ARE THERE ANY OTHER 450 SE OWNERS OUT THERE ???

[broadside]

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANY OTHER 450SE OWNERS/ FORMER OWNERS TO SWAP INFO ETC. ANYONE DRIVEN A 450 SE AND A 450 SEAC TO COMPARE THE 2 ? REGARDS BROADSIDE

[mikeb]

Broadside, If you are interested, why not pass on any useful information you may have and I will publish it on my new wedge site. (online soon). www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk Regards Mike Mica Blue 350i

[jvaughan]

I have driven a 450SE .. and to be perfectly honest, there is little noticable difference to my 400SE. In a straight line drag the 450 only has the edge after 80 - 100 mph. I managed to hold a 450SE off until 130 - 140 but then you can see the increased displacement's effects on power. As for a 450SEAC .... well, if you come along to Duxford this year, im hoping to put the 400SE against one down the main strip. incidently, I also managed to hold off a 450SEAC to 100mph in the 400SE before I had the new Cam fitted. We have a 450SE owner who attends the Oxford TVRCC meetings, pop along if you want, im sure a blast could be organised. Jason

[patrick]

Well, I own a 420Seac, but it's got a 4.5 in it. So that almost counts, doesn't it ? I haven't driven a 450SE, but am hoping that a blue 400SE will be at Duxford this year, for a comparison Patrick.

[brm brm]

Patrick There was a 450SE BEHIND us on the runway at Duxford last year - he wasn't that far off the pace if I remember rightly! When did you get the 4.5 - I though you had a standard engine - if there is such a thing on SEAC s these days??? Russ

[patrick]

Russ, When I bought it, I assumed it was a standard 420SEAC, but after a few phone calls to trace the history, I discovered that it had a 4.5 put in it, by TVR Power, after a engine prob at a track day. I'm not complaining though Nothing else has been modded (to my knowledge) Patrick.

[broadside]

Dear Guys Thanks for your replies. I would love to give the 450 a blast at Duxford but work commitments prevail. Funny how you work hard to afford a car, then don't get the time to drive the bloody thing!!! I have not had the 450 long and it definately is ever so slightly quicker than my old 280 Tasmin coupe and much faster than my Laguna Turbo Diesel. I still have not had it out in the wet yet, and i,m not sure whether to look forward to this or not, R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Glad to see there are plenty of other wedge heads out here, my wife hated the Tasmin, but with the 450 she like the wheels and the colour, so I am making progress !!! Regards Broadside

[broadside]

The 280 was a great way (and relatively cheap) to get into TVRs, I loved every minute of it, when it was working !! The 450 is such a pussy cat pootling around town, dead on 30 mph in third with no foot on the loud pedal, very handy with a police car behind you, cruise control. Yet give it a bit of welly and OOOOhh lordy !!! The main reason for upgrading to the 450 is the sound of the V8. I love it. So much so , I never use the stereo, (yep , I am Sad). All the V8 wedges sound great and benefit from the pre cat sound. Saying that, my 280 sounded bloody good for a V6, it had a stainless system on, but I do not know when it was fitted and who supplied it. Alas that car is now racing in the Tasmin challenge with a different system on. The 450 runs a new Wedge automotive system that was fitted a few months before I bought the car. Apparently, though I am not sure if this is true, stainless systems take a while to "bed in" then start to sound better. At this juncture I must go out for a blast and do my bit for global warming!!! Regards Broadside

[cirks]

Having had my 450 for just about 5 years now and previously having 2*350is and numerous other powerful cars there is no comparison. The 450 is a completely different beast and is great. Plenty of guys on the list know how well the car goes on the track as well!

[broadside]

cirks Does your engine "pink" much. Do you use regular or super unleaded ? Regards Broadside

[cirks]

Doesn't pink at all. Obviously got the timing redone but it is quite happy on normal unleaded even on the track.

[broadside]

Need trip to wedge automotive for a tune up then!!! Broadside

[broadside]

In case anyone was interested, the 450 was pinking noticeably. I had it tuned at Hexham Horseless Carriages. The timing was retarded accordingly, but, it was discovered that the tune resistor to the ECU was the wrong type. This basically had the effect of telling the V8 that it was connected to an automatic gearbox, hence high idling speeds and pinking. A new tune resistor was ordered and I fitted it myself in a couple of minutes. Transformation complete !!!!!!

Make sure your tune resistor is the right one!!??

Regards

Broadside

[Nacnud]

Tell you all what, lets have a 450 knockout at Duxford next year. That'll settle the argument. I'm up for it

Maybe we have to let in Russ's 420 SEAC as it's bl**dy quick.

[Brm Brm]

Did I hear my name mentioned - its nice to be back having been computer-less for the lat 3 months. Anyway its good to see the Wedge pages thriving. Hope you enjoyed your little spin "Nacnud" - I assume thats my fellow Bristol region SEAC owner on the other end of the anagram. Any danger of that bunch of incompetents down the road finishing yours this year! Mine is going to David Gerald in the New Year for its re-furb. I can only afford the paint and chassis at the moment but it wont be red when it comes back in March! Perhaps we should have a SEAC gathering next year- at Duxford?? Apparently there was one in about '94 - what do you think??


Edited by Brm Brm on Sunday 2nd December 23:30

[Nacnud]

Great idea Russ!

What about making it a Big Wedge get together ? I'm sure their owners will be just as quick to praise their performance as we are of our SEACs.

Everybody else - comments please....

[marki]

Hi Broadside

I used to have a 430SE kind of regret getting rid of it , rare beast as well, any one out the own J7TVR its kind of Sperm white with green leather , great fun but we had our moments , normally far from home .

[big wedge]

Big Wedge meet up? What a good idea - who knows Sprint may do a feaure on a wedge for a change.
This means I have until August to get my act together and get the 450 SEAC road legal again? Must be possible.
Can anyone recommend a company for some retrimming work (new carpets & woodwork) in the midlands? Or would I be just as well to ask Peninsula to collect the car and do the work.

[Nacnud]

Yeah - Sprint having something on Wedges would make a pleasant change wouldn't it....

By the Way, Peninsula's trimmers have made a really nice job of my SEAC.

See you at Duxford - I'm looking forward to it already.

[patrick]

Big Wedge,

Hows about Wedge automotive ??
They're up in sheffield, and well respected, so I'm told.

I'm hoping to be at Duxford again next time, there was a good display of wedges there this year, but we need more !