Engines - choices
Discussion
Ok, I don't have the sort of money a certain Mr Steve Heath's engine would cost me so....bearing that in mind please give me a few options for my 450SE. I haven't had a chance to actually dig into it yet but I'm pretty sure the the bottom end is well and truly 
ed. It has sounded slightly 'cranky' for a while now but it gave up on me big-time after the track day at Snetterton last Saturday.
Overall options I suppose are:
1) strip and rebuild as standard
2) exchange 'short' engine (std)
3) exchange 'short' engine (upgrade)
4) exchange and upgrade whole engine incl. getting something like Stage 3 heads etc etc.
Likely supplier would be John Eales but obviously will keep options open around using RPi or V8 Devs depending on costs.
Going for a replacement would probably mean going to a 4.6 as am unlikely to be able to afford anything bigger. The other thing to consider is whether I want to keep the car more original by staying with a real 450SE (ie rebuilding with 4.5). I'm not sure how bothered I am about the last bit as a) I don't intend selling the car and b) it already has modified suspension, brakes, roll-bar, race-seat etc etc so can't really be called 'original'.
I'm obviously going to be doing some proper research and analysing my non-existant finances but all suggestions gratefully received (remember costs!).
ed. It has sounded slightly 'cranky' for a while now but it gave up on me big-time after the track day at Snetterton last Saturday. Overall options I suppose are:
1) strip and rebuild as standard
2) exchange 'short' engine (std)
3) exchange 'short' engine (upgrade)
4) exchange and upgrade whole engine incl. getting something like Stage 3 heads etc etc.
Likely supplier would be John Eales but obviously will keep options open around using RPi or V8 Devs depending on costs.
Going for a replacement would probably mean going to a 4.6 as am unlikely to be able to afford anything bigger. The other thing to consider is whether I want to keep the car more original by staying with a real 450SE (ie rebuilding with 4.5). I'm not sure how bothered I am about the last bit as a) I don't intend selling the car and b) it already has modified suspension, brakes, roll-bar, race-seat etc etc so can't really be called 'original'.
I'm obviously going to be doing some proper research and analysing my non-existant finances but all suggestions gratefully received (remember costs!).
DJE did mine. www.djev8.com/
Supurb job and service. Complete rebuild. If you go for a rebuild, you won't get a price until the job is complete.
PS descrption of his work in my profile. Duxford was interesting, playing with newer machinery, with that beasty under the bonnet.
>> Edited by jmorgan on Friday 1st November 13:29
Supurb job and service. Complete rebuild. If you go for a rebuild, you won't get a price until the job is complete.
PS descrption of his work in my profile. Duxford was interesting, playing with newer machinery, with that beasty under the bonnet.
>> Edited by jmorgan on Friday 1st November 13:29
Ok, I don't have the sort of money a certain Mr Steve Heath's engine would cost me so....bearing that in mind please give me a few options for my 450SE. I haven't had a chance to actually dig into it yet but I'm pretty sure the the bottom end is well and truly
Overall options I suppose are:
1) strip and rebuild as standard
2) exchange 'short' engine (std)
3) exchange 'short' engine (upgrade)
4) exchange and upgrade whole engine incl. getting something like Stage 3 heads etc etc.
Likely supplier would be John Eales but obviously will keep options open around using RPi or V8 Devs depending on costs.
Going for a replacement would probably mean going to a 4.6 as am unlikely to be able to afford anything bigger. The other thing to consider is whether I want to keep the car more original by staying with a real 450SE (ie rebuilding with 4.5). I'm not sure how bothered I am about the last bit as a) I don't intend selling the car and b) it already has modified suspension, brakes, roll-bar, race-seat etc etc so can't really be called 'original'.
I'm obviously going to be doing some proper research and analysing my non-existant finances but all suggestions gratefully received (remember costs!).
Commiserations.
Would you consider buying a used 4.6?
stig said: If money's tight Cirks, why not have a go at rebuilding it yourself?
A nice winter project perhaps?
Um - yup, would be a sensible option if a) I had space, b) had the inclination c) didn't have wife and 18mth old daughter to keep me otherwise occupied!
Still not sure which of the wife, daughter or car are the most expensive!
cirks said:
Commiserations.
Would you consider buying a used 4.6?
What are you planning to move up to then Peter? It's always an option though. Perhaps chat 'off-line'?
These 4.6 units have a long life, so not such a bad idea, especially if looked after properly.
I would recommend at least going for the 4.6 block, for value nothing else comes close. loads of big wedges are now using them .
Tim
Gassing Station | General TVR Stuff & Gossip | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff