12 months review on LS Sagaris
Discussion
This is a bit long but I hope it is of value and answers some of the questions I keep getting asked.......
It has been 12 month+ since the LS7 conversion was completed and I did promise to do a write-up on the experiences so far…..so this is it.
It took me some time to decide on which way to go once the original Speed Six went pop especially with all the comments from this forum. Thanks to all those who gave helpful advise.
Why the LS route? Once I had no choice but to convert or rebuild the options were simple. 4.3/5 from either Dom at Power or Jason at Str8six or an LS from Warren at TopCats. All highly respected with proven credentials. Spending this kind of money I was only going to go with a proven package and a package that had TVR pedigree. My requirements were simple. I wanted an engine that made me grin when I planted the right foot and an engine/warranty that was going to be reliable. No more looking at the gages as soon as I got in traffic or looking at gages every time there was an odd noise. Point and drive.
After I had driven a number of cars including Dom’s 5litre and Simon’s LS Tuscan the LS did it for me. The V8 noise, the incredible torque and the brutal power….what’s not to like.
The LS is not TVR Original. This did give me concern. What would be the impression of an LS Sagaris be when I eventually come to sell? I had all the comments from it’s a kit car to it’s now an American pile of ****. My view was that over the years of car design and motorsport, companies has swapped out engines for performance and racing. This was the same route. Regarding selling it in the future, as long as the conversion was done by a recognised and respected company, and the result was a quality product then there will always be a buyer for a very quick Sagaris….this is a keeper though. For those who want a 5,000 mile collectable this will never be an option.
Impressions. As soon as you drive the LS7 you cant but help feel the torque. The difference in driving from the 4.0litre is chalk and cheese. It is as simple as pushing the right foot to the floor and the car just responds. You also know that the engine is never going to stop trying to go fast. It does feel very different and you know that with a BHP of somewhere between 510-550 there is not much that is going to touch it. The Speed Six is a revving engine that sounds great and you need work it in order to get the most out of it. The LS is just brutal in comparison. Drop a gear hit the gas and it sounds and responds like a train. In the Speed Six you drop a gear hit the gas and the sound is immense but it just doesn’t have that hit in the back in quite the same way. If the Speed Six was capable of achieving over 510 horses then that would be the best of all worlds.
Issues. There have been some. There was a cable to the battery that came lose as a result of the conversion. A bolt that had not been tightened enough…resulted in a flat battery on the Rutland Rumble last year. I was also getting an overheating issue, which was the result of a faulty fan. I therefore replaced the radiator and the fans. In the heat of the summer the cabin was also getting very hot so I had the aircon condenser checked and it was cracked. So I decided on a new aircon condenser, another radiator (shrouded) and two new high performance fans from Power. Cabin now back to usual TVR temperatures and the aircon works. So I now have everything brand new front to back. I may go for a larger header tank at some time as I just don't think it is big enough for the engine…see how that goes.
Cost. This has not been cheap. The entire drive train is all new. The cooling system is all new. All parts including the diff, peddle box, plates etc have all been refurbished. This is now as good as a new car. When I embarked on this I knew that whatever the quoted cost would be for any of the engine choices there would be additional costs. I would estimate that the LS is as near as double the other options by the time it is all done. That is not an easy pill to swallow but the results are immense.
Would I do it again? If the costs are double a 4.3 or 4.5 am I getting double the bang for my buck? For some that answer would be no as the Speed Six does it all. For me I wanted that large bit extra that made me really want to drive the Sagaris…that bit of additional excitement and pure brutality that a muscle car gives. I nearly sold the Sagaris prior to getting the job done. Had I have done I would have had a few grand extra in the bank but I would not have this wonderful car. Would I spend that money to get a car like this again…..once bitten no contest.
I asked myself a question: If I was at the Motor Show and the Sagaris had a Speed Six and an LS option what would I do?...and once I got it home would I be satisfied or disappointed.
It has been 12 month+ since the LS7 conversion was completed and I did promise to do a write-up on the experiences so far…..so this is it.
It took me some time to decide on which way to go once the original Speed Six went pop especially with all the comments from this forum. Thanks to all those who gave helpful advise.
Why the LS route? Once I had no choice but to convert or rebuild the options were simple. 4.3/5 from either Dom at Power or Jason at Str8six or an LS from Warren at TopCats. All highly respected with proven credentials. Spending this kind of money I was only going to go with a proven package and a package that had TVR pedigree. My requirements were simple. I wanted an engine that made me grin when I planted the right foot and an engine/warranty that was going to be reliable. No more looking at the gages as soon as I got in traffic or looking at gages every time there was an odd noise. Point and drive.
After I had driven a number of cars including Dom’s 5litre and Simon’s LS Tuscan the LS did it for me. The V8 noise, the incredible torque and the brutal power….what’s not to like.
The LS is not TVR Original. This did give me concern. What would be the impression of an LS Sagaris be when I eventually come to sell? I had all the comments from it’s a kit car to it’s now an American pile of ****. My view was that over the years of car design and motorsport, companies has swapped out engines for performance and racing. This was the same route. Regarding selling it in the future, as long as the conversion was done by a recognised and respected company, and the result was a quality product then there will always be a buyer for a very quick Sagaris….this is a keeper though. For those who want a 5,000 mile collectable this will never be an option.
Impressions. As soon as you drive the LS7 you cant but help feel the torque. The difference in driving from the 4.0litre is chalk and cheese. It is as simple as pushing the right foot to the floor and the car just responds. You also know that the engine is never going to stop trying to go fast. It does feel very different and you know that with a BHP of somewhere between 510-550 there is not much that is going to touch it. The Speed Six is a revving engine that sounds great and you need work it in order to get the most out of it. The LS is just brutal in comparison. Drop a gear hit the gas and it sounds and responds like a train. In the Speed Six you drop a gear hit the gas and the sound is immense but it just doesn’t have that hit in the back in quite the same way. If the Speed Six was capable of achieving over 510 horses then that would be the best of all worlds.
Issues. There have been some. There was a cable to the battery that came lose as a result of the conversion. A bolt that had not been tightened enough…resulted in a flat battery on the Rutland Rumble last year. I was also getting an overheating issue, which was the result of a faulty fan. I therefore replaced the radiator and the fans. In the heat of the summer the cabin was also getting very hot so I had the aircon condenser checked and it was cracked. So I decided on a new aircon condenser, another radiator (shrouded) and two new high performance fans from Power. Cabin now back to usual TVR temperatures and the aircon works. So I now have everything brand new front to back. I may go for a larger header tank at some time as I just don't think it is big enough for the engine…see how that goes.
Cost. This has not been cheap. The entire drive train is all new. The cooling system is all new. All parts including the diff, peddle box, plates etc have all been refurbished. This is now as good as a new car. When I embarked on this I knew that whatever the quoted cost would be for any of the engine choices there would be additional costs. I would estimate that the LS is as near as double the other options by the time it is all done. That is not an easy pill to swallow but the results are immense.
Would I do it again? If the costs are double a 4.3 or 4.5 am I getting double the bang for my buck? For some that answer would be no as the Speed Six does it all. For me I wanted that large bit extra that made me really want to drive the Sagaris…that bit of additional excitement and pure brutality that a muscle car gives. I nearly sold the Sagaris prior to getting the job done. Had I have done I would have had a few grand extra in the bank but I would not have this wonderful car. Would I spend that money to get a car like this again…..once bitten no contest.
I asked myself a question: If I was at the Motor Show and the Sagaris had a Speed Six and an LS option what would I do?...and once I got it home would I be satisfied or disappointed.
Edited by JLF on Wednesday 25th March 12:24
Edited by JLF on Wednesday 25th March 12:25
Edited by JLF on Wednesday 25th March 12:25
Edited by JLF on Wednesday 25th March 12:42
Good write up I enjoyed reading that. I think you attitude is spot on to be honest, yes there are a lot of nay sayers who probably think you have ruined a Sagaris by putting an LS in but these are probably the same kind of people who just polish their cars and are worried about putting too many miles on as it might affect the value. TVRs are for driving and you are certainly going to want to do a lot of that with a fully warranted package from a respected specialist.
If I had a Speed Six car that went pop I would be very tempted with the LS route. Coming from a Griff I love the raw power and the torque you get from 1k RPM in a V8 which pins you back in your seat. I can only imagine what a 500BHP+ LS7 is like..... it must be epic.
I have seen Topcats work and it is very impressive indeed.
If I had a Speed Six car that went pop I would be very tempted with the LS route. Coming from a Griff I love the raw power and the torque you get from 1k RPM in a V8 which pins you back in your seat. I can only imagine what a 500BHP+ LS7 is like..... it must be epic.
I have seen Topcats work and it is very impressive indeed.
MPoxon said:
Good write up I enjoyed reading that. I think you attitude is spot on to be honest, yes there are a lot of nay sayers who probably think you have ruined a Sagaris by putting an LS in but these are probably the same kind of people who just polish their cars and are worried about putting too many miles on as it might affect the value. TVRs are for driving and you are certainly going to want to do a lot of that with a fully warranted package from a respected specialist.
If I had a Speed Six car that went pop I would be very tempted with the LS route. Coming from a Griff I love the raw power and the torque you get from 1k RPM in a V8 which pins you back in your seat. I can only imagine what a 500BHP+ LS7 is like..... it must be epic.
I have seen Topcats work and it is very impressive indeed.
Took a bit of time looking at the engine types but after deciding on the LS7 TopCats was recommended by all the TVR specialists I spoke with. The only challenge with them is you need to fit with their racing diary as that is clearly the priority. Upside is with a V8 racing pedigree they are on their game day in and day out. If I had a Speed Six car that went pop I would be very tempted with the LS route. Coming from a Griff I love the raw power and the torque you get from 1k RPM in a V8 which pins you back in your seat. I can only imagine what a 500BHP+ LS7 is like..... it must be epic.
I have seen Topcats work and it is very impressive indeed.
I also needed a specialist as I am useless with a spanner.
Enjoying it....oh yes. Just glad the sun is starting to shine again.....
Edited by JLF on Thursday 26th March 18:16
Edited by JLF on Thursday 26th March 18:18
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