
[Url]https://www.classic-trader.com/uk/cars/ ... onvertible[/img]

Back in the 90s it used to house a SAAB 9000 and that was with the front number touching foam on the end wall.
How would you not say it's not a sporty engine?ZedLeg wrote: Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:55 pm The only thing that would put me off an old TVR is that Rover V8. Like no issue with it in a rover (original, land or range) but it’s not a sporty engine. I wonder if anyone engine swaps them.

Might just be prejudice from hanging round the hot rod scene, the RV8 is an engine you put in a car because it's what you've got lying around rather than it being the best engine for the jobdrcarlos wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 9:27 amHow would you not say it's not a sporty engine?ZedLeg wrote: Thu Aug 11, 2022 7:55 pm The only thing that would put me off an old TVR is that Rover V8. Like no issue with it in a rover (original, land or range) but it’s not a sporty engine. I wonder if anyone engine swaps them.
Granted in an LR with a torque making cam which they run it's not particularly sporty and quite lazy, but with a power making cam fitted to all TVR's it changes the engines characteristics markedly, adding BV heads again changes it further and makes it an engine that loves to rev (as you've opened up the breathing) and really pulls hard on cam right to the red line, obviously not to K-series levels but it's appetite for revs is similar.
You can make any engine sporty feeling by making a few choice mods and it's been done by NA tuners since about the beginning of time (see the Tuning the A series engine book that used to be a bit of a bible for Mini owners), even a relatively mundane single cylinder Honda engine can feel sporty with head and cam work.
Also because it's an all aluminium engine it's light, a lot lighter than nearly everything from the period which means you can bung it in a 4-Cylinder and not upset the weight balance because it weighs the same.
Unless you're a massive Renault fanboi (is Mr Bond in the house ???) that would need to be a lot cheaper than an Elise to make it attractive.drcarlos wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 11:40 am Overshadowed by it's Lotus kind of sibling (the Chassis extrusions were produced in the same welsh factory).
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1442769
They don't represent good value, but they are very, verySundayjumper wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:08 pmUnless you're a massive Renault fanboi (is Mr Bond in the house ???) that would need to be a lot cheaper than an Elise to make it attractive.drcarlos wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 11:40 am Overshadowed by it's Lotus kind of sibling (the Chassis extrusions were produced in the same welsh factory).
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1442769
I seem to remember them being too heavy compared to an Elise, but have good memories of sitting in what I guess was a pre-production one before I could drive at the local Renault dealer who had one on display with a blue A610. The lack of screen was very cool to fifteen year old me!drcarlos wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:20 pmThey don't represent good value, but they are very, verySundayjumper wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:08 pmUnless you're a massive Renault fanboi (is Mr Bond in the house ???) that would need to be a lot cheaper than an Elise to make it attractive.drcarlos wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 11:40 am Overshadowed by it's Lotus kind of sibling (the Chassis extrusions were produced in the same welsh factory).
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1442769.
You would have to be a massive fanboi to buy it over the hotter Elise. If you go to any classic meets anywhere though you'll not get a moments peace as it's so rare and different, where everyone will just walk past an Elise. You can then drive home and have almost as good an experience (or were they just as good but just too expensive originally?) as the Elise.
Fond memories….Zonda_ wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:26 pm Or something that just came to me albeit with a roof but I wouldn’t be comfortable leaving it on a drive, a 944.

Noted, that's another one for the other thread
Go bid them with a cheeky Alud aat yer aaaand!Mito Man wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:42 pm That Renault is a stones throw away, I'd be tempted if it were £4000![]()