Detailed my "new" Griff today
Discussion
The paint was pretty decent to start with but we spent most of the day with the 3M Perfect-it system and Porter Cable anyway.
East meets West:
Of course I've already started the laundry list of changes I'm going to make...
- Updated wheels/tires
- Ditching the pre-cats
- Different exhaust
- Nitrons
- New Burlwood dash
- Detailing under the hood
- Resealing the headlights
- and a few other odds and ends
- Power
With the Subaru done, I was starting to get a little bored. This one should keep me busy for awhile!
Ryan
JazzyO said:
Very cool! Not often you see a Griff on Japanese plates (they are Japanese, right?). Car looks brill.
Interesting bonnet you've got on your car - is that an aftermarket thing or for the Japanese market perhaps?
Onno
Why it's the "Blackpool 340" edition, hence the vented bonnetInteresting bonnet you've got on your car - is that an aftermarket thing or for the Japanese market perhaps?
Onno
I've honestly got no idea about it. I had to go look in the adverts at other Griffs because I didn't even know it was different. The car shows no signs of repair, so I'm thinking it came that way?The wife and I took a ride up to Tokyo in it tonight to meet some friends for dinner. What a joy to drive! We dropped the top for the first time on the way home and enjoyed a not-so-cold drive back. The missus loves it. That roof panel sure is a pain to get in the boot though! Rearward visibility was a bit compromised as I'm a shorter guy at 5'7". Also, my driver's mirror doesn't appear to want to raise any higher which means I have to slouch a bit in the seat to look out the side view. By the way, does everyone's mirror whistle at speed?
Ryan
Add these to your shopping list Ryan:
http://www.actproducts.co.uk/silencing.php
Full ACT sports exhaust and cherry bomb tail section will make it sound like a NASCAR. Then give these guys a call to make it go as fast as it sounds: http://www.sc-power.co.uk/pages/SC-Power-superchar...
Do it right, do it once
http://www.actproducts.co.uk/silencing.php
Full ACT sports exhaust and cherry bomb tail section will make it sound like a NASCAR. Then give these guys a call to make it go as fast as it sounds: http://www.sc-power.co.uk/pages/SC-Power-superchar...
Do it right, do it once
Ryan23 said:
Why it's the "Blackpool 340" edition, hence the vented bonnet I've honestly got no idea about it. I had to go look in the adverts at other Griffs because I didn't even know it was different. The car shows no signs of repair, so I'm thinking it came that way?
The wife and I took a ride up to Tokyo in it tonight to meet some friends for dinner. What a joy to drive! We dropped the top for the first time on the way home and enjoyed a not-so-cold drive back. The missus loves it. That roof panel sure is a pain to get in the boot though! Rearward visibility was a bit compromised as I'm a shorter guy at 5'7". Also, my driver's mirror doesn't appear to want to raise any higher which means I have to slouch a bit in the seat to look out the side view. By the way, does everyone's mirror whistle at speed?
Ryan
www.wirewheel.com has a Blackpool Special Griff from Japan and when I looked at it in person I don't remember seeing that type of hood/bonnet on it but I could be wrong. It would help with the heat in the engine compartment. We put vents on our 347 V8 Taimar and it also helped with heat inside the car enough that we are now not going to install a Vintage A.C. unit. I've honestly got no idea about it. I had to go look in the adverts at other Griffs because I didn't even know it was different. The car shows no signs of repair, so I'm thinking it came that way?The wife and I took a ride up to Tokyo in it tonight to meet some friends for dinner. What a joy to drive! We dropped the top for the first time on the way home and enjoyed a not-so-cold drive back. The missus loves it. That roof panel sure is a pain to get in the boot though! Rearward visibility was a bit compromised as I'm a shorter guy at 5'7". Also, my driver's mirror doesn't appear to want to raise any higher which means I have to slouch a bit in the seat to look out the side view. By the way, does everyone's mirror whistle at speed?
Ryan
Edited by V8TVR1978 on Monday 28th February 12:57
Mr MoJo said:
Simon: Yes, that be the one that I looked at when I was in Florida. Another 21 months and it will be legal for road use in Canada. I see that Harris has dropped the price a touch. Biggest drawback on it is, that it is RHD but not a big thing if you can adjust your driving habits. It is a beautiful car and would look great parked in my driveway next to our other 3 TVRs. OK, going to slightly amend my initial mod list 
I'm looking at the Gaz Gold Pro coilovers instead of the Nitrons. The Gaz appear to have pretty good reviews on here. My Griff will mostly be driven on the street, I don't *think* I'll be taking it to the track but I suppose that could change. First quote I got on them was £675 delivered to the states (which is then automatically forwarded to Japan). I'm not subject to VAT, so I'm going to keep shopping around.
Tune up... How critical are the metal spark plug extensions? There are currently no extensions on my plugs, so I'm wondering if the leads are not compromised due to the heat. What vehicle did the extensions originally come off of? If I can get them in Japan or the States that would save on shipping. I think I'm just going to use a quality set of standard Land Rover HT leads vice spending a ton of money on "designer" leads. Should I just pick a random Land Rover for compatibility.....say a 1998 V8 Range Rover when shopping? I'd like to get a cap and rotor too.
I've got a new set of NGK B7ECS plugs on their way (£26 delivered) as well as ARP SS Exhaust Manifold bolts (£22). I was hoping to find a set of quality composite exhaust manifold gaskets in the states but it looks like those are going to be a UK item. The postage will probably outweigh the cost of the gaskets... I suppose I could put a bulk order together.
Ryan
I'm looking at the Gaz Gold Pro coilovers instead of the Nitrons. The Gaz appear to have pretty good reviews on here. My Griff will mostly be driven on the street, I don't *think* I'll be taking it to the track but I suppose that could change. First quote I got on them was £675 delivered to the states (which is then automatically forwarded to Japan). I'm not subject to VAT, so I'm going to keep shopping around. Tune up... How critical are the metal spark plug extensions? There are currently no extensions on my plugs, so I'm wondering if the leads are not compromised due to the heat. What vehicle did the extensions originally come off of? If I can get them in Japan or the States that would save on shipping. I think I'm just going to use a quality set of standard Land Rover HT leads vice spending a ton of money on "designer" leads. Should I just pick a random Land Rover for compatibility.....say a 1998 V8 Range Rover when shopping? I'd like to get a cap and rotor too.
I've got a new set of NGK B7ECS plugs on their way (£26 delivered) as well as ARP SS Exhaust Manifold bolts (£22). I was hoping to find a set of quality composite exhaust manifold gaskets in the states but it looks like those are going to be a UK item. The postage will probably outweigh the cost of the gaskets...
I suppose I could put a bulk order together.Ryan
Ryan23 said:
OK, going to slightly amend my initial mod list I'm looking at the Gaz Gold Pro coilovers instead of the Nitrons. The Gaz appear to have pretty good reviews on here. My Griff will mostly be driven on the street, I don't *think* I'll be taking it to the track but I suppose that could change. First quote I got on them was £675 delivered to the states (which is then automatically forwarded to Japan). I'm not subject to VAT, so I'm going to keep shopping around.
Tune up... How critical are the metal spark plug extensions? There are currently no extensions on my plugs, so I'm wondering if the leads are not compromised due to the heat. What vehicle did the extensions originally come off of? If I can get them in Japan or the States that would save on shipping. I think I'm just going to use a quality set of standard Land Rover HT leads vice spending a ton of money on "designer" leads. Should I just pick a random Land Rover for compatibility.....say a 1998 V8 Range Rover when shopping? I'd like to get a cap and rotor too.
I've got a new set of NGK B7ECS plugs on their way (£26 delivered) as well as ARP SS Exhaust Manifold bolts (£22). I was hoping to find a set of quality composite exhaust manifold gaskets in the states but it looks like those are going to be a UK item. The postage will probably outweigh the cost of the gaskets... I suppose I could put a bulk order together.
Ryan
Ryan, the only issue you may have with B7ECS plugs with no extenders are that the plugs give of an enormous amout of electromagnetic interference - I recently had a whole host of problems with my car (aftermarket ECU) due to this. The extenders as standard have resistors in them so you may experience some weird problems without some resistance in the system. You can get either resisted leads, plugs or extenders. I'm looking at the Gaz Gold Pro coilovers instead of the Nitrons. The Gaz appear to have pretty good reviews on here. My Griff will mostly be driven on the street, I don't *think* I'll be taking it to the track but I suppose that could change. First quote I got on them was £675 delivered to the states (which is then automatically forwarded to Japan). I'm not subject to VAT, so I'm going to keep shopping around. Tune up... How critical are the metal spark plug extensions? There are currently no extensions on my plugs, so I'm wondering if the leads are not compromised due to the heat. What vehicle did the extensions originally come off of? If I can get them in Japan or the States that would save on shipping. I think I'm just going to use a quality set of standard Land Rover HT leads vice spending a ton of money on "designer" leads. Should I just pick a random Land Rover for compatibility.....say a 1998 V8 Range Rover when shopping? I'd like to get a cap and rotor too.
I've got a new set of NGK B7ECS plugs on their way (£26 delivered) as well as ARP SS Exhaust Manifold bolts (£22). I was hoping to find a set of quality composite exhaust manifold gaskets in the states but it looks like those are going to be a UK item. The postage will probably outweigh the cost of the gaskets...
I suppose I could put a bulk order together.Ryan
To source them (and ARP studs, exhaust manifold gaskets etc) give Tim at ACT a call - he stocks all of this stuff at a good price and can probably do you a bulk order to save costs. (www.actproducts.co.uk)
Land Rover HT leads will be fine, lots of people on here go on about using Magnecor but in reality any decent 8mm leads are fine.
Lastly, I would rethink the Gaz Gold Choice. I have driven plenty of TVRs on Gaz and on Nitron and Nitron really is in a different league in terms of ride quality. With Gaz you tend to get a very bouncy rebound, whereas Nitron gives a firm but well damped reaction to bumps etc inspiring far more confidence on both the road and track. I would also highly recommend upping the spring rate when ordering either type of shock. I ran the Eibach 400 front/350 rear springs and they are a good balance between road and track, but really I'd go one step higher if doing it again and would suggest 450 front, 400 rear. A set of Steve Heath's rose jointed ARB drop links complement the Nitrons well too.
That bonnet looks very inspired by a Tuscan Challenge car by the way!
Ryan23 said:
Why it's the "Blackpool 340" edition, hence the vented bonnet I've honestly got no idea about it. I had to go look in the adverts at other Griffs because I didn't even know it was different. The car shows no signs of repair, so I'm thinking it came that way?
Ryan
I'd be talking to the previous owner,the car looks very non standard even for an "export" car I've honestly got no idea about it. I had to go look in the adverts at other Griffs because I didn't even know it was different. The car shows no signs of repair, so I'm thinking it came that way?Ryan
i would think the owner spent alot of time and money looking after the car.if you are into under bomnnet detailing then look at Clive Fords Y piece,its a piece of art never mind what it does for the sound/performance of the car.ask to see his manifild system,i can't find a pic of it but its the closest thing i,ve seen to sex in metal pipework !
markreilly said:
I'd be talking to the previous owner,the car looks very non standard even for an "export" car
i would think the owner spent alot of time and money looking after the car.if you are into under bomnnet detailing then look at Clive Fords Y piece,its a piece of art never mind what it does for the sound/performance of the car.ask to see his manifild system,i can't find a pic of it but its the closest thing i,ve seen to sex in metal pipework !
Unfortunately, the odds of finding the previous owner here in Japan are slim to none. And even if I did, odds are we wouldn't be able to communicate too well. I was able to put the car up on a 4 post lift yesterday and everything looks pretty tidy underneath. Definitely no accident history and the frame looks solid. Little bit of an oil leak from the PS and oil pan. i would think the owner spent alot of time and money looking after the car.if you are into under bomnnet detailing then look at Clive Fords Y piece,its a piece of art never mind what it does for the sound/performance of the car.ask to see his manifild system,i can't find a pic of it but its the closest thing i,ve seen to sex in metal pipework !
I sent Clive an E-mail but he must be busy or not interested in shipping overseas. I have E-mailed Tim @ Act for some of the things I need and I also mentioned the SS Y-pipe that they carry on their website.
Ryan
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