4.3/4.5 big valve
Discussion
at first as i was buying the Griffith to keep it forever, an "original" BV car sounded interesting to find.
but...nobody really agree abut the numbers produced, probably more "factory" certificate have been printed than the number of cars ever produced, so, finnaly i came to the conclusion that it did not worth to bother...
but...nobody really agree abut the numbers produced, probably more "factory" certificate have been printed than the number of cars ever produced, so, finnaly i came to the conclusion that it did not worth to bother...
Before everything went pearshaped up in Blackpool they would, for a small fee, provide written confirmation of the provenance of the car, including if it was a factory BV or not.
So you may find some documentary evidence.
Some cars have engine numbers which end in a V which is supposed to indicate a BV engine. This isn't absolutely confirmed though.
The cars history may also provide a clue. Mine for instance has paperwork confirming its BV status and documents showing it used to carry the number plate A1 FBV (Factory Big Valve)
The only other real way to know is to get the heads off and measure the valves I think, but I'm sure someone else will add to this.
So you may find some documentary evidence.
Some cars have engine numbers which end in a V which is supposed to indicate a BV engine. This isn't absolutely confirmed though.
The cars history may also provide a clue. Mine for instance has paperwork confirming its BV status and documents showing it used to carry the number plate A1 FBV (Factory Big Valve)
The only other real way to know is to get the heads off and measure the valves I think, but I'm sure someone else will add to this.
I don't understand this, title lumps 430 & 4.5 BV's together and bandies about the figure 12, what exactly is it referring to?
Isn't it the 4.5BV that is exceedingly rare, the 4441cc (thereabouts IIRC) engine. Seems that it was much more like a race engine derivative put into cars at request/behest, certainly thought there were only a couple.
I would have thought there were quite a few more 430BV's, even discounting the accidental ones (LG's
), than the 12 mentioned?
Isn't it the 4.5BV that is exceedingly rare, the 4441cc (thereabouts IIRC) engine. Seems that it was much more like a race engine derivative put into cars at request/behest, certainly thought there were only a couple.
I would have thought there were quite a few more 430BV's, even discounting the accidental ones (LG's
), than the 12 mentioned?TVR 5.0's are extensively reworked RV8's in nearly all departments, don't ever think they are just a few bits slapped together That may apply to the 4.0 & 4.6's but you should realize that the other strokes require specific pistons & rods to match the crank throw, as well as all the different head / induction handiwork..
This concept that they are just tarted RV8's is utter rubbish when they have to built from ground up using essentially just about only the original block & head casting? New crank, rods, pistons, valves, seats, guides, springs... whats left of the Solihull product?
That may apply to the 4.0 & 4.6's but you should realize that the other strokes require specific pistons & rods to match the crank throw, as well as all the different head / induction handiwork..This concept that they are just tarted RV8's is utter rubbish when they have to built from ground up using essentially just about only the original block & head casting? New crank, rods, pistons, valves, seats, guides, springs... whats left of the Solihull product?
FlipFlopGriff said:
The problem with the paperwork from the factory is that they never knew which ones were original BV's and issued the paperwork anyway, so it's unlikely anyone will know the actual number.
I'm fairly confident mine is one.
FFG
As i stated, get your's (or anyone elses) engine number to TVR power, if they still have the engine build sheet it actually tells you what the engine was built as and lists the parts used to build it over stock rv8/rover.I'm fairly confident mine is one.
FFG
I did and its interesting to have.
spend said:
I don't understand this, title lumps 430 & 4.5 BV's together and bandies about the figure 12, what exactly is it referring to?
Isn't it the 4.5BV that is exceedingly rare, the 4441cc (thereabouts IIRC) engine. Seems that it was much more like a race engine derivative put into cars at request/behest, certainly thought there were only a couple.
I would have thought there were quite a few more 430BV's, even discounting the accidental ones (LG's), than the 12 mentioned?
Isn't it the 4.5BV that is exceedingly rare, the 4441cc (thereabouts IIRC) engine. Seems that it was much more like a race engine derivative put into cars at request/behest, certainly thought there were only a couple.
I would have thought there were quite a few more 430BV's, even discounting the accidental ones (LG's
), than the 12 mentioned?
Bad spend. 
I've never claimed mine's a BV.
It puts down good power and humongous torque for an old motor but nothing in the reams of paperwork I had with it suggests it's anything but standard. Well maintained, but standard.
RFC1 said:
griffdude said:
Some time ago when (a guy who works at TVRpower) was taking the heads off my Griff,he discovered they were ported BV heads. There was no record in the history file of my Griff being built with BVs..................
Guess it wasnt built with these heads then.....For example, my car was originally run by the doc for the Tuscan series. It turns out that it wasn't exactly std before I got my grubby paws on it. Let's face it, TVR is/was a small volume manufacturer therefore there is going to be a certain amount of fluctuation in production specification.
griffdude said:
RFC1 said:
griffdude said:
Some time ago when (a guy who works at TVRpower) was taking the heads off my Griff,he discovered they were ported BV heads. There was no record in the history file of my Griff being built with BVs..................
Guess it wasnt built with these heads then.....For example, my car was originally run by the doc for the Tuscan series. It turns out that it wasn't exactly std before I got my grubby paws on it. Let's face it, TVR is/was a small volume manufacturer therefore there is going to be a certain amount of fluctuation in production specification.
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