V8S versus Chimaera/Griffith
Discussion
I'm afraid this is just out of curiosity at the moment (not a proper what car thread!) but I was wondering how different the later RV8 cars were from the V8S?
My brief experience behind the wheel of a Chimaera last year certainly seemed to reinforce the idea that the V6 S is more chuckable, but a little less composed. The later car certainly felt more rigid and generally better built, but perhaps without some of the S3's sparkle.
I know the Cologne V6 is a relatively heavy engine - does the balance change much when you put a V8 in the S chassis? It would be great if it just handled like a V6 S with a bit more go.
Anyway, there's bound to be a few people on here who've owned both, so over to you. How do they compare?
My brief experience behind the wheel of a Chimaera last year certainly seemed to reinforce the idea that the V6 S is more chuckable, but a little less composed. The later car certainly felt more rigid and generally better built, but perhaps without some of the S3's sparkle.
I know the Cologne V6 is a relatively heavy engine - does the balance change much when you put a V8 in the S chassis? It would be great if it just handled like a V6 S with a bit more go.
Anyway, there's bound to be a few people on here who've owned both, so over to you. How do they compare?
Not had a Chim/Griff, but have had several other TVRs.
My S2 did feel a little raw, my V8S is clearly better put together (similar sort of difference to how you describe V6 v chim). The V8S is like a go kart in a sense, the handling is similar to the V6 but with more power.
I don't know, but I imagine the Chim may feel slightly 'more refined' than that perhaps.
I like them all and don't really have a bias as I'd have more if I could
My S2 did feel a little raw, my V8S is clearly better put together (similar sort of difference to how you describe V6 v chim). The V8S is like a go kart in a sense, the handling is similar to the V6 but with more power.
I don't know, but I imagine the Chim may feel slightly 'more refined' than that perhaps.
I like them all and don't really have a bias as I'd have more if I could
Dave_M said:
I don't know, but I imagine the Chim may feel slightly 'more refined' than that perhaps.
That was kind of my impression. The chassis felt a lot stiffer torsionally and everything seemed very linear and direct, but there didn't seem to be quite the same agility or quite the level of feedback that you get with a good S. That said, that was 15 minutes with a Chim of indeterminate origin on unfamiliar roads as opposed to the S3 I'd spent weeks setting up. The 400 didn't actually feel that much quicker than the V6 either - I think perhaps it's higher speeds when it really comes into its own. That or it's just a more serence experience and I was already travelling quicker.Edited by Chris71 on Monday 8th March 16:21
I haven't driven an S3 but owned an S4, which had the same chassis as the V8S - wider track, discs all round. This was a great car to take out for a spirited drive, but I find the Chimaera better suited as a daily driver, being more refined and spacious both in the cabin and boot
As a second car I should think a V8S would be very good - pre cat engine, loads of torque and good handling. Two piece roof is handy as well!
Bob
As a second car I should think a V8S would be very good - pre cat engine, loads of torque and good handling. Two piece roof is handy as well!
Bob
I drove a V8S and a 4.0 Chimaera within half an hour of each other over the identical route for the purposes of an article for Sprint. At the time I could not, of course, say I prefered one over the other to any great extent. Now I am under no such pressure and I can reveal that - well, I'll leave my conclusion to later.
Both cars were in similar condition and the only real difference was the date of manufacture. Both cars were green, a colour that suited the V8S more than the Chim.
The route was over A roads and, because of the demands of the photoshoot, some poorly maintained country roads (which must be all but impassable now).
The S felt as if it was quite a bit smaller than the Chim although when they were placed side by side it was apparent that this was an illusion. The S felt lighter, more pointy and I prefered the steering, which was not power assisted, to that of the PA Chim. In this, it seems, I may be in a minority.
The S didn't feel quite so luxurious inside and there did seem more room in the Chim although, I'm reliable informed, there is virtually no difference.
Where they parted:
Access to the engine is much better in the S.
The V8S would be more expensive to buy than a Chim in similar condition although it would, probably but don't quote me if it doesn't, retain the gap.
The Chim is much more useful as a tourer given its size of boot. The S boot seemed full with the roof and spare in it.
The biggest difference was the ride over poor surfaces. The Chim was way ahead there. One particular rough patch slowed the S while the Chim was able to maintain speed.
But, and its a big but, there was nothing specific to either car that would have made me pick one over the other if I prefered one just because of the looks.
Both cars were in similar condition and the only real difference was the date of manufacture. Both cars were green, a colour that suited the V8S more than the Chim.
The route was over A roads and, because of the demands of the photoshoot, some poorly maintained country roads (which must be all but impassable now).
The S felt as if it was quite a bit smaller than the Chim although when they were placed side by side it was apparent that this was an illusion. The S felt lighter, more pointy and I prefered the steering, which was not power assisted, to that of the PA Chim. In this, it seems, I may be in a minority.
The S didn't feel quite so luxurious inside and there did seem more room in the Chim although, I'm reliable informed, there is virtually no difference.
Where they parted:
Access to the engine is much better in the S.
The V8S would be more expensive to buy than a Chim in similar condition although it would, probably but don't quote me if it doesn't, retain the gap.
The Chim is much more useful as a tourer given its size of boot. The S boot seemed full with the roof and spare in it.
The biggest difference was the ride over poor surfaces. The Chim was way ahead there. One particular rough patch slowed the S while the Chim was able to maintain speed.
But, and its a big but, there was nothing specific to either car that would have made me pick one over the other if I prefered one just because of the looks.
Edited by Derek Smith on Monday 8th March 19:00
I much preferred the steering on the S, not just to the Chimaera but to many of the cars I've driven full stop. Okay, it's not the last word in precision but there's a very obvious correlation between weight and slip angle - you could never claim the S took you by surprise when it started to lose grip. I wasn't going push someone else's Chim hard enough to find out if that still held true, but it didn't feel so informative - arguably more direct and precise, but not quite the same feedback. That may have a lot to do with tall skinny tyres on the S. Some of it could be linked to the lack of PAS though - do you reckon the unassisted Chimaera/Griff compares better to the S in that respect than the assisted version?
I have owned an s3,v8s 4.6 and now a chimaera 500.s3 was a great car but always wondered what a v8 would be like so on to v8s with 280 bhp fantastic car,as you say an overpowered go cart feel to it. chimaera is in a different league in my opinion and my god the torque is immense, yes the handling is more refined and not as chuckable but overall package it is out in front in my book.get a chim or griff you wont regret it.garfy
had an S2 and now a Griff 4.3....... griff is a lot more refined then the s in terms of crashing about........if I had to sell the griff i would be back to the s in a shot as i would say it is one of the most fun cars to drive. Not the quickest, but driven hard will give your average couoe (Audi tt 1.8) a good run.....the s may not be blessed with quirky or modern styleing, and look a little 60's retro but as a package wow.
Must. Not. Do. Anything rash. Must keep the rollerskate for another 6 months at least before reverting back to TVR...
Out of interest, how does the boot space compare to the S? I didn't find the S3 too bad to be honest - even with the spare (spacesaver) and roof panel in you could still get a reasonable amount in for a sports car. Is the single targa panel easier to fit? Aside from a general TVR-lust I also quite miss having something with a watertight roof and space for more than just a road atlas and a spare pair of pants.
Out of interest, how does the boot space compare to the S? I didn't find the S3 too bad to be honest - even with the spare (spacesaver) and roof panel in you could still get a reasonable amount in for a sports car. Is the single targa panel easier to fit? Aside from a general TVR-lust I also quite miss having something with a watertight roof and space for more than just a road atlas and a spare pair of pants.
Derek Smith said:
The biggest difference was the ride over poor surfaces. The Chim was way ahead there. One particular rough patch slowed the S while the Chim was able to maintain speed.
Oh dear - composure over poor road surfaces isn't exactly a (factory standard) Griffmaera forte, either...900T-R said:
Derek Smith said:
The biggest difference was the ride over poor surfaces. The Chim was way ahead there. One particular rough patch slowed the S while the Chim was able to maintain speed.
Oh dear - composure over poor road surfaces isn't exactly a (factory standard) Griffmaera forte, either...The problem I found was that you had to run it quite soft as the lack torsional rigidity sent the oscilation through the chassis rather than the dampers if you tried to run it too stiff! You could crank it right up on thr track, but it felt happier running reasonably soft on the road.
I had an S3 as a daily driver and swapped it in for a Pre Cat Griffith.
In terms of the handling, the S felt a lot more involved and "by the seat of your pants." The steering was felt more direct and I found you got more feedback than on the Griffith.
But the power of the Griffith was much better. The Griffith also felt much better on at higher speeds and less like it was struggling to cruise at 80mph or so.
This may be due to the V8 vs V6 and gearing though.
Space wise the Griffith does feel a little more cramped inside than the S3, but feels like a bigger car. But the S is actually longer than the Griff.
Boot wise, with the roof and a spare in it, the Griffith is (IMHO) a lot less useable than the S3. the Griff rood sits in diagonally across the boot whihc makes it a pain if you want to take it off or put it on, during long journeys. Whilst the S seemed to have a smaller boot, the design of the pannels made it more versatile. The Chim boot, on the other hand, is massive. Even with the spare.
One thing I did find much better was ground clearance. low hanging downpipes of the S, were a constant pain, mine took quite a lot of battering and a big hole appearred. Eventually I got ACT to get me a pair of hevy duty SS pipes.
Heating in the S3 was way better than in the Pre Cat Griff, although I suspect I just have a bad heating system in my car. (Something to look at on my week off).
In terms of the handling, the S felt a lot more involved and "by the seat of your pants." The steering was felt more direct and I found you got more feedback than on the Griffith.
But the power of the Griffith was much better. The Griffith also felt much better on at higher speeds and less like it was struggling to cruise at 80mph or so.
This may be due to the V8 vs V6 and gearing though.
Space wise the Griffith does feel a little more cramped inside than the S3, but feels like a bigger car. But the S is actually longer than the Griff.
Boot wise, with the roof and a spare in it, the Griffith is (IMHO) a lot less useable than the S3. the Griff rood sits in diagonally across the boot whihc makes it a pain if you want to take it off or put it on, during long journeys. Whilst the S seemed to have a smaller boot, the design of the pannels made it more versatile. The Chim boot, on the other hand, is massive. Even with the spare.
One thing I did find much better was ground clearance. low hanging downpipes of the S, were a constant pain, mine took quite a lot of battering and a big hole appearred. Eventually I got ACT to get me a pair of hevy duty SS pipes.
Heating in the S3 was way better than in the Pre Cat Griff, although I suspect I just have a bad heating system in my car. (Something to look at on my week off).
Hmm. I wonder how difficult it would be to find a really nice V8S these days. 
How noticeable is the extra chassis bracing on the V8S (as opposed to the S1-3) when you're behind the wheel? You could definitely feel it flexing in the S3, so it could be interesting with twice the torque!
How noticeable is the extra chassis bracing on the V8S (as opposed to the S1-3) when you're behind the wheel? You could definitely feel it flexing in the S3, so it could be interesting with twice the torque!
Having driven my 2.9 1990 S3 and two 4.0 1995/1996 Chimaeras, I came to the conclusion that the Chimaera felt more like a normal car. Easier to sit back and relax and, comfortable and felt spacious inside. The cockpit wraps around you more in the Chimaera to which I really liked. The S feels more open and free.
Power - the S in standard form felt more torquey. May be an illusion. (I didn't rev the Chims much because they were other peoples cars and treated them with some respect).
If I were to upgrade from my S, I would go for something more powerful than a 4.0 Chimaera (if I could afford it). All in personal opinion.
Would rather do allot of miles in a 400 Chimaera, but would rather hoon about in an S of similar power.
Hope this helps.
Power - the S in standard form felt more torquey. May be an illusion. (I didn't rev the Chims much because they were other peoples cars and treated them with some respect).
If I were to upgrade from my S, I would go for something more powerful than a 4.0 Chimaera (if I could afford it). All in personal opinion.
Would rather do allot of miles in a 400 Chimaera, but would rather hoon about in an S of similar power.
Hope this helps.
The Lukas said:
Power - the S in standard form felt more torquey. May be an illusion. (I didn't rev the Chims much because they were other peoples cars and treated them with some respect).
Would rather do allot of miles in a 400 Chimaera, but would rather hoon about in an S of similar power.
Hope this helps.
The V8 power delivery is much more linear. You get more of a kick in a V6 s3, but look at the speedo and you're suddenly going a lot faster than you expected when in a V8. Would rather do allot of miles in a 400 Chimaera, but would rather hoon about in an S of similar power.
Hope this helps.
I did the same thing when I got my Griff. Was headding back from ACT, looked at the Speedo and I was doing 25mph more than I would in my S3.
I used to to mega miles in my S3 and have done some big trips in the Griff, the gearing in the Griff (LT77) is more suited to cruising than the S3. IMHO.
Wildfire said:
The Lukas said:
Power - the S in standard form felt more torquey. May be an illusion. (I didn't rev the Chims much because they were other peoples cars and treated them with some respect).
Would rather do allot of miles in a 400 Chimaera, but would rather hoon about in an S of similar power.
Hope this helps.
The V8 power delivery is much more linear. You get more of a kick in a V6 s3, but look at the speedo and you're suddenly going a lot faster than you expected when in a V8. Would rather do allot of miles in a 400 Chimaera, but would rather hoon about in an S of similar power.
Hope this helps.
I did the same thing when I got my Griff. Was headding back from ACT, looked at the Speedo and I was doing 25mph more than I would in my S3.
I'm quite tempted to go back to an S. A little more overtaking grunt, some additional chassis bracing and a limited slip diff would be nice though, so I'm really tempted by a good V8. These adulterous thoughts are probably a little unfair on the Caterham as it's been off the road for a few months without the chance to acquit itself. I do miss something you could drive long distances as well as hooning round tracks and B-roads though. Even an S is palacial compared to a racing Seven.
It's odd. I'd go back to most of the cars I've owned before because of the quantifiable benefits they offer (discrete Mazdas, practical hot hatches), but there's only one I feel a need to own because of what it is. I want a TVR again goddamit!
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