TVR Power Taraka vs Stealth Cam
Discussion
I have 500 Chim ('97, 43k miles, 210 bhp at wheels on TVR Power Dyno), otherwise MINT, and I love it - needs more horses/torque - Dom @ TVR Power suggests Taraka, reading threads seems stealth (or other V8 Dev cam) plus other upgrades could be option - ADVICE PLEASE - any thoughts from those who have experience of either would be much appreciated.
Hi Ian, I've just picked up your email and in answer to your question yes, I love the Stealth Cam. It gave the 500 a new lease of life although I have to say the my original cam showed a fair bit of lobe wear once removed even though it ran well.
I ummed and arred quite a lot about cam choice and spoke to quite a lot of people in particular Quinny was a great deal of help he has tried quite a lot of cams.
I liked the idea of the H404 but without detailed management it can be a bit of a pig on the low end rev range, I live in Devon a lot of the driving I do is on A roads and I like to be able to floor the car at any revs to make a move whenever needed.
I bought the complete cam kit from Rob which comes with billet fixed timing gear, all gaskets, new chain and followers, the original vernier is of course adjustable and they usually move the billet one doesn't but it can be a pig to time in unless you spend time with it. I worked with Dulford on the installation who were I have to say were brilliant and patient when it came to dialling it in.
The timing in degs is 112 degs and if you fitted as per intructions it came out with 109 or 115, we in the end offset the crank pulley a noth to give us 111 degs which allowing the duplex to stretch is almost perfect.
The results speak for themselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVirHAjumO0
It is the mut's nuts, perfect around town and delivers when you need it.
Ten out of ten.
I ummed and arred quite a lot about cam choice and spoke to quite a lot of people in particular Quinny was a great deal of help he has tried quite a lot of cams.
I liked the idea of the H404 but without detailed management it can be a bit of a pig on the low end rev range, I live in Devon a lot of the driving I do is on A roads and I like to be able to floor the car at any revs to make a move whenever needed.
I bought the complete cam kit from Rob which comes with billet fixed timing gear, all gaskets, new chain and followers, the original vernier is of course adjustable and they usually move the billet one doesn't but it can be a pig to time in unless you spend time with it. I worked with Dulford on the installation who were I have to say were brilliant and patient when it came to dialling it in.
The timing in degs is 112 degs and if you fitted as per intructions it came out with 109 or 115, we in the end offset the crank pulley a noth to give us 111 degs which allowing the duplex to stretch is almost perfect.
The results speak for themselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVirHAjumO0
It is the mut's nuts, perfect around town and delivers when you need it.
Ten out of ten.
cmr2payne said:
I have not long had the taraka + upgrade done on my 1996 56000 Chimaera, the difference is amazing, if your local, we could meet up if you want to see what its like.
Chris
Chris have you just had the cam or the full Taraka upgrade?Chris
Edited by cmr2payne on Tuesday 26th February 20:52
Corin I have the full Taraka upgrade the + version which is the newer Tarake upgrade.
I tested it out on the last John wales hoon and was very very impressed, maybe the next cornwall hoon or our next meet you can see what you think.
Last time i saw you, you were a little green after a lot of alcohol :-)
I tested it out on the last John wales hoon and was very very impressed, maybe the next cornwall hoon or our next meet you can see what you think.
Last time i saw you, you were a little green after a lot of alcohol :-)
Edited by cmr2payne on Tuesday 26th February 21:21
Corin I have the full Taraka upgrade the + version which is the newer Tarake upgrade.
I tested it out on the last John wales hoon and was very very impressed, maybe the next cornwall hoon or our next meet you can see what you think.
Last time i saw you, you were a little green after a lot of alcohol :-)
Tell me about it, twas Rockingham, last man standing or swaying!
The full Stealth purchase and install runs at about a grand, what is the cost of the full Taraka upgrade?
I tested it out on the last John wales hoon and was very very impressed, maybe the next cornwall hoon or our next meet you can see what you think.
Last time i saw you, you were a little green after a lot of alcohol :-)
Tell me about it, twas Rockingham, last man standing or swaying!
The full Stealth purchase and install runs at about a grand, what is the cost of the full Taraka upgrade?
Edited by Bomber Denton on Tuesday 26th February 21:31
Chimjunkie said:
With the Stealth cam you would be wise to change the inlet manifold to a ported and polished unit with larger 45mm trumpets (550 quid from ACT), and then a Mark adams tornado chip and remap (from 750 quid) to get everything running sweet.
Complete b
ks, I've never heard so much tosh!!!Neither has anyone else with such a cam.
Perhaps you are another of Dom's fluffers?
Corin, its was more than that, but my engine needed rebuilding anyway, due to an over heating issues. So i thought while i need it rebuilding i might as well taraka it and put some Nitrons on for good measure :-)
Whens the next cornish hoon ???????
Is fluffer a southern thing, just had to google it, was interested.
A fluffer is a hired member of the crew of a pornographic movie whose role on the set is to sexually arouse the male participants prior to the filming of scenes requiring erections. The term was also extended to include female participants. Many adult film stars today maintain that fluffers are a thing of the past, needed in the '70s and '80s when the crew, shooting on celluloid, needed much more time to prepare a shot. Erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra have also taken part in replacing fluffers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluffer
Whens the next cornish hoon ???????
Is fluffer a southern thing, just had to google it, was interested.
A fluffer is a hired member of the crew of a pornographic movie whose role on the set is to sexually arouse the male participants prior to the filming of scenes requiring erections. The term was also extended to include female participants. Many adult film stars today maintain that fluffers are a thing of the past, needed in the '70s and '80s when the crew, shooting on celluloid, needed much more time to prepare a shot. Erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra have also taken part in replacing fluffers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluffer
Edited by cmr2payne on Tuesday 26th February 22:39
I got my Chim back from TVR Power less than 2 weeks ago. It needed some engine work so the difference to go full Taraka plus wasn't much. I've only done 500 miles (so am still running it in) but the first thing that hit me was the responsiveness. I'd had my Chim for nearly a year and it's like a new car. The initial response to the throttle is lightening. Not had chance to really open it up but looking forward to it!
BTW - the Taraka's all come individually numbered on the plenum - mine is number 30! Small thing but makes you feel like your Chim is a bit more unique.
James
BTW - the Taraka's all come individually numbered on the plenum - mine is number 30! Small thing but makes you feel like your Chim is a bit more unique.
James
jdharris said:
I got my Chim back from TVR Power less than 2 weeks ago. It needed some engine work so the difference to go full Taraka plus wasn't much. I've only done 500 miles (so am still running it in) but the first thing that hit me was the responsiveness. I'd had my Chim for nearly a year and it's like a new car. The initial response to the throttle is lightening. Not had chance to really open it up but looking forward to it!
BTW - the Taraka's all come individually numbered on the plenum - mine is number 30! Small thing but makes you feel like your Chim is a bit more unique.
James
James welcome to the club Im number 28. Wait till you hav run her in. Took me a week to do 1000 mile run in :-). BTW - the Taraka's all come individually numbered on the plenum - mine is number 30! Small thing but makes you feel like your Chim is a bit more unique.
James
Now cannot stop driving it, you right they feel so fast on pull off :-)
cmr2payne said:
Corin, its was more than that, but my engine needed rebuilding anyway, due to an over heating issues. So i thought while i need it rebuilding i might as well taraka it and put some Nitrons on for good measure :-)
Whens the next cornish hoon ???????
Is fluffer a southern thing, just had to google it, was interested.
A fluffer is a hired member of the crew of a pornographic movie whose role on the set is to sexually arouse the male participants prior to the filming of scenes requiring erections. The term was also extended to include female participants. Many adult film stars today maintain that fluffers are a thing of the past, needed in the '70s and '80s when the crew, shooting on celluloid, needed much more time to prepare a shot. Erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra have also taken part in replacing fluffers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluffer
Whens the next cornish hoon ???????
Is fluffer a southern thing, just had to google it, was interested.
A fluffer is a hired member of the crew of a pornographic movie whose role on the set is to sexually arouse the male participants prior to the filming of scenes requiring erections. The term was also extended to include female participants. Many adult film stars today maintain that fluffers are a thing of the past, needed in the '70s and '80s when the crew, shooting on celluloid, needed much more time to prepare a shot. Erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra have also taken part in replacing fluffers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluffer
Edited by cmr2payne on Tuesday 26th February 22:39
Thanks Chris, I thought it was some sort of household implement, never mind..
On a serious note, Chris took me out in his taraka'd 500 a couple of weeks ago and believe me it's worth the upgrade! The response is fantastic! My grin was left way back down the A444 somewhere..
Edited by Cat01 on Wednesday 27th February 01:20
Hi all 
Also looking forward to the next cornish hoon! 
Sadly though at £3,800 the Taraka upgrade is quite frankly an overpriced mediocre upgrade that does not represent good value for money having driven it.
If you wanted to spend 3.8k upgrading your 500, spending it wisely with the right people will give you a rip rorting snorter of a ripper!
Also looking forward to the next cornish hoon! Sadly though at £3,800 the Taraka upgrade is quite frankly an overpriced mediocre upgrade that does not represent good value for money having driven it.
If you wanted to spend 3.8k upgrading your 500, spending it wisely with the right people will give you a rip rorting snorter of a ripper!
Hi Corin,
I have a stealth cam in my new Griff by the way...it has forged pistons and a stage 3 head as well, but standard induction, was thinking of getting something done to tune it up better, I took it to RG last week and it was all running fine on their diagnostics but it spits out a lot of soot still, and cuts out now and then, any thoughts, that wont cost me a packet?
..editted for typos
I have a stealth cam in my new Griff by the way...it has forged pistons and a stage 3 head as well, but standard induction, was thinking of getting something done to tune it up better, I took it to RG last week and it was all running fine on their diagnostics but it spits out a lot of soot still, and cuts out now and then, any thoughts, that wont cost me a packet?
..editted for typos
Edited by Griftwood on Wednesday 27th February 07:20
Griftwood said:
Hi Corin,
I have a stealth cam in my new Griff by the way...it has forged pistons and a stage 3 head as well, but standard induction, was thinking of getting something done to tune it up better, I took it to RG last week and it was all running fine on their diagnostics but it spits out a lot of soot still, and cuts out now and then, any thoughts, that wont cost me a packet?
..editted for typos
To start with I would go for an ACT induction kit (smooth bore silicone hosing with a K&N) and get the plenum re-worked to 72mm and fit it with a Magna Parva isolation gasket to the plenum. This will set you back about £350 but will get more colder air into the engine. The standard Lucas hot wire system will adapt to this quite happily, the more air moving through the flow meter will automaticaly adjust the fuel ratio.I have a stealth cam in my new Griff by the way...it has forged pistons and a stage 3 head as well, but standard induction, was thinking of getting something done to tune it up better, I took it to RG last week and it was all running fine on their diagnostics but it spits out a lot of soot still, and cuts out now and then, any thoughts, that wont cost me a packet?
..editted for typos
Edited by Griftwood on Wednesday 27th February 07:20
Whilst it's all apart it would be nice to throw in some 45mm flared trumpets from ACT (£195) but it depends how far you want to go?
Have you still got the cats fitted? If so it's worth putting your hands on a second hand Y piece. You can go for a triple de-cat, for £195 ACT will remove the precats from the manifolds and fit non reversal cones, these create a venturi within the manifold helping to pull the gases through, the pre cats are not required for MOT in the U.K. whatsoever they were fitted to meet emission laws in other countries.
Now back to the Y piece, if you get the second hand one, bash the cat out and fit it you can then add a switchable tune resistor to the ECU, this alters the fueling between cat and non cat settings, the tune resistor kit is about £15, fitted in five minutes and I got mine from a guy on here David Blades.
Then once a year you can pop your original Y piece in, flick a switch and go for MOT.
Bomber Denton said:
Whilst it's all apart it would be nice to throw in some 45mm flared trumpets from ACT (£195) but it depends how far you want to go?
... or get the dremel out and cover the area around you in aluminium particles. 
This is the 38 mm version BTW.
Edited by 900T-R on Wednesday 27th February 08:16
Blimey! More money!!! 
Who would carry work out like this in my area, Hants (preferably south, but no chance there I guess!) APM would be a logical guess? or do ACT do work themselves like this or do they just supply it? Or then further afield is Austec. Would APM do similar work that they would do?
Who would carry work out like this in my area, Hants (preferably south, but no chance there I guess!) APM would be a logical guess? or do ACT do work themselves like this or do they just supply it? Or then further afield is Austec. Would APM do similar work that they would do?
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