optim8

Everything I needed doing brought the cost in just over 4k, but this included skimming the head and block, presure testing, new rad, new hoses and a number of other bits which wouldn't need doing on a straight rebuild. did get a 6 month warranty on everything too which is great. Really nice to have the car back though. Better be a nice weekend so I can enjoy it.

Just like to share with you that after my suspected Head Gasket which turned out to be a warped block, I'm picking it up this evening after pretty much full engine rebuild. Gotta take it easy for 500 miles, then it's back in the workshop for an oil change and full check over, also getting a Stainless Exhaust fitted at the same time. I could of bought another Supra with the money I've spent but at least I know exactly where I'm at with it from now on in. Looking forward to meeting up with some of you guys in the southwest at future events. Cheers, http://www.testpilot.co.uk/supra/kieransupra.jpg

Hi Guys, just thought I'd say another hello now I'm a fully fledged member. My Supra story so far is not a good one, but hopefully getting better as I speak. Gone from a TVR Griffith 500 to my TT about 3 months ago now. Bought this one as I was looking for a High Spec Black pretty much stock car, that ran well and was in great condition inside and out and this one fitted the bill nicely. Anyway about 600 miles into ownership the Head Gasket went! Nice One!! On deeper inspection it transpires that the Block was slightly warped, so looks like it's got pretty hot at some point!!!! It's currently going through pretty much full engine rebuild, which should be completed in the next week or so. The car has done just over 100K so I was expecting to have to do some engine work at some point but not quite this early! To be honest I sort of feel a little stupid, not to of spotted something when I looked at the car, but everything I checked at the time seemed fine. So do you reckon the guy I bought it off knew about it's problems? He'd done 12k since the previous MOT and it was his daily drive of about 60 miles. I guess the positive I can take from this is that it should be good for another 100k once I get it back... Looking forward to being back behind the wheel though. Cheers.

tt

That's what I was thinking but the £1295 includes the old engine unfortunantely!!!

Hi, I have all the signs of a blown head gasket, i.e. Running Rough, White Smoke, Expansion tank bubling over, etc... I'm being quoted min £1500 to sort, which is before they find anything else has gone along the way. Been looking on the Net and can buy a recon engine for £1295. So I guess the question is how much work is it to do a straight engine swap v doing the head gasket? I'm sort of thinking there wouldn't be a huge amount in it!!! Any ideas? Thanks

Hi, anyone know of any Supra Specialist in or around Bristol? There's 1st Choice Toyota, in Warmley but I know nothing about them. Anyone used them? Cheers Many Thanks.

That's what I'm hoping. I did pop to halfords at Lunch time and bought a QH FC66 1.1 cap which looks identical to mine. Cost a tenner which isn't too bad. As for the missfiring looking on here it may be the coil connectors so I've bought a set of those and will look to replace this week. Anyone done this, is it a tricky job?

Hi, Had my TT for just over a month now. When I got it, it used to bubble a bit in the Expansion tank when I stopped the car, but ignored it as a TADT. Anyway last week after a 30 mile run it had dumped aload of water out of the expansion tanks all over the front of the car. I am hoping that this is perhaps a fault with the rad cap which has just got worse. Not sure if it's worth mentioning but it has developed a bit of a missfire which is bad when first starting up but then pretty much clears up within a few mins, this started about 2 weeks ago. So my questions are: 1) Do you think I'm barking up the right tree here with the fault? 2) If it is the cap where do I get one, as i bought one off Ebay and it doesn't fit (got a spring on it which mine doesn't) I'm stressing so any feedback would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

Hi Guys, Just bought a Black TT GZ Last weekend after selling my TVR, well happy, pics coming soon!! Anyway it has an Auto Watch Immobiliser fitted but has only come with one fob. Looking on the Internet, you can get replacement fobs but you need a 3 or 5 digit code either written on the circuit board of the fob or on the Brain on the Immobiliser itsself. I've checked the fob and nothing written there so could anyone suggest a popular place when the Brain might live? so I can possibly check that. (Email is fine if this shouldn't be public knowledge). Alternatively any suggestions of where I could take the car to sort out another fob. I'm based in Bristol. Cheers.

Cheers for the comments on the Griff, They really are quite amazing pieces of kit, I've loved owning it, puts a grin on my face everytime I drive it, just don't get to drive it enough! Guigsy, lovely looking motor mate, looks like its had a lot of time spent of it. I see you had a manual before, what made you go for an auto this time? I'll keep you posted on the sale of the Griff. Gordy07, I've owned the Griff 5 years and in the whole time I've only had one problem with it which was last year. Turned out to be my ignition module breaking down, replaced that and the coil and it's been fine since. I know TVR are renowned for their electrics but they're pretty much a hand built car, I think some gremlins are all par for the course. Get behind the wheel and you forget all that anyway!!! Gazboy, cheers for your comments, and Geoffs details, I'll send him an email.

Thanks guys for all your feedback, I did find a thread on here that has a really good overview of the cars and their models. Just gotta decide which one now. As for my family my children are 3 and 7 and I'm fairly short 5''7' and so's my wife so reckon once I've got the seats pulled forward a bit they should fit in no problem. Ok so I just need to sell the Griff now, and I can start looking! I've advertised it on Pistonheads and strangely I'm getting getting calls from Germany and Belgium on it. Tonight I got a call from someone in Belgium asking to come and see it tommorrow and they never asked a single question about the car!! Should Alarm Bells be ringing? I put them off by the way. Also Mike here's a picture of my Griff. http://www.testpilot.co.uk/tvr/img_1266.jpg

Hi Guys, I'm currently selling my Griffith 500 with the aim of buying something with 4ish seats so I can fit the family in, so hopefully more driving time!!! Anyway been right through all the cars I like and ended up with either a 300ZX or Supra. Out of these the Supra seems like a better bet as I love the look of them and reliability is in their favour. So my questions are: 1) How reliable actually is the Supra? 2) Is there any preferences on year/spec/version (i.e. TT v Non TT - UK v Import etc..) 3) It's not going to be my daily drive, so I what sort of budget should I aim for a really upto gether one? 4) From a future classic point of view should I go for a non messed with one, if not does reliability go down as the BHP goes up? 5) Is there any preferences on manual v auto? 6) I like the Aero versions but read the chassis can flex, so not so much of a drivers car. Is this true? 7) The TVR is very twitchy at the backend, and when it goes is difficult to catch. Is the Supra similar? 8) What sort of servicing costs does a Supra have? 9) Is there a check list on what to look for when buying? I think that's it for now, but I'm sure more questions will come up. Cheers.