Buying T350c + engine rebuild

[Betz74]

Hi all and G'day from the colonies (Australia)!


I am planning my trip to the UK and europe later this year, I a going to try and be there for atleast 12months.

As such I can import a car under the Austalian personal import scheme when I return.

I've been reading up as much info as I can on the T350 and speed 6 issues, from all accounts the cars seem pretty good apart from the engine issues. Anything else which needs attention?

We don't really have any TVR specialists here in Oz so I guess the plan would be to have the car fully sorted during the 12months I am in the UK/Europe,

So I am a bit torn as to whether to get a 03/04 car and have a full 4.0 or 4.3/4.5 rebuild done or to get a 05/07 car and just do the head?

Any insight would be helpfull.

I would be purchacing the car when I first arrive and touring with it and at a guess would be putting on around 10k miles in the 12months before sorting the car and preparing it for shipping to Australia. Or would it preferable to do a rebuild before I get on with touring?

Has anyone got any expierience importing into Australia?

Can anyone give a realistic breakdown of costs to have a reliable T350 including purchace and insurance?

Is it mandatory to garage these cars, is it likely to be stolen?

Thanks for any help!

Edited by Betz74 on Sunday 24th April 02:04

[slimtater]

A good choice of car to bring to Oz but I wouldn't get hung up on the engine issues - most that were going to go bang have probably already done it!
What area are you in? I am currently in Perth WA (due back in UK in May) and I would be more worried about all the issues with temperature (fans, heeatsoak etc) and air conditioning if I was bringing mine here.

[Betz74]

I'm melbourne based slim, but that may change when I return from europe. (looking at central/north NSW)

One thing I would look at is a fully programable ecu like a motec to have better control of such things as potential pinking considering our wider temperature range here in Oz,

What is the usual upgrades for these cars and programable engine management? Isee some upgraded ecu's available for them but would have thought people would also use motec or haltec computers?

[Mattt]

Syvecs are the best option at the moment for these cars. Based on the Life Racing ECUs, which are the dogs bks.

[DumDum]

I'd just go for as later car as you can.

[nightSpirit]

Geoff on here mentioned importing to Aus when I saw him last, sounded like a fairly expensive affair (£5k iirc) and your car gets 'violated' when being checked for entry.

The good news is that if you plan to sell your 350 in Aus it should be worth a tidy sum.

What a great idea, visiting a country, buying an epic car and going for a drive I'd like to do this in Europe at some point, take in all those amazing roads in Norway/Austria/Germany/Italy etc...thought about that one a little too late I think

[cinquecento]

google "tvr register"

There are many knowledgable chaps here in Australia who have T350s/Speed six cars with contacts on excellent engine/car servicing.. including speed six rebuilds..