Discussion
T5SOR said:
The chassis is very good from what I have seen. Had a body off refurb and recoated with POR-15.
...just the electrics to check over then. 
Make sure everything (and I mean everything!) works.
There are some Chim owners in Hants that may be able to give it a once over - also, Robert Ingleby is highly regarded for pre-sales TVR checks.
Good luck with your search!
Nosh
My Chim 96 5.0 has done 100k. My Camshaft was also pretty round by 60,000 miles. Also the inlet manifold gasket was well past its best (rusty).
Have subsequently had a headgasket go (blowing out the side) and on removal 4 of the pots were showing gasket degredation.
Nothing that is too difficult for a DIYer except the damn ex manifold bolts.
Despite POR 15 ing chassis the outriggers need surgery in the places it is difficult to get paint so it is in my garage and will commence removing body this weekend if the sun won't come out. Check v carefully behind front wheels.
Hants owner just N Andover.
Matt
Have subsequently had a headgasket go (blowing out the side) and on removal 4 of the pots were showing gasket degredation.
Nothing that is too difficult for a DIYer except the damn ex manifold bolts.
Despite POR 15 ing chassis the outriggers need surgery in the places it is difficult to get paint so it is in my garage and will commence removing body this weekend if the sun won't come out. Check v carefully behind front wheels.
Hants owner just N Andover.
Matt
E-Bay is full of Range Rovers & Discoveries with this engine that have exceeded 150,000 miles.
You could also argue the engine gets a much harder life in a big 2 ton 4x4 often used for towing, than it does in a 1000kg TVR.
Two things to watch out for.
1) Early camshaft wear
Seems worse in a TVR, probably due to the higher lift cam profiles used and because a TVR is often a hobby car, many of which get laid up over the winter & the cam dries out.
Replacing the cam is not the end of the world.
2) The dreaded slipped liner
It seems this is a bit of a lottery, if it happens to your engine it can get expensive.
However, some Rover V8s do massive miles and never have the problem.
The bottom line is, if you want a modern TVR with the most dependable engine that's proven to be capable of very high miles between rebuilds, you only have one choice.
Rover V8.
You could also argue the engine gets a much harder life in a big 2 ton 4x4 often used for towing, than it does in a 1000kg TVR.
Two things to watch out for.
1) Early camshaft wear
Seems worse in a TVR, probably due to the higher lift cam profiles used and because a TVR is often a hobby car, many of which get laid up over the winter & the cam dries out.
Replacing the cam is not the end of the world.
2) The dreaded slipped liner
It seems this is a bit of a lottery, if it happens to your engine it can get expensive.
However, some Rover V8s do massive miles and never have the problem.
The bottom line is, if you want a modern TVR with the most dependable engine that's proven to be capable of very high miles between rebuilds, you only have one choice.
Rover V8.
Nosh said:
Robert Ingleby is highly regarded for pre-sales TVR checks.
He is??? You pays your money and all that...Anyway OP - 50k on and RV8 is nothing. Only thing to really watch out for is possible CAM wear as they can go around then. They do also occasionally suffer slipped liners which can cause a rebuild - not that common but worth bearing in mind.
Zippee said:
He is??? You pays your money and all that..
Yep - read that many times in posts, and haven't seen negative feedback....Personally, I did a lot of reading up and had a pretty good idea what to look for - however, if I did the same again, I would be making a further 50 odd checks!!
Few cams on these will reach 100K miles (and if they do, they likely have a round lobe or two when they do come out) - camshaft wear is inherent with the engine design. For the rest - at 50K if you had an iffy build you´d have known by now, so if properly maintained it should last forever and a day.
I have a '97 5 litre Chim with 46k on it. Replaced standard cam with stealth at 42k - fantastic results, easier drive and many more horses - other than that no worries (touch wood) but chassis needs an eye keeping on it as previously mentioned in other threads.
Rob Ingleby offers an excellent service - well worth the money for some piece of mind. There are of course no guarantees.
Get out there and part with some cash - summers coming you know!!
Rob Ingleby offers an excellent service - well worth the money for some piece of mind. There are of course no guarantees.
Get out there and part with some cash - summers coming you know!!
ChimpanLucky said:
1) Early camshaft wear
Seems worse in a TVR, probably due to the higher lift cam profiles used and because a TVR is often a hobby car, many of which get laid up over the winter & the cam dries out.
Replacing the cam is not the end of the world.
What are the signs of this?Seems worse in a TVR, probably due to the higher lift cam profiles used and because a TVR is often a hobby car, many of which get laid up over the winter & the cam dries out.
Replacing the cam is not the end of the world.
Si
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