What Engine?

[flying_garfield]

Ok what engine does the Chimaera use? Is it the same V8 as the good old range rover?

[TimW]

yes the good old range rover V8
they come in.
4.0 4.0hc 4.3 4.3BV 4.5 500

>> Edited by TimW on Thursday 12th August 20:39

[JEFFO]

The 5.0-litre also comes in standard (320 BHP) or high compression (340 BHP) forms, I understand.

[snorky]

not high compression - high lift cam and I think all the 5's were HCs....

[Corin Denton]

Not all, some were either 320bhp or 325bhp from memory.

[shpub]

Let's kill these myths shall we:

HC is high lift cam not high compression.

500s were HC spec. Unfortunately some of the owner's handbooks were not and the handbooks were rated as plain 500s. None of the factory documentation/price list that I have seen mention a HC option for the 500.

The HC is seen by those who don't know as an added extra which is why owners say I have an 500HC engine. Caused by the fact that there was a 400 and a 400HC which did have significant differences and therefore the HC was deemed as having extra value.

Graham Robson based his power spec on the original handbook which is where the 325 bhp figure comes from.
TVR adjusted the tuning on the 500HC to provide the 320 bhp version to make it easier to drive and less lumpy. Had both the 320 bhp and 340 bhp versions. The 320 bhp version had the edge in power.

All the 500's provide about the same bhp roughly.


Summary: a 500 is a 500 is a 500. Don't spend extra money cos it has an HC added or is the 340 bhp version. In practical and real terms... no difference.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[jeffo]

Ah thankyou.

Have just mail-ordered the bible, and looking forward to much enlightenment (as is my mechanic, poor bugger).

Tell me though, is there a way of verifying the authenticity of the motor, perhaps by it's number? My car is a Malaysian-built version, and I'm not sure the franchise is still in business to enquire of them.

It looks like a genuine 500 with its purple rocker covers and 500 badge, but the manufacturer's sticker in the engine bay describes it as a Chimaera 400. Seems to me the Malaysian cars are put together out of the old stock parts bin, and perhaps these were the only stickers they had?

Cheers
J

[M@H]

jeffo said:

Tell me though, is there a way of verifying the authenticity of the motor, It looks like a genuine 500 with its purple rocker covers and 500 badge, but the manufacturer's sticker in the engine bay describes it as a Chimaera 400.

That one's easy.. find a dry straight road and put your foot down.. If you can spin the tyres in second and third gear on the upshift, and scare the bejeasus out of yourself its a 5.0. Otherwise its a 4.0.

Cheers
Matt

[Kal-El]

Can anyone tell me the the exact differences between the 4.0 and the 4.0 HC engines? Clearly it uses a higher lift cam profile, but does anyone know what lift/duration it has? What other mods did the HC engine receive? I find it hard to believe it has 40 Bhp more than the standard 4.0 lump from just a cam.

[stesrg]

M@H said:

jeffo said: Tell me though, is there a way of verifying the authenticity of the motor, It looks like a genuine 500 with its purple rocker covers and 500 badge, but the manufacturer's sticker in the engine bay describes it as a Chimaera 400. That one's easy.. find a dry straight road and put your foot down.. If you can spin the tyres in second and third gear on the upshift, and scare the bejeasus out of yourself its a 5.0. Otherwise its a 4.0. Cheers Matt

Hmm could be a tuned 4.3 BV

[chris547]

This BHP thingy is fascinating. A bit like the bigger your penis is the better.

I only have a 4.3 with a claimed 280BHP and 308 lbs ft torque. It seems potent to me.

Anyone else had a car with variable valve timing engine that only has torque over 4000 rpm. They are boring and hard work.

My Chim would break your neck at 800rpm if your tie gets caught in the alternator belt. Its all about low rev torque guys trust me.

The 4.3 spins the wheels in the dry in 2nd gear but shit, the passengers start to cower and beg me to slow down.

Do I really need the 5 litre?

Do I really need the latest AJP engine or is the Rover lump a better bet? You tell me?

[19560]

Try reading this thread www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=116668&f=9&h=0&hw=adams or this one www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=1&f=9&t=116151&h=0

BTW what's need got to do with anything?

[chris547]

I must be a very lucky Bunny not having an AJP engine. Some very interesting statistics are being gathered on other threads. Have crossed the AJP engine off my Christmas pressy list.