Alternative parts - Chimaera

[brazenskies]

Hi all,

I'm very new to the TVR scene having rescued a 1997 Chimaera 500 from being scrapped.

It's currently in the shop being assessed and the shopping list is already becoming quite large.

Some parts, like a clutch kit, are proving to be quite expensive (£500 from what I can see). Can anyone recommend what replacement parts I should buy from the following list? I don't want to scrimp on the restoration but at the same time I really can't afford to spend a whole load currently.

Front and rear brake discs and pads
1 rear N/S caliper
4 tyres
Full clutch kit

This list will no doubt grow, but that's where I am currently.

Thanks very much in advance for the help, and I look forward to contributing what I can to the community.

Greg

[brazenskies]

It's been sitting SORNed in a residential car park for 2 years. That was against the rules of the apartment deeds and the resident eventually got pissed off, called the council and it was a case of leave it and pay a £2500 fine, or get rid of it.

Fortunately for me the owner was lazy and couldn't be arsed with the hassle of dealing with it. Luckily I had a mate who could recover it for me that same day.

Hey presto! I own a Chimaera!

[brazenskies]

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far.

Someone had suggested this clutch as it was heavy duty and better suited to the 5L...

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/261198526681?nav=SEARCH

Does anyone in the know have any comments on that?

[brazenskies]

Wow, I just googled Techniclutch and results were nothing but horror stories!

[brazenskies]

Thanks for that. Techniclutch are definitely off the cards.

As for discs...

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/120438599882?nav=SEARCH

How do they look?

[brazenskies]

I've been investigating tyres and people seem to recommend Toyo T1-r tyres.

Does anyone have any experience of these?

[brazenskies]

Thanks. I've also found Bridgestone Potenza which seem to have a better wet weather rating and seem to be roughly the same price.

Would they be a better buy?

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110...

[brazenskies]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

I bought the clutch from thetvrshop.com, brake discs and pads from MTech, 2 Bridgestone Potenzas for the rear, and a pair of Toyo T1-R on the front.

Car should be back on the road in a couple of weeks so I'll get some photos up when it's done.

Cheers,
Greg