Body Off update

[neal1980]

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

Edited by neal1980 on Monday 31st May 14:35

[neal1980]

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.

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

[neal1980]

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

[neal1980]

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

[neal1980]

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 :-)

[neal1980]

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

[neal1980]

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

[neal1980]

macdeb said:

neal1980 said:

Will do better stock up on the stella then

Yeh, LOTS

Edited by macdeb on Monday 31st May 14:59

Shouldnt be a problem normally!!!! you have seen my fridge in my lounge

[neal1980]

hiltonig said:

are those uprated drive shafts ???

yep a close up of the pump if you get time !

Nah there the originals. I just fitted new GKN CV Joints and those fancy CV Gaitors. Shame you cant see them when the body is on...lol

[neal1980]

hiltonig said:

and is that a nice painted gearbox ?? nice job

yes...lol hammerite smooth...kinda got a bit carried away

[neal1980]

Thanks for the responses so far, really enjoyed doing it. Hope to have the body on next weekend with a bit of luck.

Seems a shame to cover it all up now

[neal1980]

beezei said:

How did you lift off the body from chassis? Did you use some extra supports etc. Could you give brief explanation. I am going to do the same for my 97 Chimaera next autumn and don't want to do more harm than good.

I just followed one of the guides from here think it was the griff one but the same. Then initally jacked the car gently from the back with a wooden beam across the boot floor to ensure the chassis would lift. Then 8 people and lift it off on to pallets.

Its not too bad as long as you have undone eveything you will be fine. Good luck

[neal1980]

Quick update, body back on looking good but so tight in garage couldnt take pics...lol

Anyway look what has found there way on to my engine today.

Still got to twist the manifolds tomorrow and re-weld but its all going to fit no problems.

4.6 Low Comp Twin Turbo

Edited by neal1980 on Wednesday 7th July 22:10

[neal1980]

darkcat said:

Looking good, part of me thinks the turbos are a bit small forthe amount of flow.... back pressure issues??

There TD04L from subaru Impreza, these run out of puff at approx 275BHP so nobody wants them there pennies! So using 2 of them should be enough flow for a little boost :-P I thought they looked small when they turned up but they work on an impreza.

With all my pipework to suit there are aftermarket turbos that will flow alot more and will bolt straight up to the flanges so im not too worried, gonna try it and see.

Hi Meatball, Yes im using the megasquirt extra 1 to control it all.


Neal

[neal1980]

spend said:

Oh my GOD!!! my worst nightmare 2 farting scoobies under the bonnet

If I dont put the radiator & intercooler in there I can probably get 4 or 6 down there

[neal1980]

darkcat said:

do you have any expectations on this vs a SC?

Well probably save about £3500 lol

I have no idea on power to be honest. Anything around 400hp in one of these is going to be fun

Ive always wanted to go this way for ages...hence the Megasquirt install a few years back.

Neal

[neal1980]

[quote=slideways]Just a little taster of whats happening under my bonnet

Cool, how you finding it so far?? seems lots of room to start with but with all the pipes Im losing space rapidly. Should be getting my rad and intercooler monday so will really start to come together then.


Moved the turbos closer last night loads of bonnet clearance now and pipes have a easy route to the intercooler.

[neal1980]

[neal1980]

Ok a big update to come soon....

Manifolds and exhausts have been completed last night. Turbos mounted, Alloy intercooler and alloy rad all fitted. Just really got a few custom pipes to sort then soon the big fire up!

Awaiting a big box of bits to turn up in the next few days. The problem now is that everything is custom and im trying to create a kind of look like it should belong there

I have also done a complete interior new black carpet. Dash, doors and center console in black alcantara.

I will get the camera out when we get a nice day, pictures show much more

[neal1980]

Bit of an update...really want to get this running in the next 3-4 weeks so been hard at it again today and now im FROZE!!!

Things left to do before completion:

Boost hoses
Modify intercooler
Oil return in to sump

So not much but here are the pics as of today















Roll on next summer