Body Off update
Discussion
Hi,
Ive started a body off update on my chimaera 400 and thought about time for a brief update. Its going to be quite an extensive rebuild so will try my best to update on a regular basis which im always crap at.
Intensions are:
Full body off replacing every bearing, joint etc and of course everything shiny
Electric power steering
Megasquirt (already completed before the body off) Megasquirt 1 extra
Tuscan brakes (almost done...bit more work)
TVR spiders
4.6L top hat, turbo conversion (low boost)
In fact there are loads more I will just post more regular
Ive owned it for 6 years now and was like most in that dilemma of Tuscan etc but I just love the sound and looks of these cars so full rebuild was my only option. And it will never be for sale after this!
Body off chassis was not too bad
Chassis was not too bad but thought I would get outriggers replaced anyway in thicker 3mm tube and replace all the plates
Now chassis back from being blasted, zinc coated and powdercoated
Diff now back in (refurbed by CTS)
How it looks as of today
Fully rebuilt 4.6 top hats, and all arp..
Should be fun....this turbo is huge!
Will keep you posted a box of goodies has just turned up so off to garage
Ive started a body off update on my chimaera 400 and thought about time for a brief update. Its going to be quite an extensive rebuild so will try my best to update on a regular basis which im always crap at.
Intensions are:
Full body off replacing every bearing, joint etc and of course everything shiny
Electric power steering
Megasquirt (already completed before the body off) Megasquirt 1 extra
Tuscan brakes (almost done...bit more work)
TVR spiders
4.6L top hat, turbo conversion (low boost)
In fact there are loads more I will just post more regular
Ive owned it for 6 years now and was like most in that dilemma of Tuscan etc but I just love the sound and looks of these cars so full rebuild was my only option. And it will never be for sale after this!
Body off chassis was not too bad
Chassis was not too bad but thought I would get outriggers replaced anyway in thicker 3mm tube and replace all the plates
Now chassis back from being blasted, zinc coated and powdercoated
Diff now back in (refurbed by CTS)
How it looks as of today
Fully rebuilt 4.6 top hats, and all arp..
Should be fun....this turbo is huge!
Will keep you posted a box of goodies has just turned up so off to garage
Edited by neal1980 on Monday 31st May 14:35
That looks like a very good job. Can you say how long it has taken you so far? The chassis didn't look to be in too bad a condition for a '96 model, what sort of mileage has it done? I think that you are wise to replace the outriggers while it's all apart though.
Huge respect to you, and all in a fairly small garage - just goes to show it can be done!
Huge respect to you, and all in a fairly small garage - just goes to show it can be done!
peebee said:
That looks like a very good job. Can you say how long it has taken you so far? The chassis didn't look to be in too bad a condition for a '96 model, what sort of mileage has it done? I think that you are wise to replace the outriggers while it's all apart though.
Huge respect to you, and all in a fairly small garage - just goes to show it can be done!
Hi peebee.Huge respect to you, and all in a fairly small garage - just goes to show it can be done!
To be fair its been a year lol I didnt do anything on it for 8 months as was building an extension on house. Im fully back on this now to get it ready for next summer. Its amazing how quick it will come apart took me 2 weekends and it was completely stripped. Its more time consuming now becuase I have to be careful..lol
Edited by neal1980 on Saturday 21st November 10:26
Edited by neal1980 on Monday 31st May 14:35
looking forward to seeing this finished.
Im a bit partial to red[hangover from my S3 days] Any special reason why electric pas.
Its just something ive fancied. You get a control box from fleabay so you can adjust the sensitivity. And the racks are so cheap thought I would give it a bash. If it turns out to not be as good as I thought it will soon be coming off.
Lots of people using them on the net with good results
Lots of people using them on the net with good results
neal1980 said:
Its just something ive fancied. You get a control box from fleabay so you can adjust the sensitivity. And the racks are so cheap thought I would give it a bash. If it turns out to not be as good as I thought it will soon be coming off.
Lots of people using them on the net with good results
Less drag on the engine too I'd imagine?Lots of people using them on the net with good results
bsdnazz said:
neal1980 said:
Now chassis back from being blasted, zinc coated and powdercoated
What sort of zinc coating did you go for?
I went for Zinga heard good things about this. Its never going to see rain Im going to become one of these fair weather drivers now. With the weather lately then it wont even see the road What sort of zinc coating did you go for?
Neal, looking good and of course the best colour for the body 
If it's not too much trouble and if you still have them, I would very much appreciate a measurement of the free length of the standard front springs. I took my old rusty ones off a while back, measured them and got replacements at 325lb rating, but the car rides a bit high at the front, so I'm trying to
check the length before I change mine again.....
cheers
schmo
If it's not too much trouble and if you still have them, I would very much appreciate a measurement of the free length of the standard front springs. I took my old rusty ones off a while back, measured them and got replacements at 325lb rating, but the car rides a bit high at the front, so I'm trying to
check the length before I change mine again.....
cheers
schmo
Forgot to ask...I don't suppose you kept any stencils or measurements of the triangular plates the body bolts pass through? I'm going to need to cut mine out and renew but need to be more sympathetic to the chassis than the plate, so using the old as a stencil might not be totally accurate, although of course it's probably how everyone manages! 
After a very long time, I rolled it out the garage today 99% chassis finished just a few odd bolts to source. All done in a single garage. I know you like photos on here so enjoy.
Plans have changed now going to be Twin td04 turbo, dropping the body on in the next few weeks so will keep you all updated. Really enjoyed it so far, really recommend doing it :-)
Plans have changed now going to be Twin td04 turbo, dropping the body on in the next few weeks so will keep you all updated. Really enjoyed it so far, really recommend doing it :-)
macdeb said:
Looking good bloke. Let me know when you need a hand lifting back on, oh and if you need me to get my mates trailer to get the body back round to yours.
Will do better stock up on the stella then 
Teasing you with the spiders now mate....bet you cant wait to get yours
Oh and thanks Don
Edited by neal1980 on Monday 31st May 14:25
hiltonig said:
any chance of a close up pic of the fuel pump mounting, I am trying to fit the same pump !
I mounted mine by well firstly the originals snapping off Then made a plate the same size as the moutings, then mounted plate to the chassis then pump to new bracket voila easy and very secure.
Below is the only pic I have if you need more let me know
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