Trafford vs VSE

pmansson · Post by **pmansson** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 3:13 pm

Anybody got an input on Traffords?
They seem, according to their ads in the XK Gazette, to do just what VSE does. I have 2 recently acquired 3.8L engines which will need an overhaul (and cars to put them into...Well one will go into another E).

Is the VSE 02 a sensible upgrade with regards to performance? Is this what they/others call Fast Road Use ?

Post by **Heuer** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:05 pm

VSE02 is their 'fast road' engine and is quite a nice balance of tractability and performance. My VSE02 has been modified further with a 9.5:1 compression ratio and high lift cams which gives about 280bhp and 350lb/ft of torque. It is however very lumpy at idle - most un-Jaguar like - but then how much of your time do you spend idling? Angus has a standard VSE02 engine in his car and he has driven mine so can give you a better perspective. No personal experience of Traffords.

If you really want a high performance engine then head over to Rob Beere but it won't be cheap! e.g. http://www.rob-beere-racing.co.uk/clearance.html

christopher storey · Post by **christopher storey** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:31 pm

Never heard of Traffords. Who and what are they?

MarkE · Post by **MarkE** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:12 pm

More of a bespoke engine builder, race and road:

http://www.traffordengines.co.uk/about.html

I would imagine that the two companies would have a very different pricing structure!

pmansson · Post by **pmansson** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 5:41 am

Is that a eufemism for saying that "365 engines a year VSE" does a very good job for a lot less...?
Most adequate engines for most of us at a very competitive price. Is that a good way of summarizing VSE ?
Peder

christopher storey · Post by **christopher storey** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:46 am

It is to be hoped that quality control on the work is better than that on the website. The captions on the photo slide show were two or 3 photos adrift consistently. Not a great introduction !

Post by **Heuer** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:35 am

I spent the day with VSE and it is indeed an idiosyncratic operation. The owner rallies an XK120 and has a huge amount of experience with these cars and engines. The operation is based in some farm buildings deep in the Welsh countryside and I stayed in the local pub as it is too remote to try the journey there and back in a day. They have a fully operational XK production line going which was fascinating to watch as the pile of grubby engines lying around outside are transformed to like new. Their big advantage over everyone else is the vast array of equipment dedicated to rebuilding the XK engine, their low cost base location and the quantity they handle so nothing is outsourced to others for completion.

On the downside my engine required new main bearings after 25k miles, the rear oil seal blew (the extra power really needed a dual breather to reduce crankcase pressure) and the head had to be overhauled (loose buckets) after 33k miles. Oh and although the carbs were rebuilt by VSE they developed worn spindles at about 25k and had to be sent to David Lonsdale. But I do drive my car very hard. On balance however they are probably the best company to rebuild an XK engine at a reasonable price.

Post by **1954Etype** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:37 am

pmansson wrote:Is that a eufemism for saying that "365 engines a year VSE" does a very good job for a lot less...?
Most adequate engines for most of us at a very competitive price. Is that a good way of summarizing VSE ?
Peder

I am very pleased with my engine and it has been revved to 4.5k + on more than one occassion. They will give you a years warranty (not sure if it is unlimited).

Like most people, I don't know how they do it for the price.

pmansson · Post by **pmansson** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:52 am

I know it depends on a lot of things, but between thumb and finger....for a standard spec engine, and/or perhaps their VSE02?

Post by **Heuer** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:06 am

Peder

I can only give you the price from 1999 when mine was rebuilt to VSE02 spec. The engine cost ?1,775 but the ancillaries (carb overhaul, coil, electronic ignition, water pump, clutch plate, oil cooler etc, etc) added another ?1,000 to that, plus VAT. VSE rebuilt the head this year and the cost was ?700. Angus can give you more up to date price. Drop them an email and you will get a quote by return. They used to publish a price list but people started cherry picking parts and services which VSE found not to be economic as it disrupted the production process.

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:54 pm

1954Etype wrote:
I am very pleased with my engine and it has been revved to 4.5k + on more than one occassion. They will give you a years warranty (not sure if it is unlimited).

Like most people, I don't know how they do it for the price.

Well I got some schmuck to rebuild mine for a couple of hundred quid in parts. It has gone North of 5K on several occasions and can expect more once I stop being gentle with it

It's at about 90K miles (84K of them in an XJ6...) and still on standard bores, journals and guides/seats.

Dave K · Post by **Dave K** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:51 pm

If you really want a high performance engine then head over to Rob Beere but it won't be cheap! e.g. http://www.rob-beere-racing.co.uk/clearance.html[/quote]

Rob also does standard engines as well as high performance.

Dave

Post by **Heuer** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 9:11 am

Yes Dave, I should have added a road engine will be about ?7k. Rob would be my recommendation if you really intend to drive the car hard.

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The 'E' Type Forum

Trafford vs VSE

#1 Trafford vs VSE

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#5 Very polite

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#8 Re: Very polite

#9 And what is their price?

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#11 Re: Very polite

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