Beginners guide to Chimaera modifications
Discussion
Hi,
I see a lot of talk about Mark Adams Tornado chips, Megasquirt systems, plenum spacers, ACT pipes, shorter trumpets and everything else, it’s a bit confusing for a TVR newbie like myself!
Perhaps we could use this thread as a definitive guide to some of the essential/preferred Chimaera modifications that are currently available, ideally with links and/or prices? I am looking to keep the car as stock as possible, with some choice modifications just to improve driveability, smoothness and MPG if possible. I would also like to try to iron out some of the shunting at lower revs too.
So, any advice appreciated, I’m sure others would benefit from it too. There are a lot of options out there it seems, and it seems pointless to go out and buy some X to go with Y, when I should have bought A to go with Y and B to go with X! What is the preferred route to take with regards to intake and ignition mods? My car is a 1997 400, with a Bosch coil and uprated HT leads, but otherwise standard.
Thanks,
Dan
I see a lot of talk about Mark Adams Tornado chips, Megasquirt systems, plenum spacers, ACT pipes, shorter trumpets and everything else, it’s a bit confusing for a TVR newbie like myself!
Perhaps we could use this thread as a definitive guide to some of the essential/preferred Chimaera modifications that are currently available, ideally with links and/or prices? I am looking to keep the car as stock as possible, with some choice modifications just to improve driveability, smoothness and MPG if possible. I would also like to try to iron out some of the shunting at lower revs too.
So, any advice appreciated, I’m sure others would benefit from it too. There are a lot of options out there it seems, and it seems pointless to go out and buy some X to go with Y, when I should have bought A to go with Y and B to go with X! What is the preferred route to take with regards to intake and ignition mods? My car is a 1997 400, with a Bosch coil and uprated HT leads, but otherwise standard.
Thanks,
Dan
carsy said:
An aftermarket ecu, Emerald, Canems, Megasquirt etc will sort out everything you mention.
You will notice a real difference both in performance and driveablilty. Best mod by far.
Are they all as good as each other? You will notice a real difference both in performance and driveablilty. Best mod by far.
What's the advantage of one of these aftermarket ECUs over a Tornado chip?
1. Suspension
2. Suspension
3. Suspension
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Uprated brake pads and new fluid, maybe braided S/S hoses when you're at it.
10. Engine mods.
As for the latter, first check if everything (all sensors including lambdas, fuel pressure regulator, ECU wiring, ignition components, air filter and intake hoses, plenum air leaks) in tip top order. Beware that some cars may have had land Rover components swapped over that are unsuitable for the TVR application. If everything checks and the engine's healthy the car should run smoothly with no shunting unless deliberately provoked and quick, clean pick up.
The most bang for buck by far on a standard car is the carbon superflare trumpets, thermal trumpet base gasket and smooth bore 90 degree bend between plenum and AFM - 10-15 lbs/ft and BHP for around £300 and a leasurely Saturday afternoon install with minimal tools/materials (Allen key, 13 mm socket, blade screwdriver, red hylomar sealant). You might want to finish it off by replacing the hoses in front of the air mass meter and air filter for an additional £170 or so.
After that, I would look into mapped ignition. Easiest and likely most reliable option is the 123tune mappable electronic distributor unit, you can save a bit of money by going for one of several piggyback boxes that work with your existing dist. but you'd have to modify your car's wiring to some extent and the old Lucas distributor might be a bit worn by now.
Basically, this is where it ends for a standard 4 litre without digging into the engine. The design of the pistons won't allow for a much naughtier camshaft (with associated valve train components) than you already have so really if you want to take things further you'd be looking at a 4.6 litre short engine with some additional work on your existing heads - or a supercharger kit which seems to be available from SC-Power from £2495 plus VAT now as per their webpage. The latter gives the ultimate bang for buck ratio if you're doing the install yourself (everything in the kit is a bolt-on), mapped ignition would be mandatory as a minimum IMO, aftermarket management an advisable option if looking for big power some time down the road.
2. Suspension
3. Suspension
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Uprated brake pads and new fluid, maybe braided S/S hoses when you're at it.
10. Engine mods.
As for the latter, first check if everything (all sensors including lambdas, fuel pressure regulator, ECU wiring, ignition components, air filter and intake hoses, plenum air leaks) in tip top order. Beware that some cars may have had land Rover components swapped over that are unsuitable for the TVR application. If everything checks and the engine's healthy the car should run smoothly with no shunting unless deliberately provoked and quick, clean pick up.
The most bang for buck by far on a standard car is the carbon superflare trumpets, thermal trumpet base gasket and smooth bore 90 degree bend between plenum and AFM - 10-15 lbs/ft and BHP for around £300 and a leasurely Saturday afternoon install with minimal tools/materials (Allen key, 13 mm socket, blade screwdriver, red hylomar sealant). You might want to finish it off by replacing the hoses in front of the air mass meter and air filter for an additional £170 or so.
After that, I would look into mapped ignition. Easiest and likely most reliable option is the 123tune mappable electronic distributor unit, you can save a bit of money by going for one of several piggyback boxes that work with your existing dist. but you'd have to modify your car's wiring to some extent and the old Lucas distributor might be a bit worn by now.
Basically, this is where it ends for a standard 4 litre without digging into the engine. The design of the pistons won't allow for a much naughtier camshaft (with associated valve train components) than you already have so really if you want to take things further you'd be looking at a 4.6 litre short engine with some additional work on your existing heads - or a supercharger kit which seems to be available from SC-Power from £2495 plus VAT now as per their webpage. The latter gives the ultimate bang for buck ratio if you're doing the install yourself (everything in the kit is a bolt-on), mapped ignition would be mandatory as a minimum IMO, aftermarket management an advisable option if looking for big power some time down the road.
PS, I agree with the last poster - definitely sort the suspension first before you do anything else.
Proper 4 wheel alignment at a TVR specialist, and have him check the state of your shocks and bushes. You will be amazed how different it will feel to drive, and how much faster you dare go as a result.
Proper 4 wheel alignment at a TVR specialist, and have him check the state of your shocks and bushes. You will be amazed how different it will feel to drive, and how much faster you dare go as a result.
First port of call is to get it handling bang on. Proper set up on a decent set of shocks. I've got Gaz Gold Pro's on my Chimaera (there are others) and once fitted and set up car was noticeably quicker across country than before. It gave me a far better confidence level than the standards or the AVO's I have before.
I guess after that you'll be in to improving air flow and BHP and all that stuff. I'll leave that to the experts to advise.
The biggest power improvement I ever made to the Chimaera without long periods of it being off the road and/or fettled and/or experimenting was to buy the Cerbera.
I guess after that you'll be in to improving air flow and BHP and all that stuff. I'll leave that to the experts to advise.
The biggest power improvement I ever made to the Chimaera without long periods of it being off the road and/or fettled and/or experimenting was to buy the Cerbera.
Thanks for the advice so far.
With regards to my specific situation, my car is a well sorted example.
It has recent....
New Gaz coilovers
New wishbones
New bushes
New brakes all round
New tyres
New coolant sensor
Newish aftermarket air filter (can't remember the brand now)
New idle control valve stepper motor
Is booked in for a full 12k service at Southways tomorrow. They will be changing all the fluids and checking everything so I know it’s a good base to start with.
I then plan on getting the geo checked as the old tyres had worn unevenly.
With regards to my specific situation, my car is a well sorted example.
It has recent....
New Gaz coilovers
New wishbones
New bushes
New brakes all round
New tyres
New coolant sensor
Newish aftermarket air filter (can't remember the brand now)
New idle control valve stepper motor
Is booked in for a full 12k service at Southways tomorrow. They will be changing all the fluids and checking everything so I know it’s a good base to start with.
I then plan on getting the geo checked as the old tyres had worn unevenly.
Edited by zed4 on Tuesday 18th June 10:31
QBee said:
But be aware that you can sell your 400 and buy a sorted 4.6 for a lot less money than it will cost to do the sorting.......
Yeah, but you need to be aware of a potential gap between your idea of 'sorted' and the seller's... Better the devil you know and all... The majority of cars I see these days are in a mediocre state at best (which is not tragic as long as you know and pay a price commensurate with the condition) and personally I'd advise that if you've got a good'un without any issues, you might want to hang on to it, ten years ago with a myriad of newish cars with FSH etc on the market and any choice of dealers to do a painless swap it was a bit different...The smart money in this particular case would be to spend the couple hundred quid for basic enhancement of the intake system where the biggest and most painless gains can be made, and leave it at that. If that's not enough, the supercharger option looks very tempting at the new price and will still give an 'N/A-ish' engine response unlike turbos and nitrous (the options for the truly power crazed).
900T-R said:
The most bang for buck by far on a standard car is the carbon superflare trumpets, thermal trumpet base gasket and smooth bore 90 degree bend between plenum and AFM - 10-15 lbs/ft and BHP for around £300 and a leasurely Saturday afternoon install with minimal tools/materials (Allen key, 13 mm socket, blade screwdriver, red hylomar sealant). You might want to finish it off by replacing the hoses in front of the air mass meter and air filter for an additional £170 or so.
This sounds like the best thing to do for the time being I think. I have been looking at these smooth bore pipes. And they look a lot nicer!Also, I recently removed the plenum, cleaned it all up along with the trumpets, put it back on and sealed it all up, checking for leaks, so I know that's all good. Reason for this was I accidentally snapped the old stepper motor off, leaving the old thread in the casting!
zed4 said:
900T-R said:
The most bang for buck by far on a standard car is the carbon superflare trumpets, thermal trumpet base gasket and smooth bore 90 degree bend between plenum and AFM - 10-15 lbs/ft and BHP for around £300 and a leasurely Saturday afternoon install with minimal tools/materials (Allen key, 13 mm socket, blade screwdriver, red hylomar sealant). You might want to finish it off by replacing the hoses in front of the air mass meter and air filter for an additional £170 or so.
This sounds like the best thing to do for the time being I think. I have been looking at these smooth bore pipes. And they look a lot nicer!Also, I recently removed the plenum, cleaned it all up along with the trumpets, put it back on and sealed it all up, checking for leaks, so I know that's all good. Reason for this was I accidentally snapped the old stepper motor off, leaving the old thread in the casting!
http://www.actproducts.co.uk/shop/ti022b-superflar...
http://www.actproducts.co.uk/shop/ti008a-chimaera-...
I already have a Pipercross filter.
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