Ls Powered TVR's

Author
Discussion

crimbo

1,308 posts

234 months

Tuesday 8th June 2010
quotequote all
I thought an ls3 conversion was around 10k?, depending on how bad the original s6 condition is I thought this would be roughly the same as a 4.3/4.5 rebuild (due to more work been needed in a rebuild where the engine had issues?)

As for values, I'd be happy to purchase a V8 sag for a more than a standard one as I see it as an improvment, I do understand that maybe in the future a mint standard 4.0ltr sag maybe worth a premium as an original but if I was in this situation I'd have to opt for a uprated engine either a 4.3/4.5 or LS

Edited by crimbo on Tuesday 8th June 21:36

blackiepaul

1,973 posts

200 months

Tuesday 8th June 2010
quotequote all
Anyone going down the LS route make sure you are using new parts and from someone who has done it before and with experiance of LS engines. Look at their work and find out about their knowledge of the engines and how good they are at problem fixing and design and build - expecially fabrication. Make sure they are not going to butcher your car and chassis, forcing the engine in is not acceptable nor is exhaust tubes being different sizes or parts of your electrics not working nor setting your suspension up right for a different weight of car. If you want to track the car make sure they know how to build you an exhaust that will pass - I could go on and on.

If you are not going to use a new engine then make sure you do your homework really well. I know that some have been lucky but some have not.

A LS3 is just over 5K new but please remember all the other things you need
A LS7 is just under 10K

If you are putting a LS in becuase you think it is a cheap solution then it is not but it is in my opinion value for money. you pay your money...........

TVR_owner

3,349 posts

197 months

Wednesday 9th June 2010
quotequote all
blackiepaul said:
I don't give a monkeys what people think or what they think about it not being original. (I would like to point out I respect John and his views and think he is a great guy and look forward to him coming out in my Sag later this month)
There must be a kinder term than mongrel...

Look forward to seeing you at Zolder Paul...must admit I am a very poor passenger though!!

flyingdutchie

857 posts

200 months

Wednesday 9th June 2010
quotequote all
Did I understand it right? Are you coming to the Zolder Continental Meeting with the LS7 Sagaris?

Would be nice to see your car...

blackiepaul

1,973 posts

200 months

Wednesday 9th June 2010
quotequote all
flyingdutchie said:
Did I understand it right? Are you coming to the Zolder Continental Meeting with the LS7 Sagaris?

Would be nice to see your car...
Hi Argen,

Yep I will be there

blackiepaul

1,973 posts

200 months

Wednesday 9th June 2010
quotequote all
TVR_owner said:
blackiepaul said:
I don't give a monkeys what people think or what they think about it not being original. (I would like to point out I respect John and his views and think he is a great guy and look forward to him coming out in my Sag later this month)
There must be a kinder term than mongrel...

Look forward to seeing you at Zolder Paul...must admit I am a very poor passenger though!!
You can take it out for a drive then - I trust you.

flyingdutchie

857 posts

200 months

Wednesday 9th June 2010
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If I can manage it in time, I'll bring my LS Cerbera then....

GTRene

17,651 posts

230 months

Wednesday 9th June 2010
quotequote all
I like that idea, but then I love TVR with V8, that for me is a real TVR, but I also understand the others who think otherwise.

1= TVR Sagaris with LS7 would be lovely...but expensive package.

2= TVR T350 with a LS3/LS7 makes also a great package and safes a lot cash.

like Jack Griffith did in the old days, they even named TVR's after that great V8 idea biggrin

MrsS

454 posts

258 months

Thursday 10th June 2010
quotequote all
blackiepaul said:
TVR_owner said:
blackiepaul said:
I don't give a monkeys what people think or what they think about it not being original. (I would like to point out I respect John and his views and think he is a great guy and look forward to him coming out in my Sag later this month)
There must be a kinder term than mongrel...

Look forward to seeing you at Zolder Paul...must admit I am a very poor passenger though!!
You can take it out for a drive then - I trust you.
scratchchin

tamore

7,782 posts

290 months

Thursday 10th June 2010
quotequote all
i think a few years ago the LS route was very tempting due to the quality of some of the components the factory used in their engines.

the work done on the SP6 and AJPs by various places is so good now, and comes with a warranty which provides a huge degree of comfort, that i can't see why anyone would go elsewhere.

horses for courses though, but history tells that an 'original' is worth more in the long run. try and get hold of an unmodded ford cossie or audi quattro.

flyingdutchie

857 posts

200 months

Friday 11th June 2010
quotequote all
Hope you are right tamore.

Development on S6 looks good, but there are not a lot of owners doing 10.000 miles a year and who can say "I've done 150.000 miles". As for the AJP V8......I do not know of promising development. The 50-60K people say you can do on a rebuild, do not sound good.

The LS is bullitproof ex-works!


tamore

7,782 posts

290 months

Friday 11th June 2010
quotequote all
flyingdutchie said:
Hope you are right tamore.

Development on S6 looks good, but there are not a lot of owners doing 10.000 miles a year and who can say "I've done 150.000 miles". As for the AJP V8......I do not know of promising development. The 50-60K people say you can do on a rebuild, do not sound good.

The LS is bullitproof ex-works!
i had a rebuild of my 3.6 SP6 3 years ago or so by power, and it hasn't skipped a beat since, nor used a drop of oil between services. back then it came with a 12 month warranty, so to give a 5 year unlimited milage one with the 4.5 upgrade, he must be pretty confident of the build.

despite my engine being fine, i'll be heading to cov for a 4.5 simply for the increase in power, and moreso, torque. just reliant on a faultering business getting a break or two.

puckrup

424 posts

206 months

Saturday 12th June 2010
quotequote all
blackiepaul said:
If anyone can sit next to me in the car or who has a drive and is not impressed then they are either dead or no petrolhead
I shall drink to that in Zolder!!

pebi

41 posts

175 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
quotequote all
blackiepaul said:
A LS3 is just over 5K new but please remember all the other things you need
A LS7 is just under 10K
So what would be the total cost of such a conversion?
10k??

blackiepaul

1,973 posts

200 months

Friday 25th June 2010
quotequote all
pebi said:
blackiepaul said:
A LS3 is just over 5K new but please remember all the other things you need
A LS7 is just under 10K
So what would be the total cost of such a conversion?
10k??
The LS7 engine alone is 10K you need alot more on top of that but it is worth it. Please see the comment about the engine the day before I left for miami on Wednesday

http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&amp... what I got a ride in at Topcats yesterday!

After_Shock

8,751 posts

226 months

Friday 25th June 2010
quotequote all
Personally dont think the LS7 is worth anywhere near double the price of an LS3, the 3 is a newer design, yes the LS7 has a few lighter weight bits in it but they are also more prone to breaking and cost a fortune when they do go wrong.

An LS3 with modified heads and cam will easily be a better package than an LS7, unless im missing something as to why an LS7 is easier to install.

blackiepaul

1,973 posts

200 months

Friday 25th June 2010
quotequote all
After_Shock said:
Personally dont think the LS7 is worth anywhere near double the price of an LS3, the 3 is a newer design, yes the LS7 has a few lighter weight bits in it but they are also more prone to breaking and cost a fortune when they do go wrong.

An LS3 with modified heads and cam will easily be a better package than an LS7, unless im missing something as to why an LS7 is easier to install.
I have no idea where you got your knowledge from but I will leave you to it, I used a company that runs three LS engines in their endurance race cars that do 24 hours events, they seem to know what they are talking about.

LS3's are great engines and I thought long and hard about one but with the LS7 having a dry sump makes it a far better decision never mine the BHP and torgue straight off the crate.

After_Shock

8,751 posts

226 months

Friday 25th June 2010
quotequote all
blackiepaul said:
After_Shock said:
Personally dont think the LS7 is worth anywhere near double the price of an LS3, the 3 is a newer design, yes the LS7 has a few lighter weight bits in it but they are also more prone to breaking and cost a fortune when they do go wrong.

An LS3 with modified heads and cam will easily be a better package than an LS7, unless im missing something as to why an LS7 is easier to install.
I have no idea where you got your knowledge from but I will leave you to it, I used a company that runs three LS engines in their endurance race cars that do 24 hours events, they seem to know what they are talking about.

LS3's are great engines and I thought long and hard about one but with the LS7 having a dry sump makes it a far better decision never mine the BHP and torgue straight off the crate.
Of course it has advantages but is it really worth double the amount was the point im trying to make??

If your going racing then yes the dry sump immediately stands out, for a road car £10k vs £5k?

blackiepaul

1,973 posts

200 months

Friday 25th June 2010
quotequote all
After_Shock said:
blackiepaul said:
After_Shock said:
Personally dont think the LS7 is worth anywhere near double the price of an LS3, the 3 is a newer design, yes the LS7 has a few lighter weight bits in it but they are also more prone to breaking and cost a fortune when they do go wrong.

An LS3 with modified heads and cam will easily be a better package than an LS7, unless im missing something as to why an LS7 is easier to install.
I have no idea where you got your knowledge from but I will leave you to it, I used a company that runs three LS engines in their endurance race cars that do 24 hours events, they seem to know what they are talking about.

LS3's are great engines and I thought long and hard about one but with the LS7 having a dry sump makes it a far better decision never mine the BHP and torgue straight off the crate.
Of course it has advantages but is it really worth double the amount was the point im trying to make??

If your going racing then yes the dry sump immediately stands out, for a road car £10k vs £5k?
The sag is already a dry sump car and aimed at the track. I love the track, it has been on one twice since conversion and will be on one a lot more in the next week. It is worth it.


After_Shock

8,751 posts

226 months

Friday 25th June 2010
quotequote all
In your application then yes it is obviously worth it, may not be in others.