Yellow Griff with LS upgrade
Discussion
You mean the one that was built by 7TVR?
A no expense spared car. I drove it when it belonged to Christian who had it built and then again when it was up for sale a few years later in the New Forest area. I was keen to buy it at the time but after driving it and comparing it to my 5.5 Chimaera I decided that my car was a nicer drive. The grief is or was certainly absolutely fantastic and one-of-a-kind I just thought that all that power was too much for the car even when compared to my 400bhp chim.
A no expense spared car. I drove it when it belonged to Christian who had it built and then again when it was up for sale a few years later in the New Forest area. I was keen to buy it at the time but after driving it and comparing it to my 5.5 Chimaera I decided that my car was a nicer drive. The grief is or was certainly absolutely fantastic and one-of-a-kind I just thought that all that power was too much for the car even when compared to my 400bhp chim.
phazed said:
You mean the one that was built by 7TVR?
A no expense spared car. I drove it when it belonged to Christian who had it built and then again when it was up for sale a few years later in the New Forest area.
Guess 2-3 years ago when Daniel Yeates was selling the LS Griff? (Boat salesman.) Anyway, from memory, he sold it to an RO from one of the TVRCC Yorkshire areas.A no expense spared car. I drove it when it belonged to Christian who had it built and then again when it was up for sale a few years later in the New Forest area.
Edit to add a link.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=&t=1151047
Edited by 5.0ltr on Monday 9th November 16:41
catsey said:
Still hoping the present owner is looking to sell .it was sold couple years ago LS upgraded Full car and Interior was refurbed At time i was not in a position to purchase .Can anyone remember blog on the car.
Existing owner is enjoying the car, doubt if it will be for sale anytime soon.5.0ltr said:
Guess 2-3 years ago when Daniel Yeates was selling the LS Griff? (Boat salesman.) Anyway, from memory, he sold it to an RO from one of the TVRCC Yorkshire areas.
Edit to add a link.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=&t=1151047
That’s correct. It was a bargain compared to it’s build price!Edit to add a link.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=&t=1151047
Edited by 5.0ltr on Monday 9th November 16:41
phazed said:
You mean the one that was built by 7TVR?
A no expense spared car. I drove it when it belonged to Christian who had it built and then again when it was up for sale a few years later in the New Forest area. I was keen to buy it at the time but after driving it and comparing it to my 5.5 Chimaera I decided that my car was a nicer drive. The grief is or was certainly absolutely fantastic and one-of-a-kind I just thought that all that power was too much for the car even when compared to my 400bhp chim.
A no expense spared car. I drove it when it belonged to Christian who had it built and then again when it was up for sale a few years later in the New Forest area. I was keen to buy it at the time but after driving it and comparing it to my 5.5 Chimaera I decided that my car was a nicer drive. The grief is or was certainly absolutely fantastic and one-of-a-kind I just thought that all that power was too much for the car even when compared to my 400bhp chim.
Edited by macdeb on Monday 9th November 17:27
macdeb said:
Edited by macdeb on Monday 9th November 17:27
Great, great power from very low down which easily lit up the rear wheels. My point is that my 5.5 delivered more progressively and felt more drivable.
I am sure your turbo chim was similar. Soft power initially which rises with higher revs.
My point is, the instant great power in such a light car was in my opinion, undesirable.
^^^^ I appreciate all that above Peter, but the guy was looking for the Yellow 'Griffith' LS, I doubt he wanted to hear about our Chimera's for comparison, as it suggests he should be looking for those instead. Just my slant on it. Stay safe, hope the porkas doing well. 
ETA I wish the OP all the best in his search for a superb car from memory
ETA I wish the OP all the best in his search for a superb car from memory
Edited by macdeb on Monday 9th November 20:21
phazed said:
macdeb said:
Edited by macdeb on Monday 9th November 17:27
Great, great power from very low down which easily lit up the rear wheels. My point is that my 5.5 delivered more progressively and felt more drivable.
I am sure your turbo chim was similar. Soft power initially which rises with higher revs.
My point is, the instant great power in such a light car was in my opinion, undesirable.
Not sure I agree with Peters view but I haven’t driven it! Surely the right foot controls the delivery of power? Even with “just” 400 horses if you stab your foot straight to the floor in a low gear you will light up the rears. I wouldn’t describe the rv8 as steadily increasing with revs.
So what would be the most torque/Bhp one should aim for before it becomes too much?
Hi Ian 
That LS delivers huge torque/power at low revs, noticeably more then mine. Mine delivered 370ftlb at 2000 rpm up to 450 max. Don't know what that LS produces but it is certainly more. I know Christian had a larger throttle body fitted and a few tweaks.....
Point is, it is an epic car but a car that would put a few people in the hedge. I'm not saying it's dangerous, just very powerful and not everybody's cup of tea.
As to how much is enough power in these cars, well as these cars don't have any aids, I'd say about 400 but for track use, (no hedges and a dry track) above 500-600.
As we know most drivers aren't gods behind the wheel, the breakers up North will confirm this.
Any projects on the go Ian?
That LS delivers huge torque/power at low revs, noticeably more then mine. Mine delivered 370ftlb at 2000 rpm up to 450 max. Don't know what that LS produces but it is certainly more. I know Christian had a larger throttle body fitted and a few tweaks.....Point is, it is an epic car but a car that would put a few people in the hedge. I'm not saying it's dangerous, just very powerful and not everybody's cup of tea.
As to how much is enough power in these cars, well as these cars don't have any aids, I'd say about 400 but for track use, (no hedges and a dry track) above 500-600.
As we know most drivers aren't gods behind the wheel, the breakers up North will confirm this.
Any projects on the go Ian?
[quote=phazed
Any projects on the go Ian?
Hi Peter, hope all’s well.
One, two no three projects on the go! I’m down sizing the fleet as I’m not really using them enough. I am currently detailing and preparing the Sag and will get it advertised after Christmas, tinkering with the Griff and will move it on come spring. That will leave me with the LS tam which I’m hoping to supercharge when my other jobs get done so keeping busy!
Sorry op, time to start some of my own threads! Good luck searching for the Griff, it sounds like a proper car
Any projects on the go Ian?
Hi Peter, hope all’s well.
One, two no three projects on the go! I’m down sizing the fleet as I’m not really using them enough. I am currently detailing and preparing the Sag and will get it advertised after Christmas, tinkering with the Griff and will move it on come spring. That will leave me with the LS tam which I’m hoping to supercharge when my other jobs get done so keeping busy!
Sorry op, time to start some of my own threads! Good luck searching for the Griff, it sounds like a proper car
I have retired. No work travel, reduced going anywhere because of covid resulting in my annual mileage plummeting from about 18 K to probably 2–3 K! I have to make an effort to go out for a drive, what the hell is happening!
Actually looking for a project car at the moment as I have spare time. Let me know if you hear of anything. Was offered a 4.3 Chimaera, full rebuild, chassis up but don't fancy a total rebuild!
Good luck to the OP. These cars seem to change hands quite frequently so keep your eyes and ears open.
Actually looking for a project car at the moment as I have spare time. Let me know if you hear of anything. Was offered a 4.3 Chimaera, full rebuild, chassis up but don't fancy a total rebuild!
Good luck to the OP. These cars seem to change hands quite frequently so keep your eyes and ears open.
Peter, I've something interesting on the go :-)
My stroker crank, Chevy LS rods and pistons. I'll call it a Roverlet. Your crank's been redesigned with larger diameter crank pins to increase the overlap and add stroke without the weakness of a stretched 4.6 cranks at 5.3 litres and tiny crank pins.
My stroker crank, Chevy LS rods and pistons. I'll call it a Roverlet. Your crank's been redesigned with larger diameter crank pins to increase the overlap and add stroke without the weakness of a stretched 4.6 cranks at 5.3 litres and tiny crank pins.
Edited by Boosted LS1 on Tuesday 10th November 19:10
Maybe a 5.7 rv8 but based on chevy LS internals. I've a crank being machined at the moment but guess that'll take a good few weeks. All the measurements stack up though. Big crank pin diameter (chevy) to increase the overlap when compared to rover crankpins whittled down. I can make a long stroke so it's only the sides of the block that limit stroke. The chevy rods and pistons are a no brainer as GM have already done the reliability stuff.
roseytvr said:
Sorry to go off topic op but this begs the question when is increased power to much for these cars?
Not sure I agree with Peters view but I haven’t driven it! Surely the right foot controls the delivery of power? Even with “just” 400 horses if you stab your foot straight to the floor in a low gear you will light up the rears. I wouldn’t describe the rv8 as steadily increasing with revs.
So what would be the most torque/Bhp one should aim for before it becomes too much?
IMO/IME 300-350bhp is the limit for the Griff chassis.Not sure I agree with Peters view but I haven’t driven it! Surely the right foot controls the delivery of power? Even with “just” 400 horses if you stab your foot straight to the floor in a low gear you will light up the rears. I wouldn’t describe the rv8 as steadily increasing with revs.
So what would be the most torque/Bhp one should aim for before it becomes too much?
I am sure you can spend a lot of money on the drivetrain and suspension and brakes etc to be able to use more, but I'm not convinced it would be money well spent or yield a measurably "better" road car. (Track might be different...but these aren't track cars really).
My car currently has around 320bhp and is a handful. Part of that is down to the way it delivers that power (which will be changed over winter as I come to recommission the car), but not all.
With that sort of power the car is still very quick in a straight line. But keeping it pointing in a straight line is not straightforward! Some might enjoy that, but it's not high up on my list of driving pleasures
Griffs are fantastic cars with many very lovable traits. But there are limits IMO.
This also applies to all cars IME. As an example, I owned my 200bhp Caterham at the same time as an R500. Only ~40bhp difference but the way the power delivery worked and the weight of the car meant that for me the R500 was too much. You couldn't use all the extra performance on the road and whilst yes, you can modulate things with your right foot, constantly having to do so is wearing. (It also wasn't dramatically quicker on track - when doing track days for fun, a second on a lap is irrelevant and I'm not sure it was ever that much faster
).Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff