Discussion
Heres a question for you chaps, I'm considering selling off my Cerbera and returning to the soft top fold having had a wedge for long time.
Now anything I buy would be maintained by myself so age isn't so much an issue, condition is, I'd like a 4.3 or 4.5 I think as I'm not keen on the snapping crank of a 5ltr and any modifications if done sympatico would be a plus.
So what are the differences between an '92 4.3 against a '97 500 apart from the bigger capacity?
And did they do anything about the comedy battery location in the later ones?
Matt
Now anything I buy would be maintained by myself so age isn't so much an issue, condition is, I'd like a 4.3 or 4.5 I think as I'm not keen on the snapping crank of a 5ltr and any modifications if done sympatico would be a plus.
So what are the differences between an '92 4.3 against a '97 500 apart from the bigger capacity?
And did they do anything about the comedy battery location in the later ones?
Matt
A 4.3 pre-cat is noisier than a 500 if they are both in standard mode. You get a bit more of the grrrrrrowl.
What's this about a snapping thingumy? I've not come across this in 2yrs of ownership and scouring all things Griff on here.
Yes, the battery is in a bit of a daft location down in the passenger footwell, but its only daft if you don't get a battery conditioner and have it plugged in when its sat in the garage.
Like you said, buy on condition. You'll have to look at a few pups before the big dog calls you, so you'll quickly come to realise whats worth what.
If you're looking at a car why not put a shout out on here, somebody may already know it or at least volunteer to go look at it with you. I'm by East Mids Airport so feel free to give me a shout if you spot something around here.
What's this about a snapping thingumy? I've not come across this in 2yrs of ownership and scouring all things Griff on here.
Yes, the battery is in a bit of a daft location down in the passenger footwell, but its only daft if you don't get a battery conditioner and have it plugged in when its sat in the garage.
Like you said, buy on condition. You'll have to look at a few pups before the big dog calls you, so you'll quickly come to realise whats worth what.
If you're looking at a car why not put a shout out on here, somebody may already know it or at least volunteer to go look at it with you. I'm by East Mids Airport so feel free to give me a shout if you spot something around here.
I wouldn't worry about 5 litre crank snapping if i were you,we here very little of it on here.If you would really like a 5 litre,but are paranoid about it,then get a late one with the crossbolted block and large journal crank,ie the 4.5 litre one.The 500's have better heating and ventilation,better cooling,and the old rule about 'the newer the model of tiv the better they get' still applies with Griffs.
Having said all that,i still think the pre-cat is the one to have,but thats due in part to the fact that i've had three 500 Tivs but no pre-cat!
I'd just love a pre-cat,there certainly is something about them
Having said all that,i still think the pre-cat is the one to have,but thats due in part to the fact that i've had three 500 Tivs but no pre-cat!
I'd just love a pre-cat,there certainly is something about them
barreti said:
If you're looking at a car why not put a shout out on here, somebody may already know it or at least volunteer to go look at it with you. I'm by East Mids Airport so feel free to give me a shout if you spot something around here.
If you are after a pre cat car, like I said in the other topic the 4.3Bv currently in the classifieds worth a look for sure, and in case I have Ingleby's report about it, if anyone is interested, contact me.. If a 500, the starmist blue which has been added yesterday is really great too, absolutly great condition and very big list of invoices in the last years to make the car perfect, both were on the top of my list, and I went to see the starmist even before it was advertised anywhere, the car had been pointed to me by somebody from this forum.
Tomorow, Rob Ingleby is gonna inspect the 3rd car I had in my top list, if nothing wrong it will be that one, but purely because in addition of a perfect condition it is at a bargain price, if not the 2 other can be bought safely, which is not the case of some other cars I ve seen....
Mey matt,
I have had 5 griffs in all, an early 4.3, a 94 500, 95 500, 97 500 and a 2000 500
By far the best build quality, ride, handling, and generally easiest to drive was the last one.
The fastest, by a clear margin, was the 97 car, which was badged 500HC, and had an uprated cam, and a few other bits and bobs( Shane at SFR Engineering looked after it). It had a mean streak, though and was lethal in the wet.
Coming out of a closed cockpit cerb, to you they will all FEEL faster than they actually are, particularly as the speedos are up and down like a tart's drawers!
Buy the latest one you can, and be very wary of cars with very low mileage(less than 1000 miles per year).
The other thing is price...................talk to a few people before making an offer on a car.
I have had a few chimaera's as well. They should not be dismissed, particularly the 450(actually 4.6). I did a huge mileage in one of these, and it never missed a beat. They also represent outstanding value for money. Mark Adams reckons the chim 450 is the best car TVR has made, and are very nearly as quick as any standard 500.
You probably know the foibles of the Cerb engines. The main problem on the RV8's is premature camshaft wear, with the 500's being particularly prone(25000 - 35000 miles being typical) and whatever you buy you should budget for this at some stage(1500+VAT for a good fix at Austec or Tower View Racing).
Anyway, I hope this helps.
I have had 5 griffs in all, an early 4.3, a 94 500, 95 500, 97 500 and a 2000 500
By far the best build quality, ride, handling, and generally easiest to drive was the last one.
The fastest, by a clear margin, was the 97 car, which was badged 500HC, and had an uprated cam, and a few other bits and bobs( Shane at SFR Engineering looked after it). It had a mean streak, though and was lethal in the wet.
Coming out of a closed cockpit cerb, to you they will all FEEL faster than they actually are, particularly as the speedos are up and down like a tart's drawers!
Buy the latest one you can, and be very wary of cars with very low mileage(less than 1000 miles per year).
The other thing is price...................talk to a few people before making an offer on a car.
I have had a few chimaera's as well. They should not be dismissed, particularly the 450(actually 4.6). I did a huge mileage in one of these, and it never missed a beat. They also represent outstanding value for money. Mark Adams reckons the chim 450 is the best car TVR has made, and are very nearly as quick as any standard 500.
You probably know the foibles of the Cerb engines. The main problem on the RV8's is premature camshaft wear, with the 500's being particularly prone(25000 - 35000 miles being typical) and whatever you buy you should budget for this at some stage(1500+VAT for a good fix at Austec or Tower View Racing).
Anyway, I hope this helps.
My 98 500 crank snapped at 42k miles, coincidentally immediately after a well known “tuner” had tinkered with it.
Based entirely on experience I would advise:-
Get a car with a standard, un-molested engine, they seem to be better before they are “tuned”
Get a car with decent after market dampers and bushes.
Buy Privately not from a dealer.
Based entirely on experience I would advise:-
Get a car with a standard, un-molested engine, they seem to be better before they are “tuned”
Get a car with decent after market dampers and bushes.
Buy Privately not from a dealer.
steve-v8s said:
My 98 500 crank snapped at 42k miles, coincidentally immediately after a well known “tuner” had tinkered with it.
I followed your thread 
steve-v8s said:
Based entirely on experience I would advise:-
Get a car with a standard, un-molested engine, they seem to be better before they are “tuned”
Not always Get a car with a standard, un-molested engine, they seem to be better before they are “tuned”
steve-v8s said:
Get a car with decent after market dampers and bushes.
If the car hasn't got them its not that difficult if you can work a spanner 
but agree if its the right car with them already fitted thats even better 
steve-v8s said:
Buy Privately not from a dealer.
Agreed & if you dont know what to look for you can get someone who does for a few 
rather than £££ burriana said:
dmax said:
Tomorow, Rob Ingleby is gonna inspect the 3rd car I had in my top list, if nothing wrong it will be that one, but purely because in addition of a perfect condition it is at a bargain price,
Not a kinda champagney oystery colour by any chance is it?
If it is, it ain't ''perfect condition''...........and it might be sold.
simonb9 said:
burriana said:
dmax said:
Tomorow, Rob Ingleby is gonna inspect the 3rd car I had in my top list, if nothing wrong it will be that one, but purely because in addition of a perfect condition it is at a bargain price,
Not a kinda champagney oystery colour by any chance is it?
If it is, it ain't ''perfect condition''...........and it might be sold.
No it is not, but it is still currently in the classified as well...
lazyitus said:
I contemplated this before I bought mine.
I decided on the 500. I just wanted the fastest standard Griffith available. Simple as.
If noise is your thing, there are exhausts, decats, etc. etc.
Get a 500 and make it noisier. Then uprate the cam or get a supercharger or something.
simple eh? And I'd never heard of the "snapping crank" thing until now so pretty rare I'd say.I decided on the 500. I just wanted the fastest standard Griffith available. Simple as.
If noise is your thing, there are exhausts, decats, etc. etc.
Get a 500 and make it noisier. Then uprate the cam or get a supercharger or something.
[quote=steve-v8s]My 98 500 crank snapped at 42k miles, coincidentally immediately after a well known “tuner” had tinkered with it.
Steve,
I know of only one crank to split....................... and it's on the floor in the office at Austec..............is that yours?
Very unlucky in any case.
Steve,
I know of only one crank to split....................... and it's on the floor in the office at Austec..............is that yours?
Very unlucky in any case.
I've heard stories of 500s breaking cranks - but actual examples seem thin on the ground (maybe that's why they broke...haha...). Wasn't there also an issue with bottom pulleys coming loose? Was that what led to breakage?
For my money it's a 4.3 which is why I have one in the garage. It's not like the 500s lack character, but I feel the 4.3 just has the edge in that department. The 500 though has the edge in the performance department. But given that on the road I'm probably getting nowhere near using max power 99.9% of the time, I went for character over power.
dmax that 4.3BV you mention is a puzzler. I agree it looks very tempting, but the owner raised a few hackles on here just after he'd bought the car by very boldy stating his was one of only 4 BVs produced. Then another 6 odd 4.3 BV owners came along and claimed the same thing! He's still asking more for it than it was advertised for prior to his buying it (from memory). There's nothing wrong with that - he obviously bought a bargain and to a diehard precat fan like me it looks sensational value for money at the moment, so I have to admit, at the present asking price, and given it's apparent condition and approval by Rob Ingleby I'm surprised it's not yet sold. Why's he selling it so soon after buying it?
For my money it's a 4.3 which is why I have one in the garage. It's not like the 500s lack character, but I feel the 4.3 just has the edge in that department. The 500 though has the edge in the performance department. But given that on the road I'm probably getting nowhere near using max power 99.9% of the time, I went for character over power.
dmax that 4.3BV you mention is a puzzler. I agree it looks very tempting, but the owner raised a few hackles on here just after he'd bought the car by very boldy stating his was one of only 4 BVs produced. Then another 6 odd 4.3 BV owners came along and claimed the same thing! He's still asking more for it than it was advertised for prior to his buying it (from memory). There's nothing wrong with that - he obviously bought a bargain and to a diehard precat fan like me it looks sensational value for money at the moment, so I have to admit, at the present asking price, and given it's apparent condition and approval by Rob Ingleby I'm surprised it's not yet sold. Why's he selling it so soon after buying it?
dmax said:
simonb9 said:
burriana said:
dmax said:
Tomorow, Rob Ingleby is gonna inspect the 3rd car I had in my top list, if nothing wrong it will be that one, but purely because in addition of a perfect condition it is at a bargain price,
Not a kinda champagney oystery colour by any chance is it?
If it is, it ain't ''perfect condition''...........and it might be sold.
No it is not, but it is still currently in the classified as well...
In that case, the seller might have been 'conservative' with the truth..........
simonb9 said:
dmax said:
simonb9 said:
burriana said:
dmax said:
Tomorow, Rob Ingleby is gonna inspect the 3rd car I had in my top list, if nothing wrong it will be that one, but purely because in addition of a perfect condition it is at a bargain price,
Not a kinda champagney oystery colour by any chance is it?
If it is, it ain't ''perfect condition''...........and it might be sold.
No it is not, but it is still currently in the classified as well...
In that case, the seller might have been 'conservative' with the truth..........
He's not the most helpful bloke I have to admit. I took the time last saturday to email him with a few simple but pertinent questions and he wrote back saying that he had several people interested and until i sold mine he'd rather not take the time to reply.
When i asked if he could just forward one of the emails that he had sent to one of the other enquirers that might give me some info, and pointed out that not having sold my last Griff didn't stop me buying the Ferrari ... he just replied that he had loads of calls and emails.
Oh well, good luck to him. If it wasn't as perfect as the ad says then he has saved me a long trip
VJJ said:
Steve,
I know of only one crank to split....................... and it's on the floor in the office at Austec..............is that yours?
There is a possibility that may be the crank from my car. Heard of one other 500 on here that snapped which I think also ended up there as well. Compared to the common engine problems discussed on the Tuscan forum it doesn’t seem that common.
The genuine “expert” on rover the rover V8 does agree that it is a known weakness. Opinion says the 500 crank is slightly weaker than it could have been but more importantly they were balanced on the flywheel and front pulley. In the event that the front pulley from a different engine is fitted the balance may be so bad as to cause failure.
They do make quite a loud BANG when they snap, but oddly the car still runs.
The small risk of this problem would not put me off. Having had both a 4l and 5l would always go for the 500, but as said before, one that has an un molested engine.
Very intersting, steve.
That's why Mark Adams reckons the 4.5(4.6) is the better engine.It is, i believe, balanced internally.
If you asked Austec to biuld you an engine from scratch to their ideal specification, it would be a cross-bolted 4.6 with a forged crank that would be the starting point.
I think John Eales starts at the same point.
That's why Mark Adams reckons the 4.5(4.6) is the better engine.It is, i believe, balanced internally.
If you asked Austec to biuld you an engine from scratch to their ideal specification, it would be a cross-bolted 4.6 with a forged crank that would be the starting point.
I think John Eales starts at the same point.
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