Piston options for the 500's?

[TVR Beaver]

I have a slight chatter on overrun at about 1400 RPM and its been suggested that it may be piston related?.. not that its causing any problems and I know at least 50% of the 500's make the same noise after a certain number of miles.....
But, I was thinking this winter I may have the engine out and have a play...
I waswondering what options are available as I don't want to stray too far from std but wondered if forged pistons for example would be better??... if so, will the existing con-rods fit them etc etc...
Any advice appreciated as yet again the search does not want to play... Cheers..

[clive f]

have a chat with rob from v8developments for some expert advice

[TVR Beaver]

Yes.. I was going to... Not seen him on here much of late?

[Pupp]

My experience, having used forged pistons from a variety of sources on bikes over the years is that they tend to be noisier than modern cast ones... Bit of a generalisation but forgings have a different shape and required bigger clearances due to their expansion characteristics. Also were heavier, which can cause issues. If good hypereutectic cast are available (and if the originals need changing) that would be my choice...

[TVR Beaver]

I wonder what quality the originals are?.. 1999 vintage.. and if TVR used a few types??

Also, £300 a set from Power.. are these good quality units??

Edited by TVR Beaver on Wednesday 20th June 09:45

[Simon says]

Pupp said:

My experience, having used forged pistons from a variety of sources on bikes over the years is that they tend to be noisier than modern cast ones... Bit of a generalisation but forgings have a different shape and required bigger clearances due to their expansion characteristics. Also were heavier, which can cause issues. If good hypereutectic cast are available (and if the originals need changing) that would be my choice...

<This, not known many people totally happy with Forged always presumed the 500 TVR used piston were modded RR 4.2 cast jobbies anyway Beaver

[TVR Beaver]

Mmm.. may be an option to get std ones and zip a bit off the skirt in the lathe?... if sticking with cast ones I wonder what make the Power ones are and if they are the best??

[steve-V8s]

Discussed here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[TVR Beaver]

I'll have to read that a few times then so it all goes in... but great link all the same... will have another read tonight cheers...

[TVR Beaver]

Okay.. had a re-read now... and its clear from this that std pistons are where we should be

Did wonder if anyone had any more thoughts on the over-run chatter on the 500's.. may be worth posting on the 'engine' forum...

Cheers

[Chilliman]

TVR Beaver said:

Okay.. had a re-read now... and its clear from this that std pistons are where we should be

Did wonder if anyone had any more thoughts on the over-run chatter on the 500's.. may be worth posting on the 'engine' forum...

Cheers

Mine doesn't do it any more John. Can't say if the forged pistons are noisier than standard as the CF plenum doesn't insulate sound as well as the original plenum so it's noisier than it was before anyway. In a nice way that is CF triple plenum will be coming off soon anyway, I'm in the process of buying a supercharger

[TVR Beaver]

Mmmm.. how much for it (if you want to sell it)... Its ment to be a good upgrade.
.
yes.. still chattering .... I actualy put some Millers 15/50 fully synthetic in it last week before doing 1200 miles to LeMans having removed 10/40 Semi synthetic.... and it made the noise worst!!!....
Mind you, you can tell the fuuly synthetic is very slippery if you rub the two between your fingers...
The noise must be something floating slightly... not oversize on a small end bore or anything.. but more allowed to move sideways and rattle???
Anyways.. yours is sorted now... how are you getting on with the V8D lump...
any issues?....

[Chilliman]

TVR Beaver said:

Mmmm.. how much for it (if you want to sell it)... Its ment to be a good upgrade.
.
yes.. still chattering .... I actualy put some Millers 15/50 fully synthetic in it last week before doing 1200 miles to LeMans having removed 10/40 Semi synthetic.... and it made the noise worst!!!....
Mind you, you can tell the fuuly synthetic is very slippery if you rub the two between your fingers...
The noise must be something floating slightly... not oversize on a small end bore or anything.. but more allowed to move sideways and rattle???
Anyways.. yours is sorted now... how are you getting on with the V8D lump...
any issues?....

Hi John, engine has performed faultlessly, plenty of torque but very progressive so it doesn't suddenly bite, power delivery is very smooth, engine spins up very quickly, and throttle response is very very impressive, particularly between 4.k and 6.25k. Self imposed red line at 6.5k (rarely used) and limiter cuts in at 6.7k. Some controversy over running the SC with my CR (10.5:1) and rather hairy cam but the man says this will not be a problem, however I'm keeping the triple until I'm 100% sure the SC and the engine work well together without further expensive mods I have no idea what power to expect with the SC other than I'm led to believe it'll be somewhere North of 400

[TVR Beaver]

Best of luck with that then... I'd love a SC as I've been in one and they are wicked!.. mind you, it did rive the diff out of the mounts at one point!....
sounds fantastic all the same.. have fun !!