Another New 'Wedger' - Some Advice Please
Discussion
Hi guys.
I'm planning on picking up my first TVR, a 1988 350I, after work tonight (friday 12th).
And yes, it was the noise that made me do it!
My last few cars have been a mildly modified S13 Nissan 200sx, a Mazda RX7 Twin Turbo, and for the past four years or so an E30 BMW which I started off with fitting an E34 535i engine into, then fitting another 535i engine with a turbo (see my profile pic).
They were all very good cars, especially the RX7, but 10mpg is a bit much.
The BMW (which was the cover story in the November 2009 Total BMW Magazine) eventually became more of a headache than a pleasure, so is being broken up for parts at the moment.
Then I decided I wanted a car which made a proper noise, so had to have a V8 engine, and I didn't have a lot to spend.
My thoughts firstly turned to Porsche 928, but after much research I found the price of parts quite scary, so I then thought about a 'Wedge'.
The idea grew on me so much I went to look at a few and try them out.
I fell for the noise instantly, and after a couple of months I bought a 350I.
I am quite handy with a spanner and I wish to give it an engine service as soon as I get it.
So, is there a general opinion on which oil is best to use in these?
It's a standard 350I with 87,000 miles on the clock, lots of history and seems to run very well.
Also, the speedometer doesn't work, is that likely to be the cable?
If so, was the cable from another car, Rover SD1 or something?
Any help is much apreciated and I'll post some pics up as soon as I get the chance to take some.
I'm so excited about driving through the first tunnel with the roof down!
I'm planning on picking up my first TVR, a 1988 350I, after work tonight (friday 12th).
And yes, it was the noise that made me do it!
My last few cars have been a mildly modified S13 Nissan 200sx, a Mazda RX7 Twin Turbo, and for the past four years or so an E30 BMW which I started off with fitting an E34 535i engine into, then fitting another 535i engine with a turbo (see my profile pic).
They were all very good cars, especially the RX7, but 10mpg is a bit much.
The BMW (which was the cover story in the November 2009 Total BMW Magazine) eventually became more of a headache than a pleasure, so is being broken up for parts at the moment.
Then I decided I wanted a car which made a proper noise, so had to have a V8 engine, and I didn't have a lot to spend.
My thoughts firstly turned to Porsche 928, but after much research I found the price of parts quite scary, so I then thought about a 'Wedge'.
The idea grew on me so much I went to look at a few and try them out.
I fell for the noise instantly, and after a couple of months I bought a 350I.
I am quite handy with a spanner and I wish to give it an engine service as soon as I get it.
So, is there a general opinion on which oil is best to use in these?
It's a standard 350I with 87,000 miles on the clock, lots of history and seems to run very well.
Also, the speedometer doesn't work, is that likely to be the cable?
If so, was the cable from another car, Rover SD1 or something?
Any help is much apreciated and I'll post some pics up as soon as I get the chance to take some.
I'm so excited about driving through the first tunnel with the roof down!
Hi ROODBOY and welcome, that's an interesting collections of cars you've had. Like you, it was the noise, particularly the V8, that did it for me.
There's loads of info on oils if you do a search on the OPIE oils thread on the general TVR forum. Generally though, you want to avoid the thin stuff. Look at a 10W 40 or 15W 50. I use Motul, some use Silkolene, but these might be a bit OTT for a standard engine. It's also important to keep the engine revs below 2,500 until the engine is properly warm, which can take a while in the current weather! As for the cable, it may have just become unscrewed from the speedo head - unlikely to have come adrift from the gearbox end as I think it's bolted on. If it's broken I think someone like Speedy Cables could help.
Good luck.
7.
There's loads of info on oils if you do a search on the OPIE oils thread on the general TVR forum. Generally though, you want to avoid the thin stuff. Look at a 10W 40 or 15W 50. I use Motul, some use Silkolene, but these might be a bit OTT for a standard engine. It's also important to keep the engine revs below 2,500 until the engine is properly warm, which can take a while in the current weather! As for the cable, it may have just become unscrewed from the speedo head - unlikely to have come adrift from the gearbox end as I think it's bolted on. If it's broken I think someone like Speedy Cables could help.
Good luck.
7.
Haha!
I don't have sat nav (when it comes to technology I'm usually about fifteen years behind the modern world!).
The 350i isn't as quick as my last few cars but, apart from the RX7 which was unmodified except the exhaust, they've been money pits and lots of hassle, so I just wanted a car that I could enjoy driving and which put a smile on my face for not a lot of cash.
I realise there may be some running repairs to do and regular maintainence but I'd get bored if I didn't have a car that needed some tinkering!
I forgot to say, this will be my only car and my daily driver, am I brave or stupid..?
I don't have sat nav (when it comes to technology I'm usually about fifteen years behind the modern world!).
The 350i isn't as quick as my last few cars but, apart from the RX7 which was unmodified except the exhaust, they've been money pits and lots of hassle, so I just wanted a car that I could enjoy driving and which put a smile on my face for not a lot of cash.
I realise there may be some running repairs to do and regular maintainence but I'd get bored if I didn't have a car that needed some tinkering!
I forgot to say, this will be my only car and my daily driver, am I brave or stupid..?
Of all the TVR V8s the 350 is likely to be the most reliable (and economical), as it is the least stressed motor and more or less the same as was fitted to the Rover SD1 Vitesse, but with better exhaust manis.
Minor electrical issues such as bad earths are the most common but easily fixable faults, so I'd say drive with confidence once you've got to know your particular car.
USING the car will probably help to keep it reliable more than anything else.
Minor electrical issues such as bad earths are the most common but easily fixable faults, so I'd say drive with confidence once you've got to know your particular car.
USING the car will probably help to keep it reliable more than anything else.
Thanks for the welcomes and advice folks, encouraging stuff!
I was thinking about renewing earth straps as a preventitive measure and just giving it a good check over / service all round, probably next weekend.
Everyone I've told that I was getting a TVR has recoiled in horror and mentioned AA trucks and hard shoulders!
I'll show 'em!
I was thinking about renewing earth straps as a preventitive measure and just giving it a good check over / service all round, probably next weekend.
Everyone I've told that I was getting a TVR has recoiled in horror and mentioned AA trucks and hard shoulders!
I'll show 'em!
Yes, people who've likely never owned one. 
Any car which is used only occasionally, sat in a damp garage for weeks on end, is maybe 20 years old and is a low-production hand-built product.....etc,etc.
Will their cars be as reliable, exclusive, and such fun to drive 20 + years down the line....or just long ago re-cycled into more mass-produced white goods ?
Any car which is used only occasionally, sat in a damp garage for weeks on end, is maybe 20 years old and is a low-production hand-built product.....etc,etc.
Will their cars be as reliable, exclusive, and such fun to drive 20 + years down the line....or just long ago re-cycled into more mass-produced white goods ?
Here's the list of attendees so far:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/topic.asp?h=0...
Oh yes....plenty of cars and beer !
This will give you some idea...same venue. Great little wedge website too.
http://www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/owners_bbwf_2005.ht...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/topic.asp?h=0...
Oh yes....plenty of cars and beer !
This will give you some idea...same venue. Great little wedge website too.
http://www.tvrwedgepages.co.uk/owners_bbwf_2005.ht...
Edited by grahamw48 on Friday 12th February 16:00
Well I picked it up tonight, and I love it even more than I thought I would from the test drive before I bought it! 
That noise is something that I will NEVER get bored of!
I've got a busy weekend planned but I'll try and get some pics and post them up.
I've had a friday night drink so not driven it for a few hours now but I'm still grinning like a complete idiot!
That noise is something that I will NEVER get bored of!
I've got a busy weekend planned but I'll try and get some pics and post them up.
I've had a friday night drink so not driven it for a few hours now but I'm still grinning like a complete idiot!
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