Time to spend lots of money!

[brakedust]

Well after 5 years of ownership and 60000 miles on her the time has come to invest some money back into the cerb over the comming months!

I think the engine is in need of a rebuild, the oil pressure is crap, I have changed the pressure relif spring etc. So its either the pump or the big end bearings (anyone heard of the pump's wearing out?)

So who is best to do a rebuild on my 4.5? With regars to price and quality, and how much am a looking at for a refresh?

I also need some new shocks as mine are looking very tired! So whats my best option there? I only really use her on the road, so I don't need any crazy racing setup.

Also while the engine is out what is best to get replaced? (the clutch is newish so that should be ok)

Cheers in advance people.

[ukkid35]

Andy at APM should be on your shortlist. As well as personal experience it is reassuring to hear his competition complementing him on his integrity.

[billy no brakes]

ukkid35 said:

Andy at APM should be on your shortlist. As well as personal experience it is reassuring to hear his competition complementing him on his integrity.

Andy is very good

[Gazzab]

APM best for price and quality for a refresh. I would guess you will need to budget £5k assuming drive in / drive out.
Shocks - what's your budget? Protechs seem the best value.

[PuffsBack]

My Cerb is sitting on new Gaz GHA's so not even GG Pro's. £500 for the set

To be honest it drives fantastic. I did the work changing them and Matt Smith setup the car. The springs feel a little soft for the track but for the road their pretty good. I doubt I would benefit on the road and at the speeds I drive to justify Nitrons etc.

Edited by PuffsBack on Monday 17th September 12:53

[brakedust]

Cheers gents, I have about 6k to spend all in, so 5k ish for a refresh and £500 would be about right, leaves me a bit for anything alse that crops up.

Is there anything that I shoud do while the engine is out?

[flyingdutchie]

Pick someone with happy customers on this forum. My car has to be fixed all over again and I am happy to be stil alive. The best advice I can give you. Good luck.

[anonymous-user]

Another vote for APM from me.

He's pretty easy to get to from Reading too. Deff worth a trip down there and have a chat over things with him.

[brakedust]

Ahh... Well unfortunatly I have moved to Aberdeen, so its a bit of a drive! But worth it for a good job!

[pulsarboby]

i bought a completely rebuilt engine from andy too (only done 500 miles in her as yet) but all is good so would highly recommend him also

[vroom]

brakedust said:

Well after 5 years of ownership and 60000 miles on her the time has come to invest some money back into the cerb over the comming months!

I think the engine is in need of a rebuild, the oil pressure is crap, I have changed the pressure relif spring etc. So its either the pump or the big end bearings (anyone heard of the pump's wearing out?)

So what do you class as low oil pressure on an AJP?

Cheers

[natben]

flyingdutchie said:

Pick someone with happy customers on this forum. My car has to be fixed all over again and I am happy to be stil alive. The best advice I can give you. Good luck.

Sorry to hear that dutchie, I followed your build and almost went the same way, even had a long chat with your builder, In the end I went for a rebuild with TVR Power as they had a proven track record and a good reputation and a warranty. I hope it all comes good for you in the end although I am guessing you are spending a whole lot more cash that you had bargained for to get what you wanted.

George

[gruffalo]

Jason at STR8SIX will do a good job and offers a bullit proof warrantee as well, very well respected by all that have used his services.

[brakedust]

vroom said:

So what do you class as low oil pressure on an AJP?

Cheers

I'm at about 30-40 psi on the motorway and about 10 at idle, changed the filter, pressure releif spring and piston and it has made no difference, she drives fine though so im a bit gutted to rebuild her, but I dont want to risk a big failure and have to spend more!

[gruffalo]

brakedust said:

vroom said:

So what do you class as low oil pressure on an AJP?

Cheers

I'm at about 30-40 psi on the motorway and about 10 at idle, changed the filter, pressure releif spring and piston and it has made no difference, she drives fine though so im a bit gutted to rebuild her, but I dont want to risk a big failure and have to spend more!

Have you put a proper test oil gauge on to see if the car one is reading correctly, surely best to do this first before rebuilding an egine that doesn't need it when it could be a £60 guage?

[brakedust]

I hear what you are saying, and I will look into it, but the low pressure oil light will flicker sometimes as well, and this comes from a seperate line so unlikely that both are off.

Has anyone had any experiance of the oil pumps wearing out? this was the only other thing I could think that could cause it.

[itsallyellow]

If your getting all this done it would be a shame not to go the 4.7 route!! Best engine I have driven! Call APM see if it's viable.

Mike

[brakedust]

Hmmm, well more power would be fun, how much is a 4.7 upgrade though? I would guess its going to cost me a lot more?

[anonymous-user]

brakedust said:

Hmmm, well more power would be fun, how much is a 4.7 upgrade though? I would guess its going to cost me a lot more?

More than your current budget for sure as there's a fair bit of additional work and replacement parts required.
I was VERY tempted when I took mine out too, heart wanted....head and bank account said otherwise! 400+hp plenty enough for my limited driving talent.

[DAVEY DEE]

Brakedust,re pump failures,my friends 4.5 did the same as you with the drop in oil pressure,next was the mil light.IIRC it was either the pump or a blockage to blame ,but the lack of oil cooked his crank journals( its all gobbledygook to me ).His is also being rebuilt as we speak.