Griff purchase advice.

[Rower]

I would like to up-grade from my S3 to a Griff in the new year. I am considering a pre (or) De catted 4.3.

What are the advantages of a b.v model in terms of performance etc, were the larger valves a factory option or a modification ? all advice and comments gratefully received !

[simpo two]

Rower said:

I would like to up-grade from my S3 to a Griff in the new year. I am considering a pre (or) De catted 4.3.

All 4.x Griffiths are pre-cat, ie they were never fitted with cats. 'De-cat' only applies to 500s.

Rower said:

What are the advantages of a b.v model in terms of performance etc, were the larger valves a factory option or a modification ?

On paper IIRC the BVs give an extra 40bhp (280 instead of 240) - but don't believe the actual figures, they are always optimistic!
Some BVs are original; many others were conversions. Check provenance 100% as you can't tell just by looking.
Search the archives as there's loads of stuff about BVs, and the Griff Bible by shpub is compulsory reading. (Even if it has got a Chimp on the front!)
Hope this helps!

[RichB]

Rower said:

I would like to up-grade from my S3 to a Griff in the new year.

I went from an S3c to a Griff 500 and the difference is stunning. Are you dead set on a 4.3 or BV 'cos the 500's are excellent cars too! Rich...

[simpo two]

The customer's always right Rich! I remember going to a local garage for my first car. I wanted a Sunbeam 1.6 GLS. They offered me a Renault 5. So I went somewhere else and got a Sunbeam 1.6 GLS.

In 1997 I went from S3 to Griff 4.0 and had no regrets - in some respects I prefered it to my current 500.

[Pies]

simpo two said:

[quote=Rower]I would like to up-grade from my S3 to a Griff in the new year. I am considering a pre (or) De catted 4.3.

All 4.x Griffiths are pre-cat, ie they were never fitted with cats. 'De-cat' only applies to 500s.

You sure, all cars built after 1993 had to have cats fitted

[tvrgaas]

Pies said:

simpo two said: Rower said: I would like to up-grade from my S3 to a Griff in the new year. I am considering a pre (or) De catted 4.3. All 4.x Griffiths are pre-cat, ie they were never fitted with cats. 'De-cat' only applies to 500s. . You sure, all cars built after 1993 had to have cats fitted

Correct, many 4.x Griffith were built on the 29th of Dec, 1992, or at least the chassis was registered then

[RichB]

Pies said:

You sure, all cars built after 1993 had to have cats fitted

Which co-incides with the gap between the 4.x cars, the Chimaera being introduced and the 500's being launched. R...

[jam1et]

I wanted a 4.3 BV too back in May this year but had to settle for a 4ltr as I couldnt find a decent one for love nor money. Dont regret it though, the 4ltr is superb. Have driven a few 500's too but its the noise I wanted! If you're set on a 4.3, good luck finding one!

[Rower]

Thanks for all your comments Guys they are great help,I will post again in the new year when I reckon to start looking, providing the tax man lets me keep a bit of dough!