What would you do?
Discussion
I've got a TVR S3. 
My first TVR and she's wonderful. Now there is a problem, it's not the car... it's me. I'd like more power! I would also like to upgrade to a better built, more refined TVR.
I like the Chimaera, but the 400 hasn't got much more perk than the S3. 450 yes. I would think on keeping the car a long time and think of supercharging. Fantastic cars.
I like the Griffith. Definately a 500. With about 280bhp I don't think I'll need much more than that. Lovely cars.
I really like the Cerbera. I like it because it's big, like me because I'm 6ft 3". I think a latter 4.2 would suit as I wouldn't worry about bhp because it already would have 340ish and to be honest has an amazing interior and looks a the business and plus it has 4 seats (how big are they exactly, I've heard they are very small). Superb Cars.
Now, here's the real question. There is a freshly rebuilt complete 3.1 24v Cosworth twin turbo engine including ECU's, maps, turbos, clutch, wiring loom for little over 5k. With a bit of work, this should go in the S3 no problem. The engine is 440bhp with 16lbs boost, 380bhp with 11lbs. Surly, this would go like a rocket? Not sure about reliability and maintenance costs though. And the S3 only cost me 3k. Needs the bonnet sprayed and chassis looked at, so shall I rebuild, retrim, upgrade brakes, suspension, deep dish wheels and respray the S3 and put this engine in it??? It would be original, really fun, very fast (in a straight line) and possibly be the fastest in it's class, even give a a load of over TVRs a good run for there money
Or shall I just buy something faster which is designed to cope with the power? Your views please!!!
My first TVR and she's wonderful. Now there is a problem, it's not the car... it's me. I'd like more power! I would also like to upgrade to a better built, more refined TVR.
I like the Chimaera, but the 400 hasn't got much more perk than the S3. 450 yes. I would think on keeping the car a long time and think of supercharging. Fantastic cars.
I like the Griffith. Definately a 500. With about 280bhp I don't think I'll need much more than that. Lovely cars.
I really like the Cerbera. I like it because it's big, like me because I'm 6ft 3". I think a latter 4.2 would suit as I wouldn't worry about bhp because it already would have 340ish and to be honest has an amazing interior and looks a the business and plus it has 4 seats (how big are they exactly, I've heard they are very small). Superb Cars.
Now, here's the real question. There is a freshly rebuilt complete 3.1 24v Cosworth twin turbo engine including ECU's, maps, turbos, clutch, wiring loom for little over 5k. With a bit of work, this should go in the S3 no problem. The engine is 440bhp with 16lbs boost, 380bhp with 11lbs. Surly, this would go like a rocket? Not sure about reliability and maintenance costs though. And the S3 only cost me 3k. Needs the bonnet sprayed and chassis looked at, so shall I rebuild, retrim, upgrade brakes, suspension, deep dish wheels and respray the S3 and put this engine in it??? It would be original, really fun, very fast (in a straight line) and possibly be the fastest in it's class, even give a a load of over TVRs a good run for there money
Or shall I just buy something faster which is designed to cope with the power? Your views please!!!
More power in a known entity or a totally unknown ? If you have a good body, interior and chassis, I would probably go for the upgrade however take care with the brakes and insurance.
However I did the Chim to Tusc upgrade rather than replace the engine !
However I did the Chim to Tusc upgrade rather than replace the engine !
Edited by Bob the Planner on Thursday 2nd October 21:31
Hi having owned a S and a griff .Sell the S and buy a griff or a chim even a 4.0 will seem mighty fast compared to your S. The griff and the chim have wishbone rear suspension not trailing arms like the S. The S chasis that I had had lots of scuttle shake and the Griff has none. Putting more power in a S would be fun in a straight line but they dont handle or stop that well.
jasoncook said:
Hi having owned a S and a griff .Sell the S and buy a griff or a chim even a 4.0 will seem mighty fast compared to your S. The griff and the chim have wishbone rear suspension not trailing arms like the S. The S chasis that I had had lots of scuttle shake and the Griff has none. Putting more power in a S would be fun in a straight line but they dont handle or stop that well.
I was just thinking the same thing with the 4ltr Chim!They're not to be underestimated thas knows!
On paper, the power difference doesn't seem so vast, but it's all in the delivery!
Your car needs to stop as well as go. Do you at least have discs all round ?
Even these would probably need upgrading.
Good brakes give you confidence and the opportunity to actually use the power in 'point and squirt' fashion. Your insurers will be happier too.
The whole car will need to be in top-notch shape, especially bushes, springs and dampers, otherwise you will just release a clumsy monster onto the road.
As a 'Wedger', naturally I'm biased, but I'd have thought that a 280i FHC or Convert' would be an ideal home for that motor...drop straight in, in fact.
You could buy one in great condition for what you'd get for your 'S', and I believe you would have a better starting point for your project.
Have a look at some of the racing versions for a few ideas. I think there's one in Classifieds at the moment.
Good luck anyway. The 'S' is a fine car of course (and I was eyeing up that motor myself
).
Even these would probably need upgrading.
Good brakes give you confidence and the opportunity to actually use the power in 'point and squirt' fashion. Your insurers will be happier too.
The whole car will need to be in top-notch shape, especially bushes, springs and dampers, otherwise you will just release a clumsy monster onto the road.
As a 'Wedger', naturally I'm biased, but I'd have thought that a 280i FHC or Convert' would be an ideal home for that motor...drop straight in, in fact.
You could buy one in great condition for what you'd get for your 'S', and I believe you would have a better starting point for your project.
Have a look at some of the racing versions for a few ideas. I think there's one in Classifieds at the moment.
Good luck anyway. The 'S' is a fine car of course (and I was eyeing up that motor myself
).I went from an S3 to a Griff 400 and the difference is actually quite a lot. Granted it wasn't a standard 400 but I do miss the seat of your pants, go kart-ness of the S3. I have posted extensively on this before about how the Griff feels a little detatched from the driving experience comapred to the S3. My Griff is also much more progressive. One of my first comments was "It doesn't actually feel that much faster" Oh I'm doing 80! It's because of the torque curve.
I do miss the conection with the road. So much that I am actually getting an Elise soon.
But it all depends on your initial budget, running budget and aesthetics. For me I have wanted a Griff since I was 12. Took me 11 years to get it and I don't regret it one bit. Between the Griff and Tuscan I love the looks. Whilst the Chim and Cerbs are nice, looks wise they just don't do as much as the Griff or Tus.
But the S Series have a charm of their own. So it's up to you, but 440bhp may be a bit more than the S3 chassis can cope with. I'd think you'd have to do some bracing and reinfofcing a la V8S if not a lot more. GreenV8S is your man for that advice.
Remeber: "It's a TVR, go with your instinct before you head tells you otherwise."
I do miss the conection with the road. So much that I am actually getting an Elise soon.
But it all depends on your initial budget, running budget and aesthetics. For me I have wanted a Griff since I was 12. Took me 11 years to get it and I don't regret it one bit. Between the Griff and Tuscan I love the looks. Whilst the Chim and Cerbs are nice, looks wise they just don't do as much as the Griff or Tus.
But the S Series have a charm of their own. So it's up to you, but 440bhp may be a bit more than the S3 chassis can cope with. I'd think you'd have to do some bracing and reinfofcing a la V8S if not a lot more. GreenV8S is your man for that advice.
Remeber: "It's a TVR, go with your instinct before you head tells you otherwise."
I have an S3 and a Griff 500, the S3 felt quick the Griff is quick, seriously so, especially after the V8D rebuild. The S3 was great to chuck around and quite quick (I have a previously reported run against two new GT3s to show how capable it could be) but this 500 is phenomenal, so much smoother in it's delivery, handles better and looks the dogs jewels and the soundtrack!!!
However I love the S3 for what it is with it's limitations and harsh ride and my wife and friends actually prefer the sound of the V6 rather than the V8.
Horses for courses but, the Cosworth 2.9 you're looking at is a race engine out of a race prepped chassis, to get your chassis, running gear and drive train to the capability of the engine will cost you substantially more than you would estimate.
Read the thread about the guy who is looking into building a Tuscan racer from scratch and the warnings he has been given about the cost of 'incidentals'
Best of luck with whatever choice you make, I would love to see the S3 with the Cossy installed but also be aware of the problems that can arise with the RV8, I've spent close to £6k on my car in the last two months, having owned it for only 3 weeks before the cam failed big time and the bigger engined ones drop liners!
All cars have their problems BMW, Porsche, A-M so just do what you want to do realising the inherent risks!
YB
However I love the S3 for what it is with it's limitations and harsh ride and my wife and friends actually prefer the sound of the V6 rather than the V8.
Horses for courses but, the Cosworth 2.9 you're looking at is a race engine out of a race prepped chassis, to get your chassis, running gear and drive train to the capability of the engine will cost you substantially more than you would estimate.
Read the thread about the guy who is looking into building a Tuscan racer from scratch and the warnings he has been given about the cost of 'incidentals'
Best of luck with whatever choice you make, I would love to see the S3 with the Cossy installed but also be aware of the problems that can arise with the RV8, I've spent close to £6k on my car in the last two months, having owned it for only 3 weeks before the cam failed big time and the bigger engined ones drop liners!
All cars have their problems BMW, Porsche, A-M so just do what you want to do realising the inherent risks!
YB
hi Luke, if you want to know about the engine in question then Joo a ring at Track Car Solutions.
I know I promised you a ride in my griff, I`m away this weekend, but lets arrange it for next weekend, and you can see what you think.
my engines coming out, so you could always put that in the s
I know I promised you a ride in my griff, I`m away this weekend, but lets arrange it for next weekend, and you can see what you think.
my engines coming out, so you could always put that in the s
Thanks Clive, I'll be available! I think what you're all saying makes perfect sense, I know having a 440bhp S would be allot of fun, but I don't really think it would get it all on the road, and I reckon it would a bit dangerous on rural roads! Plus upgrading everything so it can take the power, will also cost $$$'a. But still, having that turbo sound and that acceleration to match pretty much anything on the road in an S would be amazing wouldn't it? 
So, an upgrade in car is more sensible. There is a Griffith or two goin round the 9k mark on here, plus a 450 facelift Chim for 7k, plus I like that purple 4.2 Cerbera, that looks mad!
I also understand that you get what you pay for. I want a good solid base car, so if I mod it I can be confident in the cars ability to handle the power in a safe way. I can wait though, I'm in no rush. How's the market predicted for the next few years?
So, an upgrade in car is more sensible. There is a Griffith or two goin round the 9k mark on here, plus a 450 facelift Chim for 7k, plus I like that purple 4.2 Cerbera, that looks mad!
I also understand that you get what you pay for. I want a good solid base car, so if I mod it I can be confident in the cars ability to handle the power in a safe way. I can wait though, I'm in no rush. How's the market predicted for the next few years?
The engine you're referring to is mine! and funnily enough I had toyed with the idea of putting it into an S myself. Unfortunately it's only for sale to fund my racing habit and TBH I wouldn't have the time for a TVR project, the T350R and Cerb take up more than enough time.
I reckon it would be mentally fast in an S. You'd need to upgrade the front brakes but I managed a whole season on the standard granada vented front discs and callipers. Suspension would need looking at but I'd do that first followed by the brakes then the engine. That's the basic upgrade route the cerb took.
ceejay
I reckon it would be mentally fast in an S. You'd need to upgrade the front brakes but I managed a whole season on the standard granada vented front discs and callipers. Suspension would need looking at but I'd do that first followed by the brakes then the engine. That's the basic upgrade route the cerb took.
ceejay
Edited by ceejay on Friday 3rd October 17:14
LOL! 
What can I say? Mr CeeJay, yes I think you're right. It would be incredible acceleration, unbelievable. I'm interested because it's more original than upgrading to another car. But like what everybody else is saying, the newer cars are all round better build quality (not putting the S down Mr GeraldTVR) and something that worries me is the handling and safety on the road and wondering how drivable it is, I don't want tones of turbo lag. I understand shocks can be uprated though. Wonder if it really is worth just doing it because it will one of the fastest S's on the planet (apart from the original racing one of course which is now in Japan now, am I right?) I really like the S.
But a Cerbera is tempting also. Love em. How does a Cerb feel? Do you miss taking the rood off? I've driven a 95 Chimaera which drives much more like a day to day car (good in most ways, bad in some) but felt so much more refined, it seemed to glide over bumps and didn't rattle lol. But I'd miss the S3 if I got a Chimaera. Needs more thought and more input. I can understand now how you get addicted to all TVRs.
What can I say? Mr CeeJay, yes I think you're right. It would be incredible acceleration, unbelievable. I'm interested because it's more original than upgrading to another car. But like what everybody else is saying, the newer cars are all round better build quality (not putting the S down Mr GeraldTVR) and something that worries me is the handling and safety on the road and wondering how drivable it is, I don't want tones of turbo lag. I understand shocks can be uprated though. Wonder if it really is worth just doing it because it will one of the fastest S's on the planet (apart from the original racing one of course which is now in Japan now, am I right?) I really like the S.
But a Cerbera is tempting also. Love em. How does a Cerb feel? Do you miss taking the rood off? I've driven a 95 Chimaera which drives much more like a day to day car (good in most ways, bad in some) but felt so much more refined, it seemed to glide over bumps and didn't rattle lol. But I'd miss the S3 if I got a Chimaera. Needs more thought and more input. I can understand now how you get addicted to all TVRs.
At the end of the day it comes down to what you really want in a car. I find Chims, especially the 4litre, mild mannered and nice to drive regularly. The cerb is fast and pushes on to silly speeds, relatively refined but you have to find a good one which doesn't usually equal cheap money. S series are raw and with lots of horespower very raw, that's not to say they can't be tamed, Joos S goes very nicely on track often keeping up with much newer models. Choices choices, never easy.
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