V8 Developments ballpark figures

[TimJM]

Now I know people will answer "just call them" but I am thinking two years out probably and I don't like wasting peoples time unless I have the cash in hand to fulfil my plans.

Roughly how much are we talking for a v8d 5.5 lump? My rough research is as follows:

5.5 lump £6,170 (+300 as no exchange) + VAT = £7,764
I am guessing MS2 or Emerald ECU plus mapping roughly = £1,500?? This is a total guess.
ACT triple plenum or JE triple = £1,680
Install costs & sundries = £1,500? Again another total guess here.

So my rough ballpark figure for an installed V8D 5.5 lump (with decent plenum to get best from engine) = £12,444 ish.

Does this sound about right or am I a mile out? Anyone that has recently gone this route or can correct any of my guesses above please do so.

I am looking for a benchmark figure for a drive in drive out with my current 5.0 engine not used as trade in.

Thanks,

[pjac67]

Why has this guy done it and never used it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-TVR-CHIMAERA-BLUE-5...

[edo]

pjac67 said:

Why has this guy done it and never used it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-TVR-CHIMAERA-BLUE-5...

WTF. If he wants 15k for it, he might like to clean it up and make a bit of an effort..

[TimJM]

pjac67 said:

Why has this guy done it and never used it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-TVR-CHIMAERA-BLUE-5...

Yes, I saw that (a real shame) and that is what got me thinking again about a 5.5 v8d.

I am guessing that the ebay 5.5 will sell but for less than 15k. If it has been parked up, unused, unloved in what looks like an open fronted barn I would really be concerned about the state it is going to be in. Plus, is an engine going to have to need some money spent on it if parked up for that long (just the potentially 5-6 year old petrol in it can't be a good thing). I haven't seen the car in person but it could be a case of chassis, fuel lines, interior, bodywork (quick respray perhaps), engine work, electrical issues, a good 12k service...worst case you could be looking at a 10k spend to get this up to scratch which makes this a 25k car at the current asking price. Of course, it may all be spot on and in that case a 15k 5.5 is a good price. I wonder if anyone on here will be viewing it?

Anyhow, back on track - buying that car just to pull the engine and switch into mine I think would be an expensive way to a 5.5. It would be cheaper to get a fresh one built...I think...

[misteradz]

[quote=pjac67]Why has this guy done it and never used it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-TVR-CHIMAERA-BLUE-5...


Wow! Good spot Paul. Such a shame to see this fantastic machine left to rot. Obviously we dont know the chap's own situation and I'm sure he didnt spend all that money just to leave it there!

[Graham]

Sounds about right John eales was talking around 12k for a complete motor with his cross over inlet, mapped, ecu and loom

( presumerably plus vat)

TimJM said:

Now I know people will answer "just call them" but I am thinking two years out probably and I don't like wasting peoples time unless I have the cash in hand to fulfil my plans.

Roughly how much are we talking for a v8d 5.5 lump? My rough research is as follows:

5.5 lump £6,170 (+300 as no exchange) + VAT = £7,764
I am guessing MS2 or Emerald ECU plus mapping roughly = £1,500?? This is a total guess.
ACT triple plenum or JE triple = £1,680
Install costs & sundries = £1,500? Again another total guess here.

So my rough ballpark figure for an installed V8D 5.5 lump (with decent plenum to get best from engine) = £12,444 ish.

Does this sound about right or am I a mile out? Anyone that has recently gone this route or can correct any of my guesses above please do so.

I am looking for a benchmark figure for a drive in drive out with my current 5.0 engine not used as trade in.

Thanks,

[anonymous-user]

TimJM said:

...

Anyhow, back on track - buying that car just to pull the engine and switch into mine I think would be an expensive way to a 5.5. It would be cheaper to get a fresh one built...I think...

Looking at the all the parts on it, I would think the opposite. You could even buy it for the full 15, swap over the engine/ecu/clutch/hubs/brakes/wheels, and still sell it for 8-10. Leaving a substantial amount to cover labour and getting everything sorted.

[TimJM]

dod said:

ooking at the all the parts on it, I would think the opposite. You could even buy it for the full 15, swap over the engine/ecu/clutch/hubs/brakes/wheels, and still sell it for 8-10. Leaving a substantial amount to cover labour and getting everything sorted.

That was my initial thought when it appeared on ebay over the weekend. But then I started to think about it and I don't think it would be worth much once the engine was out. It would be a rolling shell really and I think you would be lucky to get 4k for it (based on 8-9k private prices less 4k for a 2nd hand engine), and that is if the bodywork, interior and chassis are OK. Then all you have done is buy a 6 year old 5.5 and other components for 11k. It seems you can get a new build install with same/better components for 12k. 1k isn't much of a saving for the risk you take on the engine going pop. You will have no warranty or come back at all on that engine whereas a new build should have a warranty.

My opinion is that 12k would be nearer the mark for that car (and that is only if everything else is recoverable). Any major work required on the car (chassis, re-trim, re-spray...) then I would say 10k or less. It sounds harsh but I think it is realistic. Imagine if the 5.5 wasn't in and it was a standard engine, how much would you pay then given the history/condition? 6k? Are you willing to pay 9k for a 6 year old 5.5 engine & other components that has been standing?

As I said earlier, I think it will sell but not for 15k. There will be a good deal of replacement parts required I would think, for one I would not be willing to try driving that car on old rubber, 400hp through 6 year old perished tyres with possible flat spots?

Perhaps the car is better than the advert and pictures show. It may be the car has been in a little use and it may be the car has a full service history. If that was the case it probably is worth the 15k but I would be surprised that the advert wouldn't mention this. That said, I am just generally surprised at the advert.

[TimJM]

Graham said:

Sounds about right John eales was talking around 12k for a complete motor with his cross over inlet, mapped, ecu and loom ( presumerably plus vat)

I was working to 12.5k inclusive, 12k +VAT is pushing 15k...not as cheap as I would have hoped. Maybe it isn't viable...15k is a lot for an engine upgrade. Especially if you consider a good strong 5.0 with some cheap (ish) upgrades will be pushing 300hp, 15k to get an extra 80-90hp is expensive.

[DonkeyApple]

It becomes very difficult when looking at starting from scratch. RV8 engines are actually very expensive when you compare to the dreaded LS and the difference between installing and beefing up a car with a massive RV8 seems very comparable to an LS install.

[rev-erend]

Does V8D still sell the 5.5

I thought made just a few with a custom made crank .. but there are no more cranks.

Oh another though - I was talking to Dave Morris at the Brighton speed trail about his latest motor.

All alloy LS7 making 600bhp plus.. whats not to like.

[haircutmike]

rev-erend said:

All alloy LS7 making 600bhp plus.. whats not to like.

Just the fact that it will break the rest of the car!

[eff eff]

TimJM said:

Now I know people will answer "just call them" but I am thinking two years out probably and I don't like wasting peoples time unless I have the cash in hand to fulfil my plans.

Roughly how much are we talking for a v8d 5.5 lump? My rough research is as follows:

5.5 lump £6,170 (+300 as no exchange) + VAT = £7,764
I am guessing MS2 or Emerald ECU plus mapping roughly = £1,500?? This is a total guess.
ACT triple plenum or JE triple = £1,680
Install costs & sundries = £1,500? Again another total guess here.

So my rough ballpark figure for an installed V8D 5.5 lump (with decent plenum to get best from engine) = £12,444 ish.

Does this sound about right or am I a mile out? Anyone that has recently gone this route or can correct any of my guesses above please do so.

I am looking for a benchmark figure for a drive in drive out with my current 5.0 engine not used as trade in.

Thanks,

I was asking the same questions a couple of years ago, and finally chose the LS3 route fitted by Sportmotive.
Tons of power, reliablility and fuel economy
A plug and play run kit that gets rid of all the spaghetti in the footwell and maps fuel and spark
A redesigned cooling system that actually works
Easy inexpensive factory upgrades
£70 extra for insurance and very easy to drive.

The engine has done 1200 miles now and is loosening up and I'm getting used to the power, very different form the 500
What a car, go the Chevy route you won't be disappointed bang for Buck I don't thinnk it can be beaten

[gifdy]

TimJM said:

Now I know people will answer "just call them" but I am thinking two years out probably and I don't like wasting peoples time unless I have the cash in hand to fulfil my plans.

Roughly how much are we talking for a v8d 5.5 lump? My rough research is as follows:

5.5 lump £6,170 (+300 as no exchange) + VAT = £7,764
I am guessing MS2 or Emerald ECU plus mapping roughly = £1,500?? This is a total guess.
ACT triple plenum or JE triple = £1,680
Install costs & sundries = £1,500? Again another total guess here.

So my rough ballpark figure for an installed V8D 5.5 lump (with decent plenum to get best from engine) = £12,444 ish.

Does this sound about right or am I a mile out? Anyone that has recently gone this route or can correct any of my guesses above please do so.

I am looking for a benchmark figure for a drive in drive out with my current 5.0 engine not used as trade in.

Thanks,

Make sure you do plenty of research before going this route. PM if you want details.

[stecozz]

Has anyone ever considered putting a cosworth turbo engine in,from what i remember back in the day £6k could easy get you 400+bhp?

And yes i know it wouldnt sound as good

[carsy]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/V8-developments-5-3-Rove...