Griff advice please
Griff advice please
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steve-V8s

Original Poster:

2,924 posts

270 months

Saturday 17th January 2004
quotequote all
Ok You Griff experts, advise me. I have given up on the idea of a Tuscan because I am frightened of the engine going pop so have decided to go for a Griff 500. Tried an un-modifed 1998 30k one yesterday and noticed a couple of things.

When driving at a constant speed with around 15-1600 RPM the engine seemed a bit ragged, under acceleration it cleaned up nicely, Is that normal and as a result of the cam profile ?

Throttle pedal seemed very heavy compared to my V8s making smooth operation a challenge. Clutch also heavy but can understand that.

Seat position seemed too low to comfortably use gear leaver, dealer said it was normal to raise the seat for a short ass like me, is that true ?

When was power steering standard, the 98 car I tried was without it, do you get used to not having it ?

Other than that, what a hairy beast to drive, back end wanted to be in front at the slightest provocation. Obviously needs to be driven with the greatest respect, did make me smile though.

Would appreciate your comments.

youngen

12 posts

267 months

Saturday 17th January 2004
quotequote all
I bought a Griff 500 before Christmas, and between 1000 and 2000rpm it was never that happy if you were only cruising along. The throttle peddle was also heavy on mine - although I did get used to it after about a week. Likewise with no PAS - a little heavy for parking but I think it feels fine when on the move - especially as they're that responsive that I never needed to use more than about 1/8th of a turn! I believe mine did have height adjustment on the seats but I can't be sure.

The reason I am unsure, and the reason I am referring to my car in the past tense is that mine did swap ends, I only had it 6 weeks and now its totalled - GUTTED. Waiting for insurance to cough and then I'm on the look out for another.

glena

362 posts

270 months

Saturday 17th January 2004
quotequote all
steve-V8s said:
Ok You Griff experts, advise me. I have given up on the idea of a Tuscan because I am frightened of the engine going pop so have decided to go for a Griff 500. Tried an un-modifed 1998 30k one yesterday and noticed a couple of things.

When driving at a constant speed with around 15-1600 RPM the engine seemed a bit ragged, under acceleration it cleaned up nicely, Is that normal and as a result of the cam profile ?

Throttle pedal seemed very heavy compared to my V8s making smooth operation a challenge. Clutch also heavy but can understand that.

Seat position seemed too low to comfortably use gear leaver, dealer said it was normal to raise the seat for a short ass like me, is that true ?

When was power steering standard, the 98 car I tried was without it, do you get used to not having it ?

Other than that, what a hairy beast to drive, back end wanted to be in front at the slightest provocation. Obviously needs to be driven with the greatest respect, did make me smile though.

Would appreciate your comments.


I haven't experienced any of the probs you mention Steve, my Griff runs well through the complete rev range and does'nt feel heavy on the throttle at all. By the way mines a 4.3 pre-cat so can't speak for the 500.It's driven with respect and also likes wiggling it's tail, that's part of the fun of driving it!!!


apache

39,731 posts

306 months

Saturday 17th January 2004
quotequote all
steve-V8s said:
Ok You Griff experts, advise me. I have given up on the idea of a Tuscan because I am frightened of the engine going pop so have decided to go for a Griff 500. Tried an un-modifed 1998 30k one yesterday and noticed a couple of things.

When driving at a constant speed with around 15-1600 RPM the engine seemed a bit ragged, under acceleration it cleaned up nicely, Is that normal and as a result of the cam profile ?


it is a common symptom and varies in iritabilty between cars, ended up binning the injection which sorted things nicely

steve-V8s said:

Throttle pedal seemed very heavy compared to my V8s making smooth operation a challenge. Clutch also heavy but can understand that.


ditto throttle but clutch is lighter than my Saab

steve-V8s said:

Seat position seemed too low to comfortably use gear leaver, dealer said it was normal to raise the seat for a short ass like me, is that true ?

When was power steering standard, the 98 car I tried was without it, do you get used to not having it ?


yes


steve-V8s said:

Other than that, what a hairy beast to drive, back end wanted to be in front at the slightest provocation. Obviously needs to be driven with the greatest respect, did make me smile though.

Would appreciate your comments.


smile hurts after a while

david beer

3,982 posts

289 months

Saturday 17th January 2004
quotequote all
Throttle mod is easy, remove one of the two springs on the throttle body. My clutch is a little heavy also, i just live with it.

simpo two

90,859 posts

287 months

Saturday 17th January 2004
quotequote all
steve-V8s said:
When driving at a constant speed with around 15-1600 RPM the engine seemed a bit ragged, under acceleration it cleaned up nicely, Is that normal and as a result of the cam profile ?


Same here (97 model sans felis). Crawling in traffic with neutral throttle it's not sure, but these things are designed to go, not crawl!

steve-V8s said:
Throttle pedal seemed very heavy compared to my V8s making smooth operation a challenge. Clutch also heavy but can understand that.


Mine seems OK - perhaps it's just the change from the V8S and you'll get used to it?

steve-V8s said:
Seat position seemed too low to comfortably use gear leaver, dealer said it was normal to raise the seat for a short ass like me, is that true ?


Due to the angle of the runners it will rise as you bring it forwards, but if that's not enough you can pack it up with spacers.

steve-V8s said:
When was power steering standard, the 98 car I tried was without it, do you get used to not having it ?


Yes, if you're a real man It needs a good heave when parking, but that's only the last 20 feet of each journey...

steve-V8s said:
Other than that, what a hairy beast to drive, back end wanted to be in front at the slightest provocation. Obviously needs to be driven with the greatest respect, did make me smile though.


Fair appraisal! It's the low-range torque that does it (unlike S6s which need 3,000,000 rpm)

jigs

1,840 posts

272 months

Saturday 17th January 2004
quotequote all
SteveV8S - I suggest you try a few - they're all different - I bet you'd feel more at home in a nice 4.3 precat.

mrmaggit

10,146 posts

270 months

Saturday 17th January 2004
quotequote all
I'd guess that the car hasn't been run for a little while. Wol is a b*****d after a week without running, but does smooth out after 30-40 miles. As for the clutch-what are you, man or mouse? Its got the best part of 300 bhp to take care of, go and practice hopping up stairs on one leg, young man! .

Power steering is for gurlies.

The grin is for everybody!

Buy the best you can afford. You will not be disappointed. See you at the Growl.

simpo two

90,859 posts

287 months

Saturday 17th January 2004
quotequote all
jigs said:
SteveV8S - I suggest you try a few - they're all different - I bet you'd feel more at home in a nice 4.3 precat.

The precats are easier to drive, IMHO, but if you've got the loot for a '98 500 and can get on with it...

shpub

8,507 posts

294 months

Sunday 18th January 2004
quotequote all
david beer said:
Throttle mod is easy, remove one of the two springs on the throttle body.

Two springs are fitted just in case a spring breaks and the throttle sticks open.

Mandatory for motorsport including sprinting. Having had a single spring break on a Vixen many many years ago... not something I would want to repeat.

RichB

55,146 posts

306 months

Sunday 18th January 2004
quotequote all
steve-V8s said:
Seat position seemed too low to comfortably use gear leaver, dealer said it was normal to raise the seat for a short ass like me, is that true ?
How tall are you Steve? I'm 5'9" and have had no problems in either my Griff 500 or my previous S3c. Perhaps the seat is a litte tired? Rich...

As regards other questions, I actually found non-PAS Griff lighter than the S3c, so am suprised you find it heavy compared to a V8S? I have no issues with drivability around 1,500 - 2,000 but it may just need a plugs/tune-up/drive. Rich...

simpo two

90,859 posts

287 months

Sunday 18th January 2004
quotequote all
RichB said:
I actually found non-PAS Griff lighter than the S3c, so am suprised you find it heavy compared to a V8S?

Geometry makes a massive difference, I've found. I drove another Griff almost the same as mine, and it was so much lighter I thought it had PAS. It didn't!