Clutch anyone?

[L33]

Well, the time has come to think about a clutch change as I notice a bit of slippage in 4th gear on Sundays TVR club run.

Wheres the best place to buy a clutch from please guys? Or does anyone have one knocking round in exchange for beer tokens?

Do I want a standard Rover SD1 clutch for a 3.5 litre V8 OR an early griff 500 clutch? Whats the difference? I am guessing just the "springiness" of the coverplate which will be felt through the clutch pedal being heavier?

What are your experiences and what places you have found for the best prices on a parts basis only please?

I am guessing I need to replace clutch, cover plate and release bearing?

Cheers,
L33.

Edited by L33 on Tuesday 11th September 10:45

[rev-erend]

After all the boasting going on after the rolling road at BBWF .. think you better get a twin plate race clutch..

Seriously - get a Griff 500 clutch. You are probably looking at 300 quid and a whole weekend to fit it (yourself) or 12 ~ 14 hrs labour at a garage.

[L33]

rev-erend said:

After all the boasting going on after the rolling road at BBWF .. think you better get a twin plate race clutch..

Seriously - get a Griff 500 clutch. You are probably looking at 300 quid and a whole weekend to fit it (yourself) or 12 ~ 14 hrs labour at a garage.

You got me mistaken Rev. It wasn't me who was 270.4
My figures were just shy of 250bhp - which is about right for a 400se.

[.Woody]

oh I wish I got on that RR!!!

[TVRleigh(BBWR)]

There is a company on ebay advertising a griff 500 clutch on ebay for £109. + shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-CHIMAERA-GRIFFITH-5-0-V8...

may want to check it's for your gearbox.

[L33]

[quote=TVRleigh(BBWR)]There is a company on ebay advertising a griff 500 clutch on ebay for £109. + shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-CHIMAERA-GRIFFITH-5-0-V8...

may want to check it's for your gearbox.
[/quote]

Thatnks Leigh - I already have them on the case looking for me.

[TVRleigh(BBWR)]

.Woody said:

oh I wish I got on that RR!!!

Shame they cancelled the Asutec openday, as I would like to get mine on the rollers also. was still running mine it at BBWF.

[rev-erend]

L33 said:

[quote=TVRleigh(BBWR)]There is a company on ebay advertising a griff 500 clutch on ebay for £109. + shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-CHIMAERA-GRIFFITH-5-0-V8...

may want to check it's for your gearbox.

Thatnks Leigh - I already have them on the case looking for me.

Thats a good price !

[TVRleigh(BBWR)]

No Problem.

I remembered them from when my clutch was stuck, and if I had to take the gearbox off, then I would replace for that price.

[adam quantrill]

Are the splines different on a T5 then?

The clutch diameter is the same as the standard isn't it - so what's the reason for the improvement - friction compound? Pressure?

The only thing that worries me about this ad is that they use the same photo as for a Fiat Uno clutch in their shop!

[TVRleigh(BBWR)]

IIRC there is a differance with the T5 and LT77 clutch.

[rev-erend]

adam quantrill said:

Are the splines different on a T5 then?

The clutch diameter is the same as the standard isn't it - so what's the reason for the improvement - friction compound? Pressure?

The only thing that worries me about this ad is that they use the same photo as for a Fiat Uno clutch in their shop!

Yes - correct.

[Number 7]

I would stick to an AP green spring unit.

7.

[L33]

Its Done!!!!!

I got an uprated Griffith 500 clutch here for a very reasonable £125 ALL in:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-CHIMAERA-GRIFFITH-5-0-V8...
The clutch that I got was actually a Borg & Beck jobbie which a certain TVR parts place wanted more than double this price!

As for the fitting, I toyed with doing it myself until I realised it was an engine out job
I was gutted when I was getting quotes of between 10 - 14 hours labour at about £45 per hour.

Blaine recommended "TopGear Automotive" in Wolverhampton to me:
http://www.topgearautomotive.co.uk/
They said they can do it without removing the engine - 5 hours labour at £37.50 per hour! The 2 guys that run the place used to work for TVR Team Central in Birmingham so they know the wedges very well. I took it in this morning and vas delighted with the level of service and final bill of just £190 to fit.

Whats even better was I work just up the road and they droped me off to work and collected me when the job was done.

Whats it like?
Well, to drive, its a different car. The clutch is so much more responsive and it feels a lot sharper now the timings all set up correctly and the exhaust is not properly seated (no extra charge for doing this).

So, purpose of this post is a big huge recommendation to the guys at TopGear Automotive for a job very well done. Cheeply.

Edited by L33 on Friday 12th October 21:46

[rev-erend]

Lee - you have done really well !

A wedge clutch bought and installed for just over £300 quid.

Most would have had to pay about £1000 !

[L33]

I know - thats whay I'm so happy.
Its funny - I've never actually felt happy before handing over £300

[blaineuk]

hope fully gained some of the lost horses as well.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Hi Lee, so the eBay Item was fine then, as some people was sceptical.

How did they cut the cross member to replace it of just move the Gearbox and engine far enough apart to get there hands in.

Leigh

[L33]

TVRleigh_BBWR said:

Hi Lee, so the eBay Item was fine then, as some people was sceptical.

How did they cut the cross member to replace it of just move the Gearbox and engine far enough apart to get there hands in.

Leigh

No cutting of cross members here!!!
basically, propshaft and exhaust removed then engine and bell housing slpit and seperated just far enough to change the clutch.

Cutting of the cross member is not recommended - especially as you can't get to the top portion of it to weld it back up again when you have done your bodge job!

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

L33 said:

TVRleigh_BBWR said:

Hi Lee, so the eBay Item was fine then, as some people was sceptical.

How did they cut the cross member to replace it of just move the Gearbox and engine far enough apart to get there hands in.

Leigh

No cutting of cross members here!!!
basically, propshaft and exhaust removed then engine and bell housing slpit and seperated just far enough to change the clutch.

Cutting of the cross member is not recommended - especially as you can't get to the top portion of it to weld it back up again when you have done your bodge job!

I would not like my cross member cut either. bit of a bodge. would prefer to have the engine out.

Will keep them in mind if I ever need mine doing.

Did they say anything about the ebay clutch.