Lightweight motor and transaxle

[James]

I asked Dave Batty a TVR specialist this very question and he reckons there to be no issues with a properly maintained and serviced unit. He also seems to think that rebuilds are not expensive because bearings etc are common to other engines. I think although the engine itself is unique ie block,crank and heads the rest is perhaps built up out of the parts bins of other engine manufacturers. Nonetheless its one heck of an engine and can make over 600hp if tuned so its a worthy contender , if you want a v8 mid engined car without the pendulum effect its got to tick some boxes.

Bob

I might look into that, would be nice to lob over 100lbs off the car, and have a KILLER sound. Good researching. I'd still like to know how they were able to get it so light. Manufactures with millions of research dollars at their disposal were not able to get an engine that light.

 

[Mike]

I'd still like to know how they were able to get it so light. Manufactures with millions of research dollars at their disposal were not able to get an engine that light.

My guess would be - it likely was not designed to be a 100,000 mile motor that was destined to be installed in pedestrian over the road vehicles, and can source parts at your local NAPA store. I remember when after-market alloy engine blocks were getting on the scene for the hot rod industry.... they were expensive. Look what the newer/later GM LS heads have done to the a/m performance head manufacturers - sodium filled valves would have been seen as rocket science years ago.