T350 What exactly is the engine problem?
Discussion
I want to buy a T350 and have trawled through this forum but am not completely sure what the exact problem with the straight 6 engine is.
I understand there is a design fault and that this can cause problems. Can anyone be specific so I can walk in to this with knowledge.
Thanks very much!
I understand there is a design fault and that this can cause problems. Can anyone be specific so I can walk in to this with knowledge.
Thanks very much!
Zippee said:
Have a look on the Speed 6 engine forum, all your questions should be answered on there.
Well, I'm afraid for newbie, that might not be the case...he may just come away terrified, or think he has to spend zillions on a FFF engine build.Certainly enough to make anyone thing twice abut owning a S6 engined car though - is that realsitic??
I'd agree with that - there is a certain cloud of doom that follows all S6 engines - if it's warranted or not, is down to owners care, and plain luck...
Not enough people talk about it's great sound (mine rasp coming off the throttle - great and unusual sound), it's got some fair poke to it, and when it's warm, it's a great engine.
Not enough people talk about it's great sound (mine rasp coming off the throttle - great and unusual sound), it's got some fair poke to it, and when it's warm, it's a great engine.
Don1 said:
I'd agree with that - there is a certain cloud of doom that follows all S6 engines - if it's warranted or not, is down to owners care, and plain luck...
Not enough people talk about it's great sound (mine rasp coming off the throttle - great and unusual sound), it's got some fair poke to it, and when it's warm, it's a great engine.
Not enough folk discuss the design of the cylinderhaed in anything other than derogitory terms either - its actually a very very good head.Not enough people talk about it's great sound (mine rasp coming off the throttle - great and unusual sound), it's got some fair poke to it, and when it's warm, it's a great engine.
With care, good servicing, and a tiny smidge of good luck - it is indeed a great engine...but then I happen to love 6 cylinder engines in most forms!!
Unfortunately like all Internet forums, the Speed Six forum is where people post when they have problems. You rarely get people posting about no problems. If the Speed Six weere unreliable I would not have attempted to drive across Europe many times like I have. The Speed Six engine has soul and sends a quiver down your spine, even at 25mph in traffic, never mind when extending the revs on a weekend blast with the windows/roof down. Not many modern engines can do this unless you look to the expensive Italian brands (Audi R8, Aston Martin are lovely, but still not quite as 'alive').
TVR really screwed up in 2000/2001 with the early Speed Six in the Tuscan - most needed a rebuild. The newer models are completely different in terms of reliability. They are not Toyota engines, so they do go wrong, but most of the time all that is required is something like a tune-up or a new throttle potentiometer etc. Minor fettling.
I see you're in Devon - get down to Peninsula (near Exeter) and Dulfords (up the M5 a bit I think) and have a chat with the mechanics.
TVR really screwed up in 2000/2001 with the early Speed Six in the Tuscan - most needed a rebuild. The newer models are completely different in terms of reliability. They are not Toyota engines, so they do go wrong, but most of the time all that is required is something like a tune-up or a new throttle potentiometer etc. Minor fettling.
I see you're in Devon - get down to Peninsula (near Exeter) and Dulfords (up the M5 a bit I think) and have a chat with the mechanics.
if you treat it like a race engine , warm it properly ,check oil , regular service its great ,and if you keep say £5k back you can replace it with a TVR-POWER engine with a 5 year warranty..should the worst happen.
on full chat the sound is hard to beat (de-cat + power rear cans) sounds MANIC
on full chat the sound is hard to beat (de-cat + power rear cans) sounds MANIC
Road Hog said:
if you treat it like a race engine , warm it properly ,check oil , regular service its great ,and if you keep say £5k back you can replace it with a TVR-POWER engine with a 5 year warranty..should the worst happen.
on full chat the sound is hard to beat (de-cat + power rear cans) sounds MANIC
on full chat the sound is hard to beat (de-cat + power rear cans) sounds MANIC
nothing much more to add, other than the other half has done 65K miles over the last 5 years in Speed 6 engined TVRs used as daily drivers, sure there have been issues (like any car) but nothing that would stop you owning, driving, and enjoying the car itself
some people wont touch K series Elises as theyve "heard they have problems and HGF is certain" ...of course the reality is much different and there are tens of thousands of happy owners out there ...sure many have had the head gasket fixed ...wooopppeee...shouldnt stop people from buying them
same with the Speed 6, its been around long enough now, that there are well known issues, and known solutions to them, with a range of aftermarket suppliers that will rebuild/fix your engine AND warranty it for piece of mind. If you get a car thats been done then you dont have to worry. If you buy a cheaper, older, low mileage S6 engined car that hasnt been done, allow for this "just in case"
other than that, stop worrying, buy one, and enjoy it, have fun, go on holiday, do 3000 miles in 10 days around Europe in it, take it on trackdays, go to work in it, go down the supermarket ....thats what we do.....its just a (fabulous) car - so USE IT
some people wont touch K series Elises as theyve "heard they have problems and HGF is certain" ...of course the reality is much different and there are tens of thousands of happy owners out there ...sure many have had the head gasket fixed ...wooopppeee...shouldnt stop people from buying them
same with the Speed 6, its been around long enough now, that there are well known issues, and known solutions to them, with a range of aftermarket suppliers that will rebuild/fix your engine AND warranty it for piece of mind. If you get a car thats been done then you dont have to worry. If you buy a cheaper, older, low mileage S6 engined car that hasnt been done, allow for this "just in case"
other than that, stop worrying, buy one, and enjoy it, have fun, go on holiday, do 3000 miles in 10 days around Europe in it, take it on trackdays, go to work in it, go down the supermarket ....thats what we do.....its just a (fabulous) car - so USE IT
bogie said:
other than that, stop worrying, buy one, and enjoy it, have fun, go on holiday, do 3000 miles in 10 days around Europe in it, take it on trackdays, go to work in it, go down the supermarket ....thats what we do.....its just a (fabulous) car - so USE IT
Spot on - well said that man.
Hi, I'm in Devon (Crediton) and if you want a look round my car, Tamora but same engine as a T350, your wellcome, bought it just over 2 years ago with 6000, on the clock, now done 27000,only problem i've had is a clutch slave cylinder go when i was in Spain last year, still finished the trip and had it fixed when i got back. allways gets serviced on time, warmed up properly, Dulford look after it for me and i would be glad to introduce you to them as they are a top garage with top guys, give me a shout if you fancy a blast in a Speed Six it might change your life.
Ken
Ken
mrlambo said:
I want to buy a T350 and have trawled through this forum but am not completely sure what the exact problem with the straight 6 engine is.
I understand there is a design fault and that this can cause problems. Can anyone be specific so I can walk in to this with knowledge.
Thanks very much!
I understand there is a design fault and that this can cause problems. Can anyone be specific so I can walk in to this with knowledge.
Thanks very much!
I'm just about to hit 36,000 miles in my 2003 T350 & apart from a new clutch, a few minor niggles (stupid windscreen wipers!), regular care & servicing she's never let me down yet. Like everyone says, do your homework, insist on FSH, treat her right, warm her up properly before you let loose & I'm sure you'll be beaming like a baboon in a bath-full of bananas. I could not be happier with mine...
I could not be happier with mine...Mine's just gone for the 4ltr rebuild / upgrade. Jason at STR8 SIX has confirmed that once the engine was stripped, the only thing showing signs of wear and a cause for concern were a couple of the valves starting to burn out, slightly worn exhaust valve guides and the timing chains.
Big ends, finger followers, camms, liners and pistons were all fine. Thats after 56,000 miles and no rebuild, all the original components. So if you get a well put together SP6 engine and treat it well it will be fine. My 56k engine was built in 2003.
Big ends, finger followers, camms, liners and pistons were all fine. Thats after 56,000 miles and no rebuild, all the original components. So if you get a well put together SP6 engine and treat it well it will be fine. My 56k engine was built in 2003.
Likewise, 2003, 37k, still going strong (recent 12k service was fine) and on original clutch. For such a specialist car with a race engine essentially, thats pretty good going. Buy with care and the future is bright - or should that be blurred, very, very blurred, especially through the rear view mirror!
I'm reading this thread and starting to feel good
A number of Speed 6's out there with respectable mileages and next to no problems (some even original clutch)
It would be really nice to collate this info somewhere so it is available to beat all those heretics into submission when they start about Tiv reliability !
(ps I am still wimping out at only 6k miles -
note to self: must use Tiv more )
A number of Speed 6's out there with respectable mileages and next to no problems (some even original clutch)
It would be really nice to collate this info somewhere so it is available to beat all those heretics into submission when they start about Tiv reliability !
(ps I am still wimping out at only 6k miles -
note to self: must use Tiv more ) Gassing Station | Tamora, T350 & Sagaris | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff