Now I have grief

[OleVix]

Finally bought an early Griff 400 LHD. Its starmist green, built in 93 and sold new in Norway.
Full cat
No PAS
Precat heater controls
Imola wheels
Roof doesnt fit in boot
30k miles
Really rubbish brakes
Rover gearbox
2000 rpm in 60 mph which is nice

The motor pulls really good, more than my 400 chim did, I'm suspecting a 4.3 bottom end... should get it on a dyno!

Planning to fully restore the car and give her a nice 5 liter engine or similar

[davetripletvr]

Very nice, like the colour

[ClassiChimi]

L/H drive Griff, corr, they must be rare in themselves, very nice.

[Danattheopticians]

Nice one Ole, well done, should be a good project.

You do know from when we spoke, that essentially what you have there is a funny looking Chim!

Maybe next time you visit I should get your eyes tested and make you up some specs!!

[OleVix]

Danattheopticians said:

Nice one Ole, well done, should be a good project.

You do know from when we spoke, that essentially what you have there is a funny looking Chim!

Maybe next time you visit I should get your eyes tested and make you up some specs!!

haha very funny!!!! Got a set of image wheels on...

[ChilliWhizz]

Nice one Ole that's a lovely looking Griff..... If they weren't so ugly I'd seriously consider getting one myself...

[TV8]

Love the dials on the early Griefs but always think of wheel barrows for some reason, especially the green ones! That said, nice car. With the Rover gearbox, get some difflock oil in it.

[bobfather]

Unusual to see a recessed rear number plate on a Griff

[jimed]

The roof on the Griff isn't the easiest thing to get in the boot but it should go in. The secret is to have it the right way round, the wrong way and it won't go in at all so have another try. It goes in the same way as it is when fitted but with the rounded (front ) at the bottom and the underneath of the roof (the inside of the car side) facing backwards. Put the left side in first then slide it down and move it slightly backwards to let it slide further into the left of the boot and the right hand corner should (just) fit in. Not too easy with the spare wheel in the boot but still doable; it needs more movement at the left to move the roof as far to the left as it will go and some moving backwards at the bottom (otherwise the left side doesn't sit high enough to let the right side down far enough to let the boot shut) so have a go and see if it fits.
Hope the above helps; once you get it right it isn't so bad so let us know how you get on.
Jim

Edited by jimed on Sunday 21st August 12:18

[Danattheopticians]

https://youtu.be/ZW38ZtrC0Pc

Like this? I can solve a rubiks cube, but that looks tough!

And to add, the chim is so easy!

[Matthew Poxon]

Very nice Ole!

[OleVix]

First step is full body lift + change everything. Then a respray in, probably, flat british racing green.
Engine wise I'll give V8d a ring and ask about a 5.0 or more engine.

Are there upgrades available to the rover box?

Nitrons, electric PAS and I might also consider aircon if anybody have advices here

[Big Ashy]

jimed said:

The roof on the Griff isn't the easiest thing to get in the boot but it should go in. The secret is to have it the right way round, the wrong way and it won't go in at all so have another try. It goes in the same way as it is when fitted but with the rounded (front ) at the bottom and the underneath of the roof (the inside of the car side) facing backwards. Put the left side in first then slide it down and move it slightly backwards to let it slide further into the left of the boot and the right hand corner should (just) fit in. Not too easy with the spare wheel in the boot but still doable; it needs more movement at the left to move the roof as far to the left as it will go and some moving backwards at the bottom (otherwise the left side doesn't sit high enough to let the right side down far enough to let the boot shut) so have a go and see if it fits.
Hope the above helps; once you get it right it isn't so bad so let us know how you get on.
Jim

Edited by jimed on Sunday 21st August 12:18

Hi Jim,

I take it from this you have now mastered the art

Cheers

Ade

[TV8]

OleVix said:

Are there upgrades available to the rover box?

Hi Ole, there is the R380 gearbox. I looked at that when I was going to up-grade my last car as the T5 change becomes a big job. Drop a message to engineer1949. I think he fitted one to the Supercharged orange Chim or had the LT77 rebuilt. Either way, it takes a chunk more power now than before!

[OleVix]

TV8 said:

OleVix said:

Are there upgrades available to the rover box?

Hi Ole, there is the R380 gearbox. I looked at that when I was going to up-grade my last car as the T5 change becomes a big job. Drop a message to engineer1949. I think he fitted one to the Supercharged orange Chim or had the LT77 rebuilt. Either way, it takes a chunk more power now than before!

I am actually now thinking about buying a complete engine and gearbox from a Camaro, meaning either LS1 or LS3 engine and T56 6 speed box and sticking it all in the griff. Sportmotive sell engine mounts and exhaust headers

[Argent]

What stopped you going down the V8D route?

A.

[Bluebottle]

Argent said:

What stopped you going down the V8D route?

A.

the thought of an LS3 ?

[caduceus]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3MQLv7iDvg