Info On Cebera 8 cylinder engine please
Discussion
Please could I get some info on the AJP8 (i think thats it's name)engine fitted to the cerbera. I have been watching the Tamora/T350 forum for the last few months with a view to buying a second hand one for between £20/25k, but every time I visit the dealer(s) with a view to handing over the hard earned, a nagging doubt comes over me after reading so many horror stories about early engine faliures. I am a massive TVR fan and accept that niggles will be part and parcel of owning one, but don't really want to fork out too often for engine rebuilds.(prefer to spend the money on noisy exhausts to upset the neighbours 
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Any info about service costs, things to look out for and the life expectancy of the engine (and car in general) would be very much appreciated.
) Any info about service costs, things to look out for and the life expectancy of the engine (and car in general) would be very much appreciated.
Have been looking for something myself, theres no dought that jap n german are more reliable. But for the price of a good 911 you can get a spare TVR
Have had the supras etc, but thay have no soul.
I'v always gone for reliability, but made the mistake of driving the 4.5 cerbera. So i'm in a similar delemma!!!!
Have had the supras etc, but thay have no soul.
I'v always gone for reliability, but made the mistake of driving the 4.5 cerbera. So i'm in a similar delemma!!!!
About the only problem I've heard of with the AJP V8 is early cars ( pre97/98) can snap crankshafts, which was down to poor casting quality, all the 4.5's have a larger journal diameter and have never posed a problem and after the 97ish date the casting quality was improved so 4.2's after this period should also be fine ( I hope 
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They do require regular re-shimming of the valve clearances every other service and do drink a bit of oil and need a bit of laptop tweakery every now and then, to keep running sweetly.
Oh oil pressure relief springs should be changed regularly as well but these cost about 3 quid and can done with the minimum of skills and tools.
And they all rattle when cold, the 4.5's need re-mapping to drive smoothly and will also make another 20-30Bhp in the process.
Just get one you won't regret it
Matt
) They do require regular re-shimming of the valve clearances every other service and do drink a bit of oil and need a bit of laptop tweakery every now and then, to keep running sweetly.
Oh oil pressure relief springs should be changed regularly as well but these cost about 3 quid and can done with the minimum of skills and tools.
And they all rattle when cold, the 4.5's need re-mapping to drive smoothly and will also make another 20-30Bhp in the process.
Just get one you won't regret it
Matt
jensena said:
Apparently the AJP engine is based on a F1 Honda engine design - I was told this by someone who "knows"
I heard it was a Judd? Not based on, more like shares some design. I believe its another urban myth? There was some discussion on here a while back.
Im sure someone more knowledgable than I will be along shortly to correct me
jensena said:
I was told that Honda worked with AJ Melling in designing a V10 engine for Formula 1, Honda pulled out, and then TVR jumped in, and the AJP v8 was born. Apparently if you look at the engine block you can see where the other 2 cylinders were chopped off on the casting.
Al Melling does have links with Honda but the story that you have been told is not the same as the one told by AM over three hours last summer. The TVR engines are carved out of a V12 design, not one that was linked to Honda.
All rather of topic here though as Matt has given a useful summary.
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