AJP 4.5 in a Griff?
Discussion
I'm about to commence a 5ltr RV8 engine rebuild because I think I probably have the dreaded porous block / liner issue (it's still running Ok but I have a lovely clean exhaust port on No 2 and I'm losing a bit of water). But the thing is, if I'm going to do a rebuild, it seems sensible to do a few other things including the cam and suddenly it all gets rather pricy.
So, I've decided to tentatively look into fitting an AJP. It's definitely not a done deal but I thought I should at least consider it.
I've seen Clive’s fantastic 4.2 transplant but has anybody fitted a 4.5?
If I could get a sound engine, what other expense would I need to consider?
- Exhaust
- Propshaft
- Electrics
- Engine mounts
- anything fuel related?
(Obviously my one concern is that I fit an engine that is not sound in which case, I'm back to square 1.)
How reliable are the 4.5's? Do they need regular rebuilts like the speed-6? Do they have any know faults?
So, I've decided to tentatively look into fitting an AJP. It's definitely not a done deal but I thought I should at least consider it.
I've seen Clive’s fantastic 4.2 transplant but has anybody fitted a 4.5?
If I could get a sound engine, what other expense would I need to consider?
- Exhaust
- Propshaft
- Electrics
- Engine mounts
- anything fuel related?
(Obviously my one concern is that I fit an engine that is not sound in which case, I'm back to square 1.)
How reliable are the 4.5's? Do they need regular rebuilts like the speed-6? Do they have any know faults?
Edited by daveb500 on Friday 29th January 16:23
the 4.5 is no different in phsical size or reliability to the 4.2.
unless you are really serious about wanting that engine then I `d stick with a rv8 rebuild, bearing inmind I did all of the work myself, with help on electrics, I must have still spent a few grand on buying in bits and pieces, plus a grand to rebuild the ajp in the first place.
if you are going to pay for people to do the work for you then I`d seriously look at what its going to cost,alterations to the chassis, custom engine mounts, exhausts will have to be specially made, cerb ones won`t fit in a griff, propshaft, bellhousing,T5 gearbox if you`ve not already got it, clutch`s arent cheap on these engines, wiring, cooling system will also need to be custom made,the list goes on and on, a cerb rev counter will be needed as well, cerb fuel pump, filter and fuel lines to cope with 5 bar pressure instead of 3.
I don`t want to put you off, if you have the ability to do things yourself, a set of ramps and a bit of space then go for it, what you need in abundance is the desire to do it in the first place, I felt like getting rid many times, but it is worth it in the end..................I hope
mike virgo has a 4,5 in his griff, the original tvr test car, and Jester7 on here is doing one as well, mine took nearly a full year to do, mike and Ian are still at it, they started before me and are still trying to find the time and the money to get things done, I`m just trying to highlight how long and costly these sorts of projects can take, especially when the mrs and kids and work all try and get in the way.
pm me if you need any info.
clive
unless you are really serious about wanting that engine then I `d stick with a rv8 rebuild, bearing inmind I did all of the work myself, with help on electrics, I must have still spent a few grand on buying in bits and pieces, plus a grand to rebuild the ajp in the first place.
if you are going to pay for people to do the work for you then I`d seriously look at what its going to cost,alterations to the chassis, custom engine mounts, exhausts will have to be specially made, cerb ones won`t fit in a griff, propshaft, bellhousing,T5 gearbox if you`ve not already got it, clutch`s arent cheap on these engines, wiring, cooling system will also need to be custom made,the list goes on and on, a cerb rev counter will be needed as well, cerb fuel pump, filter and fuel lines to cope with 5 bar pressure instead of 3.
I don`t want to put you off, if you have the ability to do things yourself, a set of ramps and a bit of space then go for it, what you need in abundance is the desire to do it in the first place, I felt like getting rid many times, but it is worth it in the end..................I hope
mike virgo has a 4,5 in his griff, the original tvr test car, and Jester7 on here is doing one as well, mine took nearly a full year to do, mike and Ian are still at it, they started before me and are still trying to find the time and the money to get things done, I`m just trying to highlight how long and costly these sorts of projects can take, especially when the mrs and kids and work all try and get in the way.
pm me if you need any info.
clive
He is gonna be after blood for that !!!Guillotine said:
clive f said:
the 4.5 is no different in phsical size or reliability to the 4.2.
Except the cranks can snap on early small journal AJP8 4.2 lumps when pushed, later 4.2 cranks are the same as the 4.5's and certainly no worse than 5ltr RV8's with poorly balanced bottom ends snapping their cranks...sorry clive
HarryW said:
Guillotine said:
clive f said:
the 4.5 is no different in phsical size or reliability to the 4.2.
Except the cranks can snap on early small journal AJP8 4.2 lumps when pushed, later 4.2 cranks are the same as the 4.5's and certainly no worse than 5ltr RV8's with poorly balanced bottom ends snapping their cranks...sorry clive
clive f said:
HarryW said:
Guillotine said:
clive f said:
the 4.5 is no different in phsical size or reliability to the 4.2.
Except the cranks can snap on early small journal AJP8 4.2 lumps when pushed, later 4.2 cranks are the same as the 4.5's and certainly no worse than 5ltr RV8's with poorly balanced bottom ends snapping their cranks...sorry clive
I`ve had a pint tonightjust a thought Dave, but have you considered the other options available, there`s always the chevy ls route, or even the supercharged rv8 as well, it might be worth finding out what these options would cost in comparrison to the ajp path just to see which gives the biggest bang for your buck
you could rebuild your rv8 to specifically suit the sc, and not have to worry about to many major ancillary changes?
you could rebuild your rv8 to specifically suit the sc, and not have to worry about to many major ancillary changes?
clive f said:
......mike virgo has a 4,5 in his griff, the original tvr test car, and Jester7 on here is doing one as well, mine took nearly a full year to do, mike and Ian are still at it, they started before me and are still trying to find the time and the money to get things done, I`m just trying to highlight how long and costly these sorts of projects can take, especially when the mrs and kids and work all try and get in the way.
pm me if you need any info.
clive
pm me if you need any info.
clive
Mines back on the road again now
and hopefully not coming back off the road again until after the IOW show,at which point we'll do the decent thing and finish it all off properly.As far as the OP's original question goes,i'd say 'go for it',it really is a fabulous conversion
I wouldnt get too hung up about the 4.2/4.5 thing either,both will make you grin,and the 4.2 probably has as many fans as the 4.5 to be honest,just avoid the cast crank as Clive suggests.The AJP Griff said:
clive f said:
......mike virgo has a 4,5 in his griff, the original tvr test car, and Jester7 on here is doing one as well, mine took nearly a full year to do, mike and Ian are still at it, they started before me and are still trying to find the time and the money to get things done, I`m just trying to highlight how long and costly these sorts of projects can take, especially when the mrs and kids and work all try and get in the way.
pm me if you need any info.
clive
pm me if you need any info.
clive
Mines back on the road again now and hopefully not coming back off the road again until after the IOW show,at which point we'll do the decent thing and finish it all off properly.As far as the OP's original question goes,i'd say 'go for it',it really is a fabulous conversion
I wouldnt get too hung up about the 4.2/4.5 thing either,both will make you grin,and the 4.2 probably has as many fans as the 4.5 to be honest,just avoid the cast crank as Clive suggests.hello stranger, you got it back at long last then mate, great news
please polish it yourself before the show this time
The AJP Griff said:
clive f said:
......mike virgo has a 4,5 in his griff, the original tvr test car, and Jester7 on here is doing one as well, mine took nearly a full year to do, mike and Ian are still at it, they started before me and are still trying to find the time and the money to get things done, I`m just trying to highlight how long and costly these sorts of projects can take, especially when the mrs and kids and work all try and get in the way.
pm me if you need any info.
clive
pm me if you need any info.
clive
Mines back on the road again now and hopefully not coming back off the road again until after the IOW show,at which point we'll do the decent thing and finish it all off properly.As far as the OP's original question goes,i'd say 'go for it',it really is a fabulous conversion
I wouldnt get too hung up about the 4.2/4.5 thing either,both will make you grin,and the 4.2 probably has as many fans as the 4.5 to be honest,just avoid the cast crank as Clive suggests.daveb500 said:
It's the exhaust that frightens me the most. It is obviously a very very time consuming thing to create and it sounds like paying somebody isn't necessarily a good idea either (for cost and quality reasons).
Without doubt the exhaust is the biggest problem to overcome,but it's obviously 'do-able' and coud be made more simple than mine or Clives have been,depending on what you want as there are a few options.Where about's in Gloucestershire are you Dave? I'm in the Forest of Dean.clive f said:
hello stranger, you got it back at long last then mate, great news
please polish it yourself before the show this time
Yep,it's nice to have it backplease polish it yourself before the show this time
.Looking forward to a run out when you come over,mate 
(still trying to think of a way of conning you into polishing it for me again)Edited by The AJP Griff on Monday 1st February 19:59
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