500HC engine variations

[_DJ_]

Looking at the ad for a Griff 500 engine in the classifieds, I noticed it mentions 'black rocker cover version'. Does anyone know whether the engine spec was changed at the same time as the cover colour was? Are the later (black) models the detuned 320 (cough, cough) version and the purple covers the earlier engines?


>>> Edited by _DJ_ on Tuesday 6th May 13:18

[zippy500]

I think all black ones are HC versions and pre serpentine.

[_DJ_]

I thought all TVR 500 v8's were HC?
Serpentine (purple)/pre-serpentine (black) would make sense though....

[zippy500]

The HC part confuses me, Although I understand from countless previous posts that as you said all 500's are HC versions. As we all know though the colour of the rocker covers isnt nothing to go buy, what ever paint they had to hand probably has a bearing on it. Im just going on engines I have seen at dealers etc, purple ones were all serpentine and so on. Nevers eeen any other colours( apart from custom ones)

[_DJ_]

From Steve's book, post-97 (i think) cars were detuned from 340 (tvr donkeys) to 320, though the original cars were quoted at 325 in the initial literature. This was done to improve driveability around town and idling.