Speed Six - Anyone had a 2nd engine rebuild

[Diablos-666]

Hi,

Having been reading loads of threads regarding purchase tips on Tuscans, T350's, Sag's etc... saying look for one with a reputable engine rebuild.

Anyway, how many have required another re-build?

I understand that they had a lot of issues when they first come out of the factory but most of these would have been addressed when they needed re-building.

Is it safe to say if one has had a good re-build that they should then last a few miles (50k or more?)

Thanks

D

[stimshady]

Was speaking to a chap the other day - his T350 has done over 110,000 miles! and only had 1 rebuild around 60K... so i guess the answer to your question might be yes...

[dvs_dave]

Assuming the rebuild was done within the past 4 years or so by a reputable and still trading specialist.

[Targarama]

I have heard of some of the very early Speed Six engines needing more than one rebuild. Remember though that rebuilds can be for several reasons so a second rebuild may be a different problem (the factory rarely told people what was changed/fixed, the engine just came back to the dealer on a pallet). The later cars seem pretty solid so I wouldn't worry about it too much. Get the car checked by a knowledgeable garage, get a fresh MOT (emmissons is one thing that can give a bad engine away), and go for it! Cars with 40-50k miles on them will already be price-adjusted for the paranoid so you've got some spare pennies for a repair if needed.

BTW, with an engine like this, assuming it is used as god intended (and treated properly!!), I would expect to have it stripped and rebuilt every 50-60k anyway. Same goes for the Rover V8 and AJP V8.

[Daston]

My engine had a rebuild in December 2004 at TVR, however the bill dosnt say what they did, just full engine rebuild. Its now going in this winter for a new head with up dated bits as the stem seals are leaking.

So not sure if that counts as 2 or just 1 1/2

[TVRWazzock]

Sticking my neck out here

I have a 2002 Tamora and chose to have the engine completely stripped and rebuilt/upgraded from 3.6L to 4.0L with new parts and crankshaft etc, in 2007 by Richard at Dulfords. In that time I have done 19000 miles since, and the engine is running like a dream. I am confident that the rebuild will last for many thousands of miles to come and don't anticipate any re-rebuild in the foreseeable future.

Edited by TVRWazzock on Wednesday 12th May 17:35

[Diablos-666]

Thanks for your comments guys.

Please keep them coming, the more people to respond with their experiences the better.

[Gazzab]

Kevin the RO for S Yorkshire has had his S6 rebuilt 4 times I think! But it is a 2000 ish car and so may have had rebuilds before the quality was sorted.
I think you cant really EXPECT a rebuilt engine to do 50K but it is certainly improving the odds. Part of the problem is that not many TVRs get a lot of miles put on them and not many are every day cars (unlike when the cars were newer) so there are less rebuilds needed now and so it is not so easy to judge the success of the solutions provided?

[Basil Brush]

Quite a few of the very early cars needed more than 1 rebuild as the same crappy parts were being put back in during the rebuilds.

My July '00 car had 2 in it's first 2.5 years and 14k miles. The first was at about 8k for worn finger followers and then a second at the end of 2002 at 14k miles with a new updated head fitted due to a burnt valve seat. It's now done about 42k since the head replacement with no major problems (yet!)

[jonka]

Mine had a rebuild at 14500 miles in 2002 and just had a 2nd at 33000 miles but now should last.Hopefully that should be it now as all parts have been much improved .

[T66ORA]

I beleive the record is 6 yes 6 rebuilds on a very early Tuscan
The car belonged to a Pher/ ToG. Graham 666. He was good mates with "Whitey" who may pop in and comment? wacha Andy

[Hairy Cornflake]

I have a 2001, never had a rebuild.

Last time I had the head off there was no sign of wear on the cam or followers and plenty of adjustment left on the shims.

[Robertjp]

Had an 'apparent' full rebuild the year before i had it. It turned out that the work hadnt been done professionally and there were things missed / overlooked / IGNORED. The company who did it are a well known, well reputed garage.

Whilst they put in some good parts in the first build that were used in the second rebuild, the leaking stems seals, worn valve guides, bearing sets, piston rings, scavenge pump, engine block(!) etc etc all still had to be replaced by Str8 Six

I think you just need to be aware of early factory rebuilds (not saying they are all bad but there is variation) and be sure the company who did the rebuild have done a good job. i.e. call them and chat, they should have a record of the work done and be open and honest about it.

Rob

[Diablos-666]

So even though an engine might of had a rebuild its probably better to make sure / look for one that has had a post 05 rebuild (when quality materials were used) and preferrably by a reputable company i.e st8 six, tvr power, racing green?

Would a mk1 tuscan s engine be more fragile than just a "normal" tuscan engine? As its been tuned, re-borred would it be even more fragile?

[Robertjp]

Diablos-666 said:

So even though an engine might of had a rebuild its probably better to make sure / look for one that has had a post 05 rebuild (when quality materials were used) and preferrably by a reputable company i.e st8 six, tvr power, racing green?

Would a mk1 tuscan s engine be more fragile than just a "normal" tuscan engine? As its been tuned, re-borred would it be even more fragile?

Read my post again then see who i leave off my list
I would recommend a car thats had a TVR Power or Str8 Six rebuild

An 'S' engine wont be any more fragile than a standard engine, the failure modes are not typically related to 'S' or non S specific parts. I dont think the engines are fragile anyway, the factory just used inferior quality parts for far too long before realising what a mess they had created!

[Diablos-666]

Oh i see, got ya :wink:

I'm quite surprised by that really, read a lot of good things about them.

Well when i do finally come to buy i'll make sure the one i get has had a st8 six rebuild as i havent read a single bad comment about them.

With regards to driving a Tuscan, does it feel like a large car to drive? The bonnet looks so long as looks like it might be a pain to park?

One of the reasons i really like the T350 is that its a small car and more manageable around town.

[stimshady]

My T350 is an 04 plate and did 10,000 miles before the engine had a catastrophic failure, and it was then rebuilt/replaced in August 05 (by TVR i believe) so hopefully (touching lots of wood) it lasts for a while yet... 'new' engine done 13,500 miles so far... at my insured 5,000 miles per annum and an expected 60,000 miles out of the new lump, i should hopefully get another decade out of it before i need to visit one of the rebuild guru's...

[gilbo]

As already mentioned these engines are in virtual race tune and if treated correctly a rebuild at 50k is not bad going. Some go substancially longer. There's a T350 on here at 135k with only 1 rebuild. The key factor with ANY engine is mechanical sympathy....keep it maintained and warm it before extending it and all should be well. Many cossies and evos have had far more rebuilds at far lower mileages with a far bigger bill!
Hope all is well Diablo666

Gilbo

[Diablos-666]

Yes i agree mechanical sympathy is key, however when buying second hand you dont know how the owner has driven the car.

I think the answer to my question has been answered now. Just need to make sure when looking for a speed 6 engine that a re-build has been completed post '05 and by a respected rebuild guru.

hey Gilbo - i'm not too bad thanks hope your well, when you going to take me out for a spin then? :wink:

I also want to see your TVR engine coffee table - I would so have that in my house.

[gilbo]

I'll take you for a spin whenever best suits us both. Hopefully the sun is ready to put his hat on soon haha!
I have photos of my coffee table but I'm an idiot when it comes to posting them up! I'm toying with the idea of producing a few to sell as I've got 6-7 RV8 engines lying around!