Thinking of taking the plunge - some questions
Discussion
After 10 years with my much-loved (and modified) RX-7 Turbo II Cabriolet (yes, thanks, I know all the jokes about busted apex seals and Wankels 
)I am thinking of defecting to piston power courtesy of a Chimaera 5.0 litre (or just possibly a Griffith, ditto).
A couple of questions:
(i) I don't lke the standard wheels and wondered
if the 17", 6 spoke, wheels off the earlier
Cerbera will fit the Chimaera (with appropriate
tyres).
(ii) What is the real BHP for the 5 litre engine ?
Based on driving a 4 litre car, I'm willing to
bet that the quoted 240 BHP for the 4 litre
engine is pretty optimistic so I'm guessing that
the same is true for the 5 litre. I'd like to
know because I don't plan on paying £18,000
odd for something which isn't noticeably faster
accelerating than my present car.
Many thanks for any feedback.
Best wishes
)I am thinking of defecting to piston power courtesy of a Chimaera 5.0 litre (or just possibly a Griffith, ditto). A couple of questions:
(i) I don't lke the standard wheels and wondered
if the 17", 6 spoke, wheels off the earlier
Cerbera will fit the Chimaera (with appropriate
tyres).
(ii) What is the real BHP for the 5 litre engine ?
Based on driving a 4 litre car, I'm willing to
bet that the quoted 240 BHP for the 4 litre
engine is pretty optimistic so I'm guessing that
the same is true for the 5 litre. I'd like to
know because I don't plan on paying £18,000
odd for something which isn't noticeably faster
accelerating than my present car.
Many thanks for any feedback.
Best wishes
i think Cerberas have a five stud wheel pattern whereas Chimaeras have a four stud....as for BHP...a 500 is probably putting about 280bhp instead of the quoted 340bhp...i know my 400 is quoted at 240bhp and is really 216bhp.....but it's the NOISE and AURA that will win you over
oh...and the lack of weight
>> Edited by Nick P on Tuesday 13th April 20:43
oh...and the lack of weight
>> Edited by Nick P on Tuesday 13th April 20:43
beano500 said:
(ii) What is the real BHP for the 5 litre engine ?
A perennial question - to which the standard answer has become "enough"!
Whatever the actual BHP is, it powers about a tonne of TVR up with pretty good acceleration and good top speed. You can always get more by taking it along to one of the specialists, sticking it on a rolling road and getting them to wave a magic wand!
(Alternatively, go straight to a Cerbera!)
Alternately just drive one!
Honestly. Go out and drive a good one and then you will know what all the fuss is about.
The BHP figures arent so important after that!
As for the wheels, there is a conversion to fit s tud hubs if you are that fussy.
It is possible to get the speedline wheels as fitted to the cerb for the Griffith though as someone has already done this. I forget who so you will have to ask in the Griffith forum.
Lots of griffiths running around on non standard wheels too, just ask in the griff forum.
it's Apache who has the cerb (style at least, not actual cerbera wheels) wheels - see the pic in his profile:
His Profile
Oh and it's nice!
His Profile
Oh and it's nice!
off performance and like the cerbera wheels, why not just buy a cerbera?_dobbo_ said:
it's Apache who has the cerb (style at least, not actual cerbera wheels) wheels - see the pic in his profile:
His Profile
Oh and it's nice!
Oh yeah, forgot apache had them. I was think of richB though
If you are going for a 500 make sure it a good one, because a bad 500 will really break your heart! Buy more on condition, than on a engine variant IMO.
If you are planning on modding the car at any stage....coming from an RX 7 I though you might, go for a 500 straight away as it will save you money in the long run since are starting with the most powerful engine anyway, plus get better brakes and suspension as standard.
But do not underestimate the 400 / 450; they are very fast
Hope that helps.
MOD.
If you are planning on modding the car at any stage....coming from an RX 7 I though you might, go for a 500 straight away as it will save you money in the long run since are starting with the most powerful engine anyway, plus get better brakes and suspension as standard.
But do not underestimate the 400 / 450; they are very fast
Hope that helps.
MOD.
Thanks for the replies. Like the wheels on the Griff.
Sorry to all those of you with a 400, but I did drive one and wasn't that impressed with the performance. Bear in mind my RX-7 is about 330 BHP in 1.4 tonnes and allowing for the fact that the 240 BHP for the 400 is probably optimistic, I am likely on about the same BHP/tonne as a 400. Hence the desire to step up to a 500 right of the bat.
Sorry to all those of you with a 400, but I did drive one and wasn't that impressed with the performance. Bear in mind my RX-7 is about 330 BHP in 1.4 tonnes and allowing for the fact that the 240 BHP for the 400 is probably optimistic, I am likely on about the same BHP/tonne as a 400. Hence the desire to step up to a 500 right of the bat.
Nick P said:
shnozz said:
4 litre TVR's are slower than a wheelbarrow - its official
what a crock of bovine faeces
twas said in response to the numerous newbie posts suggesting that the 4 litre wasnt worth considering as it would be slower than their current cars - despite the fact that they hadnt driven any variant at that stage.....
edited to say - I appreciate that you have driven one pete and understand your way of thinking - just about the 100th post in as many days saying the same thing when I rarely meet anything on the road that can stay with my boggo standard 4 litre.
>> Edited by shnozz on Wednesday 14th April 20:41
Having had my 4.0 for about 3 months now, ive only just starting driving it properly, e.g. using the revs/gearbox correctly and understanding the handling with regards to what it will and wont do (just had nitrons fitted which helps!!) ive got too say that not a lot will keep up with the 4ltr, and the 4.5 and 5.0's that ive driven are not that noticebly different.
My previous cars have been M3's M5's TT's etc but the Chim is a completely different car. I think what happens is people try and compare Chims and Griffs with MR2/RX7/M3/GTO's etc but in truth these are very very different cars.
What i have found though is a wealth of experience on the site with regards little niggles and bits, plus ive spent £2600 since i bought the car on various things including a big service, but it is now a very nice car, with everything that needed doing....done.
My advice, drive a few cars, see what you think and budget some money to sort out any initial problems you have with the car.
My previous cars have been M3's M5's TT's etc but the Chim is a completely different car. I think what happens is people try and compare Chims and Griffs with MR2/RX7/M3/GTO's etc but in truth these are very very different cars.
What i have found though is a wealth of experience on the site with regards little niggles and bits, plus ive spent £2600 since i bought the car on various things including a big service, but it is now a very nice car, with everything that needed doing....done.
My advice, drive a few cars, see what you think and budget some money to sort out any initial problems you have with the car.
keithf said:
Having had my 4.0 for about 3 months now, ive only just starting driving it properly, e.g. using the revs/gearbox correctly and understanding the handling with regards to what it will and wont do (just had nitrons fitted which helps!!) ive got too say that not a lot will keep up with the 4ltr, and the 4.5 and 5.0's that ive driven are not that noticebly different.
I had a 4.0 Chimaera, and now have a Griff 500. Trust me, it's noticeably different
It's not a Cerb though... otoh, my sister has a 4.5 Chimaera, and it's a good compromise
Peter Ball said:
Sorry to all those of you with a 400, but I did drive one and wasn't that impressed with the performance. Bear in mind my RX-7 is about 330 BHP in 1.4 tonnes and allowing for the fact that the 240 BHP for the 400 is probably optimistic, I am likely on about the same BHP/tonne as a 400. Hence the desire to step up to a 500 right of the bat.
Peter, I have just bought a 400, and like the 400 owners would have to agree its goddamned quick. The biggest difference you'll notice even with the "lowly" 400 is the sheer amount of torque available - I know the RX-7 was a turbo, but the Wnkel design is not at all good for torque to begin with, whereas a big-block V8 is a vertibale torque powerhouse.
So having cleared that up, and rained on your parade, I would have to say that if wishes were horses, I'd have gone for the 450!
IMHO the 500 is too manic - you have to rev it a lot more than the two smaller blocks (but then again you'd be used to that from the old rotary) and the 450 is generally thought of as the best compromise. In reality you'll probably find you will (and should!) buy on condition - see a tidy car in your colour with your name on it and it won't really matter a damn what engine it has under the bonnet. Plus in comparison to most other vehicles, you won't lose too much money, so you can always upgrade in 6 months time..... (says the man who bought his on friday, and is off to look at another today just because it's the amazing Halcyon Atlantis colour!
Anyway best of luck, and trust us, you'll love any of them!
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