Clutch anyone?

Clutch anyone?

Author
Discussion

L33

Original Poster:

3,468 posts

230 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
Well, the time has come to think about a clutch change as I notice a bit of slippage in 4th gear on Sundays TVR club run.

Wheres the best place to buy a clutch from please guys? Or does anyone have one knocking round in exchange for beer tokens?

Do I want a standard Rover SD1 clutch for a 3.5 litre V8 OR an early griff 500 clutch? Whats the difference? I am guessing just the "springiness" of the coverplate which will be felt through the clutch pedal being heavier?

What are your experiences and what places you have found for the best prices on a parts basis only please?

I am guessing I need to replace clutch, cover plate and release bearing?

Cheers,
L33.
thumbup

Edited by L33 on Tuesday 11th September 10:45

rev-erend

21,534 posts

290 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
After all the boasting going on after the rolling road at BBWF .. think you better get a twin plate race clutch..

Seriously - get a Griff 500 clutch. You are probably looking at 300 quid and a whole weekend to fit it (yourself) or 12 ~ 14 hrs labour at a garage.

L33

Original Poster:

3,468 posts

230 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
rev-erend said:
After all the boasting going on after the rolling road at BBWF .. think you better get a twin plate race clutch..

Seriously - get a Griff 500 clutch. You are probably looking at 300 quid and a whole weekend to fit it (yourself) or 12 ~ 14 hrs labour at a garage.
You got me mistaken Rev. It wasn't me who was 270.4
My figures were just shy of 250bhp - which is about right for a 400se.
thumbup

.Woody

1,790 posts

233 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
oh I wish I got on that RR!!!

TVRleigh(BBWR)

6,552 posts

219 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
There is a company on ebay advertising a griff 500 clutch on ebay for £109. + shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-CHIMAERA-GRIFFITH-5-0-V8...

may want to check it's for your gearbox.

L33

Original Poster:

3,468 posts

230 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
[quote=TVRleigh(BBWR)]There is a company on ebay advertising a griff 500 clutch on ebay for £109. + shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-CHIMAERA-GRIFFITH-5-0-V8...

may want to check it's for your gearbox.
[/quote]

Thatnks Leigh - I already have them on the case looking for me.
thumbup

TVRleigh(BBWR)

6,552 posts

219 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
.Woody said:
oh I wish I got on that RR!!!
Shame they cancelled the Asutec openday, as I would like to get mine on the rollers also. was still running mine it at BBWF.

rev-erend

21,534 posts

290 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
L33 said:
[quote=TVRleigh(BBWR)]There is a company on ebay advertising a griff 500 clutch on ebay for £109. + shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-CHIMAERA-GRIFFITH-5-0-V8...

may want to check it's for your gearbox.
Thatnks Leigh - I already have them on the case looking for me.
thumbup
Thats a good price !

TVRleigh(BBWR)

6,552 posts

219 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
No Problem.

I remembered them from when my clutch was stuck, and if I had to take the gearbox off, then I would replace for that price.

adam quantrill

11,570 posts

248 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
Are the splines different on a T5 then?

The clutch diameter is the same as the standard isn't it - so what's the reason for the improvement - friction compound? Pressure?

The only thing that worries me about this ad is that they use the same photo as for a Fiat Uno clutch in their shop!

TVRleigh(BBWR)

6,552 posts

219 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
IIRC there is a differance with the T5 and LT77 clutch.

rev-erend

21,534 posts

290 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
adam quantrill said:
Are the splines different on a T5 then?

The clutch diameter is the same as the standard isn't it - so what's the reason for the improvement - friction compound? Pressure?

The only thing that worries me about this ad is that they use the same photo as for a Fiat Uno clutch in their shop!
Yes - correct.

Number 7

4,103 posts

268 months

Tuesday 11th September 2007
quotequote all
I would stick to an AP green spring unit.

7.

L33

Original Poster:

3,468 posts

230 months

Friday 12th October 2007
quotequote all
Its Done!!!!!
party
I got an uprated Griffith 500 clutch here for a very reasonable £125 ALL in:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-CHIMAERA-GRIFFITH-5-0-V8...
The clutch that I got was actually a Borg & Beck jobbie which a certain TVR parts place wanted more than double this price!

As for the fitting, I toyed with doing it myself until I realised it was an engine out job frown
I was gutted when I was getting quotes of between 10 - 14 hours labour at about £45 per hour.

Blaine recommended "TopGear Automotive" in Wolverhampton to me:
http://www.topgearautomotive.co.uk/
They said they can do it without removing the engine - 5 hours labour at £37.50 per hour! The 2 guys that run the place used to work for TVR Team Central in Birmingham so they know the wedges very well. I took it in this morning and vas delighted with the level of service and final bill of just £190 to fit. smile

Whats even better was I work just up the road and they droped me off to work and collected me when the job was done.

Whats it like?
Well, to drive, its a different car. The clutch is so much more responsive and it feels a lot sharper now the timings all set up correctly and the exhaust is not properly seated (no extra charge for doing this).

So, purpose of this post is a big huge recommendation to the guys at TopGear Automotive for a job very well done. Cheeply.
thumbup

bouncebouncebouncebouncebouncebouncebouncebouncebounce

Edited by L33 on Friday 12th October 21:46

rev-erend

21,534 posts

290 months

Friday 12th October 2007
quotequote all
Lee - you have done really well !

A wedge clutch bought and installed for just over £300 quid.

Most would have had to pay about £1000 !

thumbup

L33

Original Poster:

3,468 posts

230 months

Friday 12th October 2007
quotequote all
I know - thats whay I'm so happy.
Its funny - I've never actually felt happy before handing over £300 rofl

blaineuk

2,615 posts

253 months

Friday 12th October 2007
quotequote all
hope fully gained some of the lost horses as well.

TVRleigh_BBWR

6,552 posts

219 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
Hi Lee, so the eBay Item was fine then, as some people was sceptical.

How did they cut the cross member to replace it of just move the Gearbox and engine far enough apart to get there hands in.

Leigh

L33

Original Poster:

3,468 posts

230 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
TVRleigh_BBWR said:
Hi Lee, so the eBay Item was fine then, as some people was sceptical.

How did they cut the cross member to replace it of just move the Gearbox and engine far enough apart to get there hands in.

Leigh
No cutting of cross members here!!!
basically, propshaft and exhaust removed then engine and bell housing slpit and seperated just far enough to change the clutch.

Cutting of the cross member is not recommended - especially as you can't get to the top portion of it to weld it back up again when you have done your bodge job!

TVRleigh_BBWR

6,552 posts

219 months

Monday 15th October 2007
quotequote all
L33 said:
TVRleigh_BBWR said:
Hi Lee, so the eBay Item was fine then, as some people was sceptical.

How did they cut the cross member to replace it of just move the Gearbox and engine far enough apart to get there hands in.

Leigh
No cutting of cross members here!!!
basically, propshaft and exhaust removed then engine and bell housing slpit and seperated just far enough to change the clutch.

Cutting of the cross member is not recommended - especially as you can't get to the top portion of it to weld it back up again when you have done your bodge job!
I would not like my cross member cut either. bit of a bodge. would prefer to have the engine out.

Will keep them in mind if I ever need mine doing.

Did they say anything about the ebay clutch.