhaust!)
3)Feeling of license disappearing......
mrs fish said:
P.S. When you really ring it out you get the following sensations;
1)Huge Grin
2)Great soundtrack(although I may fit a sports exhaust!)
3)Feeling of license disappearing......
Ah, how I've missed those 3 bedfellows (well, the first two, anyway!). Still only, a week away....
Did just short of 10,000 miles in first 3.6l Tamora speed six, had engine rebuild at 700 miles by factory due to weak finger followers and cams ( inconsistent quality from suppliers ) - no problems after that. Engine is brilliant and from what I hear it all depends on how you run it in for the first 1,000 miles, keep in under 3,000rpm and always warm the engine before driving off.
Also heard that supplier of key engine components has been changed approx 4 months ago to one which is more focused on quality and uses higher grade of materials? maybe an urban myth!
Anyhow just got second Tamora ( new in August 03 )back after 1,000 miles, engine in this car is even better, quieter and smoother than previous one. It seems the newer the engine the better.
I never get over how fantastic the speed six engine is!
Buy and enjoy.
PHTVR
Also heard that supplier of key engine components has been changed approx 4 months ago to one which is more focused on quality and uses higher grade of materials? maybe an urban myth!
Anyhow just got second Tamora ( new in August 03 )back after 1,000 miles, engine in this car is even better, quieter and smoother than previous one. It seems the newer the engine the better.
I never get over how fantastic the speed six engine is!
Buy and enjoy.
PHTVR
PHTVR said:
Engine is brilliant and from what I hear it all depends on how you run it in for the first 1,000 miles, keep in under 3,000rpm and always warm the engine before driving off.
I really think you have hit the nail on the head there, not just with TVRs but any hi performance engine, how many owners actualy take that kind of care, particularly the with warming up before nailing the throttle. It's only common sense really.
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