The “Monster” Griff Challenger.

Purchase

The car was bought in 2000 as a touring car for holidays in Europe. Whilst working in London in 92, I heard and then saw my first Griffith. It was a giallo fly yellow 400, driven by a gorgeous female city type and I feel in love with her immediately…the car that is! I had to have one at some point and it was a few years later before that was possible but eventually I could afford one. I wanted a quite standard blue with magnolia trim car with all the options, full leather, PAS and A/C as I was going to be touring southern Europe in the sunshine. The car was found after 6 months of looking only 30 miles from my house! A quick check over by Independants Peninsula Automotive (the start of a long partnership!) proved it to be an excellent one and that was it…hooked.

Shortly after, we had the happy news that my wife was expecting our second child. The car may have to go! Having never toured and with only a couple of days out on the clock with us, there seemed little point in keeping it, but it seemed rude to consider selling without trying it out on the track.

The reason to keep it

After a few trackdays in the UK, I was fortunate enough to have the chance to do an International (by invitation only day) at Imola Autodromo in Italy, homeland of Ferrari and the place where Ayrton met his sad end. And they were going via the Nurbergring “Nordschleife”! Could it be any better? Well it was a fantastic trip as you can image, the car went well (though the coil went in Bologne I soon had one biked in and was on my way again) and I now had a reason to drive all over Europe without the Mrs and keep the car!

At the Ring

Fly By

Le Mans

Making it fast!

Whilst away, I got the impression that it wasn’t as “punchy” as it had been. Inspection showed the cam was stuffed and a new one was required. This and the pursuit of Porsche’s started me on the long and very expensive “Modding” route.

Firstly…Cams.    We had several, culminating in the excellent 404H by Rob Robertson (formerly at V8 Developments) this was an excellent cam and a hydraulic evolution of the 404 mechanical cam. With the amount of track use, the excellent and very punchy 404 needed adjusting too often and with all the A/C pipework, this was a real trial.

Then…Suspension.    The 8 year old spring were starting to give way under the pressure, so a full upgrade to Gas rose jointed Nitrons was done. This included Poly bushes and adjustable wishbones from Peninsula. We also spent a day at Castle Coombe tuning the suspension, getting the best out of it for my driving style (amateurish)

Next…Induction.    I purchased a JE Twin Plenum induction system of a Thunder saloon (race spec – flowed ported matched and enlarged) and had this fitted then tuned by Mark Adams. This led to the following upgrades. KN Filter,Bosch airflow meter, webber regulator, webber injectors MA “Tornado” Chip. With the inclusion of V8 Developments stage 3 heads and the 404H cam, the car was very quick and I was happy with the overall power at around 300 real Bhp and a superb Torque curve.

16” Spiders available!    I had heard a rumour that this was being developed by the factory over a year previously and had logged interest with Neil Anderson. What do you know, they did it and I got kit Number 5 with 1-3 going to Dealers. The mahor bonus of this kit was that you also got AP Racing brakes, new hubs and bearings! An absolute steal! These were fitted by Peninsula-TVR (now a Main Dealer) and looked stunning.

Wearing The Spiders

I was happy there…but then I heard about the 5L Tuscan challenge engine!

Making it REALLY fast!

I had taken the car all over Europe, going to the Ring many times and completing well over 100 laps of the infamous “Nordschleife” or Northern loop. (There is footing of this on Griffith Pages Videos - an 8:55 lap following  the new M5 V10 on test with Evo Magazine) Also A1 Ring GP, Dijon GP,

Magny-Cours GP, Imola GP, Spa-francorchamps and Monaco GP set for the Masters Event! The car was very quick for a Griffith but still could not keep up with my mates in their GT3 RSs. I heard about this engine and when checking it out it was declared a phoney. Bugger! But something didn’t sit right. The guy selling it sounded completely genuine and the history also sounded genuine. Much phoning, checking and searching convinced me that it was indeed genuine so I drove the 250 miles to Hull to check it out. All the nubers were there and so was the kit. I took some photos and Emailed them to John Eales who confirmed the engine and the FULL 5L upgrade that he had completed with bench dyno figures etc. On build it was making 385bhp-400lb/ft @ 7800rpm.

I bought the engine!

To fit it in the car was not quite so simple. We had to move a couple of chassis struts, “serp” the front end put the sump tank in the boot (also the fueling) create a new engine harness, add catch tank etc etc. It took a month or two, during which I secured a Challenge T5 CR box with a short fifth. It has now also had a Challenge Quaife Diff installed to complete the drivechain.

To hold me in the car I’ve added T350 seats (stained to match the interior) which have been secured by new chassis struts, as have the 5 point harnesses. We have added an undertray to clean up the air and we are in the process of adding Brake ducts all round. We have a custom exhaust which is fully de-catted and is ceramic coated, Race spec ally radiator, electric water pumps etc etc.

Originally a TVR Tuscan Challenge engine (Telecom Supply Line Team), sold to sprint/hillclimb competitor when AJPs came in. Raced for half a season, then upgraded to 5L spec at a MASSIVE cost. Deemed too powerful for the MGBGT it was in   it was sold to another competitor who put it in an Ultima. It completed 1 season and the car was bought for a Major project by an overseas buyer. This became the 1000bhp/tonne "Z-Cars" Ultima, seen at the Autosport show in jan 05, which had 4wd and TWO turbo Hiyabusa engines fitted. From Awesome to Ballistic!

All owners/builders have been contacted, and history confirmed.
 

• Cross Bolted Block
• JE Omega Forged Pistons
• Arrow steel H Con-Rods
• Cloyes Double Roller Timing Chain/Gears
• 256 Cam with Solid Lifters
• Chrome Molly Push Rods
• Alloy Roller Rockers
• 12.5:1 Race Heads
• Stainless Valves
• ARP head bolts
• AP Lightweight Flywheel
• AP Twin Plate Race Clutch
• Pace Dry Sump
• Crane Hi-6 Race Ignition

What will it do?

Where next?

I am now taken people to Spa and the Ring twice a year to promote TVR as a track car and enable people to drive some of the best and most historic tracks in Europe. To make this as stress free and enjoyable as possible, I have enlisted the help of some known contacts at the pinnacle of TVR Motorsport.

Michael Caine, TVR works driver, Le Mans Vet and Twice Tuscan champ.
Steve Guglielmi, Twice TVR Tuscan Champ, Race preparation Company Boss.
Dulford Autos, Race Mechanics, fully experienced in Ford 4, V6, RV8, AJP8,SP6  ( Ian Fux’s Championship winning team)
TVRcarparts.com, Spares for all TVRs from 60s to current.

All you need to Drive the best tracks in Europe, staying in Beautiful hotels and share a few beers with the “Great and the Good”! They all love the cars too you know!

Be Safe and Enjoy your car.
“everything else is just waiting”

See Andys Griffith in Action ,  and His Monster Meet webpages from last years Highly Successful Event Here