This has convinced me it's a waste of money

[Transmitter Man]

...to throw thousands at the venerable RV8;

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

How technology moves on.

Outside of forced induction I could never see these numbers out of my 4.2.

Therefore, other than minor bling I've decided I'm going to leave my lump as it is - basically stock and reliable.

Your thoughts please.

Phil
420 SEAC

[mrzigazaga]

MMM..I not much of a lover of new shape cars(BMs and Audi)..they all look the same..Yes technology has an advantage and can produce big power motors but like it says you feel seperated from the experience and so why own something that you dont feel part of?.. Those cars are for people who dont know what poor means and have no care for money..Wheres ya sense of achievement..If your happy with what you have,,why change it..if not..turbo and nos the sucker..force as much air down its gob as possible..after all its the only thing left thats FREE...Bobs ya uncle, Fannies your aunt..and roberts ya sisters brother..

[Number 7]

It's a eurobox that has had millions thown at it in development, with 2K more revs than most RV8's. So what? I've no idea of cost, but I'd guess £50K at least. Will be driven by sales managers up and down the land. Hardly special.

IMHO there is no point in this comparison. You've aleady got something which has lasted far longer than the Audi will, and is incredibly rare.

I don't know what state of tune your engine is already in, but 300bhp was achieved with my 4.3 without spending massive amounts. And it's reliable.

[400SE Dave]

Having said that I guess your 4.2 has around 300hp??? When the 3.5 RV8 first came out it only had about 100hp so you could argue that the development over the time period of launch to mid 80's was about the same level. Also, the RV8 doesn't have multi-vale heads etc etc.

Leave it standard, it will be worth more original.

[cuneus]

Phil you have fallen for the weight trap

That thing weighs 1725kg!


sorry but it's a bit of a pointless comparison

[Wedg1e]

I've been saying for years that if you really - REALLY - want to go quickly, the wedge is not the best starting point (heavy, with an old engine design!). Subaru Imprezas are ten a penny and can largely run rings around a wedge; apart from that give me one good reason for owning one? Some people can go faster than you, so what. They don't know what else you might have in the garage. All of life is not a race; and if you had to choose between a SEAC and a pimp-tastic shopping car to have sat outside the house/pub or next to your picnic blanket, I think we all know which it'd be.

Just love it for what it is: British, quirky and rare.

[mrzigazaga]

EXACTLY!!!!

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Have to agree with all points above.
Also I'm Sure you can build a wildcat 5.2 with throttle bodies cheaper than you could buy a NEW Audi V8 for. I'm sure a WC 5.2 would give 400BHP. have to wait for REV to get his sorted to see what it like IRL

[grahamw48]

Maybe supercharging would give you what you need, in addition to re-building and blue-printing of the original motor for reliability and maximum power.

Those obese new jelly moulds need a lot of power to get their fat arses moving.

How much are tyres, insurance, depreciation,servicing,etc, and all for something that 90% of the population wouldn't give a passing glance to.

[Transmitter Man]

I forgot how both pationate and rational we wedgers are.

I was making a point more about the particular engine performance rather than the Audi itself.

I've never thought for a minute of selling the wedge in favour of a Eurobox it's just I have a mental battle with the lack of bhp emanating from the RV8 although I know this is not the real point.

BTW, who said the SEAC is a heavyweight? I though we were knocking on the door of 1100Kg or less which ain't half bad for a V8 powered car AFAIK. My resto is progressing and only this week my new rear wheels arrived so the final drawings for both sets of caliper brackets can be finalised.

The last time my car was on the rollers under it's previous ownership it measured 276RWHP so that probably equates to 300+ at the flywheel.

Leigh,

Yes, I'm waiting with anticipation for Rev's car to get out the garage. Once all setup it should be a hoot

Thanks for all the comments.

Phil
420 SEAC

[jeff m]

A bit difficult for me to really join ths conversation as I have a 280i, so a little short on performance, but it runs well and is reliable.
My daily driver is a Corvette, so jumping in the 280 is sorta different, I still enjoy driving it though.
I think you have to accept a car for what is, engine improvments only make sense when the price curve for hp doesn't become almost a vertical straight line. And of course the reliability one starts to drop off the page.

Nothing worse that having a sports car flatbedded home

I'll save the "should TVR have ever used CIS" for another time

[grahamw48]

Transmitter Man said:

The last time my car was on the rollers under it's previous ownership it measured 276RWHP so that probably equates to 300+ at the flywheel.

276 at the wheels is damned good !

[cuneus]

300/1100 = 272 bhp/tonne

444/1725 = 257 bhp/tonne (and crap torque)

[Solitude]

haven't hit the link, but if its bang for buck yer after....caterham win hands down every time....nothing can top them all round !!!
You'll seldom see a chinless in a porker try it on for fear of embarrassment.
But they tick only one or two box's for me

[Transmitter Man]

I forgot how both pationate and rational we wedgers are.

I was making a point more about the particular engine performance rather than the Audi itself.

I've never thought for a minute of selling the wedge in favour of a Eurobox it's just I have a mental battle with the lack of bhp emanating from the RV8 although I know this is not the real point.

BTW, who said the SEAC is a heavyweight? I though we were knocking on the door of 1100Kg or less which ain't half bad for a V8 powered car AFAIK. My resto is progressing and only this week my new rear wheels arrived so the final drawings for both sets of caliper brackets can be finalised.

The last time my car was on the rollers under it's previous ownership it measured 276RWHP so that probably equates to 300+ at the flywheel.

Leigh,

Yes, I'm waiting with anticipation for Rev's car to get out the garage. Once all setup it should be a hoot

Thanks for all the comments.

Phil
420 SEAC

[JamieG]

Have been lucky enough to own both an RS Audi (prev gen RS6 - twin turboed V8) and a SEAC (420 variety) . Whilst the Audi was a glorious car to own ( very usable, massive oomph and yes I quietly still miss it), you cannot compare it to the Ultimate Wedge. Yes the SEAC was frustratingly tempremental but oh my lord, when it was pulling hard in 2nd and 3rd the noise was just spine-tingling. It had a reasonable amount of grunt to, feeling a lot more urgent than the 400SE. Two very different cars linked by a wonderful engine configuration!

[Transmitter Man]

I forgot how both pationate and rational we wedgers are.

I was making a point more about the particular engine performance rather than the Audi itself.

I've never thought for a minute of selling the wedge in favour of a Eurobox it's just I have a mental battle with the lack of bhp emanating from the RV8 although I know this is not the real point.

BTW, who said the SEAC is a heavyweight? I though we were knocking on the door of 1100Kg or less which ain't half bad for a V8 powered car AFAIK. My resto is progressing and only this week my new rear wheels arrived so the final drawings for both sets of caliper brackets can be finalised.

The last time my car was on the rollers under it's previous ownership it measured 276RWHP so that probably equates to 300+ at the flywheel.

Leigh,

Yes, I'm waiting with anticipation for Rev's car to get out the garage. Once all setup it should be a hoot

Thanks for all the comments.

Phil
420 SEAC

[jmorgan]

Without driving the other I doubt you get the same sense of getting your head kicked in by nick mason with gold plated toe tectors that a wedge on song gives.

[combine]

JamieG said:

Have been lucky enough to own both an RS Audi (prev gen RS6 - twin turboed V8) and a SEAC (420 variety) . Whilst the Audi was a glorious car to own ( very usable, massive oomph and yes I quietly still miss it), you cannot compare it to the Ultimate Wedge. Yes the SEAC was frustratingly tempremental but oh my lord, when it was pulling hard in 2nd and 3rd the noise was just spine-tingling. It had a reasonable amount of grunt to, feeling a lot more urgent than the 400SE. Two very different cars linked by a wonderful engine configuration!

Yep , its all about ' character ' and a wedge has it in bucketfulls , all that expensive modern stuff in the Evo mag would very soon get dull , a wedge never does !

[Campbell]

Well mine wasnt this after noon on a drive out round the noth lake district. Got some interesting looks going through Keswick in first and second great pops and bangs. Love it. I bet the rs4 dosent do that...
A little more power isnt a bad thing you know....

Cambelt