Road and Track Chimaera ?

[Corpulent Tosser]

Having sold my dedicated sprint/hillclimb car and plan to sell my road car (MX5) I am looking for something to use as a road car and for occasional sprints, possibly track days.

I work overseas month home month away so my road car doesn't get a lot of use and we tend to use my wife's car if we are going someplace together, I also have secure storage to keep a car in while am away so it wouldn't be left outside unused while I am away.

So, to the point, I had considered a Tuscan (concerns over the S6 engine though) a Griffith is a possibility, I like the idea of a V8, but what about a Chimaera ?

I have always thought of the Chimaera as a softer option, but is it really, if so would it take much to make it a little more focused, change of suspension units for example.

A Chimaera 500 is considerably cheaper than a comparible Griffith 500, more built so laws of supply and demand would dictate that I suppose, but the money saved could be used to upgrade the suspension.

On looks I think the Chimaera has a more classic look than the Griffith and the Tuscan just looks bonkers - not a bad thing.

What about a roll bar, I have seen a few Griffiths with one are they easily available for a Chimaera? Is the 500 the best engine to go for, taking into consideration what I plan to use it for ?

BTW the class I would compete in I would be up against MX5, Honda S2000, Elise/Exige, VX220, Z3/Z4, that kind of stuff and while I don't need to be winning (nice though) I do want to be on the pace.

Thanks for any advise.

CT

[db484bhpv8]

I would recommend you look for a healthy 450. Maybe one that has had some engine mods. Plenty out there with over 300 bhp. No point in paying a premium for a rare 500. Some people will tell you they are weak in the crank also. My 450 has had tons of very high nitrous horsepower abuse and despite the odd melted piston the crank is still in 1 piece.

I have a TR Lane roll bar which is fine. Others are available but make sure you get one that comes up to head height. Some dont.

oh and chassis, chassis, chassis. Save yourself future grief and look for a car thats already had a proper outrigger replacement.

[Corpulent Tosser]

Thanks, that is the kind of advice I am looking for.

What about comparison with a Griffith for track use, is there much/any difference in handling ?

[keith2.2]

I replaced my track S2000 with a Chim - New uprated 4.6, Nitron suspension.

If you're going to be competing against S2000s and the like - frankly, if it's tight and twisty, you won't see which way they went. My Chim is significantly faster in a straight line than the S2000 was, but the cornering doesn't even come close (and that's vs a standard S2K, nevermind my polybushed and suspension'd one - it was an utter hooligan)

[db484bhpv8]

Corpulent Tosser said:

Thanks, that is the kind of advice I am looking for.

What about comparison with a Griffith for track use, is there much/any difference in handling ?

No no no Griffs are rubbish. Do you have a hairy chest and wear a medallion?

There was a rumour from facory that the Chims had a slightly softer set up but the chassis are identical and most cars are on aftermarket shox anyway now.
Buy what you can afford. I have Nitrons which i find excellent.

PS.. i have never been overtaken by a Griff

[SteveSPG]

griff and chim chassis and suspension..identical

20 years on with people changing shocks/brakes/geometry etc means that there is effectively no difference, even if the factory set them up a little differently. look at the parts supplied by vendors. they're identical.

[Corpulent Tosser]

Thanks Guys

I get home in a bit over a week so will start looking around more seriously then.

Cheers
CT

[phazed]

keith2.2 said:

I replaced my track S2000 with a Chim - New uprated 4.6, Nitron suspension.

If you're going to be competing against S2000s and the like - frankly, if it's tight and twisty, you won't see which way they went. My Chim is significantly faster in a straight line than the S2000 was, but the cornering doesn't even come close (and that's vs a standard S2K, nevermind my polybushed and suspension'd one - it was an utter hooligan)

I find that hard to believe.

Have you had your geo "properly" set up?

Have you a decent set of tyres?

My track focused chim can just about stay with a GT3 if I am trying very hard.

[Rib]

phazed said:

keith2.2 said:

I replaced my track S2000 with a Chim - New uprated 4.6, Nitron suspension.

If you're going to be competing against S2000s and the like - frankly, if it's tight and twisty, you won't see which way they went. My Chim is significantly faster in a straight line than the S2000 was, but the cornering doesn't even come close (and that's vs a standard S2K, nevermind my polybushed and suspension'd one - it was an utter hooligan)

I find that hard to believe.

Have you had your geo "properly" set up?

Have you a decent set of tyres?

My track focused chim can just about stay with a GT3 if I am trying very hard.

agree with Peter here, S2000's are just specs in the mirror, even on a tight a twisty sprint track, get to a hill climb where the torque of the V8's helps even more and you well away.

Griff/chim, hardly any difference, as with any kind of racing, alot comes down to the driver, this list from the local sprint fun days at curborough gives you an idea of what the Tiv's can really do, and notice most of the top ones are chims.....

Specialist production

1) Daniel French – Caterham R500 –1’20.3
2) Nigel Pugh - Caterham R500 - 1'21.8
3) Marcus Hickling - MK Indy (R1)-1'22.7
4) Kev Jarman - Ariel Atom 300 - 1'25.4
5) Russ Halley - Westfield (Ford engine) - 1'25.6
6) Steve Lawfield - KTM XBow - 1'26.1
7) Mark Harries - Ultima Canam - 1'29.0
8) Scott Allwood - Caterham Roadsports - 1'32.9
9) Clem Allwood - Caterham Roadsports - 1'34.5
9) Neil - Caterham Roadsports - 1'36.2

Supercar

1) Andy Green - Nissan GTR - 1'24.9
2) James Parkin - 997.2 Porsche 911 GT3 CS - 1'27.8
3) Nigel Pugh – 997 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S –1’29.1
4) Rich P – Dodge Viper SRT10 – 1’30.5


British Sports car class

1) Steve - TVR Tuscan - 1'22.9 (unbelievable car control/bravery! had been modified also)
3) Jony Ellis - TVR Chimaera 4.3 -1'25.2
4) Peter High - TVR Chimaera 5.5-1'26.5
5) Trevor McMaster – TVR Tamora –1’27.5
6) Anthony Bristow - TVR Chimaera 5.0-1'28.0
6=) Rob Pack – TVR Chimaera 4.0 –1’28.0
7) Howard Barnard - TVR Griffith 4.5 -1'28.2
8) Anthony Pattison - TVR Tamora - 1'29.4 (N)
9) Paul - Morgan 3 litre - 1'30.7 (N)
10) Thomas Crabtree – Lotus Elise 1’31.5
11) Aubrey Round - TVR T350 - 1'31.8
12) Steve Gullick - LS TVR Tamora-1'32.0
13) Jeremy Pole - TVR S3 - 1'35.1

[Rib]

I will add that those times above are not from a proper sprint day from professionals, but enthusiasts from a 'fun day' with all ability, however most of the top times in each class are very good laps.

[phazed]

Oi, I feel professional when I'm smoking my tyres

[Corpulent Tosser]

Thanks Rib, those times are interesting.

I like to think I am a fairly competitive, and possibly even competent track driver so a decently set up Chim would do me nicely I think.

I'm not sure on the rules re posting links to ads here but does anyone know of have an opinion on a 1995 BRG Chim in Surrey, the ad on Pistonheads has a pretty young lady sitting in it.

CT

[phazed]

Ha ha, that's mine!

PM me and we can have a chat.

Edited by phazed on Thursday 28th August 15:01

[db484bhpv8]

If you want a very sorted and nicely modified Chimaera then Peters one for sale comes highly recommended. Also ask anyone on here about Peter. A proper true straight up gent.

[Corpulent Tosser]

phazed said:

Ha ha, that's mine!

PM me and we can have a chat.

Edited by phazed on Thursday 28th August 15:01

You have mail.

Unfortunately I am at work and can't access personal mail here, but will get any replies when I get back to the house tonight.

Murray

[gacksen]

phazed said:

Ha ha, that's mine!

PM me and we can have a chat.

Edited by phazed on Thursday 28th August 15:01

anything included in sales especially second picture ?

[phazed]

Oi, That's my daughter! She's cheeky not cheapy!

[keith2.2]

well yes obviously disregard the comments of the owner who has first hand experience of both cars on the same roads and as the same driver because on track you've out-driven other people..

The S2K had a more aggressive geo setup, but a lower spec tyre vs my Chim. The S2K was stronger under braking and had a much sharper turn-in. Mid corner the chassis was much tighter - there is a lot of diagonal / torsional flex in the Chim chassis. It's no surprise - the S2K was a decade newer and used an X-brace design.

I could get on the power earlier in the S - doing it at the same time in the Chim sees it want to understeer rather than keep biting - as the nose lifts more. I'm happy to put this down to the fact the Chim has a lot more power and so NEEDS to be driven differently. I'd describe the S as a scalpel vs the Chims slightly more blunt-instrument "set it up round the corner, boot full of torque down the straight".

Don't get me wrong - I think the Chim is deceptive - 3rd and 4th gear will demolish tarmac in a startling fashion - it just doesn't quite have the sense of poise and accuracy that the S2K did.

I was surprised at how "soft" a standard chim felt - I was expecting the 200kg less weight vs the S2K to feel more obvious, particularly when it came to changing direction. I don't doubt that with more money spent, it could be improved.

All this said - I have no intention of swapping back - but I do have designs on a Tuscan or T350 once I've had my fun.

[griffdude]

Come & do the TVRCC Speed Championships. 24 events From Croft to Wiscombe, max of 8 to count then you drop the worst scores if you do any more. Between 10-20 cars per event. Chimaeras seem to do quite well… But then it's down to the nut behind the wheel….
Hint- Order some Kumhos now as they're in short supply….

[ChilliWhizz]

Murray, I see you're a subsea consultant.... Do a bit of that myself