Taking care of a Griff...
Discussion
Im feeling more confident about making the leap now...
But...
What are the ideal conditions in terms of TVR TLC?
Garaged - gadgets to keep dry ??
Battery conditioners ??
Dust sheets ??
Who best to service and repair - based in south west ??
Also why do people remove the cat?? and how does this effect the MOT? What is the difference between the pre-cat and the later versions.
As a potential new owner what is the best advice that people have generally ??
But...
What are the ideal conditions in terms of TVR TLC?
Garaged - gadgets to keep dry ??
Battery conditioners ??
Dust sheets ??
Who best to service and repair - based in south west ??
Also why do people remove the cat?? and how does this effect the MOT? What is the difference between the pre-cat and the later versions.
As a potential new owner what is the best advice that people have generally ??
The cat-equipped cars have three cats - a small one in each manifold, and a bigger one in the big Y piec at the front of the engine bay. Just to add to the confusion, the small cats are usually called 'pre-cats'. It's not unusual for a npre-cat to come loose, and start rattling around and breaking up inside the manifold. When this happens the normal cure is to take the pre-cats out. You don't need the pre-cats to get through an MOT emissions test as long as you keep the main cat. Some people reckon that removing the pre-cats increases the power output or makes it sound better. Personally didn't notice any change to the noise and the power gain was only a couple of BHP, not enough to justify removing a good healthy pre-cat IMO.
5.0 with cats are beautiful, fast and loud
4.0, 4.3 & 4.3BV pre-cats are beautiful, fast and LOUD
All pre-cats were registered pre Dec '92 because thats when the cat legislation kicked in.
Originally they would all have been fitted with Rover 5 speed 'boxes.
No frills in the pre-cats either. I dont think any were made with power steering/air con.
The 5.0's are quicker but it takes someone better than me to be able to tell.
They can have serp or pre-serp engines and rover or borg-warner gearboxes, with or without power steering/air con. I hear the BW gearboxes are a bit smoother but other than that I don't think theres much in it.
There will be many more 500's around for sale than 4.0s or 4.3s because they were produced for longer.
There were also 100 Special Editions made but other than cosmetic changes such as Cerbera seats/different (& very nice) air vents I know little about these.
4.0, 4.3 & 4.3BV pre-cats are beautiful, fast and LOUD
All pre-cats were registered pre Dec '92 because thats when the cat legislation kicked in.
Originally they would all have been fitted with Rover 5 speed 'boxes.
No frills in the pre-cats either. I dont think any were made with power steering/air con.
The 5.0's are quicker but it takes someone better than me to be able to tell.
They can have serp or pre-serp engines and rover or borg-warner gearboxes, with or without power steering/air con. I hear the BW gearboxes are a bit smoother but other than that I don't think theres much in it.
There will be many more 500's around for sale than 4.0s or 4.3s because they were produced for longer.
There were also 100 Special Editions made but other than cosmetic changes such as Cerbera seats/different (& very nice) air vents I know little about these.
I think the best advice is to drive it regularly.
It appears to me that the ones that are used are more reliable.
Keep on top of any jobs that appear.
Make sure that you look after the chassis and waterproof your roof regularly.
Other than that. Get out there and enjoy driving a fabulous car.
Join in things like the TVRCC and PH meets and you will meet some very interesting people too.
Elizabeth
It appears to me that the ones that are used are more reliable.
Keep on top of any jobs that appear.
Make sure that you look after the chassis and waterproof your roof regularly.
Other than that. Get out there and enjoy driving a fabulous car.
Join in things like the TVRCC and PH meets and you will meet some very interesting people too.
Elizabeth
Gorvid said:
Im feeling more confident about making the leap now...
But...
What are the ideal conditions in terms of TVR TLC?
Garaged - gadgets to keep dry ??
Battery conditioners ??
Dust sheets ??
Who best to service and repair - based in south west ??
Also why do people remove the cat?? and how does this effect the MOT? What is the difference between the pre-cat and the later versions.
As a potential new owner what is the best advice that people have generally ??
You do need a garage. Some people dow without, but the elements will take their toll. Just because it's GRP doesn't mean it won't rust! The chassis is metal and will suffer from being left outside - condensation, rain splashes etc. You might get away with keeping it outside if you get an annual chassis clean, inspection and waxoyl. To be honest though, any Griff will need fettling from time to time, and if you;re using it daily you don't want to have do do it in the rain just so you can get to work the next morning...
You don't need a battery conditioner if the battery itself is healthy and the elecrics are A1. If there's any current drain on the system or the alarm runs the battery down more quickly than you can use the car then a conditioner is a 'solution' - but I would suggest the problem is with the battery or some part of the electrical system itself. I've got a conditioner and I simply don't use it; there's no need.
Specialists in the South West have a habit of turning into approved dealers. This is annoying as the prices go up and (allegedly) they prefer working on the later cars. Best bet is to contact the local TVRCC and see who's recommended. I'm near Bristol and still haven't figured out who gets to do the next service - although TVR Bodyshop (Nailsea) come highly recommended.
A pre-cat in a 500 is (one of) the small cats.
A pre-cat car is one built before 1993 and not fitted with a cat at all. These are the 4.x engined cars (and they're great
)Hi Gorvid, hope you take the plunge.
As for ideal conditions you'd have a garage (wish I had one) but, my car resides on a hardstanding under cover of a breathable cover. There have never been issues of condensation, musty smells or damp.
TLC: no different to any other car your likely to be passionate about but with particular emphasis on regular servicing, fluid levels and keeping an eye on the condition of the chassis rails, outriggers and wishbones: treat accordingly.
Many owners hook their batteries up to a conditioner, I've not had the necessity as the motor is usually run no less than once a week. It has however maintained good enough charge to crank over the motor when left for three weeks. Wouldn't be a bad idea to have one though.
As for servicing in the S/W try these guys www.perranwell.co.uk/; they're a Morgan specialist but have Chims/Griffs come their way. They're also cheaper than whoever else you may find this way and are attentive.
As for advice, get yourself some deep pockets. Though my Griff's not let me down, I do with regular disregard for what could be considered reasonable, find I'm treating myself to those little upgrades..........and they add up! But then I just put that down to my obsessive compulsive disorder and once I've scrubbed my hands five times walked around the house twice Griff' ownership seems quite bearable.
As for ideal conditions you'd have a garage (wish I had one) but, my car resides on a hardstanding under cover of a breathable cover. There have never been issues of condensation, musty smells or damp.
TLC: no different to any other car your likely to be passionate about but with particular emphasis on regular servicing, fluid levels and keeping an eye on the condition of the chassis rails, outriggers and wishbones: treat accordingly.
Many owners hook their batteries up to a conditioner, I've not had the necessity as the motor is usually run no less than once a week. It has however maintained good enough charge to crank over the motor when left for three weeks. Wouldn't be a bad idea to have one though.
As for servicing in the S/W try these guys www.perranwell.co.uk/; they're a Morgan specialist but have Chims/Griffs come their way. They're also cheaper than whoever else you may find this way and are attentive.
As for advice, get yourself some deep pockets. Though my Griff's not let me down, I do with regular disregard for what could be considered reasonable, find I'm treating myself to those little upgrades..........and they add up! But then I just put that down to my obsessive compulsive disorder and once I've scrubbed my hands five times walked around the house twice Griff' ownership seems quite bearable.
Ours lives outside in all weathers. It's not really a problem if you keep an eye on the seals and keep the chassis in good condition. I tend to examine it every couple of months. It's due a major clean and waxoyl (along with my other car) when the current warm front has moved through...
Deep pockets are definitely required. It's unfortunate that I've been hit with loads of things all at the same time. Usually they can be spread out a bit.
In the last 2 months:
New radiator
New hood + targa cover
Re-veneered the dash
Rewired the headlamps (now I can see at night )
Replaced the brake hoses with Goodridge items
Fitted poly bushes
New spark plug caps
New ignition amplifier
New alarm (with remote boot opening & window closing)
12k service
Renewed insurance.
That said, it's been trouble free for the last year and it's about time all these things were done. The car's done lots of miles, is getting on a bit, lives outside and up until last month was used daily.
I tend to do most of the work on cars myself (evenings & weekends) so the work has taken much longer than I'd have liked.
Deep pockets are definitely required. It's unfortunate that I've been hit with loads of things all at the same time. Usually they can be spread out a bit.
In the last 2 months:
New radiator
New hood + targa cover
Re-veneered the dash
Rewired the headlamps (now I can see at night
) Replaced the brake hoses with Goodridge items
Fitted poly bushes
New spark plug caps
New ignition amplifier
New alarm (with remote boot opening & window closing
) 12k service
Renewed insurance.
That said, it's been trouble free for the last year and it's about time all these things were done. The car's done lots of miles, is getting on a bit, lives outside and up until last month was used daily.
I tend to do most of the work on cars myself (evenings & weekends) so the work has taken much longer than I'd have liked.
Gorvid said:
What are the ideal conditions in terms of TVR TLC?
Garaged - gadgets to keep dry ??
Battery conditioners ??
Dust sheets ??
Who best to service and repair - based in south west ??
Also why do people remove the cat?? and how does this effect the MOT? What is the difference between the pre-cat and the later versions.
As a potential new owner what is the best advice that people have generally ??
Just thought I'd check back in
Definitely garage. Protects car and saves insurance.
Dust sheet - not really unless you're going to be making a lot of dust, and then it's easier to take it out of the garage.
Service and repair - find a good independent. Someone here is bound to know.
Cat removal makes it much louder and more free-revving. If you take all three out it will fail the MOT, so some people just lose the pre-cats. Or you can keep the cats and have the exhaust baffles removed - much cheaper.
Lots of difference between precat versions (91-92) and the 500's (93-02). I've had both, neither will disappoint, 500 is better sorted for electrics and ventilation, pre-cats sound better IMHO and cost less.
Time to research - get the Steve Heath handbook aka the Bible and read from cover to cover!
NB Re running costs, if you go to a TVR Dealer you will pay £loads. Far better to go indy and get done what needs ti be done and at a sensible rate. Good indys are well respected among informed TVR buyers so the service stamp need not worry you.
Final point: there are good and bad TVRs, depending on how well they've been looked after. I would always buy privately from someone who cares for the car, and would pay more for a better car than buy a badly-maintained lemon.
>> Edited by simpo two on Thursday 28th July 12:10
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