How many miles has yours done?
Discussion
27k with 2 rebuilds. Would be more like 35k if it hadn't had so many "vacations" this last year.
I *would* expect the engine (assuming there were no inherent defects) to be good for 100k miles without *major* work. There are AJP Cerberas that have done it, and the S6 shouldn't really be any more stressed as a block. Lots of ifs and buts there, tho...
>> Edited by J_S_G on Friday 7th January 12:15
I *would* expect the engine (assuming there were no inherent defects) to be good for 100k miles without *major* work. There are AJP Cerberas that have done it, and the S6 shouldn't really be any more stressed as a block. Lots of ifs and buts there, tho...
>> Edited by J_S_G on Friday 7th January 12:15
J_S_G said:
I *would* expect the engine (assuming there were no inherent defects) to be good for 100k miles without *major* work. There are AJP Cerberas that have done it, and the S6 shouldn't really be any more stressed as a block. Lots of ifs and buts there, tho...
I suppose it depends so much on how the car is used. 100k of motorway miles cf 100k of weekend blasts and trackdays. What do you think would be a reasonable expectation for a mix of stop-start daily commutes and weekend blasts?
I've also heard people say that the AJP8 is a lot better engineered than the S6 (forged crank etc.) Not sure how true this is.
>> Edited by basil brush on Friday 7th January 17:39
basil brush said:
I suppose it depends so much on how the car is used. 100k of motorway miles cf 100k of weekend blasts and trackdays. What do you think would be a reasonable expectation for a mix of stop-start daily commutes and weekend blasts?
I've also heard people say that the AJP8 is a lot better engineered than the S6 (forged crank etc.) Not sure how true this is.
I doubt there's a Cerbera or Tuscan out there that could honestly put "Almost all motorway miles" on an Autotrader ad! Hell, even when I should take the motorway, I generally find excuses for A roads.
Agree that the AJP is probably a more robust design than the S6. But if they can hit 100k+ when treated well, and still be going strong, I'd expect a lot from even an S6.
Reasonably, given the performance of the car, the small build number built, etc. my thoughts have always been, regarding major engine work:
<40k, I'd be really p*ssed off (as I currently am), and grumble publicly (as I do)
40-60k, I'd grumble to the factory/dealer, but accept that that's the price you pay for the power
60-80k, I wouldn't grumble to anyone, but I'd still have hoped for a bit more, and think they should refine it a bit
80k+, I'd think that was perfectly reasonable for an engine of that performance
On TVR's website, they themselves put that the Tuscan was supposed to be a TVR that could be used everyday, etc. Assuming I get mine back this month, having it off the road for almost 6 months out of 9 does NOT count as every day (OK, so only 3 months of that was with S6 woes). One more engine gremlin, and I'll have them in court quicker than you can say "inherent defect", though...
As an aside, my 75,000 mile Rover runabout is putting out about 300BHP from a 2.2 litre engine. It's running sweet as a nut, the oil only needs checking once every few months, etc, etc, etc. And it's a damned sight cheaper than an S6 block... (just wish it didn't need a new clutch & gearbox)
simoncotton said:
What does everyone think is the live span of the Speed 6?
Think you'll need to clarify that a bit more...
Are we talking a lump from 2000, with 14,000 miles on the clock, that's yet to have a rebuild? (In which case I'd be betting that the odds are it'll have a seaside vacation for Easter...)
Or a brand new/just rebuilt engine that's run in properly, warmed up correctly, and driven regularly? (Which I'd probably give a 50k+ lifespan to, assuming that the new finger followers and valve guides are up to scratch).
J_S_G said:
basil brush said:
I suppose it depends so much on how the car is used. 100k of motorway miles cf 100k of weekend blasts and trackdays. What do you think would be a reasonable expectation for a mix of stop-start daily commutes and weekend blasts?
I've also heard people say that the AJP8 is a lot better engineered than the S6 (forged crank etc.) Not sure how true this is.
I doubt there's a Cerbera or Tuscan out there that could honestly put "Almost all motorway miles" on an Autotrader ad! Hell, even when I should take the motorway, I generally find excuses for A roads.
Yea but you know what I mean.
I'm using Porsches as a guideline. Air cooled 911s are looking at a top end rebuild around the 80k mark. 944/968s need cams/followers/head gaskets at anywhere from around 90k upwards. Given these cars are supposed to be bullet proof (

basil brush said:
J_S_G said:
basil brush said:
I suppose it depends so much on how the car is used. 100k of motorway miles cf 100k of weekend blasts and trackdays. What do you think would be a reasonable expectation for a mix of stop-start daily commutes and weekend blasts?
I've also heard people say that the AJP8 is a lot better engineered than the S6 (forged crank etc.) Not sure how true this is.
I doubt there's a Cerbera or Tuscan out there that could honestly put "Almost all motorway miles" on an Autotrader ad! Hell, even when I should take the motorway, I generally find excuses for A roads.
Yea but you know what I mean.
I'm using Porsches as a guideline. Air cooled 911s are looking at a top end rebuild around the 80k mark. 944/968s need cams/followers/head gaskets at anywhere from around 90k upwards. Given these cars are supposed to be bullet proof () I would have thought if a S6 could get close it would be reasonable given the comparative outputs. How do you think say an F360 would compare?
Where do you get the figure of 80K for air cooled porsches? I had one that did 200K and was still running fine. Frequent oil changes and gentle warming up make a big difference.
s2art said:
basil brush said:
J_S_G said:
basil brush said:
I suppose it depends so much on how the car is used. 100k of motorway miles cf 100k of weekend blasts and trackdays. What do you think would be a reasonable expectation for a mix of stop-start daily commutes and weekend blasts?
I've also heard people say that the AJP8 is a lot better engineered than the S6 (forged crank etc.) Not sure how true this is.
I doubt there's a Cerbera or Tuscan out there that could honestly put "Almost all motorway miles" on an Autotrader ad! Hell, even when I should take the motorway, I generally find excuses for A roads.
Yea but you know what I mean.
I'm using Porsches as a guideline. Air cooled 911s are looking at a top end rebuild around the 80k mark. 944/968s need cams/followers/head gaskets at anywhere from around 90k upwards. Given these cars are supposed to be bullet proof () I would have thought if a S6 could get close it would be reasonable given the comparative outputs. How do you think say an F360 would compare?
Where do you get the figure of 80K for air cooled porsches? I had one that did 200K and was still running fine. Frequent oil changes and gentle warming up make a big difference.
I was using sweeping generalisations of minimum expectations based on what I have read about 911 SC/carreras and 964s, along with what I have read/experienced of 944s. I know the later engines are a lot better but I hope the S6s will be after 20+ years of development.
I fully admit this could be uninformed crap.
>> Edited by basil brush on Saturday 8th January 00:52
43,000 miles, 2000 RR, more trips to Blackpool than I care to remember
Obviously, judging by the comments in this thread, I am a crap driver with no mechanical sympathy at all and dont deserve to own a TVR
Funny though, previously had a Chimaera, did 44,000 miles in 2.5 years, no problems other than a starter breaking down due to heat, and a coil die on the day I traded it in - and that was with track days, sprinting and living out on the street all year round - still sticking to the "engines will be fine if they are looked after" school of thought?
Graham
Obviously, judging by the comments in this thread, I am a crap driver with no mechanical sympathy at all and dont deserve to own a TVR
Funny though, previously had a Chimaera, did 44,000 miles in 2.5 years, no problems other than a starter breaking down due to heat, and a coil die on the day I traded it in - and that was with track days, sprinting and living out on the street all year round - still sticking to the "engines will be fine if they are looked after" school of thought?
Graham
Graham66 said:
43,000 miles, 2000 RR, more trips to Blackpool than I care to remember
Obviously, judging by the comments in this thread, I am a crap driver with no mechanical sympathy at all and dont deserve to own a TVR
Funny though, previously had a Chimaera, did 44,000 miles in 2.5 years, no problems other than a starter breaking down due to heat, and a coil die on the day I traded it in - and that was with track days, sprinting and living out on the street all year round - still sticking to the "engines will be fine if they are looked after" school of thought?
Graham
Exactly right Graham. The mechanical sympathy excuse is complete tosh. I cant see why TVR speed sixes would get any more or less owners who dont warm them up properly/thrash form cold etc than the equivlinat onwers of other high perfromance marks. It's amazing how folks still cling onto this arguement. Obviously it doenst help but I would summmise that engine neglect it's pretty much the same across the board for all high perfomance cars. cheers!!
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