Engine Question
Discussion
Have trawled through hundreds of threads but didn't really find a definitive answer over when the Speed 6 engine problems were ironed out (were they?). I have now looked at a 2003 car which I really like but is near to the top of my budget, it has 11k miles. If the worst happened it wouldn't be the end of the world, but I'd rather spend the 5k on other things!
My question is do the reliability/re-build issues affect a car this new or was it particular to the early ones?
Thanks
My question is do the reliability/re-build issues affect a car this new or was it particular to the early ones?
Thanks
Hi there,
In short, there's no definitive answer. Many of the engine issues were ironed out after 2004 however that's no guarantee you won't have issues. Then again, you could buy a 2000 model and it may be fine. General consensus is to buy as new as possible or with a recent engine rebuild from a reputable garage.
Have a look at this thread from last week:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Good luck,
J
In short, there's no definitive answer. Many of the engine issues were ironed out after 2004 however that's no guarantee you won't have issues. Then again, you could buy a 2000 model and it may be fine. General consensus is to buy as new as possible or with a recent engine rebuild from a reputable garage.
Have a look at this thread from last week:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
Good luck,
J
Rebuilt engines tended to be more reliable after Jan 2003. There is evidence (some circumstantial) that TVR were using better quality parts.
However, if your 2003 spec car has not had a rebuild then the engine build quality could be with the earlier less reliable parts and therefore not as good.
My personal opinion is to go for the car with the most recent rebuild that you can find. Even if the car itself is older than 2003.
However, its all hearsay really, you pays your money, you make a choice....
However, if your 2003 spec car has not had a rebuild then the engine build quality could be with the earlier less reliable parts and therefore not as good.
My personal opinion is to go for the car with the most recent rebuild that you can find. Even if the car itself is older than 2003.
However, its all hearsay really, you pays your money, you make a choice....
Edited by Tuska on Thursday 22 May 11:41
Tuska said:
Rebuilt engines tended to be more reliable after Jan 2003. There is evidence (some circumstantial) that TVR were using better quality parts.
I have an Aug 2003 3.6li which needed rebuilding in July 05 @ 10.5k miles, and I understand (anecdotally) there were several other engines similarly chronologically maunfactured close to mine which also had the same occur to them. So unfortunately, to Tuskas point, there is no definitive answer to this. 
All sensible advice on here;
I have to say I have heard of very few issues with engines produced 2004-2005 Smolensky got a lot wrong ... but the quality on the later cars and the speed six engine did improve markedly.
Having said that; I had a 2001 Tuscan until early this year with no engine problems/ rebuilds at all.
I have to say I have heard of very few issues with engines produced 2004-2005 Smolensky got a lot wrong ... but the quality on the later cars and the speed six engine did improve markedly.
Having said that; I had a 2001 Tuscan until early this year with no engine problems/ rebuilds at all.
Tuska said:
Rebuilt engines tended to be more reliable after Jan 2003. There is evidence (some circumstantial) that TVR were using better quality parts.
My Tuscan is Sept 03, 17k on the clock now (12k with me) and no problems as yet..Edited by Tuska on Thursday 22 May 11:41
My philosophy was to buy as new as i could afford and hope for the best. Having owned the car for 3 years now i wouldnt be to suicidal if it required work in the future but hoping not. just been serviced and given a clean bill of health...(car, not me!).
Other owners, including Mustang Baz 'iirc' have not been so lucky and have been hit with a rebuild soon after buying the car, not nice. But the main reason Tuscan residuals are low is the engine issue and you are effectively saving 1/2 the cost in the initial price of the car.
A few sleepless nights to come i think
How much is an 03 car worth now btw??
My Tuscan is late 2002 with 27,000 miles on the clock. No problems whatsoever and hardly uses any oil at all. I don't track the car but it is driven v.quickly when situation is right including some memorable hoons over the EVO triangle and Horseshoe Pass in N.Wales
.
I am the 2nd owner and I knew the first owner who did not rag the car until all temperatures were up to recommended. I use the same careful warm-up procedure.
Reckon a lot of the S6 problems came from over enthusiastic use of the right foot from cold. Also over-reving of the engine does not help IMHO as you don't really need the last 600-800 revs unless you are on the track and want to save a gear shift.
.I am the 2nd owner and I knew the first owner who did not rag the car until all temperatures were up to recommended. I use the same careful warm-up procedure.
Reckon a lot of the S6 problems came from over enthusiastic use of the right foot from cold. Also over-reving of the engine does not help IMHO as you don't really need the last 600-800 revs unless you are on the track and want to save a gear shift.
As a few have rightly said there is no definitive answer on this and I guess there never will be. There have been rumours of changes to designs, new style heads, changed oil ways etc etc since the early days of the speed 6 when it really felt like a case of how long, not if.
Given that the engine has been evolving, and the people building them learning, since it was introduced, the later the build/rebuild then the less the chances, but there are no clear cut dates to go on.
Given that the engine has been evolving, and the people building them learning, since it was introduced, the later the build/rebuild then the less the chances, but there are no clear cut dates to go on.
b2tus said:
IMHO as you don't really need the last 600-800 revs unless you are on the track and want to save a gear shift.
I'll second that, I've even set my shift up lights to 6000rpm, which means I can go well into the "redline" in every gear, and still be offering quite a margin of mechanical sympathy.Im not the swiftest gear changer so I'd imagine if I'm booting it its at least 6300 by the time I depress the clutch.
I'm sure I miss out on a couple of horses doing it like that, but on the road its all academic anyway.
Edited by davido140 on Saturday 24th May 15:19
TeaVR said:
Can someone clarify what is generally meant by an 'engine rebuild' please?
taking it apart and putting it all back together again, normally with some "new bits" depending on what broke (or needed upgrading) in the first place! With the S6 thats normally finger follower(s) that have worn out, (and at this point I become a bit hard of thinking), finger followers are little "dookhickies" that are involved in the valve timing.
davido140 said:
TeaVR said:
Can someone clarify what is generally meant by an 'engine rebuild' please?
taking it apart and putting it all back together again, normally with some "new bits" depending on what broke (or needed upgrading) in the first place! With the S6 thats normally finger follower(s) that have worn out, (and at this point I become a bit hard of thinking), finger followers are little "dookhickies" that are involved in the valve timing.
MJW1977 said:
davido140 said:
TeaVR said:
Can someone clarify what is generally meant by an 'engine rebuild' please?
taking it apart and putting it all back together again, normally with some "new bits" depending on what broke (or needed upgrading) in the first place! With the S6 thats normally finger follower(s) that have worn out, (and at this point I become a bit hard of thinking), finger followers are little "dookhickies" that are involved in the valve timing.
First, you dont get a warrantee for only a top end rebuild and theres not much difference in cost.
Second, all of the "wear" materials from valves, piston rings, liners etc migrate down to the bottom end and contribute to wear on your big end and crank bearings.
My Tuscan had its first rebuild at 35k in 2003 and 70k (by me) in 2007. It had a hard life as an exotic rental and so you can imagine how it was treated although the rental company did spend a lot of money on maintenance.
I just had the engine out and inspected again at 80k and it was given a clean bill of health with minimal wear.
This has given me some confidence that the improvements done the last time are going to see me through more than 35k before the next "out job".
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