Help! Replacement engine choices.......
Discussion
Ok, thought I'd post in the main TVR forum to get a wider audience.
The worst has been confirmed on my 4.0 Chim, the block is cracked.
Now I have two choices, firstly (and the most expensive option) is to buy a new Cosworth engineered block from TVR Power and have the engine rebuilt to standard spec (basically a new engine with a three year warranty).
Secondly I've seen a Griff 500 engine with 35,000 miles on it, service history to back it up and I can speak to the previous owner and the TVR dealership that serviced it.
Now I'd prefer to go down the Griff 500 route for cost reasons and of course power
Thing is I'm concerned, I won't be able to see the engine running as it's out of the car. It could have a worn cam, porous block or any number of things wrong with it. Maybe I'm being to cautious but after what has happened to my engine it's not surprising.
What do you think is the best route for me to take on this?
Thanks for all your responses in advance...
The worst has been confirmed on my 4.0 Chim, the block is cracked.
Now I have two choices, firstly (and the most expensive option) is to buy a new Cosworth engineered block from TVR Power and have the engine rebuilt to standard spec (basically a new engine with a three year warranty).
Secondly I've seen a Griff 500 engine with 35,000 miles on it, service history to back it up and I can speak to the previous owner and the TVR dealership that serviced it.
Now I'd prefer to go down the Griff 500 route for cost reasons and of course power
Thing is I'm concerned, I won't be able to see the engine running as it's out of the car. It could have a worn cam, porous block or any number of things wrong with it. Maybe I'm being to cautious but after what has happened to my engine it's not surprising.What do you think is the best route for me to take on this?
Thanks for all your responses in advance...
There are other options. jellison has dropped a LSx engine into his Chimaera. You'd have bags more power and a much more modern engine that requires less maintenance and longer service intervals.
Given how plentiful LSx engines are and how many things they are in (Corvette and Holden / Vauxhall Monaro to name just two) it could be a cost-effective conversion.
Just a thought.
Given how plentiful LSx engines are and how many things they are in (Corvette and Holden / Vauxhall Monaro to name just two) it could be a cost-effective conversion.
Just a thought.
Quinny said:
Its a tricky one.
But if cost is an issue, why not just get a good second hand block from a Range Rover, and put all your bits into it??
Take the chance to check things over, maybe a new cam if required, freshen all the bearings piston rings etc, and drop it in.
I reconn this could be done for around £1 to £2k max.
How many miles has your car done??
The car has done 75,000 miles and had a top end rebuild about 25,000 ago. The head and cam have all been confimed to have no wear, etc so it's just the block. I could go for a second hand Range Rover lump but again it could be porous, etc. But if cost is an issue, why not just get a good second hand block from a Range Rover, and put all your bits into it??
Take the chance to check things over, maybe a new cam if required, freshen all the bearings piston rings etc, and drop it in.
I reconn this could be done for around £1 to £2k max.
How many miles has your car done??
For genuine non-biased advice have a chat to Ian at Torque RVT, you'll not go far wrong.
http://www.torquervt.co.uk/
http://www.torquervt.co.uk/
Edited by Bomber Denton on Tuesday 19th February 21:44
Quinny said:
Is your block just porous or cracked??
The reason I ask, is that if its porous, I believe that if you have Tophat liners fitted, it's a cure for this.
It also has other benefits, maybe worth a chat with Rob at V8 Developments
I think you may be being a bit over cautious regarding getting yet another porous block. I can understand why, but I don't think its that common a problem.
By the way I have a known good block on a shelf in my garage, that could be of use
Not sure if it's porous or cracked I'm afraid. The head gasket had blown so I had that replaced, unfortunately on the test drive today it started mis-firing. When they tested the block it was getting water into cylinder 5.The reason I ask, is that if its porous, I believe that if you have Tophat liners fitted, it's a cure for this.
It also has other benefits, maybe worth a chat with Rob at V8 Developments
I think you may be being a bit over cautious regarding getting yet another porous block. I can understand why, but I don't think its that common a problem.
By the way I have a known good block on a shelf in my garage, that could be of use
I'll bear in mind the block you have. Is it from a Range Rover or TVR? Also how much do you want for it?
JonRB said:
There are other options. jellison has dropped a LSx engine into his Chimaera. You'd have bags more power and a much more modern engine that requires less maintenance and longer service intervals.
Given how plentiful LSx engines are and how many things they are in (Corvette and Holden / Vauxhall Monaro to name just two) it could be a cost-effective conversion.
Just a thought.
I wonder if the LSx would go into a Tuscan?Given how plentiful LSx engines are and how many things they are in (Corvette and Holden / Vauxhall Monaro to name just two) it could be a cost-effective conversion.
Just a thought.
. The head gasket had blown so I had that replaced, unfortunately on the test drive today it started mis-firing. When they tested the block it was getting water into cylinder 5.
quote]
Please forgive a silly question but I presume you checked the head did not need a skim and had no microscopic crack in the combustion chamber?
quote]
Please forgive a silly question but I presume you checked the head did not need a skim and had no microscopic crack in the combustion chamber?
alderley said:
. The head gasket had blown so I had that replaced, unfortunately on the test drive today it started mis-firing. When they tested the block it was getting water into cylinder 5.
quote]
Please forgive a silly question but I presume you checked the head did not need a skim and had no microscopic crack in the combustion chamber?
Well that couldn't have been done without the block being removed and sent off to be checked. As the head gasket had clearly blown I went with that option. This is just unlucky.quote]
Please forgive a silly question but I presume you checked the head did not need a skim and had no microscopic crack in the combustion chamber?
Well you can get tophat's fitted to you current engine for about 800 + Vat.
You will then have a 100% solid block.
This price is if you strip the engine yourself.
you may want to do a full re-fresh new cam bearing, main's and big ends. plus your need new rings to go with your new liners. with gaskets your talking about another £300 ish.
I'm currently in the process of the above.
You will then have a 100% solid block.
This price is if you strip the engine yourself.
you may want to do a full re-fresh new cam bearing, main's and big ends. plus your need new rings to go with your new liners. with gaskets your talking about another £300 ish.
I'm currently in the process of the above.
TVRleigh_BBWR said:
This price is if you strip the engine yourself.
Leigh, is that a good idea for someone who wants to remove the engine in order to:alderley said:
Please forgive a silly question but I presume you checked the head did not need a skim and had no microscopic crack in the combustion chamber?
JR said:
TVRleigh_BBWR said:
This price is if you strip the engine yourself.
Leigh, is that a good idea for someone who wants to remove the engine in order to:alderley said:
Please forgive a silly question but I presume you checked the head did not need a skim and had no microscopic crack in the combustion chamber?
main reason for saying as the price I know is if you just have the bare block.
If you give them the whole engine and ask for it to be done and re-built you can over double that price.
Whip the engine out and get it to V8D and have them look at it and give you a breakdown of the issues, it will cost the removal of the engine, which is going to cost anyway, and the cost of shofting it and tesing it, probably less than £200 all in.
That way you will have an accepted experts opinion of the blocks condition and you're options.
A LS lump will change will require a whole heap of other mod's and unless you are pretty handy yourself, will costs you a lot more than a test and full rebuild with Top Hats at V8D.
I had mine Top Hat'd the first time it was rebuilt as under pressure, above operating pressure, well above, one liner leaked. Top Hats solved that and it wasn't even the reason it was there in the first place. It probably would never have been an issue as the testing is more rigorous than the standard operation of the engine, but piece of mind and all that I had them done.
I agree with Quinny on this, I think you've got a knackered liner, and have it Toppped and a refresh, get it back in and Bob's your uncle.
That way you will have an accepted experts opinion of the blocks condition and you're options.
A LS lump will change will require a whole heap of other mod's and unless you are pretty handy yourself, will costs you a lot more than a test and full rebuild with Top Hats at V8D.
I had mine Top Hat'd the first time it was rebuilt as under pressure, above operating pressure, well above, one liner leaked. Top Hats solved that and it wasn't even the reason it was there in the first place. It probably would never have been an issue as the testing is more rigorous than the standard operation of the engine, but piece of mind and all that I had them done.
I agree with Quinny on this, I think you've got a knackered liner, and have it Toppped and a refresh, get it back in and Bob's your uncle.
Johno said:
Whip the engine out and get it to V8D and have them look at it and give you a breakdown of the issues, it will cost the removal of the engine, which is going to cost anyway, and the cost of shofting it and tesing it, probably less than £200 all in.
That way you will have an accepted experts opinion of the blocks condition and you're options.
A LS lump will change will require a whole heap of other mod's and unless you are pretty handy yourself, will costs you a lot more than a test and full rebuild with Top Hats at V8D.
I had mine Top Hat'd the first time it was rebuilt as under pressure, above operating pressure, well above, one liner leaked. Top Hats solved that and it wasn't even the reason it was there in the first place. It probably would never have been an issue as the testing is more rigorous than the standard operation of the engine, but piece of mind and all that I had them done.
I agree with Quinny on this, I think you've got a knackered liner, and have it Toppped and a refresh, get it back in and Bob's your uncle.
Thanks for your replies. That way you will have an accepted experts opinion of the blocks condition and you're options.
A LS lump will change will require a whole heap of other mod's and unless you are pretty handy yourself, will costs you a lot more than a test and full rebuild with Top Hats at V8D.
I had mine Top Hat'd the first time it was rebuilt as under pressure, above operating pressure, well above, one liner leaked. Top Hats solved that and it wasn't even the reason it was there in the first place. It probably would never have been an issue as the testing is more rigorous than the standard operation of the engine, but piece of mind and all that I had them done.
I agree with Quinny on this, I think you've got a knackered liner, and have it Toppped and a refresh, get it back in and Bob's your uncle.
These are the realistic choices I now have:
1. Get the car sent up to V8D and have the engine stripped down, top hat liners in the existing block and rebuilt.
2. Brand new block from TVR Power and rebuild.
At the moment I'm more inclined towards the new block. This is because the car is already at the TVR Centre so it would be an easier option that arranging to get it up to Lincolnshire. It will be a brand new block with a three year guarantee (even though this is the more expensive choice).
Actually, I'm not sure if the TVR Power blocks have Top Hat liners fitted, can anyone confirm this?
Edited by BagOfOldRats on Wednesday 20th February 21:03
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