I bought "that" Griffith.... yellow LS3 content inside

[zed4]

Hi all,

I've not been in here before! I'm usually found in the Chimaera forum, but I've just sold my Chim and have bought Christian's (7TVR) old Griffith, via Topcats.

I thought I'd share some photos of my new toy. I bought it to sit alongside the Z4M and to replace my TVR Chimaera. The idea was to completely restore my Chimaera, new paintwork, new interior, new roof etc. But then I came across this, sold my Chimaera and bought it!

It was a very difficult decision to sell the Chimaera. I'd owned it for 4 years and I loved that car. We took it on holiday every year and we had so many happy memories in that car. I really miss it! But I'm hoping the new toy will be just as much fun!

I'm sure most of you already know the car, but brief details are:

1996 TVR Griffith 500
Topcats Racing engine conversion - new LS3 6.2 V8
Tuned to around 530hp and 515 ft lbs torque with swtichable Emerald ECU
Accusump oil surge system
Engine bay trimmed in gold leaf heatshields
Tremec TKO 600 gearbox
Complete bare chassis restoration from the ground up. New outriggers, new bushes, new wishbones etc.
Custom valved coilovers
17/18" wheels with R888 tyres
Complete bare body repaint in original yellow
Custom fitted larger headlights
Custom fitted bonnet vents
All new custom interior in black and yellow with Lotus seats
Custom roll cage
New roof
New carpets

Many other bits too!

Pics...

16422369_10158203384910302_6437950778332023911_o (1) by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

16463142_10158203386480302_8298575004065096680_o by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

Untitled by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

16463573_10158203387180302_547375377581887305_o by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

16463579_10158203386530302_3061515393410503367_o by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

16602769_10158220423180302_8664424203811082830_n by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

16402754_10158203386605302_2450143353445212590_o by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

15267754_10154756994638185_6756788198333264637_n by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

TVR Griffith by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

Untitled by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

Untitled by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

Untitled by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

16463761_10158203385910302_790549788793051430_o by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

[zed4]

andy43 said:

Fantastic looking thing.
Does seem to be missing the exhaust manifolds though... they must have widened the chassis rails as Sportmotive do - it's weird looking at the underbonnet pics without the boiler room plumbing everywhere
Very cool and an ace colour combo.

As far as I'm aware, they haven't modified the chassis rails. It's got custom made manifolds. I must admit, it looks so much better without the exhaust manifold reaching over the engine bay!

[zed4]

Matthew Poxon said:

Very nice indeed. I remember following your thread on the Chim in the main reader's cars section. It seems you have upgraded somewhat!

That car is immense, I have seen Christian a couple of times in it and every time a look at it the attention to detail of every aspect blows my mind. I know it goes without saying but LS3 + R888s - be careful if you intend on driving it in this weather!!!!

The only thing I would change on that car is shortening the gear lever so it is back in the stock position. I ended up with a similar length gear lever when I did my S10 conversion to my T5 and could not get on with it so high. I had mine shortened back to stock and was much more pleasant to rest you arm on the centre console and flick through the gears. All personal preference of course and not trying to take anything away from this awesome machine.

Congratulations on your purchase sir, definitely one of the best Griffs in the country that and most likely the fastest. Would be great to see you at the Growl this year if you can make it.

Yes, I might do that. Fifth gear is difficult to engage, the other gears are fine though. I did like the short gear stick on the Chimaera. There's actually an invoice for a custom made gear stick in the history, so I'm guessing this was specially made.

[zed4]

Thanks for all the kind comments. It’s certainly the quickest car I’ve ever been in!

Went for a drive in it yesterday, it’s just so fast! Endless power, I’m yet to open it up fully and take it round the redline. The roads are too cold to get proper traction. My brother was following me yesterday and enjoyed the huge flames it shoots out! It handles so well too. Topcats did a really good job with the chassis. It’s so tight and precise. Nothing like my last TVR, much more Lotus like.

[zed4]

mjlloyd500 said:

smashing car

Thanks for registering to post this comment!

[zed4]

Unfortunately after just 294 miles it's already off the road. Just by pure chance, I noticed water on the floor of the garage when I was looking for something else. Turns out the radiator is leaking.

I've taken the radiator out and have sent it back to the people who made it for them to look at.

Absolutely gutted to be honest. It's my first full weekend off coming up and I was looking forward to driving it up to my grandparents party, about 60 miles away.

[zed4]

phazed said:

Was that the rad place in Thornton Heath/SE area??

I've been informed it was made by Radtec.

[zed4]

Just a bit of bad luck I guess. I’ve sent the radiator back to Radtec for them to have a look at and see if they can find a leak in it. The hoses all looked perfect, no leaks anywhere or signs or coolant on them. Reservoir was completely empty, although the swirl pot was still full.

[zed4]

pb450 said:

Just fantastic. Lucky man and proud owner. Good on you sir!

Oops, hadn't seen recent posts when I wrote that. Sorry to hear. Monor detail, summer's on its way!

Edited by pb450 on Thursday 16th February 14:44

Yes! I literally can't wait for summer! I've two fantastic cars ready for summer, the Griffith LS3 and my Z4M which I bought in December

[zed4]

davep said:

Lovely motor zed4! Will it be available for hire?

Also perhaps check that the screen wash reservior is water tight, especially during operation. Mine leaked after a sustained screen cleaning session in the garage, a pool of water on the floor had me searching for a non-existent radiator leak.

No chance I'm afraid!! She's far too precious!

Funnily enough, the screen wash tank was full, I removed it to get to the radiator and put it on top of my tool box on it's side, thinking it would be ok. Next day it was empty and my tool box was full of screen wash! Haha!

[zed4]

Thanks all.

Yes, all back up and running now thanks to the fantastic service at Radtec. They really did go above and beyond and it's all back reinstalled. Topcats were helpful in offering their services, but in the end I managed to remove the radiator myself without issue. Slight hiccup with a leaking vacuum to brake servo hose for an interesting first drive after putting it back together, but that's now sorted too!

It's actually quite nice to work on. So much space in the engine bay and it's all very simple and obvious how things come apart.

Had a nice drive out on Saturday. Dry roads and even a bit of sunshine. It's so fast! Ridiculous. It's not scary though, it handles really well and the power is manageable, but only in the dry!

A few pics from Saturday afternoon, once we'd got it all back together:

Untitled by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

Untitled by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

Untitled by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

Untitled by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

Photo taken mid way through the radiator install, hence a few bits still unbolted and coolant everywhere.

Untitled by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

Untitled by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

Untitled by Daniel Yeates, on Flickr

Edited by zed4 on Tuesday 7th March 16:14

[zed4]

roseytvr said:

Wow! Stunning and ballistic! Fantastic bit of kit. Dreams are made of this
Watch out for the greasy roads for a month or two - and the dry roads through summer lol.

Edited by roseytvr on Tuesday 7th March 14:02

Thanks

Bit fed up of this cold and damp weather. This winter is taking FOREVER! Bring on the sunshine!

[zed4]

GTRene said:

How do you vent the radiator? is there a vent point on top of the radiator?

Yes, there's a bleed screw at the top of the radiator.