First post!

[andrew francombe]

I have had my tamora for 6 months now and appart from a few minor problems which I now know is just part of their carractor, think it is the best thing I've ever bought.

I've been reading this forum for a good few weeks now and I think all your help and info to each other is amazing!(keep it up)

I have aranged a trip around europe from the 1st to the 18th june (latter part being le mans of corse) and thought I would take my car in to auto craft for a service/check up before I go. I was told the bad news that I need the head rebuilding. The car is due back next week and I can't wait to have it home again! However I'm paranoid about teething problems and the car not being able to stand up to the trip. Has anyone had similar work done and had any problems that I should be aware of?

Edited by FrancoTam on Thursday 26th April 19:32

Edited by FrancoTam on Thursday 26th April 19:32

[MADT350]

sorry to hear that, how many miles has she done?

[FrancoTam]

15k! I'm not that bothered about having work done but am just paranoide that it won't make the hols.

[madbadger]

Mine went back to Blackpool in 2004 on 6k miles - 3 months after I got her.

Have since done 30000 more miles including a fabulous 3000 mile Alpine road trip. In just over two weeks I only had one problem. Going into Monaco we were in heavy traffic and it was extremely hot. The glue on my keyring melted and the badge fell off.

Enjoy your Tam when you get it back. The more miles on them the better.

[icraigmy]

I've just had my Tamora upgraded from 3.6Ltr to 4.0Ltr Red Rose. My engine has been completely stripped down and rebuilt with upgraded parts. Also have had Nitron Shocks fitted. I had the work done by Richard at Dulfords in Cullompton. I'd recommend Richard to do the work because he has done a fantastic job. My engine will probably last the life time of the car, if the engine is treated with respect.

I was like you, not sure about the reliability of the engine, but now I have got the upgrade done I'm looking at touring around europe. Since you are in Bristol not very far from me, I'd be glad to show my Tamora off. Still running it in at the moment, but only another 400 miles to go before the 1000 mile service, and then .

My Tamora is a 2002 model, and no the engine did not go bang, I just decided to go for the upgrade now whilst I had the money. Please bear in mind that if you want a proper job done then be prepared to pay for it. Good workmanship does'nt come cheap. I sure got a good job done at Dulfords and worth every penny.

[francotam]

6000 in three months hey, not bad and I don't blame you one bit! Mine is supposed to be a second car but any excuse and I'm out in it. How was your europe trip? Any tips appart from extra glue? I used to have a 944 turbo and did a similar trip. I just can't wait to introduce the tam to some of those delightful twisties

[francotam]

Thanx for the reply Ian.
Good work on the car! I didn't have much time to think it through as the news came unexpected. Maybe if I did then I would of gone for the 4L conversion but to be honest I loved my car and just wanted her back in working order. Like you it didn't actually go bang but it wouldn't of lasted much longer and with this 4000 mile trip coming up I thought it was better to do it before.
Would love to meet up at some point when I get the car back and yours is run in properly, which if you are anything like me won't be long!

[madbadger]

It had 3k on it when I got it so it wasn't too excessive

Tips wise; the long Alpine tunnels (whilst sounding great) are expensive and we had an escort through one at 70kph. Had to do it all in second There are loads of other tunnels and cutouts. Best to stick to the passes. When you get stuck behind the Dutch caravans sometimes it is better to pull over for five (or ten) minutes, take a picture, then have a bit of clear road. Motorbikes will normally be despatched easily as they are rubbish on the hairpins.

Generally we ignored the Autoroutes. Plenty of more interesting A and B roads.

Check coolant and tyres each morning and oil each night.

Otherwise it was all very straight forward. Be prepared for lots of people talking to you.

[FrancoTam]

Thanx for the tips. I know what you mean about the auto routes, evan though they are good if you just want to get somewhere quick, they are expensive. I'm like an excited child waiting to open presents!
Are you going to le mans or know of any other Tamora/TVR owners that are?

[ZooOOM]

Yes, me!

[andy11]

Hi Andrew, Hope you don't mind me being nosey but why are you having the head rebuilt? Were there any warning signs of the damage etc. Just for future reference!!

[FrancoTam]

andy11 said:

Hi Andrew, Hope you don't mind me being nosey but why are you having the head rebuilt? Were there any warning signs of the damage etc. Just for future reference!!

I just took it in for a full service and general look over. The throttle bodies needed ajjusting as it was a little lumpy on tickover, not that was any sign of engine probs. When she was warmed up I could hear the tappets making a little noise. I wasn't sure if this was normal or not so I mentioned it. They said that they would just need tightening or loosning, but when they looked into it further with an mini telescope(I think), it turn out that the valves were coming loose. So I've opted for the modified valve guides, fingure followers etc.

Hope this was of some use and didn't worry you to much! If you are worried then just take it to a dealer or specialist and ask them to look over the engine.

[FrancoTam]

ZooOOM said:

Yes, me!

Sorted! Nearer the time we should should arrange a place to meet up over there.

[madbadger]

FrancoTam said:

ZooOOM said:

Yes, me!

Sorted! Nearer the time we should should arrange a place to meet up over there.

Tam meet at Le Mans

Especially as we will miss Supercars Sunday.

[icraigmy]

FrancoTam said:

andy11 said:

Hi Andrew, Hope you don't mind me being nosey but why are you having the head rebuilt? Were there any warning signs of the damage etc. Just for future reference!!

I just took it in for a full service and general look over. The throttle bodies needed ajjusting as it was a little lumpy on tickover, not that was any sign of engine probs. When she was warmed up I could hear the tappets making a little noise. I wasn't sure if this was normal or not so I mentioned it. They said that they would just need tightening or loosning, but when they looked into it further with an mini telescope(I think), it turn out that the valves were coming loose. So I've opted for the modified valve guides, fingure followers etc.

Hope this was of some use and didn't worry you to much! If you are worried then just take it to a dealer or specialist and ask them to look over the engine.

I had feedback on the condition of my original Speed 6 engine. The Cam Followers were well worn and could have failed at any time. My Tamora is a 2002 and had only done 22,000 miles before I had the engine rebuilt and upgraded.
Worn Cam Followers to me suggests the narrow oilways of the early Speed 6 engine were starving the top of the engine of oil, and that the previous 2 owners did not warm the engine up properly.
The oilways in my rebuilt engine have now been expanded. If you don't get the oilways expanded then you have the cause of some of the speed 6 engine problems still there in your engine. My advice is to get the oilways expanded at some stage. I think this is another reason why the recomended oil is 5w/40 which is less viscus.

This is the reason why I payed alot of money for the rebuild and upgrade, and for the expertise of someone who has alot of experience with the speed 6 engine. That nagging feeling I had every time I got into my Tamora "is the engine going to blow" is now fading.

[FrancoTam]

icraigmy said:

FrancoTam said:

andy11 said:

Hi Andrew, Hope you don't mind me being nosey but why are you having the head rebuilt? Were there any warning signs of the damage etc. Just for future reference!!

I just took it in for a full service and general look over. The throttle bodies needed ajjusting as it was a little lumpy on tickover, not that was any sign of engine probs. When she was warmed up I could hear the tappets making a little noise. I wasn't sure if this was normal or not so I mentioned it. They said that they would just need tightening or loosning, but when they looked into it further with an mini telescope(I think), it turn out that the valves were coming loose. So I've opted for the modified valve guides, fingure followers etc.

Hope this was of some use and didn't worry you to much! If you are worried then just take it to a dealer or specialist and ask them to look over the engine.

I had feedback on the condition of my original Speed 6 engine. The Cam Followers were well worn and could have failed at any time. My Tamora is a 2002 and had only done 22,000 miles before I had the engine rebuilt and upgraded.
Worn Cam Followers to me suggests the narrow oilways of the early Speed 6 engine were starving the top of the engine of oil, and that the previous 2 owners did not warm the engine up properly.
The oilways in my rebuilt engine have now been expanded. If you don't get the oilways expanded then you have the cause of some of the speed 6 engine problems still there in your engine. My advice is to get the oilways expanded at some stage. I think this is another reason why the recomended oil is 5w/40 which is less viscus.

This is the reason why I payed alot of money for the rebuild and upgrade, and for the expertise of someone who has alot of experience with the speed 6 engine. That nagging feeling I had every time I got into my Tamora "is the engine going to blow" is now fading.

I'm glad that feeling is fading. I can't wait to have my car back and get some confidence back in the engine!

You seem to be right about the oil ways on the car not being enough aswell. Apparently the origional design of the engine had 4 seperate oil inlets to the head, but TVR decided to take 2 of them away. In my rebuilt/mod they are putting another oil inlet to make the oil distribution better.

Edited by FrancoTam on Saturday 28th April 15:38