Chimaera 400 T5 gearbox introduction plus other questions
Discussion
Hi all,
I've tried searching the forum for the answers to some questions I have, but the search function doesn't seem to be working.
I am looking to buy a Chimaera 400 and have been doing a fair bit of research over the past few weeks as to which one to go for within my budget. My budget is max £7000 which is why I am limited to an earlyish 400. I've seen a few 400's sell for that so I think I should be able to get one within my budget.
The questions I have are about what years upgrades were introduced. I was looking at the website http://www.classiccars4sale.net/classic-car-review... and it says that the T5 gearbox was introduced in February 1994. Does anyone know if this is correct, and is it easy to tell by looking at it under the car? I definitely want one with this (better) gearbox. Also it says the serpentine poly V belt engines were introduced in August 1994 is this also correct? What are the benefits of the serpentine over the original V belted engine?
My current car is a 1992 Range Rover Classic so I know the 3.9V8 pretty well. Mine doesn't have the serpentine belt arrangement and I've never had any problems with it (aside from the odd squeaking), so I don't know how the serpentine improves it.
If anyone has any other tips or recommendations or know of links to other similar posts then please let me know. I'll keep trying the search function, but it's not worked for the past couple of days.
Thanks,
Tim
I've tried searching the forum for the answers to some questions I have, but the search function doesn't seem to be working.
I am looking to buy a Chimaera 400 and have been doing a fair bit of research over the past few weeks as to which one to go for within my budget. My budget is max £7000 which is why I am limited to an earlyish 400. I've seen a few 400's sell for that so I think I should be able to get one within my budget.
The questions I have are about what years upgrades were introduced. I was looking at the website http://www.classiccars4sale.net/classic-car-review... and it says that the T5 gearbox was introduced in February 1994. Does anyone know if this is correct, and is it easy to tell by looking at it under the car? I definitely want one with this (better) gearbox. Also it says the serpentine poly V belt engines were introduced in August 1994 is this also correct? What are the benefits of the serpentine over the original V belted engine?
My current car is a 1992 Range Rover Classic so I know the 3.9V8 pretty well. Mine doesn't have the serpentine belt arrangement and I've never had any problems with it (aside from the odd squeaking), so I don't know how the serpentine improves it.
If anyone has any other tips or recommendations or know of links to other similar posts then please let me know. I'll keep trying the search function, but it's not worked for the past couple of days.
Thanks,
Tim
Timward said:
Hi all,
I've tried searching the forum for the answers to some questions I have, but the search function doesn't seem to be working.
I am looking to buy a Chimaera 400 and have been doing a fair bit of research over the past few weeks as to which one to go for within my budget. My budget is max £7000 which is why I am limited to an earlyish 400. I've seen a few 400's sell for that so I think I should be able to get one within my budget.
The questions I have are about what years upgrades were introduced. I was looking at the website http://www.classiccars4sale.net/classic-car-review... and it says that the T5 gearbox was introduced in February 1994. Does anyone know if this is correct, and is it easy to tell by looking at it under the car? I definitely want one with this (better) gearbox. Also it says the serpentine poly V belt engines were introduced in August 1994 is this also correct? What are the benefits of the serpentine over the original V belted engine?
My current car is a 1992 Range Rover Classic so I know the 3.9V8 pretty well. Mine doesn't have the serpentine belt arrangement and I've never had any problems with it (aside from the odd squeaking), so I don't know how the serpentine improves it.
If anyone has any other tips or recommendations or know of links to other similar posts then please let me know. I'll keep trying the search function, but it's not worked for the past couple of days.
Thanks,
Tim
Not 100% what year the t5 box and serp belt engines came out but i don't think there is any definitive answer with TVR a case of what ever they had lying around at the time in some case'sI've tried searching the forum for the answers to some questions I have, but the search function doesn't seem to be working.
I am looking to buy a Chimaera 400 and have been doing a fair bit of research over the past few weeks as to which one to go for within my budget. My budget is max £7000 which is why I am limited to an earlyish 400. I've seen a few 400's sell for that so I think I should be able to get one within my budget.
The questions I have are about what years upgrades were introduced. I was looking at the website http://www.classiccars4sale.net/classic-car-review... and it says that the T5 gearbox was introduced in February 1994. Does anyone know if this is correct, and is it easy to tell by looking at it under the car? I definitely want one with this (better) gearbox. Also it says the serpentine poly V belt engines were introduced in August 1994 is this also correct? What are the benefits of the serpentine over the original V belted engine?
My current car is a 1992 Range Rover Classic so I know the 3.9V8 pretty well. Mine doesn't have the serpentine belt arrangement and I've never had any problems with it (aside from the odd squeaking), so I don't know how the serpentine improves it.
If anyone has any other tips or recommendations or know of links to other similar posts then please let me know. I'll keep trying the search function, but it's not worked for the past couple of days.
Thanks,
Tim
The best way to see if it is a T5 box is to see where reverse is i believe as the LT box has reverse in a different place ( Correct me if wrong here) Reverse in a T5 is Behind 5th gear. Better i would not know as both my TVR have had the t5 box and i do like it i have to say.
The main benefit for a serp belt is you can fit the SC Super charger kit to your car unlike the V belts, but please correct me if wrong again.
The serpentine has a better oil pump system.
lots of advantages in the facelift car, around late 95/96
AS its a tvr there are lots of bitsa cars without all the changes but they are
Chassis and suspension as griff 500
rear arb
bigger brakes
revised nose with horizontal slat and different indicator housings
revised bonnet with more vents
rear boot lid longer lip
rubber bumper strip now part of body in grp.
t5 gearbox
BTR Diff
different radio panel and swithces in dash, silver rim dials ( lots of half and half cars here)
door opener moved from next to gear leaver to further back.
external door buttons lost key hole, and then moved to mirrors..
Probably lots more...
imho the T5 box is easier to live with and the serp engine makes life a little easier... the earlier GKN diff can be harder to find parts for and the later brakes are well worth having
so If I were you look for something 96 /97 ( they seem to have the best chassis)
but what ever you do check the chassis.. twice...
G
lots of advantages in the facelift car, around late 95/96
AS its a tvr there are lots of bitsa cars without all the changes but they are
Chassis and suspension as griff 500
rear arb
bigger brakes
revised nose with horizontal slat and different indicator housings
revised bonnet with more vents
rear boot lid longer lip
rubber bumper strip now part of body in grp.
t5 gearbox
BTR Diff
different radio panel and swithces in dash, silver rim dials ( lots of half and half cars here)
door opener moved from next to gear leaver to further back.
external door buttons lost key hole, and then moved to mirrors..
Probably lots more...
imho the T5 box is easier to live with and the serp engine makes life a little easier... the earlier GKN diff can be harder to find parts for and the later brakes are well worth having
so If I were you look for something 96 /97 ( they seem to have the best chassis)
but what ever you do check the chassis.. twice...
G
Thanks for your responses. I am going to try and get as young a one as I can get with low mileage, but just need to keep searching.
A couple of you mentioned that the later model has the Griff chassis. What's the benefit in this? Is it a major improvement, or just a slight improvement from the original Chim chassis? Would someone like me (going from an old wallowy Range Rover to a Chimaera) be able to tell the difference?
Can anyone else confirm what scotty_d said about the position of reverse gear on the T5 gearbox?
Thanks,
Tim
A couple of you mentioned that the later model has the Griff chassis. What's the benefit in this? Is it a major improvement, or just a slight improvement from the original Chim chassis? Would someone like me (going from an old wallowy Range Rover to a Chimaera) be able to tell the difference?
Can anyone else confirm what scotty_d said about the position of reverse gear on the T5 gearbox?
Thanks,
Tim
Reverse on the T5 is bottom right, you need to go into 5th then reverse when you want it or it crunches. I've got a 96 which is t5 serp n BTr diff, very happy with it. It has door buttons on the body and the earlier switch gear but later door opener location inside. Hand built n all that jazz so expect variation.
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