430 big valve

[monkeymoo4u]

Has anyone had any dealings / experience of the Chimaera 430 big valve , it's supposed to put out 300bhp, certainly feels as though it does , very rapid!. I know they only made 12 from the factory with this engine,

[monkeymoo4u]

Hi, mine has 430 BV on the p chamber and at the end of the chassis number both on the car and on the log book, it also has it had written on the ecu as an upgrade notice ,

[monkeymoo4u]

Image of the factory 430 big valve p chamber

[monkeymoo4u]

Just undergoing reverb , all new carpets/ sound proofing , new mohair hood, new leather bucket seats,new battery, alternator and full service plus lots of other smaller jobs done, all costing much more than anticipated ,
Hopefully it will be worth it ,,

[monkeymoo4u]

Yes, they are rare, there were 12 factory models built of which 5 survive ,
strangely two of which are on eBay , if they are both indeed true big valves , I have heard a lot of people say they have big valves and that they were retro fitted but I am sceptical of most as if there are only five left then they can't all be so ,
I also reliably informed that they were supposed to product just shy of 300 bhp when new ..?
Guess the only way to find out is to put it on a rolling road ,

[monkeymoo4u]

I am having my Austin Healey 100-4 head gas flowed at Chesman at the moment and that is costing £400 without the cost of having new seats cutting in and valve guides, so £1 k sounds good if they are supplying everything barring
mind that the Austin is only 4 cylinders!
After the 430 BV is finished at the trimmers and the new seats are fitted I will see about getting a rolling road test done to find out once and for all what the factory supplied big valves made in Bhp.
Should be the same as the Griff as the engine is the same.?
Anyone know the figures for the Griff ?.

[monkeymoo4u]

You would have to factor in the cost of high lift cams, new followers ,journals,all the porting and gas flowing of the heads, cutting in the new valve seats and the cost of the parts not to mention the ecu upgrade , don't know if the pistons needed deeper pockets because of the higher lift cam so could be thousands,
It was a £5 thousand pound option over the standard car to have this engine fitted when new !!!
No wonder they only got orders for 12 of them!

[monkeymoo4u]

Wow, that,s great info and a fantastic restoration, thanks for sharing,

[monkeymoo4u]

While we're playing cams, we stop to admire the porting work on this 430BV's heads. They are super smooth, smoother than any other head we've had in. And the smoothness carries on all the way from the top of the port to the valve. It shows where the extra money went when you bought a BV from the factory. — at Southways Automotive - Kit, Classic & Sports Car Specialists.

[monkeymoo4u]

Hi,
Yes the 430 bv is so much more free reving and more responsive than all other Chims I have seen, and you are right there is something about the exhausts note that is unique .
Just coming to the end of fitting the new interior, can,t wait for the better weather !

[monkeymoo4u]

Yes , you are right the 430bv badge is much larger than the normal ones and therefore just sits onto of the recess made for the standard cars, and yes you are also right that it is on eBay and pistonheads,
Really don't want to let her go , mainly because I am sure these are going to rocket in value as soon as someone like Quentin Willson does a piece on them,

It is after all a good looking British car with loads of grunt and charisma , is already well liked and then find one that was made in very limited numbers indeed ( only 12 with this engine , of which 5 remain) and you have the recipe for a guaranteed investment that you can have great fun with and no risk , unlike shares and all profits are tax free !!

I have an Austin Healey 1955 that I need to finish , so that's why she is up for sale but if I don't get what I want for her I will just have to keep her and that would be a shame,,NOT !!

[monkeymoo4u]

You are right , the lighting and pictures are bad.As soon as I have finished the new carpets and the seats are in then I will repost new pictures and a video where you can hear that great exhaust note but for now that's all there is .

I kind of hope it does not get any interest and then I can keep her !!