Worth a gamble or not?
Discussion
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
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
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;
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?
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?
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?
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. Love the Spiders. Really suit the Griff imho. Almost worth the cost of the 5-stud conversion.
Now. To pay
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.
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.
yonex said:
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.
That pretty much right on where I'd expect to see a Griff 500. I've got an Emerald on mine (for about 10years I think) & have had no electrical issues what so ever with it. However, these cars are much better when used & not sat standing.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.
The 5 stud hubs are good news as if you want to replace the pretty but chocolate like & relatively heavy spiders, there are some good wheels out there eg pro race 1.2s which are lighter & stronger.
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
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
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
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' 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
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!
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.
Cheers all.
Quiet in here
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.
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.
That JE engine looks great
New crank - ouch.
Wheels - have a search for the right offsets then approach somebody like wheelbase as they'll be able to suggest a package that'll fit. Custom offsets and bolt spacings are possible with some manufacturers, needs a decent wheels specialist to match you up with them.
Stat on mine was tvr parts, think it is probably standard. 82 degree rings a bell.
My Car now has ACT smooth bore induction and carbon trumpets- could I tell the difference? Nope. But along with the emerald ecu it's added 25-30 bhp onto a little 4 litre, plus the original spiral wound induction tube was squishing at high revs.
Looking good!
New crank - ouch.
Wheels - have a search for the right offsets then approach somebody like wheelbase as they'll be able to suggest a package that'll fit. Custom offsets and bolt spacings are possible with some manufacturers, needs a decent wheels specialist to match you up with them.
Stat on mine was tvr parts, think it is probably standard. 82 degree rings a bell.
My Car now has ACT smooth bore induction and carbon trumpets- could I tell the difference? Nope. But along with the emerald ecu it's added 25-30 bhp onto a little 4 litre, plus the original spiral wound induction tube was squishing at high revs.
Looking good!
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