Worth a gamble or not?

Worth a gamble or not?

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Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Sunday 9th July 2017
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Steve_D said:
Rust Buster.

Steve
Thanks Steve. I'll grab some and see how it goes.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
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So, I officially own a Griff! Spoke to the engine guy today and it's very exciting. It's actually coming together much faster than i thought, we might have it rolling in 4 weeks.

Had a chat about clutches. Is the AP the only decent option?



Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 14th July 11:28

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Saturday 15th July 2017
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griffdude said:
Interesting looking Griff. Someone has previously spent ££££ on this car shown by the 5 stud hubs & lower dash panel. Shame it's condition has been in decline. However, good on you for rescuing it.
Hi, can you expand, is it Levan stuff fitted? It's looking quite healthy now. Today we found the original lights, I really want those back on. The rear quarter of the Griff is such a classic shape to my eyes, it needs nothing!

Another question for anyone?

Lining up the door seals. There's an uneven gap, the passenger side is decent but drivers has too much clearance. Is there a trick to this?

Engine spec ;

  • Block machined for top hat liners
  • New crank
  • New pistons
  • Steel rods
  • Fast road cam, torque, idle and driveability over all out output
  • Heads cleaned up
  • Recut the valves
  • Clutch, probably
It'll be broken in on the dyno and we're expecting 15-20HP over stock with much better torque.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 15th July 19:16

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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griffdude said:
Looking at the interior picture, pretty much all of it has had a Leven component substituted & the gear lever gaiter too.
Thanks!

The original rear lights have been found and the bills indicate that the seats were re-trimmed by a chap in Blackpool. I'm looking forward to getting the file and going through everything.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Monday 17th July 2017
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lockhart flawse said:
Your green looks very close to mine. Chiltern Green with parchment interior. Pics on the Griffith500 se website. No 38.

They're Aston colours.
The paintwork mystery has been solved by Surface and Design. It's Malachite green. They'll be quoting on re-fitting the original lights.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
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So, got a quote to fit the stock lights. Question for you all. Exactly what sort of value is there in standard vs non. Right now I'll leave it as it's a. unnecessary and b. I want to drive it in what's left of summer.

Do non standard lights reduce the value 'that' much?

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
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I'll put pictures up. It's the rears. I have four individual lights rather than standard. However, I have the original 500 rear lights as well.

I guess it's a personal thing. For the price quotes I'm thinking it's not worth it. To make it original is a stretch anyway, and always a road to ruin smile

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Saturday 5th August 2017
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So spent today looking at various things. The quote for the lights was, and I use this word carefully, astronomical. It seems a constant thing with some of the people I talk to in that whilst they are highly knowledgeable and skilled their pricing is fit more for something exotic. I'm learning to be way more practical!



I'm not sure what manufacturer these are, regardless of the aesthetic they are well made and despite fears a lot of damage had been done fitting them, it appears not. A local chap who has worked on TVR's for years was a chance meeting. Behind the lights the original returns are there, I have the original lights so they are going back for sure.

The exhaust is just a modified standard part. I'll get somewhere to fabricate the tips and that's the issue solved,

We're thinking next week for the engine to be on the dyno, so fingers crossed it all goes well. Lots of little jobs to do in the meantime, a good friend is helping out massively, top bloke.

Not sure I mentioned it but the private plate is staying now, all the docs are ready here to complete. Seeing her today again was great, such a pretty car and it'll be a wrench to see her go soon.

It'll make a very nice car for someone.

Some questions;

  • Good heatshielding for the bonnet, any recommendations?
  • Badge refurb. The resin has come away, paint it and polish or send away for more resin?
  • Bonnet stay, best solution currently?
Thanks guys, more soon smile



anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Wednesday 9th August 2017
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Just got word that the engine is on the dyno, really looking forward to the results and more importantly getting it back into the car.

Turns out the clutch was on its very last legs and was on the limit for the torque of the new motor. More expense but better now than having to pull it all apart again.

Another Q. Is it worth bracing the clutch arm?

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Wednesday 9th August 2017
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mk1fan said:
The light fittings look like Hella.

Love the Spiders. Really suit the Griff imho. Almost worth the cost of the 5-stud conversion.
I like them as well, I know originality is key for some but each to their own. The engine went well today, sounds like some decent numbers and a nice spread of torque.

Now. To pay biggrin

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Thursday 10th August 2017
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So the results.

290HP/336lbs/ft

The torque curve looks good to me, holds 300lbs/ft from just over 2000 RPM. Should be an awesome road engine in something weighing this little. The top end is all still stock. Have had some thoughts about an Emerald as they did a great job on the Caterham but I learnt my lesson previously chasing numbers for the sake of it, and the financial penalty for doing so!

Happy bunny.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Thursday 10th August 2017
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andy43 said:
If the car is running well I wouldn't bother changing the ecu system. Emerald on mine - it's great - but if it ain't broke...
Those lights - I thought they would be lexus style lights in the original recesses - I'm guessing to get the back end back to original would be getting on for four figures, probably more including paint - I'd keep 'em!
Anyway, your rear end could be a lot worse.. here's mine hehe
I love the look of the standard car, I have a decent guy who's looking at it. You wouldn't believe the quote I had, but it was four figures and didn't start with a '1' biggrin

My plans all along have been to make the engine bullet proof, spend what's needed. The rest is really good to be honest. I like the spiders, don't care about the weight really, it's not a track car at the end of the day. Really excited about hearing the old girl again. She's been dead for 4 1/2 years, about time she had some fun!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Friday 11th August 2017
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So, i have been trawling the forum for wheels. With a 5 stud conversion the wheels I like (well I like the spiders) are limited. The Compomotives look nice (5 spoke). Not sure about the Team Dynamics, although I like their stuff. Does anything from Oz fit work with the offset?

Cheers all.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Monday 14th August 2017
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Engine back tomorrow!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Tuesday 15th August 2017
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Very pleased it's back. Looks like a different engine, which it is really. A few jobs to sort out now.



Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 15th August 15:43

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Tuesday 15th August 2017
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Question for you all. What thermostat is the right one to use. Standard fit or a.n.other?

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Tuesday 15th August 2017
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The shrapnel

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anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Saturday 19th August 2017
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Quiet in here smile

So. The engine is in! Looking forward to catching up the it tomorrow. Spoke to ACT, really nice guy, looking at a new filter as the current one is well past its sell by date. We discussed some sensible mods and I'm quite keen on the smooth induction hoses and KN filter, he also highly recommend the carbon inlets to replace the standard stacks. Exhaust will be a cherry bomb when it's finally swapped, the current one isn't great but it'll do for now.

Nearly there.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Friday 25th August 2017
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It runs. No, it's not sickly, just burning off all the oil etc on the manifolds!


anonymous-user

Original Poster:

55 months

Friday 25th August 2017
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ACT intake, looks way better.