Buying a wedge
Discussion
Hi, I don’t normally use forums, but i’m just after some general advice really. I’m thinking of buying a tvr wedge, just wondered if anyone had thoughts as to what I should be looking out for as i’ve never owned a tvr before. I’m liking the sound of the v8’s, but is there any common faults or nasties I should be aware of whilst looking. I would be most grateful of any info, thanks.
Hi and welcome. The Wedges are fairly straight forward cars made up of bits from several other production cars. Parts availability is getting better by the month since TVR was resurrected and they now have a thorough spares website. Biggest issue on a Wedge is the condition of the chassis and especially the outriggers which are hidden by the sills. Good news however is that the sills are pop riveted in place and can easily be removed to allow the outriggers to be replaced or repaired.
All cars don't like to be stood so make sure any Wedge you view has been used. In my opinion I'd rather buy a Wedge with higher mileage but used regularly than one that has stood about. As the Wedge uses the Rover SD1 fuel injection system, at 36psi, condition of fuel hoses is critical and it appears that the more modern fuels do cause the fuel hoses to perish prematurely so ensure all hoses are in good condition.
Some people criticise the fuel injection system but any issues I've had with the engine have all been HT electrical issues (dissy, coil, HT leads). Once you know your way around the Efi system it's not that complicated and gives the Wedges their character and theatrical noisy pops and bangs on the over run.
In my view the Wedge is the most under rated V8 out there, but prices do appear to be creeping up slowly over the last few years. They may not be the best handling of TVR's but certainly they offer great value for money and always put a smile on your face.
Price wise the larger engined (390SE, 400SE etc) Wedges do carry a price premium over a standard 350i, but they also have different characters. I've both a 390SE and 350i and they are chalk and cheese to drive, with the 350i pulling from 1000rpm but the 390SE is a screamer but certainly is not as relaxing to drive any distance.
Most Wedges are known to the group and also there are two Facebook Wedge forums. Wedge owners generally are a helpful bunch and if you post a technical query you'll probably be inundated with responses. Good luck.
All cars don't like to be stood so make sure any Wedge you view has been used. In my opinion I'd rather buy a Wedge with higher mileage but used regularly than one that has stood about. As the Wedge uses the Rover SD1 fuel injection system, at 36psi, condition of fuel hoses is critical and it appears that the more modern fuels do cause the fuel hoses to perish prematurely so ensure all hoses are in good condition.
Some people criticise the fuel injection system but any issues I've had with the engine have all been HT electrical issues (dissy, coil, HT leads). Once you know your way around the Efi system it's not that complicated and gives the Wedges their character and theatrical noisy pops and bangs on the over run.
In my view the Wedge is the most under rated V8 out there, but prices do appear to be creeping up slowly over the last few years. They may not be the best handling of TVR's but certainly they offer great value for money and always put a smile on your face.
Price wise the larger engined (390SE, 400SE etc) Wedges do carry a price premium over a standard 350i, but they also have different characters. I've both a 390SE and 350i and they are chalk and cheese to drive, with the 350i pulling from 1000rpm but the 390SE is a screamer but certainly is not as relaxing to drive any distance.
Most Wedges are known to the group and also there are two Facebook Wedge forums. Wedge owners generally are a helpful bunch and if you post a technical query you'll probably be inundated with responses. Good luck.
I was in the same position 18 months ago. I joined the club, went on forums and Facebook pages, asked lots of questions, had a good nose around the cars at club meets etc, and some were even prepared to show me their car and take me for a spin.
If you are based in the Midlands, you are welcome to come and have a good nose round mine - a 400SE. And would be happy to take you for a spin - any excuse!
If you are based in the Midlands, you are welcome to come and have a good nose round mine - a 400SE. And would be happy to take you for a spin - any excuse!
dont know where your based but if norwich norfolk is in your driving parameters i have a fully rebuilt and somewhat modded car you are welcome to have a run in its not your average 350i but will give you an idea of what can be done,plus i have a 400se completely stripped for a rebuild so you can see some of the pitfalls.
john
john
Hi
Thanks very much for the kind offer of a spin in peoples cars, I would love to but I am based in the deepest darkest south unfortunately, but thanks anyway, might take you up on the offer if I'm up that way at any point.
To be honest I've been looking around for a while and not been entirely sure what to buy. Looked at a few kit cars but I've always fancied a lotus esprit or a Porsche 928. Someone took me for a drive in a 350i about 3 weeks ago and that was that, so now I need to get one. I'm not to bothered which model really, just want one with decent metalwork and running gear.
Thanks KK for the info on the cars, much appreciated. I'll bear all that in mind. I did notice on a couple of adverts that people had replaced the fuel injection with Holly Carbs, seemed a backward step to me but I guess you don't do that without good reason. Anyone know what issues the fuel injection has?
As you say I see the outriggers get a lot of mention, I'll keep a careful eye out for that.
As you say these cars do seem undervalued, after driving one I didn't really understand why everybody hasn't got one. The car you get for your money seems really good and I'm guessing you don't ever get bored of that noise.
So does anyone know if the 350i v8, is it just a standard engine, no mods?
Anyone know of any mods done to these engines/cars?
Anyway I'm off to look at a couple of wedges this weekend, so fingers crossed. The Big bad wedge fest sounds good, I'll hope to join you if I have a car by then. Thanks for the info anyhow.
Thanks very much for the kind offer of a spin in peoples cars, I would love to but I am based in the deepest darkest south unfortunately, but thanks anyway, might take you up on the offer if I'm up that way at any point.
To be honest I've been looking around for a while and not been entirely sure what to buy. Looked at a few kit cars but I've always fancied a lotus esprit or a Porsche 928. Someone took me for a drive in a 350i about 3 weeks ago and that was that, so now I need to get one. I'm not to bothered which model really, just want one with decent metalwork and running gear.
Thanks KK for the info on the cars, much appreciated. I'll bear all that in mind. I did notice on a couple of adverts that people had replaced the fuel injection with Holly Carbs, seemed a backward step to me but I guess you don't do that without good reason. Anyone know what issues the fuel injection has?
As you say I see the outriggers get a lot of mention, I'll keep a careful eye out for that.
As you say these cars do seem undervalued, after driving one I didn't really understand why everybody hasn't got one. The car you get for your money seems really good and I'm guessing you don't ever get bored of that noise.
So does anyone know if the 350i v8, is it just a standard engine, no mods?
Anyone know of any mods done to these engines/cars?
Anyway I'm off to look at a couple of wedges this weekend, so fingers crossed. The Big bad wedge fest sounds good, I'll hope to join you if I have a car by then. Thanks for the info anyhow.
the 350i engine is the rover sd1 vitesse lump standard as rover fitted it, lots can be done my personal favourite route is supercharging or just fit a bigger engine, brakes can be upgraded easily, front suspension is cortina which is a bit limiting i.e. not very adjustable which is why i changed mine to my own system fully adjustable with coilovers which works really well, later cars dont have removable sills so are slightly harder to fix outriggers but for the price as you say cant go wrong,you might like to trawl through this and the later editions gives you an idea how they work.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
john
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
john
Edited by Engineer1949 on Tuesday 5th June 16:50
The injection system can get a few niggles that are hard to track down unless you are methodical.
This can cause some people to lose patience, rip it out and stick in a carb which they can understand.
However the carb is probably less reliable in the long run, and not so good for fuel efficiency.
This can cause some people to lose patience, rip it out and stick in a carb which they can understand.
However the carb is probably less reliable in the long run, and not so good for fuel efficiency.
To the OP. Johns wedge must be the best out there mechanically.
Everything has been stripped and rebuilt. The car looks like new inside and out!
Remove the stickers and drive. Shelve any thoughts on repairs, that's not going to happen!
If I was fussy then I would do the wheel rims in silver or strip and polish.
From my own library when we last met.
Everything has been stripped and rebuilt. The car looks like new inside and out!
Remove the stickers and drive. Shelve any thoughts on repairs, that's not going to happen!
If I was fussy then I would do the wheel rims in silver or strip and polish.
From my own library when we last met.
Hi
I joined the old facebook forums as well the other day and have to say you TVR lot are an enthusiastic bunch.
John - Thanks for the link to your restoration project - I looked through the first 5 pages last night but had to go out, but I'll have a look through when I get time. Have to say it's good to see one in pieces, know what I'm up against now. Have to say also that you've done an amazing restoration job, you have to be well chuffed with that, go as far as to say that's one of the best restoration jobs I've seen. Having done something similar years ago I appreciate the work involved. It's a little out of my budget range unfortunately otherwise I'd be sorely tempted.
Thanks for the info on the injection - something else to think about.
KK - Thanks for the pics, really nice looking cars, although having 2 seems a little greedy, perhaps you should sell me one - hee hee, only joking if I were you I'd keep them forever. That's a beast of a spoiler, what does that come off of?
So looking at the different engine sizes, I sure I read somewhere that the 390 was a bored out 3.5L V8. Can't believe that's the case as that's a 10% increase in cubic capacity. Anybody got any ideas?
I saw there's a nice looking 400 for sale as well, bit out of my price range unfortunately but I noticed that its a completely different engine fitted. The rocker covers have TVR written on them, anyone know if this is a TVR engine or just shiny TVR rocker covers.
I joined the old facebook forums as well the other day and have to say you TVR lot are an enthusiastic bunch.
John - Thanks for the link to your restoration project - I looked through the first 5 pages last night but had to go out, but I'll have a look through when I get time. Have to say it's good to see one in pieces, know what I'm up against now. Have to say also that you've done an amazing restoration job, you have to be well chuffed with that, go as far as to say that's one of the best restoration jobs I've seen. Having done something similar years ago I appreciate the work involved. It's a little out of my budget range unfortunately otherwise I'd be sorely tempted.
Thanks for the info on the injection - something else to think about.
KK - Thanks for the pics, really nice looking cars, although having 2 seems a little greedy, perhaps you should sell me one - hee hee, only joking if I were you I'd keep them forever. That's a beast of a spoiler, what does that come off of?
So looking at the different engine sizes, I sure I read somewhere that the 390 was a bored out 3.5L V8. Can't believe that's the case as that's a 10% increase in cubic capacity. Anybody got any ideas?
I saw there's a nice looking 400 for sale as well, bit out of my price range unfortunately but I noticed that its a completely different engine fitted. The rocker covers have TVR written on them, anyone know if this is a TVR engine or just shiny TVR rocker covers.
If you or anyone buying has a budget of say, £10k. Whatever you buy for that will need good money spent on it as well.
Stands to reason given their age. Go in with your eyes wide open.
Given the above, Johns is such a bargain!
BTW, I have no connection with this car, have just seen it up close and it is like new.
Stands to reason given their age. Go in with your eyes wide open.
Given the above, Johns is such a bargain!
BTW, I have no connection with this car, have just seen it up close and it is like new.
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