Too hirsute for golf.....

[redleicester]

Chaps,

Thought I'd risk asking for some advice, full in the knowledge I am going to have abuse hurled, questions asked about by orientation and aspertions cast upon my heritage!

Thing is, I used to be a 1998 Chim owner. Sorry. These things happen. I know that makes me less than a man in such company, but I can assure you of my orientation - I woke up one day and replaced it with a 96 Cerbera V8, so I'm more of a man than the lot of ya! Drove it every day too.

Anyway, then I made a mistake..... wifey had a bun in the oven and I came over all responsible and sensible, then the sensible bit went out the window and I bought a 2001 BMW M5.... oops. Sorry about that.

So now, I have finally realised which side my bread is buttered, sold the M5 yesterday, am currently car-less while I hunt for the right Saab estate with which to burn motorway rubber, but am planning a return to TVR for fun. Now, asdly some of my old tendencies must have reared up (!?) as I instinctively when hunting for another Chim. Sorry again. Promise I won't do it again.

Thus I find myself here, tempted with binning the idea of a 99/2000 Chim and looking instead at a 94-era Griff 5.0. Hence my questions - I don't know much about the Griffs (apart from the manly requirements of ownership). What are the differences between the earlier and later 5 litre cars? Can the plastic dials be replaced with chromed ones? Bodywork / interior / suspension changes? When did PAS appear as an option, and when was the change from IT to T5 gearboxes?

I'm sure there are other questions I should be asking, perhaps you could fill me in. In a manner of speaking. I'm really not like that at all. I assure you!

Cheers
RL

[bluebottle]

Congratulations on coming to your senses and choosing the "dark Side" you know it makes sense

Griff 500 spec change - basically the transition took place throughout 1994 going from a pre-serpentine engine and Rover LS77 box to Pre-serp with T5 box and then serpentine engine with T5 box.
I don't know when the PAS option first became available, I'm sure someone will be along shortly to let you know, but i have seen 94 cars with it. It was quite an expensive option so very few early cars have it.

As for which choice of engine and gearbox option to go for, it is really down to personal choice and the condition of the car you are looking at. much has been written on here about the vulnerability of the LS77 box but SHPUB has chucked some massive power through them without much problem. Personally i actually preferred the smoother gear change of my old LS77 box to me current T5 one.
Pre-serp & serp option again is down to condition and preference really although, if you are looking for the PAS option i would go for a serpentine as the later toothed drive belt is much better than the old V belt which gets a bit long and flappy when you add a PAS pump and is prone to jumping off the rails.

As with all TVR's condition and service history is key.... oh and the colour option, Green is faster you know ;-)

happy hunting

Hamish

[Guillotine]

95 onwards will see all the right kit...Serp,T5 box, Gkn Diff.

PAS available in 94 (mine has) as was A/C and bum (heat/seat) warmers.

Buy on condition & history (particularly chassis at this age) but don't be scared of cars with mileage, they obviously run well (50k+)!

Loads of Mods, ie dials, ally switchgear, light clusters, C/Fibre dashes for that modern look (if thats your bag!). see david H's thread on Griffith Website in Gebneral TVR Gassing.
he's done a great and sympathetic rebuild.

Have fun, usually some good examples in the PH classifieds and "Sprint"

andy
Monster

[mongoose]

Guillotine said:

95 onwards will see all the right kit...Serp,T5 box, Gkn Diff. andy Monster

I thought it was only the early cars that had the GKN diff Andy?,i also thought they changed to the salisbury for strength reasons,then to the BTR.My last(late 96 build)griff had the salisbury from new,my latest has the BTR(late 2000 build).Is the GKN your preferred choice for some reason then?I'd be interested to know of any advantages.I dont like the ratio on mine,the top end is 15mph down roughly(at 6k) on my old one.
Cheers,Mike

[Guillotine]

mongoose said:

Guillotine said: 95 onwards will see all the right kit...Serp,T5 box, Gkn Diff. andy Monster I thought it was only the early cars that had the GKN diff Andy?,i also thought they changed to the salisbury for strength reasons,then to the BTR.My last(late 96 build)griff had the salisbury from new,my latest has the BTR(late 2000 build).Is the GKN your preferred choice for some reason then?I'd be interested to know of any advantages.I dont like the ratio on mine,the top end is 15mph down roughly(at 6k) on my old one. Cheers,Mike

which will make it accellerate quicker! mine also has lower ration...and Quaife internals
Tuscans used GKN, wasn't aware the BTR became the unit of choice.
strong and cheap to refurb.

[mongoose]

Guillotine said:

wasn't aware the BTR became the unit of choice.

Yeh the btr became std from at least as early as '99,maybe before?Its the same unit they still use in the current production(unless they just recently changed).Is it easy enough to get the ratio changed then?

[bluebottle]

Guillotine said:

mongoose said: Guillotine said: 95 onwards will see all the right kit...Serp,T5 box, Gkn Diff. andy Monster I thought it was only the early cars that had the GKN diff Andy?,i also thought they changed to the salisbury for strength reasons,then to the BTR.My last(late 96 build)griff had the salisbury from new,my latest has the BTR(late 2000 build).Is the GKN your preferred choice for some reason then?I'd be interested to know of any advantages.I dont like the ratio on mine,the top end is 15mph down roughly(at 6k) on my old one. Cheers,Mike which will make it accellerate quicker! mine also has lower ration...and Quaife internals Tuscans used GKN, wasn't aware the BTR became the unit of choice. strong and cheap to refurb.

Were there any variations to the GKN diff, as some have told my it has Quaffe internals and other tell me it has friction plates?

[YamR1,V64motion]

good luck with your search redleicester , i hope it is as quick as possible for you, im in the same situation more or less, a guy is coming to pick up and pay for my CLK in the week and ive got a few viewings on my bike,have you decided wether to go pre cat or 500?,i still cant mke up my mind personally.

[mongoose]

[quote=YamR1,V64motion]
have you decided wether to go pre cat or 500?,i still cant mke up my mind personally.[/quote]Go for the pre-cat first.You wont loose any money on it,and at least you will have had the pleasure of owning one,and you may just want to keep it forever.My biggest regret about my buying the v8's i've had,is that i went straight into a 5litre car with my first chim,its hard to go back then.I'd still love a pre-cat,even after 4 tivs and a few years,its an itch i never scratched

[Guillotine]

...or get a pre-cat 500...



...LIKE MINE


(well and truly scratched )

[mongoose]

Guillotine said:

...or get a pre-cat 500... ...LIKE MINE

Or mine.........well in a couple of weeks

[YamR1,V64motion]

so what would you say the performance(in actual terms) and charecter differences are between the 4.3 and 500?, and how much does it cost roughly to make a 4.3 a BV?

[Guillotine]

mongoose said:

Guillotine said: ...or get a pre-cat 500... ...LIKE MINE Or mine.........well in a couple of weeks

Get mine back shortly too Mike...should meet up methinks

[Guillotine]

bluebottle said:

Guillotine said: mongoose said: Guillotine said: 95 onwards will see all the right kit...Serp,T5 box, Gkn Diff. andy Monster I thought it was only the early cars that had the GKN diff Andy?,i also thought they changed to the salisbury for strength reasons,then to the BTR.My last(late 96 build)griff had the salisbury from new,my latest has the BTR(late 2000 build).Is the GKN your preferred choice for some reason then?I'd be interested to know of any advantages.I dont like the ratio on mine,the top end is 15mph down roughly(at 6k) on my old one. Cheers,Mike which will make it accellerate quicker! mine also has lower ration...and Quaife internals Tuscans used GKN, wasn't aware the BTR became the unit of choice. strong and cheap to refurb. Were there any variations to the GKN diff, as some have told my it has Quaffe internals and other tell me it has friction plates?

GKN/Quaife's use gears, so friction plates are out.
think the Hydratraks the only "plate" diff, so oil is V V IMPORTANT in those!
Not sure tho, as you can tell, i only really know about stuff thats on my car

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

redleicester said:

Chaps, Thing is, I used to be a 1998 Chim owner. Sorry. These things happen.

Don't come wimpering back to the Chimaera forum all nicey nicey then!

[mongoose]

Guillotine said:

Get mine back shortly too Mike...should meet up methinks

Yep,i fancy that,your only in Weston aren't you?Could be a good excuse to the wife,to visit my sister in Worle

[bluebottle]

Guillotine said:

bluebottle said: Were there any variations to the GKN diff, as some have told my it has Quaffe internals and others tell me it has friction plates? GKN/Quaife's use gears, so friction plates are out. think the Hydratraks the only "plate" diff, so oil is V V IMPORTANT in those! Not sure tho, as you can tell, i only really know about stuff thats on my car

Thats pretty much what i thought, only my GKN lsd packed up a few months ago with a strong smell of burning clutch/brake material, which would suggest otherwise. The diff itself still works perfectly and is quiet but the wheels now spin opposite directions with no drag.

>> Edited by bluebottle on Sunday 8th January 19:31

[Guillotine]

mongoose said:

Guillotine said: Get mine back shortly too Mike...should meet up methinks Yep,i fancy that,your only in Weston aren't you?Could be a good excuse to the wife,to visit my sister in Worle

i'm about 2 miles from Worle...other side...Bleadon Hill!

sounds like a pints on then

[mongoose]

Guillotine said:

sounds like a pints on then

Andy,YHM

[redleicester]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

redleicester said: Chaps, Thing is, I used to be a 1998 Chim owner. Sorry. These things happen. Don't come wimpering back to the Chimaera forum all nicey nicey then!

Ooops.... might have shut the stable door a bit prematurely there.....