It's coming home, it's coming home ........
Discussion
The Griffith's finally coming home after a 5 month sepeartion that has had me nearly in tears at some points. It has been sheer agony at points in time and I am glad to see the end is very very near .....
Having had the engine completely rebuilt to deal with the following ....
1 - liners
2 - valve seat's
3 - cam
4 - crank bearings & shell's
5 - rings
Now I have debated long and hard whether to go public with this as I don't normally like to air all my laundry in public. But there have been some interesting points raised ....
Optimax petrol and Mobil 1 oil .....
The prior is possibly to account for the valve seat damage and the latter for the wear in the engine. There is also some debate that it's 1st owner did not run in the engine properly before I got my hands on it and therefore I have just inherited the issues. Considering the mileage I have done (25,000 in 18months) this has highlighted the deficiencies.
Having spoken to the associated experts who have taken care of my engine rebuild for me, they believe that the damage has possibly been as a result of the use Mobil 1.
This is perhaps not a revalation to this forum, however I have always used the continental, slightly more viscous variety rather than it's domestic sibling.
As for the pitted valve seats I never thought that the pinking was that bad or even that prolonged, however they were noted as a contributory factor in the significant decline in engine compression.
Additionally the the vavle seats the rings were worn, I do not thrash my cars from cold, but I wonder whether it's previous city owner did ??
I was particularly concerned that the liners be replaced given the opportunity for them to fail, although quite rare, while you have the chance and all that.
V8D block tested the block for me and although at normal operating temp's and pressures the liners showed no issue, once the pressure was wound up one started to leak, therefore they have been replaced with top hat liners.
Given that I do a high mielage in my car, (although this will be reduced significantly) you end up asking whether it is your fault, whether the track days you have done (5 or 6 in 18 mths), the motorway mileage, the blast to work or the weekend fun is what has killed it.
I had noticed that the engine was not performing where I thought it should be, and had asked for them to inspect the engine in particular detail with a RR session and this did highlight it's poor running, however it didn't feel that poor ! (218bhp). Does that mean that it was always a dud ??
5 months I've had to ask these questions and it doesn't help the waiting. So I'll be chucking out the Mobil 1 and running it on Super unleaded rather than Optimax when it comes back, funny I always thought it ran better on super anyway ....
Rather than change to a 5.2 etc etc I have had the original rebuilt and that means I now have ....
1 - Fully balanced engine
2 - Better cam (no not the 404, V8D's other one)
3 - re-lined
Therefore it will be quicker and hopefully will not give me such major issues down the road. After 1000 miles of carefully running it in it will return for the upgrades
I am not going wild so these are the fairly basic additions to the lump.....
1 - ACT smooth bore silicone intake hose
2 - Bosch AFM
3 - Larger trumpets
4 - MA Tornado and RR session
So in the next couple of months I end up with an engine that looks standard from the outside, but should pull like it should have done in original spec.
I did not want to go down the 404h and and plenum upgrades as although it looks very nice, the feedback I have had is that it tend's to be lumpy and I do a lot of mileage. I also do not want a screamer trakc day car as I like to do a fair amount of touring. Additionally I wanted the engine bay of my car (SE version) to look standard.
I am sure (maybe) that the comments above will create some debate, I am no expert in the RV8. I am no expert in oil's, petrols or the other contributory factors I have have mentioned.
However, my dad is and he reckons all of the above are distinct possibilities.
With these things they are never going to be certain. If it threw a rod you'd know what had happened, but this is somehow so much more frustrating !!
Also, my comments concerning the 404 are only feedback from the same associated experts and other members of this forum and I have no doubt that there are cars on here that run without this issue, it's just not the route I wanted to take at this time.
Interestingly the guy who looks after my fathers 4.5 Chimaera won't use Mobil 1 for these reasons as he blames it for engine wear in the RV8. V8D recommend something different aswell......
Of course, becasue it was away and I missed it ............ I was forced to treat it aswell. Nitrons all round then
I can't wait, it'll be a completely different prospect once it's back and run in !!
>>> Edited by johno on Friday 17th September 07:53
>>> Edited by johno on Friday 17th September 07:54
Having had the engine completely rebuilt to deal with the following ....
1 - liners
2 - valve seat's
3 - cam
4 - crank bearings & shell's
5 - rings
Now I have debated long and hard whether to go public with this as I don't normally like to air all my laundry in public. But there have been some interesting points raised ....
Optimax petrol and Mobil 1 oil .....
The prior is possibly to account for the valve seat damage and the latter for the wear in the engine. There is also some debate that it's 1st owner did not run in the engine properly before I got my hands on it and therefore I have just inherited the issues. Considering the mileage I have done (25,000 in 18months) this has highlighted the deficiencies.
Having spoken to the associated experts who have taken care of my engine rebuild for me, they believe that the damage has possibly been as a result of the use Mobil 1.
This is perhaps not a revalation to this forum, however I have always used the continental, slightly more viscous variety rather than it's domestic sibling.
As for the pitted valve seats I never thought that the pinking was that bad or even that prolonged, however they were noted as a contributory factor in the significant decline in engine compression.
Additionally the the vavle seats the rings were worn, I do not thrash my cars from cold, but I wonder whether it's previous city owner did ??
I was particularly concerned that the liners be replaced given the opportunity for them to fail, although quite rare, while you have the chance and all that.
V8D block tested the block for me and although at normal operating temp's and pressures the liners showed no issue, once the pressure was wound up one started to leak, therefore they have been replaced with top hat liners.
Given that I do a high mielage in my car, (although this will be reduced significantly) you end up asking whether it is your fault, whether the track days you have done (5 or 6 in 18 mths), the motorway mileage, the blast to work or the weekend fun is what has killed it.
I had noticed that the engine was not performing where I thought it should be, and had asked for them to inspect the engine in particular detail with a RR session and this did highlight it's poor running, however it didn't feel that poor ! (218bhp). Does that mean that it was always a dud ??
5 months I've had to ask these questions and it doesn't help the waiting. So I'll be chucking out the Mobil 1 and running it on Super unleaded rather than Optimax when it comes back, funny I always thought it ran better on super anyway ....
Rather than change to a 5.2 etc etc I have had the original rebuilt and that means I now have ....
1 - Fully balanced engine
2 - Better cam (no not the 404, V8D's other one)
3 - re-lined
Therefore it will be quicker and hopefully will not give me such major issues down the road. After 1000 miles of carefully running it in it will return for the upgrades
I am not going wild so these are the fairly basic additions to the lump.....
1 - ACT smooth bore silicone intake hose
2 - Bosch AFM
3 - Larger trumpets
4 - MA Tornado and RR session
So in the next couple of months I end up with an engine that looks standard from the outside, but should pull like it should have done in original spec.
I did not want to go down the 404h and and plenum upgrades as although it looks very nice, the feedback I have had is that it tend's to be lumpy and I do a lot of mileage. I also do not want a screamer trakc day car as I like to do a fair amount of touring. Additionally I wanted the engine bay of my car (SE version) to look standard.
I am sure (maybe) that the comments above will create some debate, I am no expert in the RV8. I am no expert in oil's, petrols or the other contributory factors I have have mentioned.
However, my dad is and he reckons all of the above are distinct possibilities.
With these things they are never going to be certain. If it threw a rod you'd know what had happened, but this is somehow so much more frustrating !!
Also, my comments concerning the 404 are only feedback from the same associated experts and other members of this forum and I have no doubt that there are cars on here that run without this issue, it's just not the route I wanted to take at this time.
Interestingly the guy who looks after my fathers 4.5 Chimaera won't use Mobil 1 for these reasons as he blames it for engine wear in the RV8. V8D recommend something different aswell......
Of course, becasue it was away and I missed it ............ I was forced to treat it aswell. Nitrons all round then
I can't wait, it'll be a completely different prospect once it's back and run in !!
>>> Edited by johno on Friday 17th September 07:53
>>> Edited by johno on Friday 17th September 07:54
gerjo said:
hi Johno,
Good to hear it's back! About the oil: indeed better to use Castrol RS 10W60.
My Griff is feeling a bit weak too; planning to have Tower View or V8D have a look at it.
That's what my dad uses in his Chimaera ....... point noted thanks Gerjo.
Sorry to hear your Griffith is a bit weak ...... let's hope we're both at Zolder with them next year.
Good to hear that Johno. shame we missed today ( YHM ).
Like the route you have gone down re the engine. I need/wouldlike to do the Airflow meter on my and Trumpets, Cam in the future along with Suspension when mine gets as saggy as a Butty Boys Arse
Re-the oil, I have noticed since buying the French stock with you in calias that mine doesnt arf drink alot more than the English Thicker stuff. probably twice as much, Probably going to have to change to something else as a do a fair few shorter journeys so not sure that it will be doing the engine good at all.
All the best, catch up soon.
BB
Like the route you have gone down re the engine. I need/wouldlike to do the Airflow meter on my and Trumpets, Cam in the future along with Suspension when mine gets as saggy as a Butty Boys Arse
Re-the oil, I have noticed since buying the French stock with you in calias that mine doesnt arf drink alot more than the English Thicker stuff. probably twice as much, Probably going to have to change to something else as a do a fair few shorter journeys so not sure that it will be doing the engine good at all.
All the best, catch up soon.
BB
Good to hear its back johno - hope to see you out and about in it soon. Im interested in your comments Johno regarding the oil.What do you or any one else think the problems
could be regarding Mobil 1.
I thought the factory recommended it.
What other oil should be considered and why?
Is there a problem with Mobil 1? assuming ofcourse the correct grade is used i,e,sae15w/50 Super Sport.
I can under stand the increase in consumption with thinner grades,such as sae0w/40
Optimax Fuel,surely with a higher octane value 98RON this would help to stop the pinking problems sometimes associated with this engine.Running a higher CR that TVR uses, demands a greater calorific fuel to obtain the best from the engine without the problems usually encountered.
Interesting points you have raised!
could be regarding Mobil 1.
I thought the factory recommended it.
What other oil should be considered and why?
Is there a problem with Mobil 1? assuming ofcourse the correct grade is used i,e,sae15w/50 Super Sport.
I can under stand the increase in consumption with thinner grades,such as sae0w/40
Optimax Fuel,surely with a higher octane value 98RON this would help to stop the pinking problems sometimes associated with this engine.Running a higher CR that TVR uses, demands a greater calorific fuel to obtain the best from the engine without the problems usually encountered.
Interesting points you have raised!
Im interested in your comments Johno regarding the oil.What do you or any one else think the problems
could be regarding Mobil 1.
I thought the factory recommended it.
What other oil should be considered and why?
Is there a problem with Mobil 1? assuming ofcourse the correct grade is used i,e,sae15w/50 Super Sport.
I can under stand the increase in consumption with thinner grades,such as sae0w/40
Optimax Fuel,surely with a higher octane value 98RON this would help to stop the pinking problems sometimes associated with this engine.Running a higher CR that TVR uses, demands a greater calorific fuel to obtain the best from the engine without the problems usually encountered.
Interesting points you have raised!
could be regarding Mobil 1.
I thought the factory recommended it.
What other oil should be considered and why?
Is there a problem with Mobil 1? assuming ofcourse the correct grade is used i,e,sae15w/50 Super Sport.
I can under stand the increase in consumption with thinner grades,such as sae0w/40
Optimax Fuel,surely with a higher octane value 98RON this would help to stop the pinking problems sometimes associated with this engine.Running a higher CR that TVR uses, demands a greater calorific fuel to obtain the best from the engine without the problems usually encountered.
Interesting points you have raised!
Mickeypee,
I still owe you a visit .......
The Mobil 1 I used was the French 4/40 version rather than the 0/40 version that is distributed here.
Maybe the 15/40 would be a better option.
The only recommendation so far has been the Castrol RS 15/60, which a number of people have pointed me in the direction of.
As for Optimax petrol, this is a debate that I have no answers for. The pinking in my engine was not bad, not at all. The car is very well maintained and it would be noticed if it were pinking this much, let alone by me.
However, unless the previous owner let it pink like crazy, then I have to ask the question of why it would happen.
I have had other people tell me they think their car's do pink more with optimax, indeed there was thread on here to that affect not long ago.
A higher RON, I assumed, (probably wildly inaccurately) was less likely pre-detonate and therefore should give less issues. But I am just a lay man when it comes to the finer technical details.
I still owe you a visit .......
The Mobil 1 I used was the French 4/40 version rather than the 0/40 version that is distributed here.
Maybe the 15/40 would be a better option.
The only recommendation so far has been the Castrol RS 15/60, which a number of people have pointed me in the direction of.
As for Optimax petrol, this is a debate that I have no answers for. The pinking in my engine was not bad, not at all. The car is very well maintained and it would be noticed if it were pinking this much, let alone by me.
However, unless the previous owner let it pink like crazy, then I have to ask the question of why it would happen.
I have had other people tell me they think their car's do pink more with optimax, indeed there was thread on here to that affect not long ago.
A higher RON, I assumed, (probably wildly inaccurately) was less likely pre-detonate and therefore should give less issues. But I am just a lay man when it comes to the finer technical details.
stesrg said:
15w/50 motorsport i use and recomend this, never had any probs with my other cars they were all thrashed,i have always used an addative though, however i use the good stuff 4* leaded when ever i can and usualy mix it either with optimax or super.
Steve..........
A very good choice regarding the oil, but don't use it in your rebuilt engine until you have fully bedded it in.
I am assumimg Ray has supplied you with some Unipart Green or running in oil for using initially.
On the fuel issue, don't forget most people reading this will have CAT cars. Leaded 4* will confine them (CATS) to the scrap heap.
Any good quality 15W/50 full synth oil will be ok. No need to take a second mortgage out on the Mobil 1.
Millers have CFS 10W/60 as you say, but they also do a Motorsport full synth 15W/50 and you get a full 5 litres.
>> Edited by ian8542 on Saturday 18th September 09:28
ian8542 said:
15w/50 motorsport i use and recomend this, never had any probs with my other cars they were all thrashed,i have always used an addative though, however i use the good stuff 4* leaded when ever i can and usualy mix it either with optimax or super.
Steve..........
YEP i am using the good old green stuff to bed the engine thanks for your input.
Steve
A very good choice regarding the oil, but don't use it in your rebuilt engine until you have fully bedded it in.
I am assumimg Ray has supplied you with some Unipart Green or running in oil for using initially.
On the fuel issue, don't forget most people reading this will have CAT cars. Leaded 4* will confine them (CATS) to the scrap heap.
Any good quality 15W/50 full synth oil will be ok. No need to take a second mortgage out on the Mobil 1.
Millers have CFS 10W/60 as you say, but they also do a Motorsport full synth 15W/50 and you get a full 5 litres.
>> Edited by ian8542 on Saturday 18th September 09:28
BB/Jeremy,
Thanks ..... seems like a long time I have seen you guys with a TVR in my possession !!
I've put 350 miles on the car since Satruday and can say that once I have got through the running in it is going to be very quick ......
Well chuffed at the moment, just need to get the nitrons on as they ran out of time. Really need the suspension to go with the engine !!
I'll be steering well clear of Mobil 1 in whatever viscousity it somes in. Once bitten, twice shy you may say !!
Cheers
Mark
Thanks ..... seems like a long time I have seen you guys with a TVR in my possession !!
I've put 350 miles on the car since Satruday and can say that once I have got through the running in it is going to be very quick ......
Well chuffed at the moment, just need to get the nitrons on as they ran out of time. Really need the suspension to go with the engine !!
I'll be steering well clear of Mobil 1 in whatever viscousity it somes in. Once bitten, twice shy you may say !!
Cheers
Mark
Mobil 1, I said this years ago, it turned my Rangie into a clattering mess on a cold start, once off it, gone, also the TVR lost its clatter. I only went to Mobil for the Rangie due to the TVR hype.I have refused Mobil at service, ever since. Optimax i like, less pinking but then mine does run a bit cooler and has insulated air intake. Of course, usual terms apply, its only my oppinion. Any-road, glad your back, on "it".
david beer said:
Mobil 1, I said this years ago, it turned my Rangie into a clattering mess on a cold start, once off it, gone, also the TVR lost its clatter. I only went to Mobil for the Rangie due to the TVR hype.I have refused Mobil at service, ever since. Optimax i like, less pinking but then mine does run a bit cooler and has insulated air intake. Of course, usual terms apply, its only my oppinion. Any-road, glad your back, on "it".
What do you use instead?
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