what engine to go for?
Discussion
I'm really happy with my 400 - especially now it's just come back from having an engine rebuild by Henley Heritage - only problem is trying to stick to 3,500 revs for a what seems like the longest thousand miles in history! I reckon whichever one you eventually choose it'll make you smile! 
Neville
Neville
Jay Ayegees said:
Hi
If I'm not mistaken all the 450s use a later development of the RV8 block and as such is cross-bolted for strength - so if you want to carry out any upgrades in future the 450 is probably the best starting point IMO.
Jay
If I'm not mistaken all the 450s use a later development of the RV8 block and as such is cross-bolted for strength - so if you want to carry out any upgrades in future the 450 is probably the best starting point IMO.
Jay
Sounds like a pretty expensive way of going about it!!
Apparently some later 500s were cross bolted anyway but realistically its still only operating at 55bhp/litre so its not exactly stressed. The engines seem to lunch camshafts rather than anything else and that is down to oil feed anyway.
My advice? Buy the one that feels best- a good 450 is going to be faster than a weak 500 anyway. I love my 500 and there is no way I would trade "down" but there seem to be a lot more 450s on sale at present so that may well offer a better range of choice
I had been looking to buy a Chim for a long time, and read everything I could find to help decide what I wanted. The concensus is that (unsurprisingly) the 500 is noticeably quicker, but I have seen several reports of crankshaft breakage and cracked or porous heads. Whilst the crankshaft problem generally seems to be brought on by lack of correct maintenance, there does seem to be an underlying weakness. And before anyone jumps on me, I know that not many have broken, but on the other hand not that many were built in the first place. If a mainstream manufacturer had a similar percentage of failures, I suspect that it would be regarded as significant. I have never heard of either of these problems affecting the 400, 430 or 450. From my own point of view, I just couldn't afford (literally) to take the risk that I might end up with one of the few cars that have a problem, especially as any Chim now is a relatively old car and you just can't guarantee how it's been maintained. I test drove a 450, and figured that I'd be happy with that, whereas I can't help feeling that if I'd gone for a 400 it wouldn't be long before I wanted the extra power. I picked up my 450 a couple of days ago, and having done a few miles and started to get the hang of it, I can confirm that it's got enough power to get you into trouble very quickly, and it will destroy just about anything on acceleration (except a 500). In your case, it really depends on how often you think you're going to use the extra few tenths of a second on acceleration, or the extra 7 mph on top speed, and how much you need to have a 500 badge on the back. Whatever you eventually choose, get one as soon as you can (but get a good one; I saw some real overpriced tat when I was looking).
Failures are fairly rare and only occur in 500s due to higher stress levels. Is it common? No of course not, what with all the griffs our there it is fair to say that any crankshaft failures are extremely isolated.
TBH I would focus on the condition of the car anyway. A knackered 450 will cost more than a good 500 to keep going, you aren't taking much of a gamble by going for a bigger engine and it is only one cvariable in amongst a whole pile of other considerations such as FSH, rust and electrics. Go and try them and don't be put off by scare stories
TBH I would focus on the condition of the car anyway. A knackered 450 will cost more than a good 500 to keep going, you aren't taking much of a gamble by going for a bigger engine and it is only one cvariable in amongst a whole pile of other considerations such as FSH, rust and electrics. Go and try them and don't be put off by scare stories
Nuggs said:
im said:
spend said:
5.2, 5.3, 5.5 modded engines are quite likely to have been built very carefully, if you can source a car with one of these they will be the best VFM IMHO.
Dave
Dave
Never seen these - they're not TVR built are they?
Examples here: V8D
Just re-read spend's comment "5.2, 5.3, 5.5 modded engines". So they're not TVR built then.
Not sure that someone new to TVR's should be sourcing a modded car as his first point of entry into the owners world without having had one a while to get used to all of the little 'foibles' and indeed find out if he actually likes the car.
im said:
Just re-read spend's comment "5.2, 5.3, 5.5 modded engines". So they're not TVR built then.
Not sure that someone new to TVR's should be sourcing a modded car as his first point of entry into the owners world without having had one a while to get used to all of the little 'foibles' and indeed find out if he actually likes the car.
Not sure that someone new to TVR's should be sourcing a modded car as his first point of entry into the owners world without having had one a while to get used to all of the little 'foibles' and indeed find out if he actually likes the car.
Hmmm... Thats tantamount to saying a new owner should only have an entry 4.0..... Coming from a blown owner I find the comment even more surreal?
Dave
spend said:
im said:
Just re-read spend's comment "5.2, 5.3, 5.5 modded engines". So they're not TVR built then.
Not sure that someone new to TVR's should be sourcing a modded car as his first point of entry into the owners world without having had one a while to get used to all of the little 'foibles' and indeed find out if he actually likes the car.
Not sure that someone new to TVR's should be sourcing a modded car as his first point of entry into the owners world without having had one a while to get used to all of the little 'foibles' and indeed find out if he actually likes the car.
Hmmm... Thats tantamount to saying a new owner should only have an entry 4.0..... Coming from a blown owner I find the comment even more surreal?
Dave
Nope...nowhere did I say an entry level 4.0
Factory standard one - perhaps. I live what I say as well. I had a 4.0 for a good year before getting blown so was well aware of the cars characteristics pre and post blown and expense levels pre-blown. I'm assuming you don't. What if you can't stand the car? A modded one will be a lot more difficult to sell on in that scenario.
Everyone would like their P&J to be just a touch quicker/shinier/reliable etc but I wouldn't advise my newly qualified-to-drive son to go blow all his hard earned on the most hard-core car he can find straight away.
A lot of owners start at 4.0 or 4.5 and then get a 5.0 (or Tuscan or whatever)...acclimatisation is the sensible route. Have you owned a TVR before?
Salvador Dali was 'surreal', I'm just prodding you in the direction of prudence.
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