The 420bhp myth

[marcus1970]

Top Gear, Autocar etc. etc. all quote the 4.5 Cerb as producing 420bhp. TVR quote this in all of their literature. However, after browsing a few forums it seems that the average is around 340 to 350 bhp. What's going on? Who's telling the truth? Don't tell me the top speed isn't 190mph+ either?

[easto]

from what i have got out of PH and speaking to people - 340-360 is about right. First few 4.5's may have had a bit more power. You are a fortunate person if it produces over 360 bhp standard.

190ish - im sure ive read that a few people have been up there but it requires a load of space and takes ages. Saying that though i thought HP equated to top speed (along with gearing / aero dynamics etc.) so i would imagine that its more like 170/180+.

Seems logical to assume that 60bhp less will lead to a lower top speed quoted by TVR...

[PetrolTed]

The first engine was over 400bhp apparently. It was a 4.5 in full race trim (dry sump etc). That was used in the "4.2" that was tested by the media giving the stonking performance figures quoted.

Then when TVR did come out with a 4.5 it made things a bit tricky. An engine of similar spec was used which is why performance figures for the two cars from early tests are pretty similar.

[FourWheelDrift]

Can....worms.....open.......

Been covered a million times before so I'm not going to comment other than to say a good search of the forums using the search facility will answer all queries.

[SXS]

Cerberas produce 500bhp as standard!
and they hit 260mph!

( we gotta keep the boy racers happy! )

[_DJ_]

[quote=SXS ]Cerberas produce 500bhp as standard!
and they hit 260mph!

( we gotta keep the boy racers happy! )[/quote]

Erm, no. You're confusing them with yours in 12 months time!

[rjben]

350BHP is about as good as it gets for a 4.5.......

Have a look at mine, apparently it's 'a good one'.

www.aauk.biz/Cerbera/robertbennettdyno.jpg

[daver]

Certainly holds its power well between 6,000 & 7,000.

[SXS]

_DJ_ said:

SXS said: Cerberas produce 500bhp as standard! and they hit 260mph! ( we gotta keep the boy racers happy! ) Erm, no. You're confusing them with yours in 12 months time!

Cant be confusing it with mine?

Mine will be at max revs doing in the region of 950-1000 rear wheel HP, and she'll be ready end of November hopefully, and my gearing will definitely not let me go up to 260mph, I'll be happy with 230mph!

[kojak69]

I cant wait to see the end result Ash. Sounds awesome.

[_DJ_]

[quote=SXS ]

_DJ_ said:

SXS said: Cerberas produce 500bhp as standard! and they hit 260mph! ( we gotta keep the boy racers happy! ) Erm, no. You're confusing them with yours in 12 months time!

Cant be confusing it with mine?

Mine will be at max revs doing in the region of 950-1000 rear wheel HP, and she'll be ready end of November hopefully, and my gearing will definitely not let me go up to 260mph, I'll be happy with 230mph! [/quote]

You misunderstand me, I may have got the time wrong but I figured you'd be running it in so rev limited

[SXS]

u got a point

[joospeed]

marcus1970 said:

Top Gear, Autocar etc. etc. all quote the 4.5 Cerb as producing 420bhp. TVR quote this in all of their literature. However, after browsing a few forums it seems that the average is around 340 to 350 bhp. What's going on? Who's telling the truth? Don't tell me the top speed isn't 190mph+ either?

Drop your car and 6k gbp off with me and I guarantee you at least 420bhp! can't say fairer than that

[stas]

the best i've managed ,private road ofcourse.
using the racetech thinga me bob is 172.
not bad for a 96 4.2.
Stas(e-mailing from a Cyprus holiday)

[Tam Lin]

joospeed said:

Drop your car and 6k gbp off with me and I guarantee you at least 420bhp! can't say fairer than that

There's a thought..6k you say..

[micky g]

I know this has been covered somewhere but i'm newish here,what are TVR's claims for the red rose @ 440 bhp on the 4.5 like for accuracy, (as these figures can't be confused with early promo cars)? Help from knowledgable PH appreciated.

[_DJ_]

micky g said:

I know this has been covered somewhere but i'm newish here,what are TVR's claims for the red rose @ 440 bhp on the 4.5 like for accuracy, (as these figures can't be confused with early promo cars)? Help from knowledgable PH appreciated.

As has been mentioned before, it depends where you measure the BHP and how it's tested.

Here's a link to a dyno plot for a 4.5RR (with all the bits attached, in a car, on a rolling road). It should give you an idea.

www.emeraldm3d.com/em_projects_rose.html

D


>> Edited by _DJ_ on Friday 15th October 10:52

[GreenV8S]

joospeed said:

Drop your car and 6k gbp off with me and I guarantee you at least 420bhp! can't say fairer than that

I'll give you a power curve showing 420 bhp for far less than that, and you won't even have to bring the car in! :lol:

But I'm afraid if you want any actual performance increases you'll have to talk nicely to Joolz.

[njw 77]

rjben said:

350BHP is about as good as it gets for a 4.5....... Have a look at mine, apparently it's 'a good one'. www.aauk.biz/Cerbera/robertbennettdyno.jpg

Posted this elsewhere already, but, had my 4.5 tested by Austec last week and it shows 349bhp at the flywheel and 290bhp at the rear wheels. Going to get Austec/Mark Adams remap done in the near future and see how many more horses can be set free from their stables

[jasonben]

stas said:

the best i've managed ,private road ofcourse. using the racetech thinga me bob is 172. not bad for a 96 4.2. Stas(e-mailing from a Cyprus holiday)

I got 175 (on the clock) fairly easily in my 4.5 on the M40, was an ace day!