SP6 v V8...

[WhyTwo]

After selling my Tuscan I'm looking for a Cerbera. I've always thought that the V8 was the right power plant for the Cerbera but am finding myself considering SP6 cars.

I guess the V8 is a more powerful engine but the SP6 is higher revving and
probably easier to drive around town (I'm assuming it's a bit lighter as well) but I wondered what the thinking was on here from people who have experience of one or the other or both.

Also, does the SP6 Cerbera crackle and pop like a Tuscan with CCC's? I must admit I would miss that if I went for a V8

[Alexdaredevilz]

WhyTwo said:

but the SP6 is higher revving

I wouldn't be so sure about that, I witnessed 2 V8 cerbs hit 8k rpm on Saturday

[Gazzab]

S6 is heavier afaik.

Ultimately if you like the S6 then go for it.

They are better value than equivelant AJP cars.

There is a load of tosh out there re the quality of the engines, the bhp from S6 extra capacity rebuilds etc....

Most cerbs will have had their dampers changed and possibly the wheels. So the only 'softer setting' for a S6 cerb is likely to be the engine character. I understand the S6 to be better round town. On the road the performance is much the same I guess, they will just feel different. A remapped AJP is potentially up to 430 ish whereas a S6 is probably 60 or so bhp below this.

Edited by Gazzab on Monday 23 May 14:11

[FarmyardPants]

and the V8 is the master of crackle and pop.

Although it's 2 valves per cylinder, the V8 drives like a multi-valve - comes on song 4.5krpm+ and hits peak power >7krpm. It's no RV8

Edited by FarmyardPants on Monday 23 May 13:49

[gifdy]

You're cracking

<whisper in your ear> 4.5L .... TVR Power

[scotty_d]

FarmyardPants said:

and the V8 is the master of crackle and pop.

This ^

[steviejasp]

scotty_d said:

This ^

Or if your unlucky with your crankshaft, the SNAP bit as well

[.Mark]

Not owned both but have the pleasure of owning an AJP Cerbera and the extra pleasure of 'babysitting' for extended periods (months not days) a Tuscan.
In my experience, the engine configs as I have tried work best, Silly perhaps but I feel the shape/look of a Cerbera needs a V8 in the same way as the styling of the Tuscan seems perfect with a S6 in - is it only me that gets that?

I love the S6 and look forward to having a Tuscan one day, just as long as the rebuild etc has been done. As for the pops, bangs, crackles and pops, the S6 I have experienced can very well compare.

[Pursyluv]

Agree with .Mark, my Speed 6 outpops any V8 i've heard.

[scotty_d]

steviejasp said:

Or if your unlucky with your crankshaft, the SNAP bit as well

Buy a later AJP and you should be fine think it was just the early one's that were prone to it?

[WhyTwo]

gifdy said:

You're cracking

<whisper in your ear> 4.5L .... TVR Power

LOL! Just keeping an open mind! And looking for peoples opinions. (or being impatient coz the V8 I want hasn't come on the market yet!)

I tend to agree with what Mark says about the V8 suiting the Cerb and the SP6 suiting the Tuscan. A sorted SP6 is an awesome engine, ala the one in my Tuscan, but I am leaning towards a 4.2/4.5

[G20RG B]

The SP6 can pop and bang with the best of them and there are lots of these engines about(Sagaris, T350, Tamora, Cerbera etc)so plenty of parts and service available.

On here you will have the S6 boys swearing by the S6 and the V8 boys swearing by the V8 both engine choices are great.
I drove a few AJP8 but in the end went for a SP6 I got a far newer car for my money. The SP6 Cerbera is a GREAT buy compared the V8 Cerbera. I got a cracking 2003 Cerbera for the money it would have cost me for a 1999 V8.. I was comfortable with the SP6 as I had a Tuscan before and it has been faultless. Now the AJP8 is a great car also, Ohh Yes ,but for me it came down to best value and the SP6 won...easily. I don't really bother if someones V8 has a few more horses the SP6 is plenty fast enough for me for every day use and I think also a more enjoyable drive...just my opinion.

[.Mark]

Pursyluv said:

Agree with .Mark, my Speed 6 outpops any V8 i've heard.

Sounds like a challenge

[BCA]

G20RG B said:

On here you will have the S6 boys swearing by the S6 and the V8 boys swearing by the V8 both engine choices are great.

I am a S6 and was a V8 boy.

I would not consider a Cerbera without an AJP8, that is just personal preference. After 90k+ miles over 11 years, numerous sprints/hillclimbs/trackdays/speed trials, I can confirm they are both utterly ballistic and ridiculously reliable for such an engine. It is as simple as that.

The Sixer is a much smoother and more 'normal' feeling engine, I dare say that 70% of the time it sounds better and it does rev as freely and higher in our case (our old Cerb could never breath that well above 7250rpm, the T350 will hit 7800rpm and fast!) It is better on fuel, can be made pretty powerful - though I remain highly sceptical of the figures spoken of on these forums for the most part) - it's also apparently not *that* much heavier. It is just a more modern and in theory better engine.

The AJP8 is still the engine that makes the Cerb for me. If you prefer the six, I believe there are better suited chassis/cars for it, the AJP8 suits the Cerb. It is an eccentric engine with a ballistic delivery for an eccentric car with ballistic performance. I often wonder what the T350c would be like with an AJP8, but I think the six suits it. I never really wonder what the Cerbera would be like with the six, it just doesnt seem right for the car.

What I will suggest however, is drive loads - a sweet AJP8 is a very different animal to a rough one - whether it is mapping/ build spec/ size/ god knows what. They're both fantastic engines, for me, the AJP8 is the preference for a Cerb. Purely IMHO.

[Dave_M]

WhyTwo said:

After selling my Tuscan I'm looking for a Cerbera. I've always thought that the V8 was the right power plant for the Cerbera but am finding myself considering SP6 cars.

I guess the V8 is a more powerful engine but the SP6 is higher revving and
probably easier to drive around town (I'm assuming it's a bit lighter as well) but I wondered what the thinking was on here from people who have experience of one or the other or both.

Also, does the SP6 Cerbera crackle and pop like a Tuscan with CCC's? I must admit I would miss that if I went for a V8

I've had 4.2 and 4.5 cerbs, both are easy to drive around. I can't compare with the S6 as I haven't had although I would happily consider one.

My cerbera crackles and pops a lot as do many V8s I've heard so you shouldn't be disappointed there

[Byker28i]

steviejasp said:

Or if your unlucky with your crankshaft, the SNAP bit as well

So - just out of interest, how many cranks did crack/snap in road cars.

[Dutch_Cerbera]

i have a AJP Cerb and a Tuscan S.

AJP way more pops and bangs, sound is way more aggressive and i think louder. at low speed not that smooth

SP6 S way more flexible at low speed, still lots of pops and bangs, and loud.

i am living in a "bigger" city and traffic can be very bad. i can tell you, it is not nice to be stuck in a bad traffic jam with the AJP.... SP6 S no prob.

but i am happy that i have both and i will keep it like that!!!

[G20RG B]

Sounds like a great position to be in Dutch, I would love a Tuscan S to go with my Cerbera.

[Dutch_Cerbera]

G20RG B said:

Sounds like a great position to be in Dutch, I would love a Tuscan S to go with my Cerbera.

ooh yes, really great.
too bad my wife does not want me to buy more TVRs...
well she got a point, more or less...
at the moment i have more cars than time to drive

[Mr Cerbera]

I am blessed with an AJP 4.5.

Driving in town and tailbacks is ABSOLUTELY no problem.
Purrrs along like a little Tabby then when the road frees-up,
she leaps and snarles like a riled Bengali.

The absolute Jekyl n Hyde .