Pre Serp to Serp!!

[Muffin8372]

Hi Everyone,

What parts would I need to convert my pre serp Chim to a serp one? Just asking for a 'friend!'

[Belle427]

What size engine do you have and why do you want to do it?
A lot of fuss for nothing really.

[sixor8]

It would probably be cheaper to sell your car and buy one with a serp engine (late '94 onwards). Anything is possible with enough cash, I suppose.

[PabloGee]

Had the same thought.
Why do you want to change?

Isn't the difference between pre-serp and serp to do with the way the oil is sent around the engine?
Depends what you're looking to achieve.

[Muffin8372]

Do you know what, this forum stuff is great!!! Why do I want to do it? I don't really know and you've help me decide not to bother!! Thanks TVR's!!!!!

[PabloGee]

Funnily enough, some folk prefer the pre-serp, because they are the earlier engines before catalytic converters/emissions reduction were mandated.
Emissions tests at MOT are different, and theoretically the engine breathes more freely.

[Sardonicus]

Pre-serp was still into CAT revision territory for 2 years approx even into Tremec gearbox intro before rolling into interim serp motor

[PabloGee]

I stand corrected, my misunderstanding.
So avoid a right lot of nonsense, and leave your engine construct alone, just get it running nicely!

[Belle427]

And please don't ask what's the best oil I can use in it?

[pits]

PabloGee said:

Had the same thought.
Why do you want to change?

Isn't the difference between pre-serp and serp to do with the way the oil is sent around the engine?
Depends what you're looking to achieve.

Fair bit actually, yes the oil pump and how it primes is different, but the whole front end is quite, water pump housing, alternator housing, basically everything from the block forward (if that makes sense) is different.
Then you also have a swirl pot and header tank, so coolant system changes slightly, different coolant hoses.
Crank is different because of the woodruff key, and that in itself becomes an issue, as now you have a crank driven oil pump which means you would also need a spacer on the crank, and the pulley itself would probably be in the exhaust manifold by then.
I think some water pumps are reverse spin as well, but I might be making that up,

Long and short, bonnet off, replace the whole water pump assembly, timing case, dent your exhaust to get it to fit, reroute you header tank, different hoses, oh and to do all this, you will have to at least take the manifolds off, inlet/plenum off, exhaust, on an LT box car you should be fine to hoist the engine just enough off the mounts to get the crank pulley off, but you will struggle to get it off in situ, better off taking the engine out, and if it is out, just rebuild it, T5 box car you will need to disconnect the whole linkage to avoid bending it.

I suppose you could have a custom serp pulley made and try and make and align bracketery for serp stuff, but stuff will still have to move..


A lot of effort and expense for no gain, if you want a SC kit, then get a serp, if you aren't going to, then just buy a pre serp and enjoy the simplicity


Edit to add A LOT of expense, suggest you look at timinig case cover prices, and make sure you buy the car one, not the Land Rover one or Range Rover one, they are both different

Edited by pits on Friday 12th July 22:04

[carsy]

I did mine a few years ago, not too bad a job. You can see it in my profile pic. You will also have to drill and tap the block for a cam retaining plate.

[Muffin8372]

Looks nice Carsy!!!