Tuscan max. mileage and durability

[oweise]

Hi,

what's the highest mileage achieved with a Tuscan Mk. I you've ever heard of (by trustworthy sources ;-) )?
I'm just considering falling in love (yes, I'm way too rational)
and know about top end rebuilts of the early models,
however there don't seem to be any with more than 50k on the clock...
it would be nice to assess how long the engine lasts after the head issues have been sorted out.

BTW: does anybody even make oversize pistons etc. for the SpeedSix once a bottom end rebuild is necessary?

My alternative would be a Griffith 500 (yes, I know - completely incomparable) -
for those V8 lumps you still get loads of spare parts (I don't mind doing the mechanics myself),
and with proper maintenance there are at least some examples which prove >100k durability.

What about clutches and gearboxes - would you consider 20k the regular interval for a Tuscan clutch change
or is this rather a "cheap OEM stuff - upgrade once and forget forever" thing?

I've heard that frame rust proofing improved a lot with the Tuscan as compared to the Griff/Chim era -
can you confirm this?

Any help gladly appreciated!

Cheers,
Oliver

[Lucozade]

I got 22,000 out of my first MK1 before it needed a rebuild. Gearboxes have varied between 5K to 10K for me. Never needed a clutch doing I must say.

Plenty other answers already on here regarding engine reliability and companies now offering upgraded engines, e.g. TVR Power, Racing Green, etc.

Have you looked at the Speed Six forum?

[tuscan_al]

Car is n 52k now.

Had a clutch at 24 and 50 k but the second time the slave had gone, however once I was in there did both. Rebuilt at 26k. No shims needed or much oil consumption since.

[Whitey]

[quote=Lucozade]I got 22,000 out of my first MK1 before it needed a rebuild. Gearboxes have varied between 5K to 10K for me. Never needed a clutch doing I must say.

quote]

Hang on a second, are your gearboxes breaking between 5K and 10K? Nice one! I did not break mine until 22000 miles!!

On a serious note, the T5 boxes do generally last well, but there are plenty of stories of them breaking, 5th gear in particular. Mind you I managed to break 3rd gear!

OR should I be rephrasing all that, and saying the box broke, and not that I broke it?

[S6PNJ]

I'm on just under 53K, 3rd clutch, same gearbox and no engine rebuilds!
That's on a 51 plate (Jan 02).

[pete]

On 37k miles for a late 2003 3.6, with original gearbox and clutch, and no rebuild.

Pete

[jerbro]

I'm just shy of 28k with original engine and gearbox - no rebuild. Early 2003 MkI.

Getting Nitrons fitted next week...so apart from that, the CCC's and the Momo steering wheel, it's all original!