Discussion
What sort of major upgrades have people considered doing to their S?
I'm always thinking about my next car (usually the day i buy my current one) and the natural upgrade from an S is to a Chim or Griffith. Problem is your looking at 10k for a cheapest Griff and then your looking at a huge step up in terms of insurance/ servicing / running costs (i dont want to debate that with chim/grif owners but on average its obviously going to cost a fair bit more). There isnt much in that price range that is comparable with the noise and character of the TVR. Also i rather like my car, i bought it because it came up for sale right near me for a very cheap price - it just so happened to come in my favourite S colour and trim (full black leather)
So an obvious choice would be to upgrade my car big style. My current idea is maybe a small block Chevy with the appropriate gearbox 5k should sort a 300bhp+ turnkey engine with all the bits and bobs as well as a Tremec TR500 gearbox. Then i would need some big brakes - perhaps some sierra rally spec ones for £1500 or so. £1000 of uprated suspension and then £1000 of silverstone lightweight performance wheels which i could then fit some proper sticky tyres to. Then add £2000+ for other bits and pieces - rollover bar, performance bushes, chassis mods etc
So for a shade over 10k id be able to keep my own TVR, have a brand new engine and gearbox that would go for 100k without a problems. Would be almost up there with the S6 cars for (straight line) performance.
So the negatives. Its going to make it a bit more front heavy - but the cologne engine is very heavy anyway and besides the TVR is more of a point and squirt car unlike an elsie or something you dont ususlly go round corners at ten tenths (well i dont!) Id never ever get my money back but the car only cost me 2k in the first place and as it stands will need 2k spending on it just to sort out the things that are wrong with it so far and if i could sell it on for 8k after say 2 summers id easily have my moneys worth. I might need to put a scoop on the front to fit the engine in but that wouldnt bother me.
Ok so someone will probably come along as say you cant do any of that for X reason or it will cost much more than that for Y reason but this is just pie in the sky and for the sake of discussion, very slim chance i would attempt this but if theres not too many reasons not to then i smell a winter project comming along..
So what do people think? And what would you do if you were going to spend 7-10k on your car?
I'm always thinking about my next car (usually the day i buy my current one) and the natural upgrade from an S is to a Chim or Griffith. Problem is your looking at 10k for a cheapest Griff and then your looking at a huge step up in terms of insurance/ servicing / running costs (i dont want to debate that with chim/grif owners but on average its obviously going to cost a fair bit more). There isnt much in that price range that is comparable with the noise and character of the TVR. Also i rather like my car, i bought it because it came up for sale right near me for a very cheap price - it just so happened to come in my favourite S colour and trim (full black leather)
So an obvious choice would be to upgrade my car big style. My current idea is maybe a small block Chevy with the appropriate gearbox 5k should sort a 300bhp+ turnkey engine with all the bits and bobs as well as a Tremec TR500 gearbox. Then i would need some big brakes - perhaps some sierra rally spec ones for £1500 or so. £1000 of uprated suspension and then £1000 of silverstone lightweight performance wheels which i could then fit some proper sticky tyres to. Then add £2000+ for other bits and pieces - rollover bar, performance bushes, chassis mods etc
So for a shade over 10k id be able to keep my own TVR, have a brand new engine and gearbox that would go for 100k without a problems. Would be almost up there with the S6 cars for (straight line) performance.
So the negatives. Its going to make it a bit more front heavy - but the cologne engine is very heavy anyway and besides the TVR is more of a point and squirt car unlike an elsie or something you dont ususlly go round corners at ten tenths (well i dont!) Id never ever get my money back but the car only cost me 2k in the first place and as it stands will need 2k spending on it just to sort out the things that are wrong with it so far and if i could sell it on for 8k after say 2 summers id easily have my moneys worth. I might need to put a scoop on the front to fit the engine in but that wouldnt bother me.
Ok so someone will probably come along as say you cant do any of that for X reason or it will cost much more than that for Y reason but this is just pie in the sky and for the sake of discussion, very slim chance i would attempt this but if theres not too many reasons not to then i smell a winter project comming along..
So what do people think? And what would you do if you were going to spend 7-10k on your car?
I'd say if you want more power upgrade to a V8S.
The engine is very under stressed and has loads of tuning potential - and its alloy so its fairly light - and the suspension has already been designed to take it so you're not in unchartered territory.
It also has better brakes, chassis, etc theres plenty of other threads on this.
Where are you going to use the car ?
I'd say my standard V8S is already a bit mental for normal road use - if you're looking at track use fair enough but keep everything in perspective.
Its no good having 300bhp under the bonnet if Mr Plod has taken your license away for being a naughty boy.
Pete Humphries (GreenV8S) has to be the person to talk to - what he doesn't know about upgrading an S isn't worth knowing.
Edited to say I reckon V8S prices are about as low as they are going to get too - so I doubt you'd lose much.
The engine is very under stressed and has loads of tuning potential - and its alloy so its fairly light - and the suspension has already been designed to take it so you're not in unchartered territory.
It also has better brakes, chassis, etc theres plenty of other threads on this.
Where are you going to use the car ?
I'd say my standard V8S is already a bit mental for normal road use - if you're looking at track use fair enough but keep everything in perspective.
Its no good having 300bhp under the bonnet if Mr Plod has taken your license away for being a naughty boy.
Pete Humphries (GreenV8S) has to be the person to talk to - what he doesn't know about upgrading an S isn't worth knowing.
Edited to say I reckon V8S prices are about as low as they are going to get too - so I doubt you'd lose much.
Edited by Barkychoc on Wednesday 18th July 17:05
My reason for the idea is that my car cost me so little and in its current state (No MOT, 135k on the clock, pissing oil and the diff about to fall off) its probably worth barely more than a grand so a major upgrade would be worth a lot more than on one in perfect condition. Also the V8S is 7 grand for absolute cheapest one which would probably need a few quid spending on it.
I would definatly track it a lot if i had gone to the expense of super brakes etc.
This is just a daydreaming idea, i havent done much reasearch beyond finding out it would probably fit in the car and how much it could cost. There are loads of unasked questions about the suitability of various parts though as there are 500bhp sierra cosworth out there then i suspect most parts would be available. Im not comparing it to other cars in terms of outlay or in terms of resuduals, just that i would have a tyre shredding monster of a car that would be relaible all for 12k including original purchase.
I would definatly track it a lot if i had gone to the expense of super brakes etc.
This is just a daydreaming idea, i havent done much reasearch beyond finding out it would probably fit in the car and how much it could cost. There are loads of unasked questions about the suitability of various parts though as there are 500bhp sierra cosworth out there then i suspect most parts would be available. Im not comparing it to other cars in terms of outlay or in terms of resuduals, just that i would have a tyre shredding monster of a car that would be relaible all for 12k including original purchase.
Don't under estimate what it will cost to do up your existing car if its a bit of a basket case.
The problems you have are only the ones you know about.....
I'd say that if you are going to track the car you want it to be in better condition than one just used for road use, as you'll be pushing the car to its limits.
Fully appreciate that a major part of any refurb is labour, which is effectively free, but even things like shocks & springs, decent standard spec brakes etc soon add up to a surprising sum.
The problems you have are only the ones you know about.....
I'd say that if you are going to track the car you want it to be in better condition than one just used for road use, as you'll be pushing the car to its limits.
Fully appreciate that a major part of any refurb is labour, which is effectively free, but even things like shocks & springs, decent standard spec brakes etc soon add up to a surprising sum.
garfys v8s said:
mine has had the treatment and is an absolute beast.i think the previous owner spent at least 15k so it wasnt cheap but it is fantastic fun. its all a matter of finance and your own preference and i have heard people have spent at least double that on theirs.
Love that profile picture matey ! Tom,
You've mantioned most of the obvious stuff, but if you look at the 'Bible', I think you will have to consider the propshaft, diff and drive shafts - which are considered as components at their limit with ca 260 - 280 bhp at the rear wheels.
Don't know wether you could get a GM small block into the chassis? Jellison has put one into a Chimeara - so he might be a good person to speak to.
Have to say, that spending the dosh on the mods outlined in your post and in mine would get you a pretty darn good Griff I would have thought.
Nick
(PS My V8S is up for sale!!)
You've mantioned most of the obvious stuff, but if you look at the 'Bible', I think you will have to consider the propshaft, diff and drive shafts - which are considered as components at their limit with ca 260 - 280 bhp at the rear wheels.
Don't know wether you could get a GM small block into the chassis? Jellison has put one into a Chimeara - so he might be a good person to speak to.
Have to say, that spending the dosh on the mods outlined in your post and in mine would get you a pretty darn good Griff I would have thought.
Nick
(PS My V8S is up for sale!!)
tomTVR said:
What sort of major upgrades have people considered doing to their S?
I'm always thinking about my next car (usually the day i buy my current one) and the natural upgrade from an S is to a Chim or Griffith. Problem is your looking at 10k for a cheapest Griff and then your looking at a huge step up in terms of insurance/ servicing / running costs (i dont want to debate that with chim/grif owners but on average its obviously going to cost a fair bit more). There isnt much in that price range that is comparable with the noise and character of the TVR. Also i rather like my car, i bought it because it came up for sale right near me for a very cheap price - it just so happened to come in my favourite S colour and trim (full black leather)
So an obvious choice would be to upgrade my car big style. My current idea is maybe a small block Chevy with the appropriate gearbox 5k should sort a 300bhp+ turnkey engine with all the bits and bobs as well as a Tremec TR500 gearbox. Then i would need some big brakes - perhaps some sierra rally spec ones for £1500 or so. £1000 of uprated suspension and then £1000 of silverstone lightweight performance wheels which i could then fit some proper sticky tyres to. Then add £2000+ for other bits and pieces - rollover bar, performance bushes, chassis mods etc
So for a shade over 10k id be able to keep my own TVR, have a brand new engine and gearbox that would go for 100k without a problems. Would be almost up there with the S6 cars for (straight line) performance.
So the negatives. Its going to make it a bit more front heavy - but the cologne engine is very heavy anyway and besides the TVR is more of a point and squirt car unlike an elsie or something you dont ususlly go round corners at ten tenths (well i dont!) Id never ever get my money back but the car only cost me 2k in the first place and as it stands will need 2k spending on it just to sort out the things that are wrong with it so far and if i could sell it on for 8k after say 2 summers id easily have my moneys worth. I might need to put a scoop on the front to fit the engine in but that wouldnt bother me.
Ok so someone will probably come along as say you cant do any of that for X reason or it will cost much more than that for Y reason but this is just pie in the sky and for the sake of discussion, very slim chance i would attempt this but if theres not too many reasons not to then i smell a winter project comming along..
So what do people think? And what would you do if you were going to spend 7-10k on your car?
I'm always thinking about my next car (usually the day i buy my current one) and the natural upgrade from an S is to a Chim or Griffith. Problem is your looking at 10k for a cheapest Griff and then your looking at a huge step up in terms of insurance/ servicing / running costs (i dont want to debate that with chim/grif owners but on average its obviously going to cost a fair bit more). There isnt much in that price range that is comparable with the noise and character of the TVR. Also i rather like my car, i bought it because it came up for sale right near me for a very cheap price - it just so happened to come in my favourite S colour and trim (full black leather)
So an obvious choice would be to upgrade my car big style. My current idea is maybe a small block Chevy with the appropriate gearbox 5k should sort a 300bhp+ turnkey engine with all the bits and bobs as well as a Tremec TR500 gearbox. Then i would need some big brakes - perhaps some sierra rally spec ones for £1500 or so. £1000 of uprated suspension and then £1000 of silverstone lightweight performance wheels which i could then fit some proper sticky tyres to. Then add £2000+ for other bits and pieces - rollover bar, performance bushes, chassis mods etc
So for a shade over 10k id be able to keep my own TVR, have a brand new engine and gearbox that would go for 100k without a problems. Would be almost up there with the S6 cars for (straight line) performance.
So the negatives. Its going to make it a bit more front heavy - but the cologne engine is very heavy anyway and besides the TVR is more of a point and squirt car unlike an elsie or something you dont ususlly go round corners at ten tenths (well i dont!) Id never ever get my money back but the car only cost me 2k in the first place and as it stands will need 2k spending on it just to sort out the things that are wrong with it so far and if i could sell it on for 8k after say 2 summers id easily have my moneys worth. I might need to put a scoop on the front to fit the engine in but that wouldnt bother me.
Ok so someone will probably come along as say you cant do any of that for X reason or it will cost much more than that for Y reason but this is just pie in the sky and for the sake of discussion, very slim chance i would attempt this but if theres not too many reasons not to then i smell a winter project comming along..
So what do people think? And what would you do if you were going to spend 7-10k on your car?
nawarne said:
Tom,
You've mantioned most of the obvious stuff, but if you look at the 'Bible', I think you will have to consider the propshaft, diff and drive shafts - which are considered as components at their limit with ca 260 - 280 bhp at the rear wheels.
I think you also need to include the semitrailing arm mounts in there too. Dont forget that the chassis was considered OK to 250 when it was new. A near 20 year old example in less than perfect condition would be a doubtful proposition.You've mantioned most of the obvious stuff, but if you look at the 'Bible', I think you will have to consider the propshaft, diff and drive shafts - which are considered as components at their limit with ca 260 - 280 bhp at the rear wheels.
pies said:
Barkychoc said:
I'd say my standard V8S
For the benefit of HarryW and Green V8S,it wasn't me 
:
To the original poster: upgrading a slow car is almost never the sensible answer in terms of returns on time and money. The sensible answers (in order of preference) are to trade up to a faster car, or fit a bigger engine of the same base type, or get the existing engine tuned and fettled. Don't let your sensible head stop you from having fun, but make sure it's clear in your own mind why you're doing it. If you hoping to find a cheap route to increased performance I can tell you right now that you're barking up the wrong tree.
Time and money you spend upgrading the car are not an investment. You won't get it back when you sell. I don't mean you won't get it all back; you can't expect to get *any* of it back. Depending what you do you may well find the value has actually reduced as a result. It will certainly be a lot harder to sell.
Consider what your car would be worth now if you repaired/restored it to basically standard spec and then sold it privately in good condition. That's pretty much what it will be worth if you repair/restore it etc and do a major performance hike at the same time, but the performance hike and non-standard features will make it harder to sell.
Then for comparision, consider what that time/money would get you if you traded up.
I'm not saying don't do it. That would be completely hypocritical of me. If this is the sort of thing you enjoy doing and you're prepared to look at it as a hobby then go for it.
Consider what your car would be worth now if you repaired/restored it to basically standard spec and then sold it privately in good condition. That's pretty much what it will be worth if you repair/restore it etc and do a major performance hike at the same time, but the performance hike and non-standard features will make it harder to sell.
Then for comparision, consider what that time/money would get you if you traded up.
I'm not saying don't do it. That would be completely hypocritical of me. If this is the sort of thing you enjoy doing and you're prepared to look at it as a hobby then go for it.
TVR did make a 5 litre V8S so that's what I'm doing. A 350bhp V8S should be something quite good as a track toy 
my spec will be: 5 litre, h404cam but solid lifters/adjustable pushrods, modified oil system, light flywheel with twin plate clutch, T5 gearbox, 8 throttle trumpet base, KMS ecu/wasted spark. Might have to think about the brakes after this Runs nitrons, 16 inch wheels and dunlop formula R tyres.
I have all the bits now in my workshop
my spec will be: 5 litre, h404cam but solid lifters/adjustable pushrods, modified oil system, light flywheel with twin plate clutch, T5 gearbox, 8 throttle trumpet base, KMS ecu/wasted spark. Might have to think about the brakes after this
Runs nitrons, 16 inch wheels and dunlop formula R tyres.I have all the bits now in my workshop
Joules - are you coming to S Heaven?
Would be good to meet one of the Tiv 'specialist doctors'!
Nick
Would be good to meet one of the Tiv 'specialist doctors'!
Nick
trackcar said:
TVR did make a 5 litre V8S so that's what I'm doing. A 350bhp V8S should be something quite good as a track toy
my spec will be: 5 litre, h404cam but solid lifters/adjustable pushrods, modified oil system, light flywheel with twin plate clutch, T5 gearbox, 8 throttle trumpet base, KMS ecu/wasted spark. Might have to think about the brakes after this Runs nitrons, 16 inch wheels and dunlop formula R tyres.
I have all the bits now in my workshop
my spec will be: 5 litre, h404cam but solid lifters/adjustable pushrods, modified oil system, light flywheel with twin plate clutch, T5 gearbox, 8 throttle trumpet base, KMS ecu/wasted spark. Might have to think about the brakes after this
Runs nitrons, 16 inch wheels and dunlop formula R tyres.I have all the bits now in my workshop
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