Speed Six engines...again!
Discussion
I am thinking about buying a Tamora of which there are several advertised at present with varying lowish mileages. I seem to remember that TVR got it right eventually, but the cars advertised for sensible money are 2003/3 era, so are engines of this vintage just waiting to bang, or were they sorted...or is it just down to warming them up properly before giving them the beans? Oh yes, and why are clutches such an issue?
If I buy one am I better to get the engine upgraded before it goes bang, and who is best for this work?
Thanks
If I buy one am I better to get the engine upgraded before it goes bang, and who is best for this work?
Thanks
Six of one, half a dozen of the other.... Yes, the engines are mainly good. Look after them, they'll look after you. You can get unlucky, but they can be saved.
Rebuilders - people stick very firmly to their favourite camps, and will happily pour scorn on others (something I really disagree with, unless I have seen something myself). The favourite rebuilders are TVR Power, Str8-Six, APM (not really for S6, but I trust the man), and Racing Green. I have used all but TVR Power for work, but I trust them all.
My 2p - I love the work Racing Green have done. My engine is a peach - 443bhp with a standard factory bottom end (4 litre). It gets used hard... It's not dead yet, by a long stretch. Have a look around, have a drive of a few cars - you'll quickly get to feel what's good and what's not.
Rebuilders - people stick very firmly to their favourite camps, and will happily pour scorn on others (something I really disagree with, unless I have seen something myself). The favourite rebuilders are TVR Power, Str8-Six, APM (not really for S6, but I trust the man), and Racing Green. I have used all but TVR Power for work, but I trust them all.
My 2p - I love the work Racing Green have done. My engine is a peach - 443bhp with a standard factory bottom end (4 litre). It gets used hard... It's not dead yet, by a long stretch. Have a look around, have a drive of a few cars - you'll quickly get to feel what's good and what's not.
Completely agree with Don1. All the 'known' names have made their name by specialising in certain areas and have strong reputations. Their offer varies slightly, which is great because it promotes choice for you. There's always someone who complains about the service/value for money/quality of work they had done (or heard about from someone else), but in the main these 'known names' offer good support for our cars - otherwise they'd be out of business.
Anybody can make mistakes, it's how they approach sorting these out that demonstrates the true nature of the business. I also think that personal relationships matter when dealing with cars such as ours - after all it's not a Focus, but a hand built specialist car - so it's important to get on with the people you're dealing with.
In my opinion treated properly the Speed Six is a fine engine. And that's the key point - it's a high spec, dry sumped engine that needs to be treated properly - not gunned from cold, correct oil and levels maintained, serviced regularly, etc. It's my view that many of the reported 'issues' could be down to unsympathetic use in the first place.....
Sorry, I seem to have ranted on for a bit..
Anybody can make mistakes, it's how they approach sorting these out that demonstrates the true nature of the business. I also think that personal relationships matter when dealing with cars such as ours - after all it's not a Focus, but a hand built specialist car - so it's important to get on with the people you're dealing with.
In my opinion treated properly the Speed Six is a fine engine. And that's the key point - it's a high spec, dry sumped engine that needs to be treated properly - not gunned from cold, correct oil and levels maintained, serviced regularly, etc. It's my view that many of the reported 'issues' could be down to unsympathetic use in the first place.....
Sorry, I seem to have ranted on for a bit..
As the other guys have said the engines are good if you look after them, TVR had a known problem with soft finger followers at one stage but most of those engines will have been rebuilt by now with better parts.
My speed six engines have all gone 30 to 40 thousand miles without any problem (cars have then been changed). My Sag is up for sale with 50,000 miles on it and the engine has just been inspected by Dom at TVR Power and he has been happy to put a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty on it so can't be too bad.
Everyone has their favourite for servicing be it Power, Str8Six, RG etc but most of that comes from the relationship you build up with the respective guys that work there.
Most of the respected names will do an inspection for around £300 which will highlight any potential problems.
Used but treated well a speed six will do you well.
My speed six engines have all gone 30 to 40 thousand miles without any problem (cars have then been changed). My Sag is up for sale with 50,000 miles on it and the engine has just been inspected by Dom at TVR Power and he has been happy to put a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty on it so can't be too bad.
Everyone has their favourite for servicing be it Power, Str8Six, RG etc but most of that comes from the relationship you build up with the respective guys that work there.
Most of the respected names will do an inspection for around £300 which will highlight any potential problems.
Used but treated well a speed six will do you well.
Agree with the comments re the SP6 - mine needed rebuilding - 2002 Tamora @ 15K miles - and went with Jason for a standard 3.6 rebuild. Budget on £6K upwards for a full rebuild depending on damage / spec.
What have you heard re the clutch?
As far as I know its an AP clutch and is reasonably strong - expect 20K to 30K but this very general as depends on use / abuse! There are some with over 50k. Its no different to any other performance car.
What have you heard re the clutch?
As far as I know its an AP clutch and is reasonably strong - expect 20K to 30K but this very general as depends on use / abuse! There are some with over 50k. Its no different to any other performance car.
peteA said:
Agree with the comments re the SP6 - mine needed rebuilding - 2002 Tamora @ 15K miles - and went with Jason for a standard 3.6 rebuild. Budget on £6K upwards for a full rebuild depending on damage / spec.
What have you heard re the clutch?
As far as I know its an AP clutch and is reasonably strong - expect 20K to 30K but this very general as depends on use / abuse! There are some with over 50k. Its no different to any other performance car.
The clutch on my wife's MGF Trophy 160 was completely worn by 49k miles, so they need changing quite early even on cars with 200bhp less!What have you heard re the clutch?
As far as I know its an AP clutch and is reasonably strong - expect 20K to 30K but this very general as depends on use / abuse! There are some with over 50k. Its no different to any other performance car.
Just budget for it and keep it full of clean oil. The weakness is the top end case hardening and half time bearing just taking time off, unless the post 05 spec. If you go nuts you are inviting a rod to pop out sideways. The clutch is a good spec, on paper; AP and concentric cylinder etc., but somehow seems weak.
The upside is 2nd gear on a good A road.
J
The upside is 2nd gear on a good A road.
J
Clutch did 28K then changed it totally. Can't really see why they fail so early.... but they tend to drag even from new then as the butterfly springs weaken it gets worse so that's one failure when you can't get gears, then there is the finger snapping off where they are either weak or over travelled, then the release bearing seals probably because the concentric bearings are never that central due to tolerances and the misalignment wears them heavily. Anyway on paper looks good but experience says short happy life not a long boring one.
That's my thoughts anyway
J
That's my thoughts anyway
J
Waste of time getting an upgraded engine, just learn to drive it properly! These cars are great driving machines.
At Monza my standard 4 litre got me round faster than any other 4.3 or 4.5 that were there by a mile, in fact the only car who passed me was a F430 challenge car, then I drove another owners 4 litre sag standard engine and done the same, it's testament to how good a car the Sagaris is,
LOL, Shame I killed my engine, it started knocking badly so it went to Str8 six, not getting an upgraded engine just fixing the suspected bearings/valve issue.
G
At Monza my standard 4 litre got me round faster than any other 4.3 or 4.5 that were there by a mile, in fact the only car who passed me was a F430 challenge car, then I drove another owners 4 litre sag standard engine and done the same, it's testament to how good a car the Sagaris is,
LOL, Shame I killed my engine, it started knocking badly so it went to Str8 six, not getting an upgraded engine just fixing the suspected bearings/valve issue.
G
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