4.2 vs 4.5 and buying advice
Discussion
Hi all
I've had my chimaera for a while now, and I genuinely love it to pieces. However, that hankering for a cerbera has never gone away and the ability for me and the mrs to take one or even both of the kids to TVR events and sunny Sunday blasts to the pub has just gotten too much and I've decided an AJP engined cerbera's got to be the way forward. (also, my little 4.0HC Chim got absolutely anihalated by a 4.2 cerb on the dual carriageway the other day)
I understand roughly what to look for mechanically and structurally from my time with the chim, but I'd be interested to hear other people's stories or estimates and running costs
It'd be a garaged 2nd car for me coming out on sunny days and the occasional jaunt across country to meets and events. It almost certainly wouldn't get tracked and would cover around 3-4k per year.
I'm after a V8 engined car as that flat plane crank noise does it for me every time and would be really interested to hear how much difference in performance there is in the real world between 4.2 and 4.5 cerbs as when I bought my chim, I was after a 4.5, but settler for a well sorted 4.0hc although this left me hankering a 5.0 and more power.
Is the AJP 4.5 likely to be more expensive and temperamental?
Also, how close to the power claims are they in real life ? Is it miles off like the chimaeras ?
Any information or advice would be really appreciated
Or maybe someone else has been from a chim to a cerb that would share their experiences
Cheers
Graeme
Swindon
I've had my chimaera for a while now, and I genuinely love it to pieces. However, that hankering for a cerbera has never gone away and the ability for me and the mrs to take one or even both of the kids to TVR events and sunny Sunday blasts to the pub has just gotten too much and I've decided an AJP engined cerbera's got to be the way forward. (also, my little 4.0HC Chim got absolutely anihalated by a 4.2 cerb on the dual carriageway the other day)
I understand roughly what to look for mechanically and structurally from my time with the chim, but I'd be interested to hear other people's stories or estimates and running costs
It'd be a garaged 2nd car for me coming out on sunny days and the occasional jaunt across country to meets and events. It almost certainly wouldn't get tracked and would cover around 3-4k per year.
I'm after a V8 engined car as that flat plane crank noise does it for me every time and would be really interested to hear how much difference in performance there is in the real world between 4.2 and 4.5 cerbs as when I bought my chim, I was after a 4.5, but settler for a well sorted 4.0hc although this left me hankering a 5.0 and more power.
Is the AJP 4.5 likely to be more expensive and temperamental?
Also, how close to the power claims are they in real life ? Is it miles off like the chimaeras ?
Any information or advice would be really appreciated
Or maybe someone else has been from a chim to a cerb that would share their experiences
Cheers
Graeme
Swindon
graeme4130 said:
Hi all
I've had my chimaera for a while now, and I genuinely love it to pieces. However, that hankering for a cerbera has never gone away and the ability for me and the mrs to take one or even both of the kids to TVR events and sunny Sunday blasts to the pub has just gotten too much and I've decided an AJP engined cerbera's got to be the way forward. (also, my little 4.0HC Chim got absolutely anihalated by a 4.2 cerb on the dual carriageway the other day)
I understand roughly what to look for mechanically and structurally from my time with the chim, but I'd be interested to hear other people's stories or estimates and running costs
It'd be a garaged 2nd car for me coming out on sunny days and the occasional jaunt across country to meets and events. It almost certainly wouldn't get tracked and would cover around 3-4k per year.
I'm after a V8 engined car as that flat plane crank noise does it for me every time and would be really interested to hear how much difference in performance there is in the real world between 4.2 and 4.5 cerbs as when I bought my chim, I was after a 4.5, but settler for a well sorted 4.0hc although this left me hankering a 5.0 and more power.
Is the AJP 4.5 likely to be more expensive and temperamental?
Also, how close to the power claims are they in real life ? Is it miles off like the chimaeras ?
Any information or advice would be really appreciated
Or maybe someone else has been from a chim to a cerb that would share their experiences
Cheers
Graeme
Swindon
Hi Like you i had a chim 400 now have a Cerb 4.2 so can only comment on the 4.2. Mine is a second car but i do try to use it every day when i am at home. 4k last year in it. Power wise mine is more or less on the money it made 349bhp and 300ft/lb on the rollers from a standard 4.2 so only 11bhp down from factory and it does need a tappet set up badly so i could make the 360 after that. So much better than the TVR RV8 claims I think standard 4.5 don't make the claimed power much like sp6 tuscans that i have never see make 380 on the rollers even the s models dont make much more than my 4.2.I've had my chimaera for a while now, and I genuinely love it to pieces. However, that hankering for a cerbera has never gone away and the ability for me and the mrs to take one or even both of the kids to TVR events and sunny Sunday blasts to the pub has just gotten too much and I've decided an AJP engined cerbera's got to be the way forward. (also, my little 4.0HC Chim got absolutely anihalated by a 4.2 cerb on the dual carriageway the other day)
I understand roughly what to look for mechanically and structurally from my time with the chim, but I'd be interested to hear other people's stories or estimates and running costs
It'd be a garaged 2nd car for me coming out on sunny days and the occasional jaunt across country to meets and events. It almost certainly wouldn't get tracked and would cover around 3-4k per year.
I'm after a V8 engined car as that flat plane crank noise does it for me every time and would be really interested to hear how much difference in performance there is in the real world between 4.2 and 4.5 cerbs as when I bought my chim, I was after a 4.5, but settler for a well sorted 4.0hc although this left me hankering a 5.0 and more power.
Is the AJP 4.5 likely to be more expensive and temperamental?
Also, how close to the power claims are they in real life ? Is it miles off like the chimaeras ?
Any information or advice would be really appreciated
Or maybe someone else has been from a chim to a cerb that would share their experiences
Cheers
Graeme
Swindon
Temperamental mine has been good all summer up till i put it off the road due to the starter not turning it over either immob is dead or the starting circut is not giving it the juice to turn it over. No big deal really as it was coming off the road over winter for a tart up.
I did a track day in it and you really should get it on the track to really see what it is all about it is wasted on the road and i can't wait to get it on the track again as that's what this car was geared for.
It is very quick at first it may not feel it next to the lazy v8 in the chim but wind it up and 150mph comes up very quick (on private ground or the track of course) Something any chim could do with this much ease and feel that stable at speed.
Hope this helps lot to search for in here as this has been covered loads.
Good Luck in the search
I've had both 4.2 and 4.5 (4.5 for sale in the classifieds cough 
)
As far as reliability and servicing goes, in my experience they are about the same....
4.2 will make the power out of the box, 4.5 probably won't but most will have been sorted with a remap.
They are both really, really quick, I think the 4.5 is a little easier to live with but I base that on my 4.2 being a very early car with clatter cams and my 4.5 being remapped...
You won't be upset with either, but then as you said you always regretted not buying a 5.0 chim...
anyway it is a black 4.5 lw in the classifieds
D
)As far as reliability and servicing goes, in my experience they are about the same....
4.2 will make the power out of the box, 4.5 probably won't but most will have been sorted with a remap.
They are both really, really quick, I think the 4.5 is a little easier to live with but I base that on my 4.2 being a very early car with clatter cams and my 4.5 being remapped...
You won't be upset with either, but then as you said you always regretted not buying a 5.0 chim...
anyway it is a black 4.5 lw in the classifieds
D
scotty_d said:
Power wise mine is more or less on the money it made 349bhp and 300ft/lb on the rollers from a standard 4.2 so only 11bhp down from factory and it does need a tappet set up badly so i could make the 360 after that.
350 is what a good 4.2 makes so don't expect the tappets to make that much difference. You're sounds spot on really. Mine always made 347 before changes.I think your right but the inlets manifold are away getting ported and gas flowed just now and i will open the Valves up 2 thou on both sides then get it down to Sheffield for the re-map in the spring. Don't expect more than 10 or so pony's just smooth things out a little and like yours move the torque down a bit.
The 4.5 will always be more valued and easier to sell even though there is little difference in everyday use. The Cerb is a pistonhead style car and most pistonheads want the big 4.5. Would you or your wife choose a 5 inch todger when you can have a 6 inch todger?.
You will be advised by most to by on condition and not on year or engine size. I dont agree, buy on condition yes, but get the one you really want whether it be a 4.2 or 4.5.
You will be advised by most to by on condition and not on year or engine size. I dont agree, buy on condition yes, but get the one you really want whether it be a 4.2 or 4.5.
The 4.5 will always be more valued and easier to sell even though there is little difference in everyday use. The Cerb is a pistonhead style car and most pistonheads want the big 4.5. Would you or your wife choose a 5 inch todger when you can have a 6 inch todger?.
You will be advised by most to by on condition and not on year or engine size. I dont agree, buy on condition yes, but get the one you really want whether it be a 4.2 or 4.5.
You will be advised by most to by on condition and not on year or engine size. I dont agree, buy on condition yes, but get the one you really want whether it be a 4.2 or 4.5.
graeme4130 said:
Hi all
I've had my chimaera for a while now, and I genuinely love it to pieces. However, that hankering for a cerbera has never gone away and the ability for me and the mrs to take one or even both of the kids to TVR events and sunny Sunday blasts to the pub has just gotten too much and I've decided an AJP engined cerbera's got to be the way forward. (also, my little 4.0HC Chim got absolutely anihalated by a 4.2 cerb on the dual carriageway the other day)
I understand roughly what to look for mechanically and structurally from my time with the chim, but I'd be interested to hear other people's stories or estimates and running costs
It'd be a garaged 2nd car for me coming out on sunny days and the occasional jaunt across country to meets and events. It almost certainly wouldn't get tracked and would cover around 3-4k per year.
I'm after a V8 engined car as that flat plane crank noise does it for me every time and would be really interested to hear how much difference in performance there is in the real world between 4.2 and 4.5 cerbs as when I bought my chim, I was after a 4.5, but settler for a well sorted 4.0hc although this left me hankering a 5.0 and more power.
Is the AJP 4.5 likely to be more expensive and temperamental?
Also, how close to the power claims are they in real life ? Is it miles off like the chimaeras ?
Any information or advice would be really appreciated
Or maybe someone else has been from a chim to a cerb that would share their experiences
Cheers
Graeme
Swindon
Were you at the meet on Sun?I've had my chimaera for a while now, and I genuinely love it to pieces. However, that hankering for a cerbera has never gone away and the ability for me and the mrs to take one or even both of the kids to TVR events and sunny Sunday blasts to the pub has just gotten too much and I've decided an AJP engined cerbera's got to be the way forward. (also, my little 4.0HC Chim got absolutely anihalated by a 4.2 cerb on the dual carriageway the other day)
I understand roughly what to look for mechanically and structurally from my time with the chim, but I'd be interested to hear other people's stories or estimates and running costs
It'd be a garaged 2nd car for me coming out on sunny days and the occasional jaunt across country to meets and events. It almost certainly wouldn't get tracked and would cover around 3-4k per year.
I'm after a V8 engined car as that flat plane crank noise does it for me every time and would be really interested to hear how much difference in performance there is in the real world between 4.2 and 4.5 cerbs as when I bought my chim, I was after a 4.5, but settler for a well sorted 4.0hc although this left me hankering a 5.0 and more power.
Is the AJP 4.5 likely to be more expensive and temperamental?
Also, how close to the power claims are they in real life ? Is it miles off like the chimaeras ?
Any information or advice would be really appreciated
Or maybe someone else has been from a chim to a cerb that would share their experiences
Cheers
Graeme
Swindon
Anyway, I'm not far from you (SN11) and if you want to have a look at a 4.2 Cerb (Which is also for sale - Cough), give me a shout.
M
Hi
Yeah, I did meet you on Sunday at the wilts meet.
I'd love to come along some point and have a look at yours
To be honest, it's still a newer 450 that I think I'm hankering after, but I'd love to come and have a proper look at yours some time too if that's cool ?
Yeah, I did meet you on Sunday at the wilts meet.
I'd love to come along some point and have a look at yours
To be honest, it's still a newer 450 that I think I'm hankering after, but I'd love to come and have a proper look at yours some time too if that's cool ?
Edited by graeme4130 on Thursday 1st December 20:47
I went from a Griff 500 to a 4.2 Cerb, I thought I'd miss the low down torque and the burble but after a test drive that went straight out the window.
Like many others I was convinced I wanted a 4.5 for willy waving reasons despite most people advising to buy on condition. I ended up driving a 2000 4.5 and a 2004 4.2 back to back and I couldn't tell the difference. The 4.5 was a little looser presumably as it was older and covered more mileage, the 4.2 was in amazing condition, felt tight and rattle free. They both drove well but I had to go for the 4.2 as it was the best condition Cerb I had seen.
Turns out the later 4.2's are 4.5's with the 4.2 induction setup which does restrict power although I *think* makes them better at the lower rev range, I'm no expert so don't quote me.
Anyway, I went to a dyno day and showed 369 bhp/304 ftlb on the standard factory map with cats which was more than a few 4.5's there with the operator telling me the fuelling was all over the place and needed a remap.
I'm not trying to wave my willy, just emphasise that you should worry about condition, especially if its a late 4.2 as it could be a 4.5 anyway (although I think will never get to what a 4.5 can without the 4.5 induction)
Unless you are tracking the car or modifying it for ultimate power I wouldn't discount either.
Like many others I was convinced I wanted a 4.5 for willy waving reasons despite most people advising to buy on condition. I ended up driving a 2000 4.5 and a 2004 4.2 back to back and I couldn't tell the difference. The 4.5 was a little looser presumably as it was older and covered more mileage, the 4.2 was in amazing condition, felt tight and rattle free. They both drove well but I had to go for the 4.2 as it was the best condition Cerb I had seen.
Turns out the later 4.2's are 4.5's with the 4.2 induction setup which does restrict power although I *think* makes them better at the lower rev range, I'm no expert so don't quote me.
Anyway, I went to a dyno day and showed 369 bhp/304 ftlb on the standard factory map with cats which was more than a few 4.5's there with the operator telling me the fuelling was all over the place and needed a remap.
I'm not trying to wave my willy, just emphasise that you should worry about condition, especially if its a late 4.2 as it could be a 4.5 anyway (although I think will never get to what a 4.5 can without the 4.5 induction)
Unless you are tracking the car or modifying it for ultimate power I wouldn't discount either.
Pursyluv said:
MikeinSheffield has a late 4.2 and it has made 395ish, some 4.5's make little more than that with short induction
Straight 4.2s will make less than 390 on a 'normal' rolling road. Some rolling roads read higher.To get that needs a little fettling on the inlets, a remap and a decent free flowing exhaust. Mines a little restricted on the exhaust system but quiet.
Late 4.2's with 4.5 capacity can be made to produce a little more power, say around 400.
4.5's can be induced to run 420ish with fettling and a remap. I know we've seen higher figures, but not usually on a comparison run day.
That little bit extra on a very fast car isn't noticeable (IMHO). What is noticeable is that most peoples fettled cars are stated to be smoother/nicer to drive
Byker28i said:
That little bit extra on a very fast car isn't noticeable (IMHO). What is noticeable is that most peoples fettled cars are stated to be smoother/nicer to drive
It's true, the new owner of my old Cerb had short induction/remap/bespoke exhaust fitted and the biggest difference he noticed was the smoothness rather than outright power increase (although it was definitely quicker and annoyingly more flamey)I've only ever driven my 4.5 so I cant compare but....
With a remap and short induction, mine made 411hp at SRR a couple years back and still over 400 at Austec this year and it drives so well. Sits in traffic all day, doesn't surge or jerk. Really nice to drive in any gear and pulls in 5th from about 25mph all the way upto 160 with loads more to go! Ol' Jools knows what he's doing !
With a remap and short induction, mine made 411hp at SRR a couple years back and still over 400 at Austec this year and it drives so well. Sits in traffic all day, doesn't surge or jerk. Really nice to drive in any gear and pulls in 5th from about 25mph all the way upto 160 with loads more to go! Ol' Jools knows what he's doing !
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