What to replace a TVR Chimaera 500 with?

[rockits]

wormus said:

If you like the slightly agricultural, unpolished feel of the TVR but less extreme, you could try a Monaro. Thumping V8, loads of character and depreciation proof. Supercharged ones are rare but good for a tail happy 600hp. Or a good NA LS2 with an intake will make 500hp. How nuts you want to go is down to you.

I have looked at Monaro's many a time and always bought something else although they have always appealed. I have an X351 Jaguar XJL SuperSport as a big lumpy comfy sports thing and really happy with that so it will stay for a while I think. Already had for 3 years and don't see the point in selling. Great VFM they are.

I have thought about an MX5 project maybe dropping in a V6 or other ideas but just exploring all options at the moment. Not in any rush so happy to find the right thing.

[e42]

Hi, no apology needed Dean, in fact I contacted you with a view to a possible part ex at the time and you were kind enough to take the time for a polite and considerate reply. Good luck with your sale.

Dom

[rockits]

Anyone know if this is anyone's on here?

https://www.brightwellslive.com/lot/details/490153

[anonymous-user]

rockits said:

I have looked at Monaro's many a time and always bought something else although they have always appealed. I have an X351 Jaguar XJL SuperSport as a big lumpy comfy sports thing and really happy with that so it will stay for a while I think. Already had for 3 years and don't see the point in selling. Great VFM they are.

I have thought about an MX5 project maybe dropping in a V6 or other ideas but just exploring all options at the moment. Not in any rush so happy to find the right thing.

The Monaro will have little in common with your Jag. They share many of the “mechanical” characteristics of the TVR and feel quite raw/lairy to drive when you want them to but they don’t leak and generally reliable. Think old school muscle car, manual, rwd and less refined than a modern Mustang.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8JndzWBWZrQ

[phazed]

rockits said:

Anyone know if this is anyone's on here?

https://www.brightwellslive.com/lot/details/490153

Tried to sit in one once. More room by far in a sixties mini!

[rockits]

wormus said:

The Monaro will have little in common with your Jag. They share many of the “mechanical” characteristics of the TVR and feel quite raw/lairy to drive when you want them to but they don’t leak and generally reliable. Think old school muscle car, manual, rwd and less refined than a modern Mustang.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8JndzWBWZrQ

It does look a monster that VXR500 version. Even the VXR500 version though is a third of the new price, same power and pace as my XJL believe it or not. Likely more expensive second hand as well and much older. Not sure it makes sense unless I was replacing the XJL. I am sure a little bit more sporty though as the XJL is comfort first sporty second but still cracks along well.

Many never look at an XJL SS but it is amazing value for money. It was over £100k new, £17k to buy 3 years ago, 503bhp, sub 5 secs to 60 and tons of space and luxury.

I think I would prefer a smaller lighter car ideally.

[deeen]

rockits said:

Anyone know if this is anyone's on here?

https://www.brightwellslive.com/lot/details/490153

I love that interior! Estimate seems high, or am I just out of touch? Really though, my Tuscan S was far more racy to drive than my Chim 500, ok so the 3.6 in this is a notch down, but I bet this is still a less relaxing drive than a Chim?

[Welshbeef]

Merc SLK 55 AMG

5.4 v8 brute

[rockits]

e42 said:

Hi, no apology needed Dean, in fact I contacted you with a view to a possible part ex at the time and you were kind enough to take the time for a polite and considerate reply. Good luck with your sale.

Dom

Ah, OK. I remember now....sorry I'm 48 this year! Grey matter failing!! So that was when we were talking about my previous Chimaera 400. The Amaranth 400 with the Speed 6 front lights. Yes, weird time that was. I had done a deal to trade in a Maserati 4200 I had at the time with that Chimaera 400 to a dealer in Norfolk against Mac's old Chimaera 450 Turbo. The deal all fell through as I get beaten to the post and ended up selling the 4200 separate with the Chimaera 400 going in part ex against a V8 Vantage.

Wow, things happen quick and time passes fast. Yes, the part ex of the RS6 didn't really work for me at the time I'm afraid.

So you contacted Oliver about this Formula Red Chimaera 500 at the time as well? I hadn't known or realised that. Do you think you would have bought it then?

You should have let me know you were looking at it as I would never would have stood in the way or tread on your toes if I had known. I'm old school like that.

What did you buy then after this? Any links or pics?

[rockits]

deeen said:

I love that interior! Estimate seems high, or am I just out of touch? Really though, my Tuscan S was far more racy to drive than my Chim 500, ok so the 3.6 in this is a notch down, but I bet this is still a less relaxing drive than a Chim?

Thanks for the input. Seems like other TVR options might not be a notch down to what I am looking for then. It might be a combination of various factors. It has a decat, Gaz suspension maybe on hardish setting so very loud, brash and uncompromising. Exactly what many might want!

[rockits]

Welshbeef said:

Merc SLK 55 AMG

5.4 v8 brute

I've not had an SLK55 or driven one. Had an R129 SL60 AMG, R230 SL55 AMG and 2 x R129 SL500's. Even though I am not a fan of soft tops believe it or not but always liked an SL but they were always soft top with no Coupe option. It is the reason I prefer the MX5 RF to the standard MX5 and why I had the Chimaera as don't mind a targa but never used the full convertible ever.

So are all the other TVR options harder and more raw even then my Chimaera 500? I'd like the idea of another TVR if I could find an option that hit the spot. I'm not a big jessy and want a soft comfy modern car but just want a notch down off the rawness I currently have. Happy to compromise a fair bit just just seem to have gone a smidge too far this time.

[Classic Chim]

According to your dyno graph you have 320ft lbs torque at 2000 revs
That’s some motor.
Isn’t that more torque than a speed six has at full chat!
What cam is in your 5.0 Dean.
Crickey that seems brutal.

[rockits]

Classic Chim said:

According to your dyno graph you have 320ft lbs torque at 2000 revs
That’s some motor.
Isn’t that more torque than a speed six has at full chat!
What cam is in your 5.0 Dean.
Crickey that seems brutal.

Not sure what is in it. I'll post the V8D build spec. Maybe that is part of the reason why.

[rockits]

Rob Robertson engine build specification

Engine TVR 500

The short engine consists a re-conditioned tvr 5.0 block, its the small journal variety which has been cross bolted, the block is checked and machined for
line bore accuracies, the deck heights are matched sides, fully chemically deep cleaned, fitted with new competition cam bearings and new side core plugs.
The crankshaft is a standard tvr 5.0 running 2.3”main bearings and 2”big end bearings the crankshaft is standard size but polished,
The connecting rods are stock tvr 5.0, the pistons are again stock 5.0 items, with the valve reliefs for the use of high lift camshafts.
The main bearings are made by glyco and the big ends are clevite, all moving parts are internally balanced. Including the flywheel and front pulley.

Valve train and camshaft
The camshaft is a stealth camshaft, the lift is .484 on inlet and .495 on exhaust, duration is @.0.50 215 inlet and 224 on exhaust, due to my profiles being
stolen no more information is allowed, lifters are competition specification, standard pushrods, reconditioned rocker arms with new shafts.

Cylinder heads
The cylinder heads are our stage 3 spec, fully ported and polished, valves are stainless steel with waisted stems, inlets are 1.630” exhaust is 1.4”, guides are
shortened and bulleted, combustion chambers all matched to within .2cc, overall chamber size is 31cc giving a total compression ratio of 10-3, guides are
fitted with the neoprene seals and double valve springs fitted, both head faces are skimmed.

Fasteners and gaskets
The head gaskets are a competition spec gasket .040” thick all other gaskets are factory oem land rover. The head bolts are our own spec bolt, comprising
of a high tensile metal and custom washers, all other bolts are factory land rover. Serpentine front cover fitted with new oil pump gears, helix competition
clutch, fully lightened flywheel.

Summary
Engine has been professionally built to a high standard, the use of where money permits we have used the best parts available, the engine should never
exceed 28 deg of ignition timing, in extreme driving such as track days I would recommend using super unleaded fuel, and on hot weather track days any
notice of pinking please back the timing off a bit.

[rockits]

This was the list of works completed:

The car has had a total rebuild, with majority of works undertaken by TVR specialists
SD AUTOTEC for main rebuild works to completed car
TRIM TECHNICIAN for Interior fit out/retrim 
V8 DEVELOPMENTS for engine rebuild

•    2 owners from new(including myself as one of them)
•    Chassis and body separated
•    Chassis and wishbones sandblasted and powder coated
•    All chassis bushes throughout replaced with original spec
•    New  Gaz Gold adjustable shock absorbers all round, with upgraded drop links
•    Up rated rear vented discs and refurbished callipers
•    Up rated front vented  discs and up rated calipers(Cosworth larger spec)
•    s/s Braided brake and fuel lines
Ceramic ended HT Racing leads (temperamental plug extenders now not req)
•    Stripped &Rebuilt original T5 gearbox
•    Stripped & Rebuilt original rear Diff
•    Stripped and Rebuilt cross bolted rover 500 engine (spec available), engine run in to 1000 miles completed since work, all run in oils changed to semi synthetic performance
•    New Brake master cylinder
•    New Clutch master cylinder
•    New fuel pump
•    New alternator and various other ancillary components to complete the engine area
•    New engine wiring loom, original TVR replacement
•    New s/steel exhaust system installed to original spec
•    Custom made cat less Y piece installed(Clive’s little gem),pre-cats removed from manifolds, original TVR main cat available
•    TVR stamped front windscreen 
•    Refurbished & powder coated, swirl and expansion pots
•     17inch IMAGE split rim wheels all round with correct off sets, and TOYO TR1 tyres
16” Imola front & rear alloys available
•    TVR Power Assisted Steering system
•    New heat shields to full engine bay and underside of front bonnet
•    Refurbished re-cored radiator
•    New Full leather interior(dash area,seats,upper door cards etc)
•    New carpets including boot area
•    New Black hood
•    Original headlights re-chromed by specialist to new standard
•    Clear indicator and side repeater lenses
•    Dash fascia with PIANO BLACK finish( as stated, finish as piano tops)
•    Aluminium wiper and indicator stalks
•    Wiper motor stripped and rebuilt including new wiring points
•    Leven Tech windscreen wiper upgrade
•    Up to date entertainment system with blue tooth connections etc
•    Original TVR hood cover and spare wheel + cover
•    External Paintwork brought up to standard by professional Paint detailer, there are a few stone chips which you would expect for car of this age

[rockits]

Classic Chim said:

According to your dyno graph you have 320ft lbs torque at 2000 revs
That’s some motor.
Isn’t that more torque than a speed six has at full chat!
What cam is in your 5.0 Dean.
Crickey that seems brutal.

Yes, looking at the dyno chart it does look like 320 ft lbs torque @ 2000rpm. You'll have to forgive me as although I am fairly technical in some things this isn't one of them so have no idea how that compares.

[900T-R]

Upgrading to Intrax 1k2 suspension with Black Titan coating and Anti-Roll Control has completely transformed my driving experience. I did this in 2 stages (the ARC system wasn't available yet when I had the Intrax kit installed initially, back in 2008) - first it went from a bit iffy, unpredictable and unrefined (on the original, 100k mile old Bilsteins) to smooth and progressive but you still wouldn't feel like pulling away from Beemers in long bends (motorway on/off ramps etc.) Then the dampers got upgraded to ARC with separate reservoirs for the system and now I have the best of both worlds: supple but very well controlled wheel movement resulting in high and very consistent grip, AND good high speed body control giving more confidence in the car in fast bends.

I'm currently embroiled in the next and final step (along with some refinements like stiffer and lighter front tubular wishbones, further reducing unsprung masses etc.) - stiffening the chassis back bone by converting it into a carbon hybrid chassis, hovever that's a massive undertaking - if simple in principle - that has kept me busy all year and I still have to start lifting the body to fit the stuff.

Anyway, I can't for the life of me understand why people spend mega money on their engines, ECUs etc. yet baulk at spending any more on suspension than the cost of Gaz Golds or Protech. Before I took my car apart I did quite a few massive day trips up to 8-900 miles in my Chimaera tearing up motorways and A-roads and felt as comfortable with it as any modern sports car I've sampled - only a lot more excited

[Belle427]

Maybe a bit too raw for you.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10868377?c...

[e42]

Hi Dean, the Chim was on a shortlist, I hadn’t even viewed, hence no toes trodden! I subsequently bought a Griff 4.3 from Mark at Amore Cars In October , which I’m delighted with, drove 200 miles home arriving at 01.30, then got up at 05.00 to go for a drive!

Dom

[Classic Chim]

e42 said:

Hi Dean, the Chim was on a shortlist, I hadn’t even viewed, hence no toes trodden! I subsequently bought a Griff 4.3 from Mark at Amore Cars In October , which I’m delighted with, drove 200 miles home arriving at 01.30, then got up at 05.00 to go for a drive!

Dom

That was me and I can’t wait to do it all again after a year long body off.
I was intoxicated by that big old V8 and it’s sound for years.
I saw a 90’s Range Rover with a sports exhaust the other day or should I say heard it, that familiar rumble was music to the ears and honestly nothing sounds more refined in many ways. Deep and purposeful. We will miss that sound when everything is quiet. Even now people just sort of melt when mentioning the sound of my TVR. I yern to hear it more than I care to admit, it’s the one thing I look forward to the most, that and being behind the wheel in semi control of it