Aussie TVR450SE
Discussion
Hi all,
I've been fortunate enough to have bought the only known 450SE imported to Australia (2004). It's got a lot of history which I'm going through now.
Main changes from original are: RPI 4.6 ltr short motor, Piper 285 cam, Haltech sprint 500 EFI, Uprated brakes (Princess Calipers with slotted fronts, and a roll bar. Paint looks original. The hood used to be black and will likely end up that way again.
I recall Gandalf on here was putting together info on these cars, or is that ancient history now?
Just getting her ready for registration as she came from interstate.
I will need a new windscreen as the shippers kindly cracked it but that's another story. Here's a pic, washed but no polish on her, yet.
I've been fortunate enough to have bought the only known 450SE imported to Australia (2004). It's got a lot of history which I'm going through now.
Main changes from original are: RPI 4.6 ltr short motor, Piper 285 cam, Haltech sprint 500 EFI, Uprated brakes (Princess Calipers with slotted fronts, and a roll bar. Paint looks original. The hood used to be black and will likely end up that way again.
I recall Gandalf on here was putting together info on these cars, or is that ancient history now?
Just getting her ready for registration as she came from interstate.
I will need a new windscreen as the shippers kindly cracked it but that's another story. Here's a pic, washed but no polish on her, yet.
You're not wrong Mark, CEVA logistics. My advice would be to check their online reviews if anyone is considering using them. It will show how they behave when things go wrong. I used them before and nothing went wrong, so it was all good, but this one isn't over yet.
Luckily the crack isn't line of sight so it won't stop me registering the car but I will be replacing it with the genuine article to the extent that still exists. Guessing there will be lots on here about sourcing and fitting them, and I can see two companies online that claim to supply.
Luckily the crack isn't line of sight so it won't stop me registering the car but I will be replacing it with the genuine article to the extent that still exists. Guessing there will be lots on here about sourcing and fitting them, and I can see two companies online that claim to supply.
Here we go... the first challenge. I investigated a fuel smell and found that someone had helpfully put two self tappers through the sloping body panel behind the passenger seat (RHD). What's on the other side? The nearside fuel tank.. So I have either one of probably two small holes in the tank.
Rather than use a fuel tank repair kit, I want to do it properly and take the tank out and get it repaired. I'll do the fuel hoses and probably the swirl pot at the same time.
Can I get the tank out without disturbing the A frame? Exhaust just unbolts and I can also take out the tie rod. Does it fit past the wheel hub etc? I can see one post that says it does but can someone confirm please?
Cheers guys.
Rather than use a fuel tank repair kit, I want to do it properly and take the tank out and get it repaired. I'll do the fuel hoses and probably the swirl pot at the same time.
Can I get the tank out without disturbing the A frame? Exhaust just unbolts and I can also take out the tie rod. Does it fit past the wheel hub etc? I can see one post that says it does but can someone confirm please?
Cheers guys.
When I was stripping my seac I could not get the OS tank out at all without lifting the body, the tank tube / extension part that the filler connects too I found to be too long meaning the main tank fouled the central chassis as I tried to get it out. Being a seac it maybe different but it’s and early one so similar chassis to most wedges. On the plus side, the NS came straight out no issues lol
Okay so the NS tank definitely come out, but I had to remove the wheel, remove two sections of exhaust system, disconnect the driveshaft to free the exhaust, then there's loads of room to take the tank out. No need to remove tie rod. So here's the damage to the tank: [url]
Edited by 440Interceptor on Sunday 30th September 12:20
440Interceptor said:
Okay so the NS tank definitely come out, but I had to remove the wheel, remove two sections of exhaust system, disconnect the driveshaft to free the exhaust, then there's loads of room to take the tank out. No need to remove tie rod. So here's the damage to the tank: [url]
That is just plain bizarre...Anyone who knows a Wedge would know the tanks sit behind there....plus you can see them if you look under the rear wheel arches...
I guess one consolation is that you dont need to look for leaks in the tank ..you can hardly miss them...
Hi,
Just sent you an email, was me that imported into WA. Looks in good nick, wheels have been painted which looks great IMO.
Wasn't me that put the holes there !
Still have a piston from the original engine on a shalf in my garage as a momento - that is the piston with a big chunk out the top which necessitated the engine change ! Had the unmarked new block stamped with the original engine no in order not to have any registration issues.
Any queries feel free, glad its found a good home.
Just sent you an email, was me that imported into WA. Looks in good nick, wheels have been painted which looks great IMO.
Wasn't me that put the holes there !
Still have a piston from the original engine on a shalf in my garage as a momento - that is the piston with a big chunk out the top which necessitated the engine change ! Had the unmarked new block stamped with the original engine no in order not to have any registration issues.
Any queries feel free, glad its found a good home.
mrzigazaga said:
440Interceptor said:
Okay so the NS tank definitely come out, but I had to remove the wheel, remove two sections of exhaust system, disconnect the driveshaft to free the exhaust, then there's loads of room to take the tank out. No need to remove tie rod. So here's the damage to the tank: [url]
That is just plain bizarre...Anyone who knows a Wedge would know the tanks sit behind there....plus you can see them if you look under the rear wheel arches...I guess one consolation is that you dont need to look for leaks in the tank ..you can hardly miss them...
Doesn't really matter, I'm looking on the bright side, it could have been the driver's side tank!
Tank has been repaired,I've refitted it and replaced all of the fuel hoses while I was in there.
Moving right along, front suspension. Left lower shock absorber retention bar to be precise - this doesn't look right!
I'll jack up the arm and remove the shocker tomorrow, but the bar should have two holes to take bolts that go through holes in the lower suspension arm from memory. This looks like someone has turned the hole in the bar into a slot on one side, or the bolt has worn the hole massively.
According to the receipts, Gaz shocks were purchased, and presumably fitted, 7000 mils ago in 2012.
Moving right along, front suspension. Left lower shock absorber retention bar to be precise - this doesn't look right!
I'll jack up the arm and remove the shocker tomorrow, but the bar should have two holes to take bolts that go through holes in the lower suspension arm from memory. This looks like someone has turned the hole in the bar into a slot on one side, or the bolt has worn the hole massively. According to the receipts, Gaz shocks were purchased, and presumably fitted, 7000 mils ago in 2012.
Well here's one bar off, and the offside is the same. The centres of the holes in the lower wishbone are 88-89mm. which I hope is standard. They look exactly like to ones off my 280. so why the need to do this? Not sure if the end has been ground off or broken, but the slot seems to have been widened slightly and that may have caused the end to break off.
I'll need to contact Neil at ML to see if i can get some new bushes/bars sent out.
Edit, MLperformanceparts doesn't seem to exist any longer, got new parts from Larkspeed instead.
I'll need to contact Neil at ML to see if i can get some new bushes/bars sent out.
Edit, MLperformanceparts doesn't seem to exist any longer, got new parts from Larkspeed instead.
Edited by 440Interceptor on Friday 5th October 16:07
Having showed my son this thread he recalls there being a fire extinguisher in a bracket behind the passenger seat 
Edited to add just came across an old picture and actually the bracket was dead centre between the seats and at the lowest point of the sloped bulkhead so the extinguisher was almost stitting on the transmission tunnel. Seems like it wasn't me after all !
Edited to add just came across an old picture and actually the bracket was dead centre between the seats and at the lowest point of the sloped bulkhead so the extinguisher was almost stitting on the transmission tunnel. Seems like it wasn't me after all !
Edited by chunder on Friday 12th October 17:57
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