Chimp changes ?

[AJB]

Just curious did the gearbox in the chimera change from rover to T5 at the same time the serpentine engine was introduced?

i.e.
Do all chimeras with the T5 box also have the serpentine engine?

[_DJ_]

AJB said:

Just curious did the gearbox in the chimera change from rover to T5 at the same time the serpentine engine was introduced? i.e. Do all chimeras with the T5 box also have the serpentine engine?

If they're the same as Griff's, the no. There was a small overlap between the two (I think, it's been a while!)

[DustyC]

DJ is correct.

In the Griffs the serpentine came in '94 where as the BW T5 'box came in '95.

Proberly the same for Chims.

[stu247]

AJB said:

Do all chimeras with the T5 box also have the serpentine engine?

Nope....T5 and serp did both change around 94'
The T5 towards the start of 94 and the serp towards the end IIRC ...

My 94 Chim is a pre-serp T5 model manufactured around feb time hence came with the later box...

Of course you can never be 100% certain, depends what was lying around at the time

Hope this helps...

Stu.

[tommomic]

stu247 said:

AJB said: Do all chimeras with the T5 box also have the serpentine engine? Nope....T5 and serp did both change around 94' The T5 towards the start of 94 and the serp towards the end IIRC ... My 94 Chim is a pre-serp T5 model manufactured around feb time hence came with the later box... Of course you can never be 100% certain, depends what was lying around at the time Hope this helps... Stu.

Confirm this - mine is a mid-94 car with a T5 box and a pre-serpentine engine.

As with all TVR models, and both my previous Cerbera and present Chimaera are no exceptions, changes occured it seems whenever the factory used up the stock of a particular material. Makes these cars even more unique I like to think!

Cheers,
Tommomic

[ajb]

Ok thanks guys.

So how can you tell if a car has a serp. or pre-serp. engine ?

[Guillotine]

serp has purple rocker covers and one belt running all ancillaries, water pump alternater etc


my 94 griff 500 has pre-sep with T5

>> Edited by Guillotine on Tuesday 22 June 18:00

[Nick P]

Guillotine said:

serp has purple rocker covers and one belt running all ancillaries, water pump alternater etc

not strictly true....mine is a 97 serp and does not have purple rocker covers

[Guillotine]

...generally

pre serps black, serps purple.

some punters have special orders to match bay, paint job etc.

'course TVR do fiddle occasionally and parts do change as stock varys.

[dannyboyo]

The pre-serp has just a expansion tank on the nearside of the engine, whereas the serp has a swirl pot (with a brass cap on top) and an expansion tank thats behind the radiator at the front.

[RAW-SEWedge]

The most noticeable difference between the engines is the aux’ drive belt arrangement. Non-serpentine engines have a slim v-belt drive for the water pump and alternator.

Pre-Serp Drive Belt

Not a great picture of the belt but you get the idea.

Serpentine motors have a much wider flat grooved drive belt for the axillaries.

[Guillotine]

...and just to prove Nick P's point...

my pre serp has a centre swirl pot!

mine is a transition car it seems.
late 94 with twin fans, T5 box, GKN diff (and centre swirl pot)

[crimsonchim]

Guillotine said:

serp has purple rocker covers and one belt running all ancillaries, water pump alternater etc my 94 griff 500 has pre-sep with T5 >> Edited by Guillotine on Tuesday 22 June 18:00

The belt configuration is the firm indicator.
I think most 500s have purple rocker covers and most others don't

As for the gearbox, I agree that 94 seems right to me, but you can never gurantee that TVR didn't find an old one in a cupboard somewhere a few years later

Andy