RND Engineering and my new Speed Six
Discussion
Having just returned from Devon with a new engine in my T350c, I thought I might report back with a slightly more positive view on RND Engineering. I have read with interest the trials and tribulations of others over the past 6 months, as I had put down a hefty deposit with Dave for what has turned out to be a new engine.
My previous engine had done 40k and had low compression on two cylinders - 1 looked like piston rings, the other valve guide problems. After talking to all the rebuild companies and visiting each workshop (except TVR Power although I spoke with Dom a few times), Dave at RND seemed to have the best technical knowledge and quality of product at the most competitive price. In addition, Chris seemed to know what he was doing putting the engine together. It's not an easy decision who to trust with your pride and joy, but I bit the bullet and handed over a deposit. As usual, the spec kind of grew with excitement so the final engine is a bit more than I budgeted for:
Reconditioned GT spec Cylinder Head
Manley Severe Duty Pro Flow Race Valves 8mm stems 41mm inlet valves 33 exhaust valves. (Standard Valves are 40mm in and 32mm ex)
New Meehanite valve guides
New Viton stem seals head assembled
New oil feed to exhaust side of head
Melling Design 360 oiling rocker arms
GT-SS Spec chilled iron cams profiled by Kent Cams GT Valve Springs.
Fully Ported Stage two specification
Head Refaced
Block Assembly
Four Bolt Mains Conversion stiffens and strengthens block
Rebored to fit new Ross Pistons
Block Refaced
Ross forged racing Pistons 3.83 inch bore = 4.1 Litre
Chrome moly piston rings fitted
Upgrade 4.0 litre crankshaft
Crankshaft 360 degree oiling Main bearings
Lightened by 2.5 Kgs and Race balanced by Basset Down Balancing I-beam lightweight Conrods
Set of new chains
New half time bearing
New jackshaft white metal bearing
New oil pump spigot bearing
New oil pump rotors
New rod bearings, and 360 degree oiling Main bearings Standard Size Thrust bearing 360 degree upgrade
All new gaskets and seals
Head Gasket Cometic LMS
New spark plugs
New oil filter
Supply 10 litres of Millers CSS 20/60 oil
Upgrade Omex 710 EMS System fitted and mapped included
Now I'll be the first to admit, I had to wait quite a longtime for the engine to come together - 6 months in fact while other people were ahead of me in the queue. However, my T350 was still running on the old engine (albeit not at full power) so it wasn't the worst summer ever!! We agreed that Dave would provide a refurbed head and block so the new engine would be absolutely complete before I went down and swapped engines over. I've put some pictures on taken at various stages through the build to give an idea of the work undertaken and quality of components - having spoken regularly to Dave, I've never had any issues with the engineering or quality of the rebuild, even if the timescales were a bit of a headache at times.
Given some health issues in the RND workshop (which I honestly wouldn't wish on anyone), it was proposed that Colin at TVRSSW down the road in Wellington would undertake the changeover. Colin is an absolutely top bloke, completely recommended and know's TVR's back to front. He's changed the engine out, which included a new clutch, slave cylinder, etc in just over a week and left the car/engine bay spotless - can't fault it or his service.
Picked up the car this morning, as promised, and need to run it for 1000 miles before it goes back down to Devon for the Omex system to be installed with a remap and Dyno. Given the spec (and expense) I can't wait to see what sort of power curve we see out of it!!. If it lives up to the engineering and effort that has gone into the design, it should be a cracking engine. For the moment, I can't take it above 3000 rpm but coming up the motorway it seemed very smooth but difficult to tell anything yet as the engines so tight.
So to conclude, whilst it taken sometime to get there, the new engine has been delivered as promised, installation has been straightforward and I'll post up the power figures once we have had it on the dyno.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/I4Anqprn.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/I4Anqprn" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/I4Anqprn.jpg)
My previous engine had done 40k and had low compression on two cylinders - 1 looked like piston rings, the other valve guide problems. After talking to all the rebuild companies and visiting each workshop (except TVR Power although I spoke with Dom a few times), Dave at RND seemed to have the best technical knowledge and quality of product at the most competitive price. In addition, Chris seemed to know what he was doing putting the engine together. It's not an easy decision who to trust with your pride and joy, but I bit the bullet and handed over a deposit. As usual, the spec kind of grew with excitement so the final engine is a bit more than I budgeted for:
Reconditioned GT spec Cylinder Head
Manley Severe Duty Pro Flow Race Valves 8mm stems 41mm inlet valves 33 exhaust valves. (Standard Valves are 40mm in and 32mm ex)
New Meehanite valve guides
New Viton stem seals head assembled
New oil feed to exhaust side of head
Melling Design 360 oiling rocker arms
GT-SS Spec chilled iron cams profiled by Kent Cams GT Valve Springs.
Fully Ported Stage two specification
Head Refaced
Block Assembly
Four Bolt Mains Conversion stiffens and strengthens block
Rebored to fit new Ross Pistons
Block Refaced
Ross forged racing Pistons 3.83 inch bore = 4.1 Litre
Chrome moly piston rings fitted
Upgrade 4.0 litre crankshaft
Crankshaft 360 degree oiling Main bearings
Lightened by 2.5 Kgs and Race balanced by Basset Down Balancing I-beam lightweight Conrods
Set of new chains
New half time bearing
New jackshaft white metal bearing
New oil pump spigot bearing
New oil pump rotors
New rod bearings, and 360 degree oiling Main bearings Standard Size Thrust bearing 360 degree upgrade
All new gaskets and seals
Head Gasket Cometic LMS
New spark plugs
New oil filter
Supply 10 litres of Millers CSS 20/60 oil
Upgrade Omex 710 EMS System fitted and mapped included
Now I'll be the first to admit, I had to wait quite a longtime for the engine to come together - 6 months in fact while other people were ahead of me in the queue. However, my T350 was still running on the old engine (albeit not at full power) so it wasn't the worst summer ever!! We agreed that Dave would provide a refurbed head and block so the new engine would be absolutely complete before I went down and swapped engines over. I've put some pictures on taken at various stages through the build to give an idea of the work undertaken and quality of components - having spoken regularly to Dave, I've never had any issues with the engineering or quality of the rebuild, even if the timescales were a bit of a headache at times.
Given some health issues in the RND workshop (which I honestly wouldn't wish on anyone), it was proposed that Colin at TVRSSW down the road in Wellington would undertake the changeover. Colin is an absolutely top bloke, completely recommended and know's TVR's back to front. He's changed the engine out, which included a new clutch, slave cylinder, etc in just over a week and left the car/engine bay spotless - can't fault it or his service.
Picked up the car this morning, as promised, and need to run it for 1000 miles before it goes back down to Devon for the Omex system to be installed with a remap and Dyno. Given the spec (and expense) I can't wait to see what sort of power curve we see out of it!!. If it lives up to the engineering and effort that has gone into the design, it should be a cracking engine. For the moment, I can't take it above 3000 rpm but coming up the motorway it seemed very smooth but difficult to tell anything yet as the engines so tight.
So to conclude, whilst it taken sometime to get there, the new engine has been delivered as promised, installation has been straightforward and I'll post up the power figures once we have had it on the dyno.
I wont turn this into a negative thread.Glad yours only took 6 months. I reckon you've prob got my old crank in your engine as mine was upgraded. Dont rush with the running in....there is still no sign of any Omex systems or harnesses.Chris said he was going to Omex Mon/tue the 16th 17th Sep to pay for 6 units and harnesses.Lets hope so eh.
Very glad you're pleased. My post would've been very similar to yours if it had only taken 6 months.I have no reason to doubt the engineering whatsoever.
Here's to getting the Omex fitted and putting up some good graphs.
Very glad you're pleased. My post would've been very similar to yours if it had only taken 6 months.I have no reason to doubt the engineering whatsoever.
Here's to getting the Omex fitted and putting up some good graphs.
My T350 is back in Devon with Devon Racing having completed the running in period on a RND complete rebuild, AS I steadily and carefully put on the miles I could feel the engine loosening off and coming to life. I am looking forward to picking up the car with the Omex fitted and mapped, I will post the figures and graph.
Don
Don
The omex alows live mapping shorter times on the rollers
And has knock sensing how ever omex advice against nock sensing
As all you are doing is masking a problem
Wiring harnesses are £650+vat and are not strate forward as iv found out
You could have one done on the cheap
But from what iv seen of a cheap one they are thrown to get her and would not last five mins
Made with off cuts of wire and spade connectors
That's it really
And has knock sensing how ever omex advice against nock sensing
As all you are doing is masking a problem
Wiring harnesses are £650+vat and are not strate forward as iv found out
You could have one done on the cheap
But from what iv seen of a cheap one they are thrown to get her and would not last five mins
Made with off cuts of wire and spade connectors
That's it really
As previously mentioned it would be a shame to turn this in to a negative post about a well known supplier, however i am surprised the company concerned have never once tried to defend themselves
on here I know i would if there were inaccurate accounts about my company,s workmanship floating around
on here I know i would if there were inaccurate accounts about my company,s workmanship floating around
I think the question you have to ask is
How do companies deal with complaints
How fast they turn the products round
What do you get for your money
How is uh car going to be returned
Is it going to be finished
Is it going to be complete
Have you got what you have paid for
Should some thing go wrong has the compainie got the funds to put it right
These questions relate to all companies
Not just the one in question
Before any one has a pop at me
How do companies deal with complaints
How fast they turn the products round
What do you get for your money
How is uh car going to be returned
Is it going to be finished
Is it going to be complete
Have you got what you have paid for
Should some thing go wrong has the compainie got the funds to put it right
These questions relate to all companies
Not just the one in question
Before any one has a pop at me
I guess when we are talking about this particular TVR franchise we are not talking about the other provider that has had a lot of recent negative press. If it was really easy to pick the correct provider we would all get it right the first time and only have positives to discuss, welcome to the real World!
Don
Don
Gassing Station | Speed Six Engine | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff