3.6 engine versus 4.0 litre ?

[E2DJH]

Hi all, i have searched the fora on this topic, but can't find the answers. Having had my Chim for a while, and very reliable it has been too I am now looking to buy a Tuscan, but as ever i want to do my research as best i can.

Assuming i am looking at a 2005 Mk 2 car that appears to have been well looked after with a full TVR service history, and no rebuild, can anyone please help me understand:

Why did they introduce the 3.6 engine?
Why did they cease using it?
Is it more difficult to get parts?
Would you buy one?
What else should i know about these engines?

Thanks for your help

[glow worm]

Dave, I'm not too sure if there were any 3.6 litre Mk2s, I may be wrong...the main issue is is it an 'S' or not...You'll find cars after Nov/Dec 2005 will tend to be 'S's...mainly because there was a cheap deal on the Sports Pack Option which included an 4.0 litre 'S' engine, for £3500...it was a no brainer..since it also included Air Con...I would definitely get a car with Air Con. I'm sure there were no convertble 3.6 Mk2s...may have been a very few Mk 2 targas but I doubt it....Keith

[E2DJH]

Thanks Keith, i could be wrong mate, i think i assumed it was a Mk 2. It is definately 3.6 though, and not an "S".

I was woried that if they introduced the 3.6 to deal with the 4.0 engine issues, why did they not continue with the 3.6

[RayVonn]

Virtually all the earlier 2004/2005 Tuscan 2's featured the 3.6 engine (except the 's') and there's quite a few experts (Automedon being one of them) that believe the 3.6 to be the strongest S6 variant - as it is the least stressed.

As time rolled on, I guess confidence grew in the 'new' 4.0 engine as fitted to the Sagaris and in the end they probably just decided to fit it in the Tuscan 2 too. Bearing in mind at the time the Tuscan 2 and Sagaris were TVR's joint flagship models, so they were bound to get the latest and most powerful engines.

I have only heard of one Tuscan 2 engine failure and one Sagaris engine failure, so I guess by 2005ish, most of the inherent S6 engine problems had been sorted

[Whitey]

RayVonn said:

I have only heard of one Tuscan 2 engine failure and one Sagaris engine failure, so I guess by 2005ish, most of the inherent S6 engine problems had been sorted

you need to get out more

[YI8TVR]

Whitey said:

RayVonn said:

I have only heard of one Tuscan 2 engine failure and one Sagaris engine failure, so I guess by 2005ish, most of the inherent S6 engine problems had been sorted

you need to get out more

And see the idiots behind the wheel blowing them up through mechanical ignorance

[RayVonn]

Whitey said:

RayVonn said:

I have only heard of one Tuscan 2 engine failure and one Sagaris engine failure, so I guess by 2005ish, most of the inherent S6 engine problems had been sorted

you need to get out more

Hee, hee

Go on then smart ar5e, name a post 2005 Tuscan 2 or Sagaris that has had an engine go pop?

Admittedly there's loads of early Tuscans or other S6's that have gone bang, but hardly any post 2005 models that I know of.

[YI8TVR]

RayVonn said:

Whitey said:

RayVonn said:

I have only heard of one Tuscan 2 engine failure and one Sagaris engine failure, so I guess by 2005ish, most of the inherent S6 engine problems had been sorted

you need to get out more

Hee, hee

Go on then smart ar5e, name a post 2005 Tuscan 2 or Sagaris that has had an engine go pop?

Admittedly there's loads of early Tuscans or other S6's that have gone bang, but hardly any post 2005 models that I know of.

Thats only because they are still to expensive for the numb nuts. Give it a couple of years

[RayVonn]

Very true! I don't know if you remember but there was a thread a while ago, about a certain dealer in the north west - where the salesmen would be ragging the life out of Tuscan's/Sag's, etc from cold whilst they moved them from the lockup round the back onto the forecourt in a morning and vice versa in the evening

Probably too used to driving Merc's

[glow worm]

RayVonn said:

Very true! I don't know if you remember but there was a thread a while ago, about a certain dealer in the north west - where the salesmen would be ragging the life out of Tuscan's/Sag's, etc from cold whilst they moved them from the lockup round the back onto the forecourt in a morning and vice versa in the evening

Probably too used to driving Merc's

Mine came from that dealer ( At Oxleys request!!!, I relunctantly agreed)....It's never been back, but I know where the mechanic is now!!!!!!!

Edited by glow worm on Sunday 7th October 18:48

[NTEL]

Dave, 2004 and early 2005 cars were indeed fitted with 3.6 engines whilst the alleged problems with the 4.0L engines were sorted (as I understand it). I ordered my car in August 2005 and only the 4.0L engine was available at that time. I ordered the standard model as I didn't think the extra £10,500 for the "S" was worth the money. I took delivery in October 2005. Then in November, TVR offered the "S" upgrade for something like £4,000. Even now, I don't regret ordering the standard model. I don't miss the air conditioning and have never thought that the car needed it. With it on, it only takes power from the engine, and gives little benefit (allegedly).

If its not raining, then the roof is off. If its hot, then the roof is off. If its cold then the roof in on and so is the heater. If its hot and raining, its rare, then just crack the windows open an inch. You will not have the same "hot cabin" experience as you have with the Chim.

22,000 miles on and the car just seems to get stronger. I have had a few "spirited" runnins against the "S" variants of a similar age and, to be honest, they seemed to be no quicker than mine.

My advise would be to buy purley on condition and service history, and the later the better. If you go for an "S", which is fine, then be prepared for slightly higher running costs i.e more expensive tyres, discs, air con top ups, and petrol consumption.

Oh, and I also think the "T" top looks better than the "vert" when the roof is on, but then I would say that wouldn't I.

[MarkoTVR]

glow worm said:

I'm not too sure if there were any 3.6 litre Mk2s

There were indeed, I've got one! I've taken mine to friend (who has a Mk1 4.0 S) and he's 100% convinced the 3.6 revs quicker than the 4.0.

[E2DJH]

NTEL said:

lots of stuff

Thanks for that Dave. I have definately come to the decision that its a targa not a 'vert that i want, (not that i could afford a 'vert just now ).

I just couldn't understand why they bothered producing the 3.6 and then dropped it. I have heard that there is very little difference in performance between the 3.6 and the 4.0, but understand that the "S" had the close ratio gearbox and improved suspension, as well as some of the other nice bits.

A/C is not that important to me, as my philosophy is similar to yours - except when its cold and dry i keep the roof off and put on more clothes and the heater , although i'd use A/C if i had it.

Just got to get the Chim or Rangie sold, and i'll have plenty of Tuscan "vouchers".

First day at work tomorrow so i'm off to sharpen my pencils.

See you on the 3rd

[NTEL]

E2DJH said:

First day at work tomorrow so i'm off to sharpen my pencils.

See you on the 3rd

About bleedin' time too, you bloody Shirker. Well done Dave

[E2DJH]

NTEL said:

you bloody Shirker.

[pete]

Something of a late reply, but regarding the old "would you buy a 3.6" discussion, I did, and haven't regretted it for a second. Mine's a September 2003, so a little older than you're thinking of, but it's done almost 34k now, with no engine work other than servicing, the top end shows no sign of wear, and it uses only about 0.5l of oil between services. It also goes like the clappers

I can't comment on whether it generally revs more responsively than a 4.0 or an S, since I bought this on the basis it was the best car I test drove in my price range, and I drove a few of everything. It's shockingly easy to get the red light on at 7000rpm without trying to though.

Pete