A bit of guidance please guys

[Champagne-Charlie]

So I fell in love with TVRs when I first saw and heard the odd wedge around town in the early 90s. Around 2003 I had some money but was put off buying a Cerb by all the bad reports of engine issues and bought an Japanese Rx7 fd3s instead that I discovered later on to also have engine issues... Here we are 20 years later, I've sold the Mazda for peanuts, have 2 young kids and a sensible family Audi A6.
I'm 46, my 7 year old loves fast cars.... I tell him about my sporty twin turbo Mazda that he didn't get to go in (it only worked for a year really) and about these gorgeous British sports cars that sound like thunder and go like stink.... A fantasy I used to have about owning a Cerbera.
I've got a little money once more.. which I could save for a rainy day or I find myself thinking could I revive the dream... could I really consider treating myself to a Cerbera... Am I too unfit to be getting up from such a low car haha.. I know for certain that my wife and 7 year old would love blasting around in such a car.

From the little research I've done it seems that the Cerbera can be worked on by a home mechanic though I could be wrong. I've always serviced my own cars and motorbikes since my teens and studied bike mechanics originally including engine rebuilds.

I'm curious to know how difficult a rebuild of the AJP8 engine is and if I were to buy one that needs a rebuild, what would it likely need a rebuild for... What usually needs replacing or fixing when one of these needs a rebuild?

I don't want to set myself up with a car that needs endless repairs. I know that these are race engines but does anyone use theirs as a daily driver?

Has anyone done the outriggers themselves? It looks like some pipe fabrication and welding. In my youth I did a workshop workshop engineering course so have some experience in welding and metalwork. Wondering if I can do outrigiggers myself.
Only thing I confess to not being able to turn my hand to is electrics.... colourblindness doesn't help 😃...

Can I dream once again of owning a Cerbera guys, what do you think?

[Flatplane8]

Hi,

I’m currently stripping my ‘97 Cerbera down to repair some chassis rust on the outriggers. I also did a leak down test on my engine and discovered the valves need grinding.so that’s now in bits too. In short I’ll be able to answer most of your questions in a few months time. The engine seems fairly simple and I will also weld up the outriggers if that’s all that needs doing (the chassis is currently being blasted clean so I can see properly what needs doing).

Time will tell though

Check out Mr Nice Guys YouTube videos for in depth engine info.

Simon

[Champagne-Charlie]

Sounds like you have a fun project ahead of you!! I just checked out Mr nice guys videos, they look like they'll help a lot!

Still not sure if I should buy one that needs a rebuild because I've no idea how much work will need doing.
I'd love a project but sadly in London I'm lacking in storage workshop space..

Looking forward to see your progress, will you make YouTube vids?

Cherrs
Charlie

[Flatplane8]

It’s generally cheaper in the long run to buy something that is in the best condition it can be. I still underestimate how much time and money will be required for these sorts of projects, not to mention the fact the car can’t be used whilst it’s in bits.

If I was buying now I would strongly consider the speed six models as there is a lot more support for that engine. The V8 engines, especially the 4.2 (such as mine) are starting to suffer from parts scarcity.

I’ll post up some videos and photos from time to time if I think it’ll be useful (or entertaining…….)

[ukkid35]

Champagne-Charlie said:

From the little research I've done it seems that the Cerbera can be worked on by a home mechanic though I could be wrong. I've always serviced my own cars and motorbikes since my teens and studied bike mechanics originally including engine rebuilds.

One of the most tedious aspects of running an AJP8 is that there are no hydraulic followers, you have to deal with 16 shims, where the stated service interval is 12k, but in reality if you 'drive' your car you need to measure and fix/replace at 6k intervals

However, that shouldn't be an issue for you as a DIY motorcycle mechanic

There are few other jobs that can be done with the engine in situ, so bear in mind that the luxury of a garage is priceless when owning a Cerb

Edited by ukkid35 on Tuesday 8th October 20:25

[Flatplane8]

I’d agree with that last post. Stripping the heads reminded me on my GPz Kawasaki’s setup with shims under buckets. A bit tedious but straightforward.

[Mr Cerbera]

Champagne-Charlie said:

...
Can I dream once again of owning a Cerbera guys, what do you think?

Hi Charlie,
Your experience covers the requirements of owning a Cerb.
Your command of the English language and thought processes show that you will be able to use this forum for any unusual difficulties.
BUT
Don't think about owning one if you don't have garage facilities.

Obviously, just based on me and my experiences of owning one for 19 years, with 102K on the clock
and her being off the road for the last 6 years for a (just do those little things that need doing) .

Good resisting
______________________________________________________________________________

ETA
When I was looking for one, I had set a budget of £20K (It was 2005).
Saw a few that didn't meet my requirements and eventually committed to £28.2K.
It was the best £8.2K that I've ever spent.

Go for a budget-breaker purchase - You'll be happy that you did !

Edited by Mr Cerbera on Thursday 10th October 11:59

[Byker28i]

I bought mine in 2006 for £13,200...

Just don't tell my wife what I've spent since...

[Gladers01]

Mr Cerbera said:

Champagne-Charlie said:

...
Can I dream once again of owning a Cerbera guys, what do you think?

Hi Charlie,
Your experience covers the requirements of owning a Cerb.
Your command of the English language and thought processes show that you will be able to use this forum for any unusual difficulties.
BUT
Don't think about owning one if you don't have garage facilities.

Obviously, just based on me and my experiences of owning one for 19 years, with 102K on the clock
and her being off the road for the last 6 years for a (just do those little things that need doing) .

Good resisting
______________________________________________________________________________

ETA
When I was looking for one, I had set a budget of £20K (It was 2005).
Saw a few that didn't meet my requirements and eventually committed to £28.2K.
It was the best £8.2K that I've ever spent.

Go for a budget-breaker purchase - You'll be happy that you did !

Edited by Mr Cerbera on Thursday 10th October 11:59

Good advice there regarding the garage to practise some home maintenance when fixing the 'odd' niggle and £8.2k sounds an absolute bargain for a Cerbera. What did you do with the other £20k ? Spend it on Champagne

[Champagne-Charlie]

Flatplane8 said:

If I was buying now I would strongly consider the speed six models as there is a lot more support for that engine. The V8 engines, especially the 4.2 (such as mine) are starting to suffer from parts scarcity.

Oh bugger... You guys are full of gloom hahaha yeah I'm joking, but hang on.. talking about parts for the AJP8 being harder to get hold of, I read (albeit on Wikipedia) that a company was set up to provide parts for the older TVR cars.. Is this not right?

[Ultra Sound Guy]

Champagne-Charlie said:

Flatplane8 said:

If I was buying now I would strongly consider the speed six models as there is a lot more support for that engine. The V8 engines, especially the 4.2 (such as mine) are starting to suffer from parts scarcity.

Oh bugger... You guys are full of gloom hahaha yeah I'm joking, but hang on.. talking about parts for the AJP8 being harder to get hold of, I read (albeit on Wikipedia) that a company was set up to provide parts for the older TVR cars.. Is this not right?

The Cerbera is not considered as one of the “older” TVRs!

[Champagne-Charlie]

Ultra Sound Guy said:

Champagne-Charlie said:

Flatplane8 said:

If I was buying now I would strongly consider the speed six models as there is a lot more support for that engine. The V8 engines, especially the 4.2 (such as mine) are starting to suffer from parts scarcity.

Oh bugger... You guys are full of gloom hahaha yeah I'm joking, but hang on.. talking about parts for the AJP8 being harder to get hold of, I read (albeit on Wikipedia) that a company was set up to provide parts for the older TVR cars.. Is this not right?

The Cerbera is not considered as one of the “older” TVRs!

I wasn't referring to just the Cerberas but all of the Peter Wheeler and earlier TVRs. The article wasn't clear on exactly which TVRs the parts are made for.

You sound like a man in the know, can you confirm if parts are being made for the AJP engine in the UK or is it just pre Wheeler TVRs?

[Champagne-Charlie]

And guys can you point to any particularly common issues with the AJP engine that requires a rebuild or can it just be anything?

[Basil Brush]

Champagne-Charlie said:

Ultra Sound Guy said:

Champagne-Charlie said:

Flatplane8 said:

If I was buying now I would strongly consider the speed six models as there is a lot more support for that engine. The V8 engines, especially the 4.2 (such as mine) are starting to suffer from parts scarcity.

Oh bugger... You guys are full of gloom hahaha yeah I'm joking, but hang on.. talking about parts for the AJP8 being harder to get hold of, I read (albeit on Wikipedia) that a company was set up to provide parts for the older TVR cars.. Is this not right?

The Cerbera is not considered as one of the “older” TVRs!

I wasn't referring to just the Cerberas but all of the Peter Wheeler and earlier TVRs. The article wasn't clear on exactly which TVRs the parts are made for.

You sound like a man in the know, can you confirm if parts are being made for the AJP engine in the UK or is it just pre Wheeler TVRs?

Motaclan are the main supplier of parts for all the models having taken on the OE stock from TVR.

[Ultra Sound Guy]

Champagne-Charlie said:

I wasn't referring to just the Cerberas but all of the Peter Wheeler and earlier TVRs. The article wasn't clear on exactly which TVRs the parts are made for.

You sound like a man in the know, can you confirm if parts are being made for the AJP engine in the UK or is it just pre Wheeler TVRs?

Assuming we are talking about Gray’s Motoring Solutions, they seem to be providing many rare parts for anything pre-Tasmin. No parts for Wedges, Chimera or Cerb!

[Flatplane8]

My comment was based on noticing that Motoclan have a lot of items listed as out of stock for the AJP V8. I enquired about valves but they didn't know when they might have them in stock again. Powers still have parts, but given the low production numbers of the AJP V8 it'll never have the availability of Rover V8 parts (for example). Having said that, there are usually specialist ways around most things, just more time and money.

[Champagne-Charlie]

Flatplane8 said:

My comment was based on noticing that Motoclan have a lot of items listed as out of stock for the AJP V8. I enquired about valves but they didn't know when they might have them in stock again. Powers still have parts, but given the low production numbers of the AJP V8 it'll never have the availability of Rover V8 parts (for example). Having said that, there are usually specialist ways around most things, just more time and money.

I had a look at the Motoclan and was impressed by what they sold.... Silly me didn't think to look if the items were in stock!

Yeah I'm considering your advice now re the Speed Six. But it's dissapointing to discover what TVR did to the Melling design to make it more affordable especially with the cam lubrication alteration.
But like you said parts are more readily available.

But the Ajp8 has the unique flat pane crank... With it being mostly used in hypercars there must be cool advantages to it over the straight six with cylinders that were rejected by Aprilia!

[Mr Cerbera]

Champagne-Charlie said:

....
But the Ajp8 has the unique flat pane crank... With it being mostly used in hypercars there must be cool advantages to it over the straight six ....

I also have a Suzie GSXR11. There is a certain piece of road, close to where I live, which leads to a roundabout. When I welly up to this point in BlackBeauty©, I change down from 4th to 3rd and the noise sounds exactly like 2 GXR's up my arse.

On the other hand, a nicely-tuned RV8 sounds like Bullit's Mustang.

That is the real difference in owning an AJP8 !

(Very imnpressed with the amount of info that you're gathering before making your choice)

[Flatplane8]

Champagne-Charlie said:

I had a look at the Motoclan and was impressed by what they sold.... Silly me didn't think to look if the items were in stock!

That's exactly what I did until I twigged that quite a bit was not in stock. I would guess given the numbers of AJP V8's left in use that there is not enough demand to tool up for production runs of anything, but there are specialists that can help.

[nawarne]

OP, agree with what your research is indicating - the Speed 6 engine is better supported spares wise.
The AJPV8 is a work of art too, but I guess made in lower volumes - i.e. only for the Cerbera and the Tuscan racers.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the Spd6. The parts quality issues and top end lubrication should have been addressed on any current engines.

To put power delivery into context, my Tuscan made 412.9 bhp December 2019 at a Surrey Rolling Road session organised by Joolz. It is a STR8Six 4.3 rebuild, but never been mapped and the numbers impressed both Joolz and racer "Its all yellow".

Nick