Griff LS conversion

[FactoryPilot]

Hi guys,

Firstly, please don't shoot me down but after loads of TVR's, I've decided that I need a project. Something from Blackpool with something from the good old US of A under the bonnet.

I know bugger all about these things, so I suppose what would be the best Griff to start with... original 4.0 or later 500?

And as I have neither the time nor the skill, who would be best to do the conversion for me? I think TopCats are way too busy before people suggest them.... I want the car bought, converted and running for Christmas.

Thanks folk

[FlipFlopGriff]

Get a Chimp.
FFG

[eff eff]

You want one of these ...............Give Ian at Sportmotive a call

Edited by eff eff on Friday 3rd August 21:46

[Magic919]

Ask Tinker.

[g8ape]

My opinion is the 500 will give you the latter T5 gearbox and more avilable diff for when you start to shear pinions.

There was a very well sorted Tuscan with US V8 conversion parked at the same hotel in Alencon (France)for the Le Man classic as I was. A kinda light metallic green with matching interior if anyones familiar with it.

Im not sure the Griff is the ideal base model for the LS engine, its an educated guess and I await humbling from the more experienced...

[FactoryPilot]

Thanks guys. The light green colour Tuscan sounds like that chap Straight-8?

[Alexdaredevilz]

If I remember right it was a 650bhp 383SBC that pulled over 7000rpm?

[biper]

If you were to take your Griff or Chim to a specialist to have this conversion done how much would it cost. If you supplied the engine and if you didn't.

[7 TVR]

Having spent over 1.5 years and some serious money building my dream LS Griff i think you might be being a bit hopeful wanting to get the car bought and built before Christmas! especially if you are looking for a pro to do the build.
The Griff proved allot harder to convert than a Cerb or Tuscan etc, and you can end up spinning off into a whole load of drivetrain and chassis mods to cope with the power.
There are only a handful of people who i would trust to do the work Topcats, Sportmotive, and Dyno Torque being the only people i have seen present working cars and i would steer clear of anyone without the experience as it really is a minefield if you don't know what your doing!
On a plus note i have a 490bhp 450Torque monster that is a joy to drive and destroys expensive exotica at will
There are several build threads on here with mine[Topcats} and two Sportmotive Griffs being covered in some detail.
If you would like to go into more detail just PM me and i'll fill you in on my experiences and pitfalls to avoid!
Alternatively i will be doing a charity day at Thruxton next weekend if you want to see how an LS GRiff runs!
One thing is the power is addictive and very worth it Good luck

[7 TVR]

biper said:

If you were to take your Griff or Chim to a specialist to have this conversion done how much would it cost. If you supplied the engine and if you didn't.

There is allot of variables LS3,7 gearbox,diff,headers, standard chevy ECU or other etc etc so i would of thought best to give one of the garages quoted above a call and go from there.

[Walford]

7 TVR said:

.
The Griff proved allot harder to convert than a Cerb or Tuscan etc, and you can end up spinning off into a whole load of drivetrain and chassis mods to cope with the power.

I have only ever worked on my own Tuscan, but have seen Cerb,s and they look easier to get an LSx in than a T car
but they were designed for a AJP V8 (75')

what chassis mods are required on the Griff ?
I thought the LSx was more or less the same size as the Rover,

Edited by Walford on Saturday 4th August 11:41

[V8 GRF]

Ian at Sportmotive has developed an 'evo' chassis designed/modified to take an LS along with other modification to suspension pickup points so as mentioned above you need to give Sportmotive a call if you're serious.

[SSPPGG]

. check my "winter refrub" thread for some pics of a LS conversion done at home, its not difficult, but my vote in your position would be sportmotive, or craig at dynotorque. i know them both personally, and would give my keys to either without hesitation

Edited by SSPPGG on Saturday 4th August 23:25

[Walford]

SSPPGG said:

. check my "winter refrub" thread for some pics of a LS conversion done at home, its not difficult,

Sorry if i,m missing something, but with a Rover engined TVR, are you not taking out an american V8
and putting one back in almost the same size

[SSPPGG]

Walford said:

Sorry if i,m missing something, but with a Rover engined TVR, are you not taking out an american V8
and putting one back in almost the same size

yes, thats why it is relatively straightforward....