Are they always this bad??
Discussion
Bought a chim 500 in April 4 days after the engine failed needing a full rebuild (pistons, liners, cams etc. etc. )
Got it back on Monday done 350 miles in it this week running the new engine in not going above 4k rpm and the engines got another problem. a slight ticking from the top of the engine along with the a misfire almost sounding like its back firing into the top of the engine.
Any idea what the problem could be?
Got it back on Monday done 350 miles in it this week running the new engine in not going above 4k rpm and the engines got another problem. a slight ticking from the top of the engine along with the a misfire almost sounding like its back firing into the top of the engine.
Any idea what the problem could be?
Must say between you two, Chris 71 and a couple of others on here having suffered catastrophic failures recently on 500s there's quite a bit of bad luck to go around lately. 
However, having your engine expire again shortly after a rebuild is not bad luck - it's a clear sign of a major cock-up in the build - unless the driver specifically has been out to break the engine or asked for (and got) the cheapest possible repair against the builder's better judgement. It's not like the RV8 is an unknown quantity in any way or shape...
However, having your engine expire again shortly after a rebuild is not bad luck - it's a clear sign of a major cock-up in the build - unless the driver specifically has been out to break the engine or asked for (and got) the cheapest possible repair against the builder's better judgement. It's not like the RV8 is an unknown quantity in any way or shape...
900T-R said:
Must say between you two, Chris 71 and a couple of others on here having suffered catastrophic failures recently on 500s there's quite a bit of bad luck to go around lately.
However, having your engine expire again shortly after a rebuild is not bad luck - it's a clear sign of a major cock-up in the build - unless the driver specifically has been out to break the engine or asked for (and got) the cheapest possible repair against the builder's better judgement. It's not like the RV8 is an unknown quantity in any way or shape...
You can't blame builders for things like missing to engage the oil pump, or insufficient/unsuitable lubrication...However, having your engine expire again shortly after a rebuild is not bad luck - it's a clear sign of a major cock-up in the build - unless the driver specifically has been out to break the engine or asked for (and got) the cheapest possible repair against the builder's better judgement. It's not like the RV8 is an unknown quantity in any way or shape...
AFIK the most recent catastrophic failures have been with 4.6's & LS's, as well as plenty of 4.0's & 4.6's.. apart from Mooses 5 litre which seems to have some hidden glitch which TBH could happen with anyone...
There are a lot of service parts an RV8's that have been historically problematic, eg rocker arm pads / rocker shafts / sticky lifters... you can't really blame engine builders for getting caught out with those things either. You just thank God that it wasn't you and hope you are aware of all the pitfalls when collecting components to assemble ~ however often we see folks buying 'cheapest' stuff off ebay / britpart etc...
Have you any idea of the cost it would be for an engine builder to check every tolerance in an engine, engine builders are still subject to the 80/20 rule otherwise you could be faced with £10000+ labour bills just for stripping / inspecting / QA of your used parts before any real service started????
spend said:
You can't blame builders for things like missing to engage the oil pump, or insufficient/unsuitable lubrication...
AFIK the most recent catastrophic failures have been with 4.6's & LS's, as well as plenty of 4.0's & 4.6's.. apart from Mooses 5 litre which seems to have some hidden glitch which TBH could happen with anyone...
There are a lot of service parts an RV8's that have been historically problematic, eg rocker arm pads / rocker shafts / sticky lifters... you can't really blame engine builders for getting caught out with those things either. You just thank God that it wasn't you and hope you are aware of all the pitfalls when collecting components to assemble ~ however often we see folks buying 'cheapest' stuff off ebay / britpart etc...
Have you any idea of the cost it would be for an engine builder to check every tolerance in an engine, engine builders are still subject to the 80/20 rule otherwise you could be faced with £10000+ labour bills just for stripping / inspecting / QA of your used parts before any real service started????
... besides, they certainly did have off days at the factory.AFIK the most recent catastrophic failures have been with 4.6's & LS's, as well as plenty of 4.0's & 4.6's.. apart from Mooses 5 litre which seems to have some hidden glitch which TBH could happen with anyone...
There are a lot of service parts an RV8's that have been historically problematic, eg rocker arm pads / rocker shafts / sticky lifters... you can't really blame engine builders for getting caught out with those things either. You just thank God that it wasn't you and hope you are aware of all the pitfalls when collecting components to assemble ~ however often we see folks buying 'cheapest' stuff off ebay / britpart etc...
Have you any idea of the cost it would be for an engine builder to check every tolerance in an engine, engine builders are still subject to the 80/20 rule otherwise you could be faced with £10000+ labour bills just for stripping / inspecting / QA of your used parts before any real service started????
my 500 had covered only 28000 miles when, on a whim, I decided to supercharge it and - for belt & braces - make some internals improvements.
The week before the build began I took the car to TVR power for dyno. Nice smooth power curve, nice flat torque curve, 245bhp at the wheels, 270 torque atw (so a genuine 300bhp at the fly). By all accounts as strong and healthy a 500 engine as you'll ever see, way above average. BUT it was about to go bang.... no symptoms, no warning, could have gone at literally any time.
Here's a picture of my cam chain sprocket...... Jamie says it was simply poorly installed back in 98 at the factory...
ETA - weirdly, the cam (often considered a weak spot) was only showing the slightest beginnings of wear to one lobe - go figure !
So, to answer your question - yes, as a rule, they're all like that.
However - if you can face spending between £7k and £15k (depending on desired power output) across the engine, brakes and suspension, you'll end up with between 40 to 120 more horsepower than you started with, in a car that goes, stops, steers, rides and handles as it should.
Despite the pain of the expense, console yourself that, all in, it will still be good value for the performance achieved, compared to the alternatives.
Edited by Jammy Dodger on Sunday 31st July 10:38
Ribol said:
rofl:
Ummm, of course I've got no idea, I'm not a mechanic or engineer, never suggested otherwise !And come on Quinny, there's no comparison - yours looks brand spanking new compared to mine, which had covered 27% fewer miles...
So Jamie must've made it up, he hasn't got a clue when it comes to RV8s, obviously....
Those championship winning engines he builds, I guess he must just buy them in from Rob...
Edited by Jammy Dodger on Sunday 31st July 11:23
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