griffith 4.3bv

[jmn]

Anyone know how many of these were built and what they are worth-would performance be similar to a griffith 500?

[griffter]

jmn said:

Anyone know how many of these were built and what they are worth-would performance be similar to a griffith 500?

Various sources quote production numbers somewhere between high teens and thirties. Others have been modified to BV spec post factory - but sometimes by the factory, or by TVR dealer.
Performance, by all accounts, is similar in outright terms to a 500 but with different power delivery.
Values of genuine cars (with proof of original spec) are probably £14k upwards for a clean car - but I haven't seen a factory BV for sale for a while.

Someone else will be along in a minute with a completely different opinion!

[gorvid]

This one is for sale in the PH classifieds.....

[g-boy]

that is a lovely example

[HarryW]

Got to say that looks a beaut, if I was looking for a griff then my money would be with something like that rather than one of 1000's of the 500 .

[shadowfax]

"1000s"

This from another thread: "Roger Shakelton's book quotes 1640 Griff 500's and 625 Griff 4x's."

So that'd be around 1.6 Thousand 500s made. Still a worthwhile car to be steward of, ey?

[clive f]

I`m at present looking for a griff, is the bv one shown as good as a 500? any details gratefully received!

[jamesk]

For the uninitiated I would have to say that no the BV probably isn't as "good" as a 500. Assuming you compare with a post 94 or so 500 (ie the vast majority) the BV has a different gearbox, different suspension and different cooling/rad setup to name a few. It does however sound uttertly glorious and delivers its power in a less torquey way as someone else mentioned.

Basically the BV represents the purest image of the Griffith in my opinion and I will end up with one (or an SEAC ) as my TVR for keeps. In all honesty for the £15k the one in classifieds is up for you could get a good 500 that's 4 or 5 years newer with all that entails development wise. Either that or save 3-4k and get a non BV pre-cat 4.0/4.3.

Don't get me wrong they are all awesome in my eyes - just my 2p

[HarryW]

shadowfax said:

"1000s" This from another thread: "Roger Shakelton's book quotes 1640 Griff 500's and 625 Griff 4x's." So that'd be around 1.6 Thousand 500s made. Still a worthwhile car to be steward of, ey?

Glad your math is better than mine, however as you say 1.6 thousands it is .
You'll (and others (1000's ) before they jump on the bandwagon) note I haven't said one is better than the other. Just that if it were me, I would have the 4.3bv from Aggers before any 500 .

[llanelli-rob]

You'll (and others (1000's ) before they jump on the bandwagon) note I haven't said one is better than the other. Just that if it were me, I would have the 4.3bv from Aggers before any 500 .[/quote
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Harry,Got to say mate I'm with you on that one,I think the rareness of a factory 4.3 BV makes it a very desirable car indeed.(IMHO)

[andy43]

Yes, you could get a 500 that's faster, handles better, and has more development time eg engine cooling, cabin ventilation etc put into it for the same money, but that BV - just looks and that's without hearing it

[barbon]

I have a 1992 4.3 factory BV and the difference in spec from the standard 4.3 is impressive eg Gas flown and polished Heads,reprofiled cam upping the compression ratio,lightened and balanced fly wheel.remapping the engine management and fuel injection system giving 305lb of torque at only 4000 rpm.At the sprint at Zolder no standard 500 could beat me.

[rolfe]

The real interesting thing about 4.3BV's is that every 500 owner tries to emulate the sound by removing exhaust baffles and cats. What they end up, with compared to the BV, is a sound like an exhaust with a hole in it!!!!

[mongoose]

rolfe said:

The real interesting thing about 4.3BV's is that every 500 owner tries to emulate the sound by removing exhaust baffles and cats. What they end up, with compared to the BV, is a sound like an exhaust with a hole in it!!!!

Trust me,if you get a 500(which are all BV spec as std),then run a fully de-catted,properly designed manifold and 'y' peice set,your 4.3BV is going to sound a little lacking if you put them side by side.

[rolfe]

I understand and totally beleive it would sound great. The greater majority however, follow the route I described and they sound awful in comparrison to the 4.3BV.

[mongoose]

rolfe said:

understand all that and totally beleive you, but most people try the route I explained and they sound terrible

yeh,the worst 'idea' is removing the dustbin main cat and not replacing with a proper flowed 'y' pice-sounds very tinny and hollow

[keppy]

gorvid said:

This one is for sale in the PH classifieds.....

....and i'm now the new custodian of it!! Well at least it's sat on my drive and i've got to wait 24hrs before I get home and can drive it....

And thanks to James Agger for finding it for me, doing the deal and turning it round so quickly. Just in time for the weekend!!

[shadowfax]

The Skylark sings a lovely song in summer

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=234333&f=54&h=0

[gorvid]

I hope you enjoy it Keppy.....

Well Done

[Painey]

rolfe said:

The real interesting thing about 4.3BV's is that every 500 owner tries to emulate the sound by removing exhaust baffles and cats. What they end up, with compared to the BV, is a sound like an exhaust with a hole in it!!!!

That's the biggest load of bull I've heard in a while. YES, they sound different and yes the 500 doesn't sound quite as nice, but all things relative it still sounds nicer than pretty much any other car I can think of. I've only had the rear box modified on mine and personally I like the harder edge to the sound compared to a std exhaust. Plus you get to hear all the pops/bangs which never cease to put a smile on my face.

Cheers - Chris