Retropower episode this week

[Greedydog]

Does anyone else watch Retropower on YouTube? They’re doing work on a Reliant Scimitar and as part of the project commissioned a modified evolution chassis from Sportmotive. As part of the chat they visited the Sportmotive and had a demo of the plasma cutter and a quick run through on an evolution chassis. There was then a quick clip of an upgraded Griffith with an LS3.

I’m looking for a TVR and had my eyes on Tuscans (and still do) but the upgraded Griffith looked lovely. Although on checking the website the full upgrade looks very expensive. Thoughts on this sort of thing?

Edited by Greedydog on Tuesday 3rd December 15:52

[sixor8]

Quite a few people have had LS motors put in their Cerbera when the engine let go, especially S6.

I'm sure it would very rapid, but since Rover V8 engines are not particularly expensive (in comparison), I'm unsure if there is any gain here from going away from its origins. Especially if chassis modification is required for mountings etc, it may be irreversible.

[Greedydog]

I was thinking of it more in the context of with a new upgraded chassis (assuming a vehicle needed the work) rather than as a mod to an original one. But point taken on originality.

[mk1fan]

I came across the 'episode' this week, the Scimitar project is interesting. Not properly watched it yet.

Sportmotive have done a few conversions now and I believe have an order book / waiting list. It certainly moves the car up a [power] class and to get similar out of the RV8 is near enough the same money. RV8 is likely to be less reliable and near its limits in such a state of tune too. Whereas the LS is almost stock / at the bottom of its tuning potential.

TVR, original

[Johno]

eff eff said:

Is that the std chassis install eff eff? I ask, as one of the evolution chassis benefits I understood was to be able to sweep the manifolds backwards versus a std chassis install.

How much difference, or what differences did you notice moving from std to evo chassis?

[eff eff]

Johno said:

Is that the std chassis install eff eff? I ask, as one of the evolution chassis benefits I understood was to be able to sweep the manifolds backwards versus a std chassis install.

How much difference, or what differences did you notice moving from std to evo chassis?

Yes standard chassis, the pictures below show a better engine view. The other pictures from the Evolution set-up show the block hugger manifolds, and the exhaust secondaries in heat shields and it has racing cats not shown. The chassis design, materials and engine bay heat management are explained on the Sportmotive website.
I would describe myself an enthusiastic driver rather than a racer so I'll give you my perspective. One of the most obvious differences is to the front end, the turn in is sharp with a little but progressive understeer. Quick steering moves like a sideways flick to change lane result in virtually no body roll or sway, the car feels stable and is easy to drive fast. On the peaks to the beach run I got a bit over enthusiastic on some of the hilly twisty bits. There was a sudden downhill elevation change combined with a fairly tight left hand turn on a road that I didn't know and I was going a little too fast. You know the feeling the road falls away and you go light in the seat as the car descends quicker than you do. That was a real sphincter pincher, I didn't touch the pedals and steered into the corner, the car went round without a drama. When we got to Blackpool I said to Ian (Sportmotive) that was a hairy drive in places and told him about the downhill bend and how I didn't think that I was going to make the turn. He smiled and said so the car (chassis) looked after you, and I think that is a big difference the chassis will look after the driver..........up to a point!

Edited by eff eff on Wednesday 4th December 19:52

Edited by eff eff on Wednesday 4th December 19:59

Edited by eff eff on Wednesday 4th December 20:00

[Johno]

Cheers eff eff, always interesting to hear the alternate views on the evo chassis.

It's a shame the revised steering geometry can't ne easily retrofitted as I guess the wishbone length, revised dampers mounts etc. make it a significant job on it's own.

[eff eff]

No probs Johno, yes the Evolution chassis is a significant change to the standard chassis, but as I said Sportmotive fitted the LS engine in my standard chassis, so I know that it works and will handle the upgrade, it's a great cost effective mod if you want more reliable power.