Engine upgrades 4.3 and 4.5

[catsey]

good day all
considering purchase of 4.5 TVR Power Tuscan S, not new to TVR ownership having owned for 8 years a 500SC Griff. Point is im knocking on a bit and this will be my retirement toy.
there will be a time when i have to part with the car my question is 3 fold.
1. How good is the 4.5 upgrade
2. will the car be driveable note its a 2003 Mk 1 with Nitrons
3. Will the fact that the car isnt STANDARD affect the resale value.

cheers Jim

[Jay964rs]

Hi,
I can only give my opinion on the Powers 4.3, which I’ve had upgraded from a standard 3.6 mk1.
The engine is night and day different and the bigger capacity engine is so much more tractable at low revs in high gears, but still has the urgency at the top end of the rev range.
Couple this with the Powers warranty (ie piece of mind), and it’s a win/win for me.
Jay

[catsey]

Jay964rs said:

Hi,
I can only give my opinion on the Powers 4.3, which I’ve had upgraded from a standard 3.6 mk1.
The engine is night and day different and the bigger capacity engine is so much more tractable at low revs in high gears, but still has the urgency at the top end of the rev range.
Couple this with the Powers warranty (ie piece of mind), and it’s a win/win for me.
Jay

thanks you mirror my opinion i mean what is originality with TVR
cheers

[Jay964rs]

I don’t honestly think originality is key on these cars.
It’s not like old air cooled 911’s where everything has to be perfect and original to get maximum value.
I believe TVR’s are bought on condition and maintenance being up to scratch.
And they must be driven :-)

[catsey]

Jay964rs said:

I don’t honestly think originality is key on these cars.
It’s not like old air cooled 911’s where everything has to be perfect and original to get maximum value.
I believe TVR’s are bought on condition and maintenance being up to scratch.
And they must be driven :-)

bit off the post but heres my baby as i checked you out and you have 996turbo mines a 2004 GT2 with full carbon interior the very last Mk 1 registered in UK

[catsey]

catsey said:

bit off the post but heres my baby as i checked you out and you have 996turbo mines a 2004 GT2 with full carbon interior the very last Mk 1 registered in UK

and really im being told Tuscan 4.5 is lethal and i own a uprated 2004 GT2 widowmaker and had an SC 500 Griff is the Tuscan 4.5 so undrivable and dangerous

[Chim450]

I don’t know really quite where this myth of a Mk I Tuscan being undriveable comes from. The chassis is essentially the same as all the other T cars, some slight changes to the Sagaris with a wider track and higher steering rack. The original Bilstein shocks didn’t do the car any favours but most cars are now on adjustable shocks like nitrons. With a proper Geo set up and decent tyres the Tuscan is far from a “widow maker”.

[nawarne]

As Mr. Peter Wheeler used to say "the most important nut on any car is the one holding the steering wheel".

Tend to agree - you have to drive any car that comes without any electronic aids using the good ol' Mk.1 brain cell(s).

Nick

[glow worm]

I've had a 4.5 Super Sport with updated MBE ECU (without Launch and Traction control) in my Tuscan convertible for 5 years and I'm still around . With the increased torque across the rev range it makes it far more enjoyable to drive and less shifting between gears because it pulls in any gear.

[Jay964rs]

catsey said:

bit off the post but heres my baby as i checked you out and you have 996turbo mines a 2004 GT2 with full carbon interior the very last Mk 1 registered in UK

That GT2 is epic!!
Great choice.

[TravelsVeryRapid]

catsey said:

good day all
considering purchase of 4.5 TVR Power Tuscan S, not new to TVR ownership having owned for 8 years a 500SC Griff. Point is im knocking on a bit and this will be my retirement toy.
there will be a time when i have to part with the car my question is 3 fold.
1. How good is the 4.5 upgrade
2. will the car be driveable note its a 2003 Mk 1 with Nitrons
3. Will the fact that the car isnt STANDARD affect the resale value.

cheers Jim

I think a 4.5 upgrade will increase the value. It is still an S6 which is what was used originally, just an improved version. Some people have replaced it with a V8, nothing wrong with that but not original. I see you are from Arizona, will be a very rare sight. They are quite rare here too, if you decide on a Tuscan you will love it, I have had mine for seven years and will never tire of it. I will be visiting Arizona next year, won’t be in the Tuscan unfortunately.
Best wishes,
Steve.

[Incognegro]

Hi I can give my opinion on the 4.5SS I had put in my cerbera. As stated by another the engine really is on another level... I mean REALY!

I also had powers anti knock MBE ecu fitted at time of rebuild so I also have launch and tcs which when you think u are a master (or forgot to think) it reminds you

Nitrons improve the car again as I’ve driven cerbs on standard, then on Gaza golds and mine had Nitrons running 18” SP12s and that to me is the best combo.

Resale value of the mods you say would only increase it I feel as any buyer knows a lot of the mods made improve what was done as a standard product.

Good luck mate

[catsey]

Incognegro said:

Hi I can give my opinion on the 4.5SS I had put in my cerbera. As stated by another the engine really is on another level... I mean REALY!

I also had powers anti knock MBE ecu fitted at time of rebuild so I also have launch and tcs which when you think u are a master (or forgot to think) it reminds you

Nitrons improve the car again as I’ve driven cerbs on standard, then on Gaza golds and mine had Nitrons running 18” SP12s and that to me is the best combo.

Resale value of the mods you say would only increase it I feel as any buyer knows a lot of the mods made improve what was done as a standard product.

Good luck mate

thanks

[catsey]

TravelsVeryRapid said:

I think a 4.5 upgrade will increase the value. It is still an S6 which is what was used originally, just an improved version. Some people have replaced it with a V8, nothing wrong with that but not original. I see you are from Arizona, will be a very rare sight. They are quite rare here too, if you decide on a Tuscan you will love it, I have had mine for seven years and will never tire of it. I will be visiting Arizona next year, won’t be in the Tuscan unfortunately.
Best wishes,
Steve.

Cheers Steve youll enjoy Arizona especially Sedona.. No i willnt be there cannot afford to retire in USA also miss the driving in uk and especially West Coast Scotland. USA unfortunately has been ruined by lawyers and Insurance companies In the cities its a dog eat dog society.
Ill miss the people but even going out for decent grub etc has got crazy prices
Ill be importing or hoping to return to NW Lancs with a Shelby 350GTR