500 Serp against pre-serp with T5 box
Discussion
I was told that the Serp is a stronger engine due to having the cross bolted crank and the oil pump being more robust as the pre-serp had a fiber innards which were prone to breaking up. I was also told the T5 box was more robust and better to use. I was told this by more than one person but Fernhurst were one of the sources and I was told to avoid pre-serps at all costs. Pre-serps seem to be cheaper to buy.
Having said that there are many, happy pre-serp owners who probably have never experienced these problems and will probably dispute what I was told.
Having said that there are many, happy pre-serp owners who probably have never experienced these problems and will probably dispute what I was told.
Pete Mac said:
I was told that the Serp is a stronger engine due to having the cross bolted crank and the oil pump being more robust as the pre-serp had a fiber innards which were prone to breaking up. I was also told the T5 box was more robust and better to use. I was told this by more than one person but Fernhurst were one of the sources and I was told to avoid pre-serps at all costs. Pre-serps seem to be cheaper to buy.
Having said that there are many, happy pre-serp owners who probably have never experienced these problems and will probably dispute what I was told.
They don't all have cross bolted bottom ends with the Intermediate/Serp front end I have currently got in a 96 500 T5 Griff and that does not have the cross bolted bottom end Having said that there are many, happy pre-serp owners who probably have never experienced these problems and will probably dispute what I was told.
swings and roundabout with both engines IMO Mine is a pre-serp T5 box and I'm very happy, my engine is pretty special having built by quinny with a cross bolted block and stage 3 heads.
I know that pre-serps only have 2.3" main bearing journals where as the serps are 2.5" (I am waiting for somneone to correct me), I am not sure why TVR did this? Also I was told that none of the engines are cross bolted as standard (again I hope to be educated on this)
There are some bonuses for the pre-serps.....alternators are dirt cheap in comparrison to the later ones.
My advice would be don't be put off by a car being pre-serp or not just buy the best you can.
I know that pre-serps only have 2.3" main bearing journals where as the serps are 2.5" (I am waiting for somneone to correct me), I am not sure why TVR did this? Also I was told that none of the engines are cross bolted as standard (again I hope to be educated on this)
There are some bonuses for the pre-serps.....alternators are dirt cheap in comparrison to the later ones.
My advice would be don't be put off by a car being pre-serp or not just buy the best you can.
That T5 linkage made like a Mensa puzzle around the chassis & bellhousing is arguably enough to make one prefer any other box.....
Only the Large journal blocks are originally cross-bolted, nothing to with serp. Ive never seen an original TVR 500 crossbolted or with the rare large journal TVR crank ~ don't confuse with Robs offset ground 'specials'. The later small journal blocks having the block cast with bosses & suitable caps means they can be modified, but thats another matter altogether and you still have basically the same crank, rods & pistons as teh pre-serp (only difference being the crank keyway + timing cover)...
Arguably plenty of pre-serps have been very reliable, and typically have far less complex electrical systems to go wrong.....
Only the Large journal blocks are originally cross-bolted, nothing to with serp. Ive never seen an original TVR 500 crossbolted or with the rare large journal TVR crank ~ don't confuse with Robs offset ground 'specials'. The later small journal blocks having the block cast with bosses & suitable caps means they can be modified, but thats another matter altogether and you still have basically the same crank, rods & pistons as teh pre-serp (only difference being the crank keyway + timing cover)...
Arguably plenty of pre-serps have been very reliable, and typically have far less complex electrical systems to go wrong.....
spend said:
That T5 linkage made like a Mensa puzzle around the chassis & bellhousing is arguably enough to make one prefer any other box.....
Only the Large journal blocks are originally cross-bolted, nothing to with serp. Ive never seen an original TVR 500 crossbolted or with the rare large journal TVR crank ~ don't confuse with Robs offset ground 'specials'. The later small journal blocks having the block cast with bosses & suitable caps means they can be modified, but thats another matter altogether and you still have basically the same crank, rods & pistons as teh pre-serp (only difference being the crank keyway + timing cover)...
Arguably plenty of pre-serps have been very reliable, and typically have far less complex electrical systems to go wrong.....
Pre serp to go for then....its the one i am thinking of buying?Only the Large journal blocks are originally cross-bolted, nothing to with serp. Ive never seen an original TVR 500 crossbolted or with the rare large journal TVR crank ~ don't confuse with Robs offset ground 'specials'. The later small journal blocks having the block cast with bosses & suitable caps means they can be modified, but thats another matter altogether and you still have basically the same crank, rods & pistons as teh pre-serp (only difference being the crank keyway + timing cover)...
Arguably plenty of pre-serps have been very reliable, and typically have far less complex electrical systems to go wrong.....
carsy said:
g8ape said:
Mines a pre-cat with a T5 box from a Tuscan
I believe the Tuscan T5 box goes straight in with no need for all the remote linkage and the gear lever appears in exactly the right position. As for the linkage, if kept in good order there is no noticable slack
All the nylon thrust washers and bushes are available from the usual suspects.
carsy said:
I believe the Tuscan T5 box goes straight in with no need for all the remote linkage and the gear lever appears in exactly the right position.
The Tuscan box negates the need for the 500's external linkage which wont fit in a pre-cat because of the chassis tube above the gearbox. The gearstick is in the right place longitudinally but then it requires offsetting to the right, also a cross member needs fabricating (I have stock of cross members and offset gearstick assemblies).After that its just the speedo, speed sensor, mounting bracket, 500 chopping wheel with the correct number of teeth....
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