Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2022 11:49 pm
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Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 7:26 am
How big is the garage? 
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 9:22 am
Back in the 90s it used to house a SAAB 9000 and that was with the front number touching foam on the end wall.
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 9:27 am
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.
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.
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 9:29 am
Or make your own budget version
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 9:41 am
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.
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 9:42 am
I agree wiv wot drcarlos said. Plus, TVR always had a knack of making the exhaust sound FG.
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 9:43 am
I'd stick an LS in it 
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:00 am
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:21 am
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: 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
Obviously I think the Chimaera is a good suggestion too, a 4.5 would be my suggestion unless you can find a rebuilt 4.0HC or modded 4.0. I'd budget for a conversion to Emerald or Megasquirt if not already done with trigger wheel and coilpack ignition. This removes a lot of the problems with running and reliability and will give you a decent power bump when it's mapped (the Lucas system can't be mapped only chipped).
https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1442769
Obviously I think the Chimaera is a good suggestion too, a 4.5 would be my suggestion unless you can find a rebuilt 4.0HC or modded 4.0. I'd budget for a conversion to Emerald or Megasquirt if not already done with trigger wheel and coilpack ignition. This removes a lot of the problems with running and reliability and will give you a decent power bump when it's mapped (the Lucas system can't be mapped only chipped).
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:01 pm
Hard game to play without a budget but Lotus, Caterham or TVR are hard to beat.
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:08 pm
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
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:20 pm
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
. 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.
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: 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.
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:33 pm
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.
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:42 pm
That Renault is a stones throw away, I'd be tempted if it were £4000
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 1:16 pm
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.
Mahoosive sunroof panel (that could be tilted or removed fully and popped in the boot) was as close to owning a convertible as I have ever come.
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 1:19 pm
Noted, that's another one for the other thread
Re: Oh, I appear to have garage space…
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 1:29 pm
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
As for the Porsche, the 968 Cab is a lovely thing too and hasn't gone mental in price yet like the Coupes have.