4.0l, 4.3l or 5.0l which one?
Discussion
It does depend on how you like to drive though.
The 5 is stroked and has loads of big oomph low down but doesn't rev all that high.
The 4.3 pre cat revs higher and freer and you work the car to get the speed.
The 5 is faster but depending on how you like to drive the 4.3 can be a lot more fun.
The 5 is stroked and has loads of big oomph low down but doesn't rev all that high.
The 4.3 pre cat revs higher and freer and you work the car to get the speed.
The 5 is faster but depending on how you like to drive the 4.3 can be a lot more fun.
DonkeyApple said:
It does depend on how you like to drive though.
The 5 is stroked and has loads of big oomph low down but doesn't rev all that high.
The 4.3 pre cat revs higher and freer and you work the car to get the speed.
The 5 is faster but depending on how you like to drive the 4.3 can be a lot more fun.
The 5 is stroked and has loads of big oomph low down but doesn't rev all that high.
The 4.3 pre cat revs higher and freer and you work the car to get the speed.
The 5 is faster but depending on how you like to drive the 4.3 can be a lot more fun.
And better investment 4.3 pre -catI'm not so sure all 500s are faster than a good 430. Clearly biased, but when I test drove maybe a dozen cars the precat I bought was noticeably quicker than pretty much all the 500s I tried. I didn't try any 400 Griffs, but I'd expect them to be as underwhelming as the Chimp 400 I tried.
Were I to return to the fold, I'd be looking for decent 430 or 450, with one of the new 460s a close second. Not tempted by 500s at all, unless one of the last 100, but that's because of the other features, not just the engine.
YMMV.
ETA.
Just read the question. I rather missed the point didn't I? Sorry.
As V8 GRF said, the development was an ongoing process, so the later the MY, the less agricultural. Gearbox, switchgear and headlights are the obvious changes - much better in the 500s, headlights last 100.
Were I to return to the fold, I'd be looking for decent 430 or 450, with one of the new 460s a close second. Not tempted by 500s at all, unless one of the last 100, but that's because of the other features, not just the engine.
YMMV.
ETA.
Just read the question. I rather missed the point didn't I? Sorry.As V8 GRF said, the development was an ongoing process, so the later the MY, the less agricultural. Gearbox, switchgear and headlights are the obvious changes - much better in the 500s, headlights last 100.
Edited by LordGrover on Tuesday 22 November 10:02
I'm not sure there is much in it between a 5 and a 4.3 but only if the 5 still has its cats. De catted I think there is a clear difference.
The real difference is the brakes. The 5 had larger brakes. Better brakes beats quite a lot of extra horsepower in reality. But in some regard this can be countered by the fact that it is easier to get a 4.3 out of the corner quicker as you need to be a little more ginger on the throttle of a 5 due to that bigger lump of torque.
All in, I favour a 4.3 any day especially if all the other parts have been upgraded to 5 spec or better.
The real difference is the brakes. The 5 had larger brakes. Better brakes beats quite a lot of extra horsepower in reality. But in some regard this can be countered by the fact that it is easier to get a 4.3 out of the corner quicker as you need to be a little more ginger on the throttle of a 5 due to that bigger lump of torque.
All in, I favour a 4.3 any day especially if all the other parts have been upgraded to 5 spec or better.
I would definitely go for the 430 (biased I know as I have one)! It is a very sweet revving engine, and being a precat sounds glorious. Mine is plenty fast enough and I cannot tell any significant difference to a 500. On another plus note, there are a lot less 430 pre-cats therefore the value will tend to hold better (and will improve as time goes by). Have a drive of each and make your own mind up. Pete
DonkeyApple said:
I'm not sure there is much in it between a 5 and a 4.3 but only if the 5 still has its cats. De catted I think there is a clear difference.
The real difference is the brakes. The 5 had larger brakes. Better brakes beats quite a lot of extra horsepower in reality. But in some regard this can be countered by the fact that it is easier to get a 4.3 out of the corner quicker as you need to be a little more ginger on the throttle of a 5 due to that bigger lump of torque.
All in, I favour a 4.3 any day especially if all the other parts have been upgraded to 5 spec or better.
The real difference is the brakes. The 5 had larger brakes. Better brakes beats quite a lot of extra horsepower in reality. But in some regard this can be countered by the fact that it is easier to get a 4.3 out of the corner quicker as you need to be a little more ginger on the throttle of a 5 due to that bigger lump of torque.
All in, I favour a 4.3 any day especially if all the other parts have been upgraded to 5 spec or better.
I think it's true to say that a 500 is probably easier to drive faster on the road which may influence peoples experiences. The T5 box is a little more direct and the engine has more power lower down in the rev range relative to a pre-cat.
The BV's add another dimension in terms of power and value but are basically the same as a standard pre-cat in terms of drive.
The BV's add another dimension in terms of power and value but are basically the same as a standard pre-cat in terms of drive.
LordGrover said:
I'm not so sure all 500s are faster than a good 430. Clearly biased, but when I test drove maybe a dozen cars the precat I bought was noticeably quicker than pretty much all the 500s I tried. I didn't try any 400 Griffs, but I'd expect them to be as underwhelming as the Chimp 400 I tried.
Were I to return to the fold, I'd be looking for decent 430 or 450, with one of the new 460s a close second. Not tempted by 500s at all, unless one of the last 100, but that's because of the other features, not just the engine.
YMMV.
ETA. Just read the question. I rather missed the point didn't I? Sorry.
As V8 GRF said, the development was an ongoing process, so the later the MY, the less agricultural. Gearbox, switchgear and headlights are the obvious changes - much better in the 500s, headlights last 100.
Well if you had taken the time to drive a 4ltr Griff you may be entitled to be so condescending. As I have not had the privileged to dive a 500 Griff I would not feel I had the authority to comment on its performance or any other aspect such as low down grunt, brakes etc but I do have the common sense not to be so f**king arrogant and slate a car I have never driven!Were I to return to the fold, I'd be looking for decent 430 or 450, with one of the new 460s a close second. Not tempted by 500s at all, unless one of the last 100, but that's because of the other features, not just the engine.
YMMV.
ETA.
Just read the question. I rather missed the point didn't I? Sorry.As V8 GRF said, the development was an ongoing process, so the later the MY, the less agricultural. Gearbox, switchgear and headlights are the obvious changes - much better in the 500s, headlights last 100.
Edited by LordGrover on Tuesday 22 November 10:02
JT
Doesn't the fact that the chim's all had cats whereas all the 4.0 (and 4.3) griffs don't impact on that comparison? The mechanic who used to look after my 4.0 precat remarked once that it seemed quicker than his 4.0 chim....
Anyhow there's so much reported variability in individual TVRs (certainly after up to 20 years) that I think you've probably got to take each example in isolation!
Anyhow there's so much reported variability in individual TVRs (certainly after up to 20 years) that I think you've probably got to take each example in isolation!
Gozzy,
Personally, I think that its all down to ergonomics and noise! Which one would you prefer to sit in and listen too. I been lucky enough to have owned both 4.3 & 5.0(K666GRF & T50LTR)
The 4.3 sounds great but the interior is a bit kit-car ish(switch gear) , but the 500,s dash/interior is more modern and the exhaust note is slightly muted.
Performance shouldn,t really come into it, since its all about the sheer enjoyment that the car gives to you. Smiles per miles.
If I had to choose now, it would be a 4.3!
Personally, I think that its all down to ergonomics and noise! Which one would you prefer to sit in and listen too. I been lucky enough to have owned both 4.3 & 5.0(K666GRF & T50LTR)
The 4.3 sounds great but the interior is a bit kit-car ish(switch gear) , but the 500,s dash/interior is more modern and the exhaust note is slightly muted.
Performance shouldn,t really come into it, since its all about the sheer enjoyment that the car gives to you. Smiles per miles.
If I had to choose now, it would be a 4.3!
Just Trouble said:
LordGrover said:
I'm not so sure all 500s are faster than a good 430. Clearly biased, but when I test drove maybe a dozen cars the precat I bought was noticeably quicker than pretty much all the 500s I tried. I didn't try any 400 Griffs, but I'd expect them to be as underwhelming as the Chimp 400 I tried.
Were I to return to the fold, I'd be looking for decent 430 or 450, with one of the new 460s a close second. Not tempted by 500s at all, unless one of the last 100, but that's because of the other features, not just the engine.
YMMV.
ETA. Just read the question. I rather missed the point didn't I? Sorry.
As V8 GRF said, the development was an ongoing process, so the later the MY, the less agricultural. Gearbox, switchgear and headlights are the obvious changes - much better in the 500s, headlights last 100.
Well if you had taken the time to drive a 4ltr Griff you may be entitled to be so condescending. As I have not had the privileged to dive a 500 Griff I would not feel I had the authority to comment on its performance or any other aspect such as low down grunt, brakes etc but I do have the common sense not to be so f**king arrogant and slate a car I have never driven!Were I to return to the fold, I'd be looking for decent 430 or 450, with one of the new 460s a close second. Not tempted by 500s at all, unless one of the last 100, but that's because of the other features, not just the engine.
YMMV.
ETA.
Just read the question. I rather missed the point didn't I? Sorry.As V8 GRF said, the development was an ongoing process, so the later the MY, the less agricultural. Gearbox, switchgear and headlights are the obvious changes - much better in the 500s, headlights last 100.
Edited by LordGrover on Tuesday 22 November 10:02
JT
It does seem that way, judging by his post.
He also appears to struggle with English - I said "I'd expect them...", not they are. All he had to do was say in his experience they are better/different to a catted 400 chimp and maybe he wouldn't have looked so foolish. IMO.
FWIW, he may well not be a fool, but based on the evidence of said post I've formed that opinion.
He also appears to struggle with English - I said "I'd expect them...", not they are. All he had to do was say in his experience they are better/different to a catted 400 chimp and maybe he wouldn't have looked so foolish. IMO.
FWIW, he may well not be a fool, but based on the evidence of said post I've formed that opinion.
Buy on budget and condition, depending on how much effort you can put in to find the right one and what your personal tastes are ie colour combo.
As has been said an 'average' 5.0 will be more powerful than an average 4.3, 4.0 etc but very few cars will be 'average' therefore base your decision on para 1.
NB If you find a nice 4.0 and like the power/think it's quick, DON'T then go and drive a 5.0 .....
As has been said an 'average' 5.0 will be more powerful than an average 4.3, 4.0 etc but very few cars will be 'average' therefore base your decision on para 1.
NB If you find a nice 4.0 and like the power/think it's quick, DON'T then go and drive a 5.0 .....
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff