1991 TVR GRIFFITH

Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive drivetrain clunk on throttle lift/application, Vibration at idle that wasn't there before, Visible rubber deterioration or transmission sag on inspection

Fix: Transmission mounts fail early due to torque loads and heat from engine oil cooler proximity. Replacement requires dropping exhaust and supporting transmission—figure 3-4 hours labor. Often discover engine mounts are shot simultaneously, add another 2 hours if doing both.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: ATF puddles under engine bay center, Burnt transmission fluid smell, Slipping or erratic shifts from fluid starvation, Overheating transmission temperatures

Fix: Factory cooler lines rot from engine heat and road salt exposure. Lines run close to exhaust, accelerating deterioration. Replacement involves fabricating custom lines or sourcing NLA parts—expect 4-6 hours including fluid flush and refill. Check main cooler for blockage while you're in there.

Estimated cost: $800-1,500

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Oil weeping from cooler mounting area, Low oil pressure warnings at operating temp, Oil residue coating transmission bell housing, Coolant mixing with oil if cooler core fails internally

Fix: The Rover V8 oil cooler uses rubber hoses that cook from exhaust proximity. External leaks are manageable but internal cooler core failure (rare) contaminates coolant system. Simple hose replacement is 2 hours; full cooler swap is 4-5 hours due to tight packaging.

Estimated cost: $400-1,100

Symptoms: Headlights dimming or flickering, Intermittent gauge cluster failures, No-start conditions with good battery, Check engine light ghost codes

Fix: Classic Lucas wiring degrades from heat and British build quality. Headlight assemblies corrode internally, grounds fail throughout. Diagnosis is time-intensive—budget 2-3 hours minimum for tracing gremlins. Often requires rewiring sections rather than component replacement.

Estimated cost: $300-1,800

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Hesitation or stumble under hard acceleration, Rough idle when hot, Hard starting after sitting, Fuel starvation at high RPM

Fix: Original fuel tanks rust internally, shedding debris into lines. Filter clogs prematurely even with regular changes. Access requires interior trim removal on some examples—2 hours for filter, but budget 6-8 hours if tank cleaning or sender replacement needed.

Estimated cost: $200-1,200

Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Uneven brake pad wear (one pad gone, other thick), Pulling to one side under braking, Wheel heat after short drives, Parking brake ineffective or stuck

Fix: AP Racing-style calipers used quality components but seals deteriorate from moisture and inactivity (these cars sit). Rebuilds require specialty seals—2 hours per axle if you have parts on hand. Rear calipers integrate parking brake mechanism, more complex. Fronts often seize first from higher heat.

Estimated cost: $600-1,400

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: 2-3 shift flare or delay, No 4th gear overdrive engagement, Whining in gear, Slipping under load after warmup

Fix: The GM-derived automatic (when equipped) suffers from clutch pack wear and accumulator spring failures. Cooler line failures accelerate wear. Full rebuild requires 12-16 hours including R&R. Many shops won't touch TVR installations due to custom bellhousing—factor in finding a specialist.

Estimated cost: $2,500-4,500