Discussion
Will do! I've been following your thread with interest - this one has been in the pipeline since July, but I didn't want to break cover until the car was obtained, and the engine (etc) agreed on.
I'm going a different route from Pauls - he is building (in my eyes), the ultimate TVR this side of a Speed 12. This one is going to be cheap as I can make a really good car, as it's going to be a trackday special.
My Sag I'm keeping as close to TVR dreamed of it (so either a Power 4.5 or a FFF mk2), but this one I'm having fun with!
I'm going a different route from Pauls - he is building (in my eyes), the ultimate TVR this side of a Speed 12. This one is going to be cheap as I can make a really good car, as it's going to be a trackday special.
My Sag I'm keeping as close to TVR dreamed of it (so either a Power 4.5 or a FFF mk2), but this one I'm having fun with!
I should think he is, he has stated it repeatedly on here (atleast a starting figure, exchange rates dependant) and I believe it is on his website. It seems like a very reasonable option, one I am interested in. Which LS are you going for/ what are you doing in terms of gearbox/ which management system??
I have slight reservations over the T5 option, as if it is unrebuilt to CTS spec, it is surely not up to the job? Doing this could cost quite a bit, last time I looked, north of £2k, so I do wonder whether it is worth going for the TKO600 - itself around £2k new? My other issue with going this route is that you are left with the same clutch as the S6/AJP - what does this mean for longevity? On the plus side, I guess there are less shock loadings/vibrations through it due to the LS's generally smoother running than say an AJP, but the extra torque surely must take its toll? It seems odd to leave a known weak point of the car in on this conversion? Perhaps Steve can clear these concerns up, it is something we are very interested in doing shortly (car TBC, not our Cerb though!)
The TKO is also a concern, I've heard alot about its poor shift action and extra weight, though it does seem the more sensible option for LS power, especially when looking to increase to more silly levels. This is the option favoured by Topcats/ Dynotorque, but I believe it brings costs up further still if you ignore the rebuilding of the T5 as a necessity? It is a very interesting conversion, one with huge potential (as blackiepaul/ Brummmmie and BoostedCerb have proved) - especially on a T-car IMHO. One we'll give alot more thought, not sure who we would go with either...
I'll be watching this one with interest.
On reflection, I suppose you could just run a T5 as is and if it fails, rebuild, if not, great! I guess that would work out ok? Very very interesting.
I have slight reservations over the T5 option, as if it is unrebuilt to CTS spec, it is surely not up to the job? Doing this could cost quite a bit, last time I looked, north of £2k, so I do wonder whether it is worth going for the TKO600 - itself around £2k new? My other issue with going this route is that you are left with the same clutch as the S6/AJP - what does this mean for longevity? On the plus side, I guess there are less shock loadings/vibrations through it due to the LS's generally smoother running than say an AJP, but the extra torque surely must take its toll? It seems odd to leave a known weak point of the car in on this conversion? Perhaps Steve can clear these concerns up, it is something we are very interested in doing shortly (car TBC, not our Cerb though!)
The TKO is also a concern, I've heard alot about its poor shift action and extra weight, though it does seem the more sensible option for LS power, especially when looking to increase to more silly levels. This is the option favoured by Topcats/ Dynotorque, but I believe it brings costs up further still if you ignore the rebuilding of the T5 as a necessity? It is a very interesting conversion, one with huge potential (as blackiepaul/ Brummmmie and BoostedCerb have proved) - especially on a T-car IMHO. One we'll give alot more thought, not sure who we would go with either...
I'll be watching this one with interest.
On reflection, I suppose you could just run a T5 as is and if it fails, rebuild, if not, great! I guess that would work out ok?
Very very interesting. Edited by BCA on Saturday 25th September 17:42
I'll confirm with Steve before shouting from the rooftops, but according to the figures I have also seen online, you're not far wrong from the figure you're thinking of!
Engine.... We're going for the Holden version of the LS3 (I can't for the life of me remember the name - dyslexia is a horrible thing!). Steve has suggested that that is the best combination for the car (as he has done several Tuscans, a few 350's) - he could have taken more money off me if he wanted to (or sent me else-where), but this is what he thought was best.
Transmission - we are staying with the T5, and a lowered diff 3.08 I think he said. He himself has been running this box for a few years now (IIRC), and it will take the power happily for what I intend to use it for (fast road and track use). Obviously if I have this wrong, I'm more than happy to take this back....! He did assure me that despite the TKO is well known for its toughness, the T5 will happily cope with what we are looking to put through it.
Everything else is TBA...
Engine.... We're going for the Holden version of the LS3 (I can't for the life of me remember the name - dyslexia is a horrible thing!). Steve has suggested that that is the best combination for the car (as he has done several Tuscans, a few 350's) - he could have taken more money off me if he wanted to (or sent me else-where), but this is what he thought was best.
Transmission - we are staying with the T5, and a lowered diff 3.08 I think he said. He himself has been running this box for a few years now (IIRC), and it will take the power happily for what I intend to use it for (fast road and track use). Obviously if I have this wrong, I'm more than happy to take this back....! He did assure me that despite the TKO is well known for its toughness, the T5 will happily cope with what we are looking to put through it.
Everything else is TBA...
great project and as you know I approve. Biggest concern for me is the gearbox and diff ratio which you will need to change. Your gearbox is worth money when it is in one piece so why not sell it on rather than break it when it is in place.
The final drive in your diff will need changing you will know what I mean within your first mile or so. If you are going to drive this car hard then you are going to need to swap your drive shafts. Brummie went through enough of these before buying better replacements or you can go the whole hog and get GKN racing hollow gun barrel ones - these are expensive but worth the peace of mind in my opinion.
The final drive in your diff will need changing you will know what I mean within your first mile or so. If you are going to drive this car hard then you are going to need to swap your drive shafts. Brummie went through enough of these before buying better replacements or you can go the whole hog and get GKN racing hollow gun barrel ones - these are expensive but worth the peace of mind in my opinion.
Cheers Paul. After seeing and hearing what Topcats did for you, and the chats I had with them, I have to say I was very, very tempted by their conversion and everything that went with it.
But Steve Heath has been running these for a few years (including in race cars), and as I'm going for slightly less power than you (in a lighter body!), he seems to think that it will hold up nicely. I also tend to drive with a fair bit of mechanical sympathy (must be the Scots blood in me), and haven't broken anything in a car like that for a very long time.
Of course as this is going to be the first Tamora like it, we'll have to see what happens! I realise it's a work in progress, and will need a few bits sorted on it, but I'm going to be doing this on essentially half your budget. From what I can see, you're building the ultimate TVR (except the speed 12 of course!). This is being taken in a different direction...
But Steve Heath has been running these for a few years (including in race cars), and as I'm going for slightly less power than you (in a lighter body!), he seems to think that it will hold up nicely. I also tend to drive with a fair bit of mechanical sympathy (must be the Scots blood in me), and haven't broken anything in a car like that for a very long time.
Of course as this is going to be the first Tamora like it, we'll have to see what happens! I realise it's a work in progress, and will need a few bits sorted on it, but I'm going to be doing this on essentially half your budget. From what I can see, you're building the ultimate TVR (except the speed 12 of course!). This is being taken in a different direction...
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