I hesitate to ask, but ...
Discussion
A number of independent engineering firms, now offer a variety of solutions to the problem of engine wear in the S6.
At the same time it would appear that the newer factory S6 engines seem to have been built with better components, if still with the original head design. IMO TVR have been evolving the S6 as more cars returned to the factory needing rebuilds. A bit like Microsoft with it's software - let the consumers find the bugs, then design patches.
Only one engineering firm has the rights to the original S6 blueprints and is endorsed by it's designer Al Melling, and that's Autocraft. There are cars out there with Autocraft heads clocking up the miles now. By all accounts, them seem to be problem free. We're weeks away from a full rebuild rolling out, as Craft wait for the last components to arrive. It's an engine free from reliance on TVR, built from components from the best UK suppliers and to the designers specifications. It should lay the S6 ghost once and for all. No doubt TVR will soon catch up, especially if they get their hands on one of these cars.
But in answer to your question about it going quiet, I think it's simpler. The owners with the problems rarely like to shout about their misfortune. And the majority of doom-mongers who don't even own an S6 car, soon get bored of churning out the same repetitive, ill-informed crap (thank-god). Although I'm sure they'll be quick to chirp up now (watches thread below).
At the same time it would appear that the newer factory S6 engines seem to have been built with better components, if still with the original head design. IMO TVR have been evolving the S6 as more cars returned to the factory needing rebuilds. A bit like Microsoft with it's software - let the consumers find the bugs, then design patches.
Only one engineering firm has the rights to the original S6 blueprints and is endorsed by it's designer Al Melling, and that's Autocraft. There are cars out there with Autocraft heads clocking up the miles now. By all accounts, them seem to be problem free. We're weeks away from a full rebuild rolling out, as Craft wait for the last components to arrive. It's an engine free from reliance on TVR, built from components from the best UK suppliers and to the designers specifications. It should lay the S6 ghost once and for all. No doubt TVR will soon catch up, especially if they get their hands on one of these cars.
But in answer to your question about it going quiet, I think it's simpler. The owners with the problems rarely like to shout about their misfortune. And the majority of doom-mongers who don't even own an S6 car, soon get bored of churning out the same repetitive, ill-informed crap (thank-god). Although I'm sure they'll be quick to chirp up now (watches thread below).
).For sure the engines are improving, the reports about the quality of factory and independent rebuilds are encouraging... but I see a couple of recent head gasket failures at the top of this thread 
Don't overlook the fact that TVR is only building/ selling two cars a week so the potential for failures is diminishing. The key is that customers now have a choice about rebuilds and the turn-around times are sensible so as long as you get a warranty or factor a re-build into your budget,
don't be frightened of the Speed6!
Don't overlook the fact that TVR is only building/ selling two cars a week so the potential for failures is diminishing. The key is that customers now have a choice about rebuilds and the turn-around times are sensible so as long as you get a warranty or factor a re-build into your budget,
don't be frightened of the Speed6!
Funnily enough I was thinking the same thing recently. I do think the better components and greater education to drivers that TVR have pushed out a little more recently has helped - certainly I believe when the Sp6 first came out, new drivers would possibly use them just as hard from cold as they would the old Rover V8s and then sometimes run into a little bit of trouble. Also the 'poor batch of components' in earlier cars that TVR personally quoted to me certainly seems to have been the case.
My Sp6 is coming up to 3 years old and has never had any problems whatsoever (touch wood!!), and I think you will find (as above) that many of the doom mongerers are indeed non speed 6 owners so their comments should be taken with generous pinch of salt.
My Speed 6 is my third and (by some margin) the best TVR I have owned. FSH is a must on any of these cars though...
Roll on the summer!
My Sp6 is coming up to 3 years old and has never had any problems whatsoever (touch wood!!), and I think you will find (as above) that many of the doom mongerers are indeed non speed 6 owners so their comments should be taken with generous pinch of salt.
My Speed 6 is my third and (by some margin) the best TVR I have owned. FSH is a must on any of these cars though...
Roll on the summer!
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