Newbie to TVR and Forum
Discussion
Afternoon all, i just wanted to say "Hi"...
Just bought my first TVR 3 weeks ago, during that hideous weather. Bought in York and drove all the way back upto Scotland. A Toy for days off etc. A 390SE in Moonraker Black with two loud drainpipes at the rear and 17inch Azevs etc....
Its a beast to say the least. I can't stay out of it. It's just such a head turner and the noise, i'm sure you all can appreciate that being so new to TVR ownership the grin just won't go... And the power from that 3.9 is something else.
A question to those in the know..
When cold on initial start up it's a clackety/tappety old engine, when it's warm it's a little quieter but still a little harsh. I never abuse and engine especially when cold, i'm adhering to the "until warm do not exceed 2500 revs" sticker on the windscreen.
I have been spoilt as i used to have a factory MBG V8 and it was quiet, smooth and a little less potent... Is this usual for such a highly strung V8. I know the spec is impressive for such and engine, lightened, balanced and blueprinted and cossie pistons etc...
Also, when running at speed the engine temp stays around 70/80, when idle it shoots to 90/100 and then comes down. I hate the fact it goes so high in traffic. What mods have others done to keep the car from overheating... Will i fit a manual switch in the cabin and do i have to fit a relay. Where is the thermo switch. On the engine or radiator...
Ahh - so many questions... But i have to get ready for work soon. I look forward to some replies.. (this toy will stay for a while)
I'd like to hear from other owners...
Thanks for looking,
Si
Just bought my first TVR 3 weeks ago, during that hideous weather. Bought in York and drove all the way back upto Scotland. A Toy for days off etc. A 390SE in Moonraker Black with two loud drainpipes at the rear and 17inch Azevs etc....
Its a beast to say the least. I can't stay out of it. It's just such a head turner and the noise, i'm sure you all can appreciate that being so new to TVR ownership the grin just won't go... And the power from that 3.9 is something else.
A question to those in the know..
When cold on initial start up it's a clackety/tappety old engine, when it's warm it's a little quieter but still a little harsh. I never abuse and engine especially when cold, i'm adhering to the "until warm do not exceed 2500 revs" sticker on the windscreen.
I have been spoilt as i used to have a factory MBG V8 and it was quiet, smooth and a little less potent... Is this usual for such a highly strung V8. I know the spec is impressive for such and engine, lightened, balanced and blueprinted and cossie pistons etc...
Also, when running at speed the engine temp stays around 70/80, when idle it shoots to 90/100 and then comes down. I hate the fact it goes so high in traffic. What mods have others done to keep the car from overheating... Will i fit a manual switch in the cabin and do i have to fit a relay. Where is the thermo switch. On the engine or radiator...
Ahh - so many questions... But i have to get ready for work soon. I look forward to some replies.. (this toy will stay for a while)
I'd like to hear from other owners...
Thanks for looking,
Si
Hi and welcome to the Mad house! 
The engine may sound a little tappety on cold but not when warm, possibly due to the wrong oil? tried Mobil 1 in mine and it sounded like a bag of nails, replaced it with Valvoline VFR and it's back to normal.
Your temperature sounds fairly normal, most fit a bypass switch for the fan to bring it on early if in traffic.
Hope that helps, happy tinkering and driving
Chedder
The engine may sound a little tappety on cold but not when warm, possibly due to the wrong oil? tried Mobil 1 in mine and it sounded like a bag of nails, replaced it with Valvoline VFR and it's back to normal.
Your temperature sounds fairly normal, most fit a bypass switch for the fan to bring it on early if in traffic.
Hope that helps, happy tinkering and driving
Chedder
simboy1973 said:
well, i will try the oil change first... Fingers crossed... What grade if Valvoline VFR.?
Cheers again..
Si
They only do one type of VFR and it's correct for the V8, 6L needed if changing the filter at the same time.Cheers again..
Si
If you plan on doing a bit of DIY tinkering on the Wedge then it's well worth getting hold of a copy of Steve Heath's Wedge manual....otherwise known as the bible!
https://delta.securesslhost.net/~shenglt/catalog/
A great source of upgrades too!
Chedder
Edited by chedder on Saturday 1st August 22:17
The strange temperature response is quite common, seems to be something to do with the thermostat opening and suddenly sending a rush of hot water around the pipes.
The fan will already have a relay to operate it, the thermo switch is usually in the side of the radiator (nice and easy to get at
). Best option is probably a Kenlowe-style controller with thermocouple in the radiator top hose; use that to feed the original fan relay to keep things unmolested.
Several people have gone for various fan upgrades; my 390 runs the original single fan with rubber flaps down each side!
Don't get too fixated on the legend of the 390 engine; not all of them are full of forged conrods and high-lift wangleflanges. If you get yours on a dyno and see 240bhp, count yourself lucky
That said, some of the clatter you hear could be piston slap, the Omega pistons were shorter than standard. From cold the tappets will need to pump up with oil, while they do so the valve clearances are temporarily wider than normal so you can usually hear the tappets rattling and then becoming quiet as they fill up. You may also have a blowing exhaust gasket, that tends to cause a metallic knocking noise that sometimes quietens as the engine warms...
Enjoy it anyway and remember: there were only ever 103 of them and some have already gone; try to keep yours between the scenery and not IN it
The fan will already have a relay to operate it, the thermo switch is usually in the side of the radiator (nice and easy to get at
). Best option is probably a Kenlowe-style controller with thermocouple in the radiator top hose; use that to feed the original fan relay to keep things unmolested.Several people have gone for various fan upgrades; my 390 runs the original single fan with rubber flaps down each side!
Don't get too fixated on the legend of the 390 engine; not all of them are full of forged conrods and high-lift wangleflanges. If you get yours on a dyno and see 240bhp, count yourself lucky
That said, some of the clatter you hear could be piston slap, the Omega pistons were shorter than standard. From cold the tappets will need to pump up with oil, while they do so the valve clearances are temporarily wider than normal so you can usually hear the tappets rattling and then becoming quiet as they fill up. You may also have a blowing exhaust gasket, that tends to cause a metallic knocking noise that sometimes quietens as the engine warms...
Enjoy it anyway and remember: there were only ever 103 of them and some have already gone; try to keep yours between the scenery and not IN it
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