TVR Power 4.3 here I come - great deal!

[chris watton]

robsco said:

It's easy for me to say Chris as I am the softest customer a specialist could ever wish to meet, as well as a mechanical numpty, but to me "being vague" doesn't cut it. Why are the ACT parts no good? Why don't they fit? Why must you have to fork out an extra £1k and why has it been left until this stage in the game to come to light?

I will get to the bottom of this. I chose the ACT hoses because that's what most people chose when changing the rad and hoses. Why would I ever think they'd be a problem?
yesterday, I was told that they're no good because they 'kink', and today I am told they're no good because they don't fit - but my engine config is exactly the same as everyone elses!

TOV!E said:

I feel for you Chris, first the retrim and calliper painting at Central was a cock up and cost you a fortune, then you have had problems with your Nitrons, now your rebuild is leaving a bitter taste in your mouth, such a shame as you are never going to recoup your investment ( not that was the plan) but you wanted a keeper that you will love forever, I hope you don't start to regret it after all this agro...All the best Gordon

Cheers . I did get some money back from Central, and the Nitrons don't seem so bad now. I do plan to have a full geo and new tyres for the Summer, and perhaps raise the ride height slightly too.

Funny, on each occasion when enquiring about having the work I want carried out, nothing is a problem, they tell me that they've worked on hundreds of TVR's and know them inside out - no job is too small or beyond their expertise, and other very comforting words. As soon as they have your business, however....

Having said that, I still have faith in Dom, and am sure I shall love the car when I get it back.

So, I will have a new set of ACT hoses for sale very soon...

[chris watton]

billynobrakes said:

So, I will have a new set of ACT hoses for sale very soon...


Chris

I got Dom to fit their silicon hoses when he done my engine as it makes sense with the engine out what colour did you go for I went for black as I did not like the bright orange ones, seemed a bit odd just having two colours to choose from

Not long now before you get the car back

I too went for the ACT black hoses, I prefer the subtle look...

[chris watton]

This is the ACT hose kit my wife bought me - the one without the added expansion tank, which isn't on my car:

http://www.actproducts.co.uk/product/hk012a-tuscan...

I also ordered the ACT Speed 6 Heater link pipe and the Speed Six engine connection water pipe. I thought I'd get the cooling system covered for the new engine..

ETA: And this is the rad - there is only one option on this site:

http://www.aaronradiator.co.uk/products/Radiator_T...

Edited by chris watton on Thursday 26th February 13:43

[chris watton]

mk1fan said:

I have the same rad and stainless pipes sitting waiting to be fitted.

As above if it's dry [at some point] this weekend I'll have a go at fitting and report back.

OK, that will be interesting to read your thoughts.

[chris watton]

Dom promised a few pics later of the build - I shall post them when I get them.

[chris watton]

T66ORA said:

Knowing your luck mate he has probably started stripping the wrong engine

Brilliant!

Although, knowing my luck, you may be right....

[chris watton]

T66ORA said:

Zippee said:

T66ORA said:

Zippee said:

Mate - I share your pain. My wife hates my car as it is, even more so with a service next week and knowing the cost.

Same here, I find it hard to justify the thing, with the lack of use. She will only go in it now as long as I don`t overtake anybody or "go mad"
Might as well have a Moggy Minor convertible

At least I'm not the only one. She's convinced it's jinxed. Engine rebuild, gearbox rebuild and clutch, accident in 2013 which led to a shocking full respray that I'm having sorted next month elsewhere. Plus the thousands I've spent over the last few years...
She won't passenger in it unless she really has to and then I'm not allowed to accelerate hard, overtake or 'have fun'!

Sound familiar!

My wife is exactly the same - if I say that we'll use my car, she'll say, "OK, As long as you don't go mad"! Yeah, just spent thousands on the car only for me 'to go mad'!

My Tam is just known as The Money Pit to her.

Although I can see where she's coming from....

[chris watton]

No pics have been set yet - it's probably blown up.

[chris watton]

Pursyluv said:

K4TRV said:

...........are we all "married" to the same woman.................???

Must be a 4.3 /upgrade/rebuild requirement? Mine occurred 11-months ago and still costing me.........

We certainly are and it's worse for me as she wants a 911 Convertible instead

My wife wants an '80's 911 convertable!

Spooky...

[chris watton]

Pics of my original 3.6 - is that bad?:





And the new one

Edited by chris watton on Thursday 26th February 22:36

[chris watton]

It is a little disappointing - I know there are literally hundreds of TVR owners who have used the ACT hoses as an upgrade to their TVR, I never thought for a second there'd ever be a problem. I haven't heard one negative comment regarding the hoses and, I would have thought it is standard practice to make aftermarket hoses slightly longer to take into account any slight differences between configurations. It is also disappointing having to pay for what is essentially the same thing twice - I am on a tight budget as it is. I haven't got a bottomless pit of money - even and extra £2-400 is a lot to me! All I want is the best for my Tamora.

It is a shame, as all other aspects I am happy with, especially the engine! It marrs what should be a very exciting experience on something I have dreamed of and looked forward to having since I bought my Tamora.

After the experience I had last year with my re-trim, my wife said that she doesn't want anymore large sums spent on my car, she said everyone seems out to 'rip you off'.
It did take a lot of convincing, as you can imagine, to justify taking a loan out for the rebuild from one of the most respected builders in the TVR circle, but my wife, bless her, knew how much I wanted this, and agreed I could have it. When hiccups happen, I can feel a bit of a fool at times..

Edited by chris watton on Friday 27th February 09:31

[chris watton]

I cannot afford to void the warranty - I am at the mercy of the engine builder.

[chris watton]

Pursyluv said:

Chris I'm sure someone will take the ACT pipes off your hands at the price you paid or marginally less; as has already been said repeatedly they are a quality product..............if I hadn't taken delivery of mine last week I would have had them.

Cheers

Tim from ACT said that he'll do a trade-in for the hoses if and when I order anything else from him, which is highly likely..

[chris watton]

It's in! I have some video of the engine purring along too, sounds great, but not sure how to post them...

[chris watton]

mk1fan said:

They look a bit kinked in a few of the photos.

[chris watton]

ClassiChimi said:

So tim is happy to give you a credit note,, engine looks mint,, massive warranty from Dom himself
Sounds all good to me!
I had my 4.6 RV rebuilt by Dom a couple of years ago,,, told him I'll thrash it on track days,,,, his words were do as many as you like,, if it blows he'll rebuild it again,

You can't get better than that!

I see you have the fastest colour too,,haha,
Goodluck with it all as I know it's both an exciting yet worrysome time,,,

What is it with women,, I mean the Chimeara is the most beautiful Tvr known to man, yet all the women in my life hate it,,,,
I'm now single,, she thought she could call my bluff,,,,,, hahahah
Only joking lads,,

I would love to do a couple of track days, that's for sure. I plan to take the Tamora to Italy later this year, when it's run-in. That's something I am very much looking forward to.

[chris watton]

billynobrakes said:

When you picking her up ?

I don't know yet, haven't been given a date.

Raining today, though...

It can't in the week as my wife's working.

[chris watton]

ClassiChimi said:

Chris do you have a not in your stomach, do you feel like a kid who's seen his Christmas present hidden in the garage 3 wks before the big day,
Even though i wanted mine back ASAP I was happy to let the boys do their stuff,
This thread has reminded me of the fantastic day I collected mine from Dom,

Suck it all in Chris, it's a memory I remember fondly,,
I paid for an engine rebuild, didn't expect re painted rockers covers, heater pipes and a really good clean up of the engine bay etc,,, re chipped etc, some people give Power stick but they have possibly crossed Dom, he's a top bloke but still has a competative instinct and I like that a lot,,

Some bloke walked in off the st needing something g or other, can't remember what but Dom saved the guys bacon and wouldn't charge him, Old school top banana.

You'll love that engine like never before Chris and I for one can't wait to see pics of your stunning car gracing the roads of Italy.
Goodluck mate.

It is exciting, that's for sure, but scary at the same time - I have never spent so much in one go on a car before, much less a 13 year old one! It doesn't make sense - until I look at it and drive it, then it all clicks into place...

I have no doubt Dom's a top bloke, he know's more about these cars than most, and there are very few I would be confident enough to trust for me to spend such a large amount of money.

The hose situation took me completely by surprise, though - that didn't even enter my head that there'd be a problem!

[chris watton]

billynobrakes said:

Chris why don,t you come along to Zolder in June with me and a few friends it is more than just driving round the track, with other speed trials its good fun, nice hotel, good food, a few beers and good company, here is me on track last year waiting to do the sprint up the straight

Cheers, Billy - would love to - but it's our wedding anniversary in June, and I have promised to take her somewhere she wants to go for a change.. lol

[chris watton]

billynobrakes said:

Shame as its quite good, suppose you better take her away as you have spent a few quid on the Tam maybe catch up sometime

We may be going to Burghley in April - need to use the Tam a lot more now, especially with the run-in period....