4.3 BV......
4.3 BV......
Author
Discussion

Hoover33

Original Poster:

5,993 posts

271 months

Monday 28th March 2005
quotequote all
Had a look at a few early 500's.... not been to impressed on what I have seen.

So thaight I would try looking at the 4.3 BV ....

There is one up sale on in the classified section which I will go and have a look at me thinks.

Just wondering how many BVs are actually about, and how often do they come up for sale ????????

crankedup

25,764 posts

272 months

Monday 28th March 2005
quotequote all
Original factory Big Valves are extremely rare, I think 7 of the 4.3 versions were made to order and even less of the 4.5 Big Valve.

Some of the pre-cat Griff's have been modified from the original factory spec' to big valve engine spec.

Some may argue that these modified cars are not true 'Big Valve' cars. IMHO I'm sitting on the fence on this particular discussion, altho If I were to purchase a Big Valve I would want one that was factory specified on the car order form.

It is also said that some Griff's have been sold off as Big Valve when in fact they are not, the point being that these rare Griffr's carry a price premium of course.

lig

215 posts

271 months

Monday 28th March 2005
quotequote all
Hi Hoover33,

My good friend has an original BV, I think that there were only 25 originally produced at the factory. you can get the engine number and call the factory to check if it is a genuine BV as the other chap has said lots get the sticker on the plenum and claim its a BV!!

My mates runs spot on (obviously not as quick as a 500) but nearly!! ;-) (joke - didnt mean to start a fight)!! In all honesty it actually runs a lot smoother than mine!!

My advice - Check its an original before paying the premium.

Lig.

barreti

6,689 posts

266 months

Monday 28th March 2005
quotequote all
My first Griff was a confirmed BV and my current one is one we believe is a BV but hasnt got the provenance of the first one had so I'm not sure.

Can I tell - nope. Both have enough power to give you whiplash in the first 3 gears and it takes a braver man than I am to really put these things to the test anyway - without a track which I've never been on.

My advice, get the best Pre-cat if you want the V8 sound. Go try a few and dont discount the 4.0's either, they are a bargain because of this snobbery with 4.3's and 500's.

If I was in the market right now I'd be looking at the red one James Agger has and the Magenta one with the Zertec light conversion - both on classifieds at the minute.

Wildfire

9,948 posts

281 months

Monday 28th March 2005
quotequote all
I got a 4.0 and am more than happy with it.

crankedup

25,764 posts

272 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
But then on the other hand if you opt for the 4.00lt Griff' you may, in 6 months time be wishing you had gone for the 4.3lt. So I suggest if you see a nice 4.3 go for that.

2 sheds

2,529 posts

313 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
Except i don't think that will apply to Wildfires

crankedup

25,764 posts

272 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
2 sheds said:
Except i don't think that will apply to Wildfires


Sounds like this could be interesting, tell us more.
But I still stand by a 4.3, mainly because I live in the 'keep it standard' brigade

Pies

13,116 posts

285 months

Tuesday 29th March 2005
quotequote all
crankedup said:

2 sheds said:
Except i don't think that will apply to Wildfires



Sounds like this could be interesting, tell us more.
But I still stand by a 4.3, mainly because I live in the 'keep it standard' brigade


Wildfire bought Tims old Griff so it has all ACT mods fitted etc

crankedup

25,764 posts

272 months

Wednesday 30th March 2005
quotequote all
Pies said:

crankedup said:


2 sheds said:
Except i don't think that will apply to Wildfires




Sounds like this could be interesting, tell us more.
But I still stand by a 4.3, mainly because I live in the 'keep it standard' brigade



Wildfire bought Tims old Griff so it has all ACT mods fitted etc


Nuf said then

Hoover33

Original Poster:

5,993 posts

271 months

Thursday 31st March 2005
quotequote all
Must admit.... I am also keep it as the factory intended...excpet for minor safety upgrades(ie braided brake lines)

barreti

6,689 posts

266 months

Thursday 31st March 2005
quotequote all
There's more info on the BV's here
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=1&f=9&t=58103&h=0

>> Edited by barreti on Thursday 31st March 04:04