Griff LS3 or Tamora 4.5
Discussion
So I will be coming back to the TVR fold, however there is a decision to be made….
Go with a Tamora and upgrade to a Power 4.5. Drove Dom’s 5.0 Tuscan and it was awesome. Must say many thanks to Dom who showed me around the operation and then tossed me the keys for a run out….that is service.
Or
Go with a Griff and swap out the engine for an LS3. Had a run out in the Top Cat LS7 t350 and that was unbelievable. Top Cat conversion, full chassis refurb….long and short nut and bolt rebuild.
Questions are:
Will the LS3 conversion (not cheap) be throwing money down the drain if I ever need to sell. Not the plan but you ever know?
Is it sacrilege to drop a US engine in a UK car?
The 4.5 is awesome however compared to the LS engines no comparison. That being said it will handle better and most likely keep some of it’s value if ever sold.
Heart …. LS3 in the Griff (also considering a Tuscan)
Head……Tamora with a 4.5 Speed Six
What is the consensuses of opinion?
Or go for a Noble M400 and save all the problems………one of the best cars I have ever driven.
Go with a Tamora and upgrade to a Power 4.5. Drove Dom’s 5.0 Tuscan and it was awesome. Must say many thanks to Dom who showed me around the operation and then tossed me the keys for a run out….that is service.
Or
Go with a Griff and swap out the engine for an LS3. Had a run out in the Top Cat LS7 t350 and that was unbelievable. Top Cat conversion, full chassis refurb….long and short nut and bolt rebuild.
Questions are:
Will the LS3 conversion (not cheap) be throwing money down the drain if I ever need to sell. Not the plan but you ever know?
Is it sacrilege to drop a US engine in a UK car?
The 4.5 is awesome however compared to the LS engines no comparison. That being said it will handle better and most likely keep some of it’s value if ever sold.
Heart …. LS3 in the Griff (also considering a Tuscan)
Head……Tamora with a 4.5 Speed Six
What is the consensuses of opinion?
Or go for a Noble M400 and save all the problems………one of the best cars I have ever driven.
I owned a Tamora and although not a Noble or Elise it was the kind of car you could throw around. With the 4.5 it would make a very capable car. I am not sure about the LS3 in a Tamora…..a V8 will change the characteristics. Again I would rather keep the TVR UK engine option.
The Griff is going to be more unpredictable at the kind of horse power I am hoping for……unless I get the setup correct. I really like the idea of the British muscle car along the lines of the Cobra, which I believe was the original intention for the Griff. There is nothing like a big V8 for pure sensory overload.
Either would be used on the road (long days and Sundays) with minimal track use. I have a race car to scratch that itch.
Don1....why the FFF?
The Griff is going to be more unpredictable at the kind of horse power I am hoping for……unless I get the setup correct. I really like the idea of the British muscle car along the lines of the Cobra, which I believe was the original intention for the Griff. There is nothing like a big V8 for pure sensory overload.
Either would be used on the road (long days and Sundays) with minimal track use. I have a race car to scratch that itch.
Don1....why the FFF?
The FFF for me (and a few others) is the ultimate embodiment of the S6 engine. It is lighter than the original, and so much smoother. It just loves to rev like a 3.6, but has so much more grunt. Have a look for the 'jaw on the floor' thread in the S6 forum. There is also a wiki in this forum that shows the real-world output of modified S6 cars... It may prove interesting reading for you.
As for the Griff/Tam thought, you might want to check in my garage, and then we can have a chat offline (Sprint wanted first dibs on the story, so....)
As for the Griff/Tam thought, you might want to check in my garage, and then we can have a chat offline (Sprint wanted first dibs on the story, so....)
Don't be taken in by top figures alone there's more to an engine/ car combination than this, look at the power curves before deciding what engine characteristics you like in a car. Do you like low down torque or do you like to be revving the nuts of the engine. I would try before you commit to investing a large sum of money. I would only consider a v8 swap if you know you will be keeping it a long time.
Good luck with the project, take yor time and do what feels best for you, not what others push onto you.
Good luck with the project, take yor time and do what feels best for you, not what others push onto you.
Going LS is a very attractive option BUT with the kind of power you are getting with a 4.5 SP6 or a FFF SP6 honestly I dont think you need to go LS. Yes they make a lot of power and there is much to admire with them but for me you should keep the original engine (upgraded) and keep it TVR. The kind of power the SP6 upgrades are producing is for most people more than enough for everyday driving. And an LS conversion requires a new gearbox ,driveshafts, electrics if done properly and a GOOD conversion is a LOT of money certainly more than a 4.5 or FFF.
I couldn't advise on re-sale as I only know of one LS that was in the classifieds and it was a Chim and I don't think he got what he wanted for it ( I think the colour didn't help IMHO). Although if you have it done by a reputable company you should be ok and the colour and iterior and chassis condition will be just as important to a buyer.
I couldn't advise on re-sale as I only know of one LS that was in the classifieds and it was a Chim and I don't think he got what he wanted for it ( I think the colour didn't help IMHO). Although if you have it done by a reputable company you should be ok and the colour and iterior and chassis condition will be just as important to a buyer.
/\ Yes and no - a conversion can be done for a lot less than a full house S6 build, but generally you are correct. I would say with an LS2 you really don't need all the extra gearbox work etc - it is still within the engineering tolerances that TVR specified for their components. As soon as you go over that though, yes, you really need to upgrade.
Getsis - totally agree on the last point, but not really the first point. The ft/lb are comparable across the 4.3/5 / FFF range, but the S6 engine was always about revs in the first place. IMHO taking the revs away from the engine is doing it a disservice (but then again I would say that as I chose the FFF!
). As for the curves etc, as we covered in the previous point, your comparison chart is somewhat misleading. Plus there will be the VCT (only been saying that for a year now....).
Nothing against the Power/Str8-Six engines - they are well engineered with a lot of happy customers. I prefer the FFF, but I'm more than happy to talk about its problems as well as its high points - just like my personal take on other offerings.
Speaking of which, the OP, there is a potential third offering - RND have produced some interesting figures. CliveF's Sag is in the modified S6 thread...
Getsis - totally agree on the last point, but not really the first point. The ft/lb are comparable across the 4.3/5 / FFF range, but the S6 engine was always about revs in the first place. IMHO taking the revs away from the engine is doing it a disservice (but then again I would say that as I chose the FFF!
). As for the curves etc, as we covered in the previous point, your comparison chart is somewhat misleading. Plus there will be the VCT (only been saying that for a year now....).Nothing against the Power/Str8-Six engines - they are well engineered with a lot of happy customers. I prefer the FFF, but I'm more than happy to talk about its problems as well as its high points - just like my personal take on other offerings.
Speaking of which, the OP, there is a potential third offering - RND have produced some interesting figures. CliveF's Sag is in the modified S6 thread...
Yea the Dutchman has had a terrible time with his LS conversion, and will have spent a FORTUNE by the time it is running properly. If I was going LS(which I am not) I would have to get it done properly with running gear and ecu changed maybe even brakes? and I don't think I would get much change from £15-17k... of course you would have an engine and gearbox to sell so maybe £2500-£3000k returned but when it comes to BIG LS power I don't advise taking andy shortcuts. It would be the full works or convert to SP6 4.5 or FFF.
I would love a drive in the FFF as I have heard great things about it and the power is very impressive,I have been in a TVR POWER 4.5 and honestly it has more than enough power, very very impressive.
I would love a drive in the FFF as I have heard great things about it and the power is very impressive,I have been in a TVR POWER 4.5 and honestly it has more than enough power, very very impressive.
My answers:
1) no, it can be easily justified with some creative 'man-maths'
2) no, it would be your car and you would be entitled to to do whatever you want with it.
Your best man to speak to would probably be Christian (7 TVR on here) as he has an LS3 Griff and will soon have a 4.3 T-car.
Happy to help if you want any advice on LS in a Tuscan.
1) no, it can be easily justified with some creative 'man-maths'
2) no, it would be your car and you would be entitled to to do whatever you want with it.
Your best man to speak to would probably be Christian (7 TVR on here) as he has an LS3 Griff and will soon have a 4.3 T-car.
Happy to help if you want any advice on LS in a Tuscan.
Thanks guys. I have had a number of conversations with Warren at Top Cats and although not cheap they do a great job and come highly recommended. Given their motorsport routes I am confident in the quality of the components and attention to engineering detail.
This project will be a “keeper” ……. However I have said that before and sold. As a result cost is a little irrelevant. That being said this can be a bottomless pit with diminishing returns. Cost wise - a 4.5, FFF etc in a Tomora will be slightly less compared to an LS3 in a Griff.
I must admit I do like the S6 and the revving nature of the engine is great and IMO should remain in the Tamora. The Griff and the V8 are a combination that should work and deliver the characteristics of a UK muscle car.
At the end of the day all we all want is a car that will put a big smile on your face every time you drive it. After I sold my Tamora I drove the Noble M400 and it was truly inspiring....still tempting..... but not a TVR. TVR will be the only brand I would return to.
This project will be a “keeper” ……. However I have said that before and sold. As a result cost is a little irrelevant. That being said this can be a bottomless pit with diminishing returns. Cost wise - a 4.5, FFF etc in a Tomora will be slightly less compared to an LS3 in a Griff.
I must admit I do like the S6 and the revving nature of the engine is great and IMO should remain in the Tamora. The Griff and the V8 are a combination that should work and deliver the characteristics of a UK muscle car.
At the end of the day all we all want is a car that will put a big smile on your face every time you drive it. After I sold my Tamora I drove the Noble M400 and it was truly inspiring....still tempting..... but not a TVR. TVR will be the only brand I would return to.
Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff