T350 - the truth

[JAPES]

Go on...help me out. How bad is the reliability of that engine ? I don't think I can live without one...but I feel like I'd be better off with that trusty old Rover V8 up front instead. I need the truth.

[k77-widow maker]

mungo said:

Read JSG's survey... Personally I wouldn't touch a speed 6 engine after reading how many people on here have had numerous engine rebuilds on minuscully low mileage

Ditto! And i'm really concerned about buying a Cerb with the AJP

[chris watton]

The majority of the S6 engines in the survey are 4ltr versions, there are not too many S6 3.6 engines that have failed, although I guess we all live with the spectre of our engines going kaput, but, you only live once,,, and am not really a 'What if' person, and with that in mind, I have enjoyed my newer TVR a LOT more than the Chim 450 I had

[nickfb1]

chris watton said:

The majority of the S6 engines in the survey are 4ltr versions, there are not too many S6 3.6 engines that have failed, although I guess we all live with the spectre of our engines going kaput, but, you only live once,,, and am not really a 'What if' person, and with that in mind, I have enjoyed my newer TVR a LOT more than the Chim 450 I had

My sentiments exactly, wont know for sure but majority of cars post mid02 seem much better since the mods. Again this car is so much better than the previous Chim, and my mate is changing his griff to one as its characteristics on the road are much improved.

[ChimBungee]

chris watton said:

I have enjoyed my newer TVR a LOT more than the Chim 450 I had

That's interesting, what made you enjoy it more? The handling, the power?

I've got my Chim 450 for a month now and I'm already addicted to that V8 sound which I think was the major showstopper if I ever wanted to part with it to move up the TVR ladder.

[chris watton]

ChimBungee said:

chris watton said: I have enjoyed my newer TVR a LOT more than the Chim 450 I had That's interesting, what made you enjoy it more? The handling, the power? I've got my Chim 450 for a month now and I'm already addicted to that V8 sound which I think was the major showstopper if I ever wanted to part with it to move up the TVR ladder.

The Chim is fantastic, we still miss it sometimes, but the truth is that the power/acceleration and more importantly, handling really are in a league above the Chim, and the Tam is MUCH easier to drive, be it 30MPH or 130! I have a sports exhaist on mine, and it sounds as good as a V8 burble,, we get pops, crackles and bangs instead!
I would have no problem at all going back to a Chim if I had to, but I have a feeling it just wouldn't be the same feeling.

[mwtryan]

Well, alls I can say is this ......

Driven 3.6 Tuscan, T350 C, Tamora (all the same car really) except T350 very twitchy - personally thought T350 a load of S#%&t.

To be honest I thought Tamora best set up of the lot BUT none of them compare to my Chim 500 (OK - it is modified for more power) having over 100nm more torque than the speed six makes a huge difference in terms of EFFORTLESS power and since I've done some relatively inexpensive mods to the airflow system the Chim will KILL the newer 3.6L TVR's in ANY gear you care to mention.

Reliable - you bet
Punchy - you bet
Killer performance - you better believe it
Better Sound - well, nobody needs convincing of that!

According to my local dealer 1 x Tuscan S is coming to my country soon (South Africa) - can't wait - reckon my Chim will give it a go - and I don't care what the "Experts" say.

Long live the classic TVR's!!

And Finally ....

When I go on holiday with me missus I can actually comfortably pack ALL my luggage in the generous boot - The Chimaera and spin-off Cerbera are true grand tourers in the classic style and as far as I'm concerned are the pinnacle of TVR development to-date.

[chris watton]

mwtryan said:

Well, alls I can say is this ...... Driven 3.6 Tuscan, T350 C, Tamora (all the same car really) except T350 very twitchy - personally thought T350 a load of S#%&t. To be honest I thought Tamora best set up of the lot BUT none of them compare to my Chim 500 (OK - it is modified for more power) having over 100nm more torque than the speed six makes a huge difference in terms of EFFORTLESS power and since I've done some relatively inexpensive mods to the airflow system the Chim will KILL the newer 3.6L TVR's in ANY gear you care to mention. Reliable - you bet Punchy - you bet Killer performance - you better believe it Better Sound - well, nobody needs convincing of that! According to my local dealer 1 x Tuscan S is coming to my country soon (South Africa) - can't wait - reckon my Chim will give it a go - and I don't care what the "Experts" say. Long live the classic TVR's!! And Finally .... When I go on holiday with me missus I can actually comfortably pack ALL my luggage in the generous boot - The Chimaera and spin-off Cerbera are true grand tourers in the classic style and as far as I'm concerned are the pinnacle of TVR development to-date.

By the same token, the S6 owners could up the power further, as you have with your Chim! That's not the point, in their 'factory guise', the S6 cars are quicker, and the BHP isn't too far away from the factory figures!
Anyway, I wanted a sports car,, not a grand tourer

[mwtryan]

So... tell me Chris,

Where on earth will the S6 motors gain the extra torque from? Multivalve engines are ok if your the boy racer type, but screaming around to obtain max. performance EVERYDAY makes for tiresome driving (hey - buy a Honda S2000 - it's half the price and handles better).

When I said "effortless" power I meant it - who wants to have to wind their motors up to 5500 revs to obtain max. torque AND have to reach 5000RPM before the top-end power REALLY comes in?

My Chim makes maximum torque (495nm) at 2800rpm and maximum power (236kw) at 4400RPM. If you want a list of the mods done i'll be happy to oblige.

And I'll tell you something else - the S6 motors are not proven nor are they reliable (according to these forums).

In my country we travel SERIOUSLY long distances and I'd rather do it in my Chim than the newer generation TVR's.

I've also heard a lot of talk regarding how the S6 engined cars handle - well according to Top Gear this is just not the case - twitchy and volatile are just two expressions I've heard from dear Jeremy & co. (Yes - we do get the latest programmes out here).

Listen, there's no denying that the latest crop of cars from TVR are sexier and I personally think that the Speed Six motor development is a brave move for TVR - BUT development is the crucial word here and I can't help thinking that TVR rely on their customers for feedback & improvement purposes and I would SERIOUSLY think about buying an S6 at this time, perhaps in a year or so when all the bugs hopefully will have been ironed out.

By the way, of the three brand new TVR's I've driven here is what I experienced:

TUSCAN

- Badly fitting targa roof (rattled)
- Instrument cluster loose and poorly finished off
- Clutch shudder on take-off
- L front brake pulled to the left (suicidal actually)

T 350 C

- Gear gater loose and flopping about
- Absurdly bad handling - really twitchy and "bouncy"
- appalling glue marks around glass and headlamp area

Tamora

- Great - best of the lot in my opinion

- Shame about the rear end styling and "kit-Car" style
light clusters.

not one of these cars impressed me and I personally think the Chim is better developed and more "solid" all round really.

Good luck with your's and I guess only time will tell.

[angusfaldo]

mwtryan said:

Na naaa na naaaa naaa my car is better than yours :

[mwtryan]

SO THERE!!

[angusfaldo]

mwtryan said:

SO THERE!!

Hey mate I lived in Rivonia for 3 years so I feel I earned the right to take the piss a bit out of a Gauteng boy!

Nice choice of car BTW and I'll be listening out for you when I'm in Sandton next month.

[chris watton]

mwtryan said:

So... tell me Chris, Where on earth will the S6 motors gain the extra torque from? Multivalve engines are ok if your the boy racer type, but screaming around to obtain max. performance EVERYDAY makes for tiresome driving (hey - buy a Honda S2000 - it's half the price and handles better). When I said "effortless" power I meant it - who wants to have to wind their motors up to 5500 revs to obtain max. torque AND have to reach 5000RPM before the top-end power REALLY comes in? My Chim makes maximum torque (495nm) at 2800rpm and maximum power (236kw) at 4400RPM. If you want a list of the mods done i'll be happy to oblige. And I'll tell you something else - the S6 motors are not proven nor are they reliable (according to these forums). In my country we travel SERIOUSLY long distances and I'd rather do it in my Chim than the newer generation TVR's. I've also heard a lot of talk regarding how the S6 engined cars handle - well according to Top Gear this is just not the case - twitchy and volatile are just two expressions I've heard from dear Jeremy & co. (Yes - we do get the latest programmes out here). Listen, there's no denying that the latest crop of cars from TVR are sexier and I personally think that the Speed Six motor development is a brave move for TVR - BUT development is the crucial word here and I can't help thinking that TVR rely on their customers for feedback & improvement purposes and I would SERIOUSLY think about buying an S6 at this time, perhaps in a year or so when all the bugs hopefully will have been ironed out. By the way, of the three brand new TVR's I've driven here is what I experienced: TUSCAN - Badly fitting targa roof (rattled) - Instrument cluster loose and poorly finished off - Clutch shudder on take-off - L front brake pulled to the left (suicidal actually) T 350 C - Gear gater loose and flopping about - Absurdly bad handling - really twitchy and "bouncy" - appalling glue marks around glass and headlamp area Tamora - Great - best of the lot in my opinion - Shame about the rear end styling and "kit-Car" style light clusters. not one of these cars impressed me and I personally think the Chim is better developed and more "solid" all round really. Good luck with your's and I guess only time will tell.

So,,,, what you trying to say??

[mwtryan]

Simple Chris,

As an all round driving experience I think the V8 engined TVR's (admittedly once well sorted) are a better option as everyday users - with a lot more potential than the S6 motors for home grown development.

[mwtryan]

Hey Angusfaldo - howzit boy!

If your in Sandton next month give us a call: local number 083 235 2304 - we can give the Chim a spin!

By the way - what TVR do you drive?

[chris watton]

mwtryan said:

Simple Chris, As an all round driving experience I think the V8 engined TVR's (admittedly once well sorted) are a better option as everyday users - with a lot more potential than the S6 motors for home grown development.

The point is, the sky's the limit regarding power/handling when you lavish £££s on any car, I was not talking about performance/handling from a modified car point of veiw, I was explaing the difference that I personally experienced between the two cars as they are from the factory, you simply cannot say that v8 TVRs are better just because you have spent probably thousands modifying your Chim for more power, and then you have to spend more for the handling!! Anyway, I certainly was not dissing the Chim, indeed, I said how much I still miss ours!, you need to calm down a tad

[trooperiziz]

k77-widow maker said:

mungo said: Read JSG's survey... Personally I wouldn't touch a speed 6 engine after reading how many people on here have had numerous engine rebuilds on minuscully low mileage Ditto! And i'm really concerned about buying a Cerb with the AJP

err... Why? Granted, everything else on the Cerb will fall apart, but the engine is pretty much solid.

[AlexRWD]

mwtryan said:

So... tell me Chris, Where on earth will the S6 motors gain the extra torque from? Multivalve engines are ok if your the boy racer type, but screaming around to obtain max. performance EVERYDAY makes for tiresome driving (hey - buy a Honda S2000 - it's half the price and handles better). When I said "effortless" power I meant it - who wants to have to wind their motors up to 5500 revs to obtain max. torque AND have to reach 5000RPM before the top-end power REALLY comes in? In my country we travel SERIOUSLY long distances and I'd rather do it in my Chim than the newer generation TVR's.

Well I changed from a Honda S2000 to a Tamora, in comparison to which the Tam has PLENTY of torque, and to be honest, while I can understand the appeal of a huge lazy V8 with a lot more torque, I still like to use the gears a bit, and scream through the rev range when I really want to press on.

If I am not in that frame of mind, I still think the Tam has enough torque to comfortably cruise around and go a bit faster when necessary.

If you really want a GT for covering long distances fast and effortlessly, you should go in the direction of another recently defected S2000 friend, and get yourself a Jaguar XKR with twin supercharged 400 bhp V8, and an auto box.

Personally, I still wanted to have a sports car

[Corin Denton]

Having driven them all I think the best all rounder has to be the Tamora, a really superb car.


If the Speed Six didn't have it's problems I would have one.

[Ffirg 005]

Corin Denton said:

Having driven them all I think the best all rounder has to be the Tamora, a really superb car. If the Speed Six didn't have it's problems I would have one.

I think it's important not to lump all S6 issues together. My Dec'02 Tamora has done 24k with no engine issues and uses virtually no oil which is also true of the vast majority of 3.6 S6 engines of similar age or later, according to all the survey and anecdotal evidence that I can see.

Having shared tracks with several Chims and Griffs, and previously having owned a slightly modified Griff, my personal opinion is that they would have to be very seriously modified both in terms of bhp and handling to keep up with a standard spec Tamora/T350. As Chris said earlier - anything can be made to go quicker but what most of us own and care about are standard spec cars.

Don

>> Edited by Ffirg 005 on Thursday 13th January 17:03