Is it a Standard 500

[Uncle Bulgaria]

About 6 years ago I went for a road trip in my Griff around Europe and while on the Autobahn hit a indicated 164mph on speedo backed up with the same reading from my GPS.

Last year at V max with an extra 40,000miles on the clock I hit 151mph on speedo backed up by the same reading from GPS and Vmax speed traps. I had a few problems with the car that day so put the poor performance down to that.

Last week on Autobahnwith car running 100% it would not pull over 149 on speedo and GPS.

Two years ago I took the car to Tunit in Chorley and stuck it on the RR, there was another standard Griff having a run at the same time. The other Griff hit 259BHP/ 284lb ft, mine hit 292BHP/ 340 lb ft.

It still pulls like a train to 140mph but seems to be losing its top end.

Took the car on the Cerburgring Trip recently and it was commented on that my car was very Quick for a Standard Griff by the other guys with Cerbs/Griffs especially its pick up. One of the guys who races a very sorted Griff said it was by far the fastest standard Griff he had been in.

Now I will get to the point
It has been said to me that there were a few factory upgraded specials but the only way to find out is to strip the engine.
I suppose my lack of top speed now is due to its mileage (65,000 miles) and it probably needs a new cam, but does anybody know 100%if the factory made some upgraded standard 500s with upgraded parts and can you still get hold of these parts.


Thanks
UB

Edited by Uncle Bulgaria on Sunday 20th May 10:15

[zz top]

Seeing you only several feet off my rear bumper powering up to 150mph on the Autobahns, Andy (Monster) and I both shouted, "not a standard Griff".

I have spent around £5000 to get my old girl to 312bhp and yours is defo the quickest standard 500 I have ever seen.
You mentioned that this was a special order for the owner of the TVR dealership. I expect he requested extra's on his order.
Why not speak to him or some of the guy's who worked at the factory duing the time your car was built. Post year and registration and i am sure someone will remember your "special".

As for your cam i would defo change. I run with a 404 and as pleased to feck with it.

You and HA up for SPA-RING in October? zz

[ianstaffordshire]

reading your topic i think i would like to rolling road my 500 is there anyone nr stoke that does this sort of thing and what should it cost its 1993 pre serpentine and should be one of the 340bhp engines (although this is probrobly exhagerated by tvr) with 45k on it wonder what its putting out now?

[Uncle Bulgaria]

zz top said:

Seeing you only several feet off my rear bumper powering up to 150mph on the Autobahns, Andy (Monster) and I both shouted, "not a standard Griff".

I have spent around £5000 to get my old girl to 312bhp and yours is defo the quickest standard 500 I have ever seen.
You mentioned that this was a special order for the owner of the TVR dealership. I expect he requested extra's on his order.
Why not speak to him or some of the guy's who worked at the factory duing the time your car was built. Post year and registration and i am sure someone will remember your "special".

As for your cam i would defo change. I run with a 404 and as pleased to feck with it.

You and HA up for SPA-RING in October? zz

I rang the factory about my car and spoke to Kirsty, she told me it was classed as a "special" but she could not tell me exactly what was special about it. It was ordered by the Head Shed of a major TVR dealer as his own car and I believe Colin Blower had something to do with it as well. I think it may have been used as a Press car as well and that could explain the factory upgrades. It also had 2 chassis numbers registered at the Factory. If anyone who worked at the factory could enlighten me that would be great.

Gary(HA) has got the TVR bug now and is looking for a S3/S4, we both hope to be on the next monster TVR tour. See you on it ZZ.

UB

Edited by Uncle Bulgaria on Sunday 20th May 21:05

[Uncle Bulgaria]

ianstaffordshire said:

reading your topic i think i would like to rolling road my 500 is there anyone nr stoke that does this sort of thing and what should it cost its 1993 pre serpentine and should be one of the 340bhp engines (although this is probrobly exhagerated by tvr) with 45k on it wonder what its putting out now?

I paid about £40 for the rolling road but don't expect 340BHP on a standard car, if your car hits (270BHP/300lb ft)its classed as a good standard engine.

Well thats what the guys at Tunit told me and they know their stuff.
Good Luck.

UB

Edited by Uncle Bulgaria on Sunday 20th May 21:26

[V8 GRF]

Try talking to Heath Briggs or Paul Forrest they might know?

[zz top]

Uncle Bulgaria said:

I rang the factory about my car and spoke to Kirsty, she told me it was classed as a "special" but she could not tell me exactly what was special about it. It was ordered by the Head Shed of a major TVR dealer as his own car and I believe Colin Blower had something to do with it as well. I think it may have been used as a Press car as well and that could explain the factory upgrades. It also had 2 chassis numbers registered at the Factory. If anyone who worked at the factory could enlighten me that would be great.

Gary(HA) has got the TVR bug now and is looking for a S3/S4, we both hope to be on the next monster TVR tour. See you on it ZZ.

UB

Try moving this to General TVR Gassing, you may come across someone who worked on the car.
Delighted to hear that HA is looking for a TVR and ya gonna be joining the SPA-Ring run in October..... Smell that steak from here!

Saw the vid........ brilliant. C ya zz

[jeffsy]

ianstaffordshire said:

reading your topic i think i would like to rolling road my 500 is there anyone nr stoke that does this sort of thing and what should it cost its 1993 pre serpentine and should be one of the 340bhp engines (although this is probrobly exhagerated by tvr) with 45k on it wonder what its putting out now?

Shortly I will be starting a thread regarding spaces on the Rolling Road at this years Growl. We have fianlised arrangements now so its a question of gettng bums on seats. There will be 20 spaces up for grabs over Sat and Sun so watch this space...

Its a good chance to see yours against its peers ...with a very appreciable audience as well

cheers

[Uncle Bulgaria]

zz top said:

Uncle Bulgaria said:

I rang the factory about my car and spoke to Kirsty, she told me it was classed as a "special" but she could not tell me exactly what was special about it. It was ordered by the Head Shed of a major TVR dealer as his own car and I believe Colin Blower had something to do with it as well. I think it may have been used as a Press car as well and that could explain the factory upgrades. It also had 2 chassis numbers registered at the Factory. If anyone who worked at the factory could enlighten me that would be great.

Gary(HA) has got the TVR bug now and is looking for a S3/S4, we both hope to be on the next monster TVR tour. See you on it ZZ.

UB

Try moving this to General TVR Gassing, you may come across someone who worked on the car.
Delighted to hear that HA is looking for a TVR and ya gonna be joining the SPA-Ring run in October..... Smell that steak from here!

Saw the vid........ brilliant. C ya zz

[Uncle Bulgaria]

Uncle Bulgaria said:

Two years ago I took the car to Tunit in Chorley and stuck it on the RR, there was another standard Griff having a run at the same time. The other Griff hit 259BHP/ 284lb ft, mine hit 292BHP/ 340 lb ft.

And this was when it was 7 years old with 52000 hard driven miles on it. God knows what it was bangng out when new.

The car still sounds great but could losing 15mph off its top speed just be down to a worn cam or could it be something more sinister.

[Uncle Bulgaria]

Just had this reply from a TVR engine Guru.




"There would be some "special engines" done for press cars etc etc over the years but were in fact never anything too radical. Obviously there were one or two exceptions for some people (i know we did a couple of 5.2's many years ago but they werent in the Tvr loop as such).
Unfortunately, I think the only true way of finding out is to strip it, even if you asked Tvr Power to search their records it may not reveal alot"


Thanks for the reply Sir,


It seems my car is probably just a standard car, at best it might be a special press car but like the guru said "never anything to radical"

[zz top]

Whatever it is it's AWESOME.

[Uncle Bulgaria]

I think both Griffs surprised a few Cerbys on that trip.

[Uncle Bulgaria]

zz top said:

As for your cam i would defo change. I run with a 404 and as pleased to feck with it.

It made a big difference then, how many miles had your Griff on it when you change the cam and who did the work for you.
I have heard of TVR/RV cars with 120,000miles with no problems. I am going to the next V max and if I have another poor day performance wise I will probably look into renewing the cam.


Cheers
UB

[zz top]

Uncle Bulgaria said:

zz top said:

As for your cam i would defo change. I run with a 404 and as pleased to feck with it.

It made a big difference then, how many miles had your Griff on it when you change the cam and who did the work for you.
I have heard of TVR/RV cars with 120,000miles with no problems. I am going to the next V max and if I have another poor day performance wise I will probably look into renewing the cam.


Cheers
UB

Hi UB

Richard at Dulford Automotive changed my cam at 26000 miles, not that it was worn it's just that i wanted a full engine modification. In fact the old cam looked new. My mods included a twin plenum, Mark Adams chip and ceramic coned manifolds each giving a small improvement in power.

The first difference you see/feel is a quicker response right up to 6500 rpm, the downside is a little lumpy at low revs, but after a while you get to know how to drive it. I have been running in this format for the past 3 years and I would't change anything. Last RR session she pushed out 312bhp, not bad for a 13 year old car with original rover box.

The only way you are going to find out about your engine is when you strip it.

If its only top end power being affected at the moment is it worth a change? Knowing just how competitive you are, i would say go for it, it will put a bigger smile on your face.

Give Richard a call and talk it through. Cheers zz

[HarryW]

Agree the only true way to know is when its stripped. However there is no harm is asking Dom at TVR Power though, he has build records on a lot of the engines, give him the serial number he may have it on record.