Swapping Chim for Cerb - Opinions please

[TVRWhoa]

Having had a 4.0 Chim before and changing to a Cerbera (4.5)last week, I'm finding the car quite different in the power delivery. It doesn't seem as fast as I was expecting.

I think the sports exhaust has a part to play as I'm changing up around 3500 to say 4500 rpm, as it starts to get really growly and loud, so am I changing gear too early as the engine is just getting started ?

What's the opinion on when the power starts to come on strong i.e. revs/gear i.e. strongest in 2nd, 3rd at what revs etc ?
I'm not saying its not fast, it is, I don't know what I was expecting really, I think it was something like being pinned in the seat from start off with my eyeballs popping out

It's probably just unfamiliarity with the car but I'd be interested in what others think.

[Tyre Smoke]

The Cerb has a very different power delivery to the Chim. the RV8 lump has (what appears to be) more torque low down until you get used to the Cerb.

I did what you did and it took me a little while to adjust my driving to the Cerb. find a nice bit of open road and use all the revs. It just keeps pulling right up to the change light at 7.5k revs - not something a RV8 will do.

[trooper1212]

You should be changing at just over 6k to get the best power and still catch the torque curve in the next gear.

[kevin63]

Try a 4.2 as alot say they are the better cars, also the power on some 4.5s can be lower than on a 4.2 V8 or a 4ltr speed six. It would be better to try one before you by the 4.5 i thinks.

[davetherave1970]

It would seem that you are changing the gear just before all hell breaks loose.
As said earlier, nice STRAIGHT open road and let the revs rise! Also make sure the loud pedal is to the floor as it can feel like its there but that extra little push makes a difference.
2nd is great if enough grip (rare) and 3rd will take you the wrong side of the law very quickly. 4th is great too but would be a licence taker.

Have fun but take care!

[malman]

Did the same swap from 4.0 chim to 4.2 cerbie. It only seems slower cause you're used to the low down grunt. It took me a couple of weeks to get really used to the power delivery. The throttle on the cerbie is very long, longer than the chim so make sure you push it all the way. If you are in second make sure its dry before you do this. I used to goto about 5k , 5k2 max in the chim, at 5000 the cerb gets a second wind kicks you in the back and tries to headbut the horizon, absolutely brilliant feeling
.

The power is there its just higher up. I find the cerb more relaxed round town but once provoked . Aim for 6k but make sure its nicely warmed up every time.

[Tripps]

Must admit I've found the same and felt a little deflated with my purchase initially as it didn't give me the jolt I expected. However every time I've driven it out its wet though, so I've limited my revs and am being careful as it my car rather than a dealer's.

As has been said, the power is there, you just need to throttle the V8 to a level way beyond most 8 pot lumps have on their tacho, I've found using noise to guage it doesn't work well as all and I should be in a gear lower than I think I should be at most times.

[SXS]

davetherave1970 said:

It would seem that you are changing the gear just before all hell breaks loose. As said earlier, nice STRAIGHT open road and let the revs rise! Also make sure the loud pedal is to the floor as it can feel like its there but that extra little push makes a difference. 2nd is great if enough grip (rare) and 3rd will take you the wrong side of the law very quickly. 4th is great too but would be a licence taker. Have fun but take care!

Just make sure you have a Joolz re-routed cable mod - otherwise that throttle cable will snap right off!

[dannylt]

trooper1212 said:

You should be changing at just over 6k to get the best power and still catch the torque curve in the next gear.

No, to get from peak power back to peak torque in next gear, you should be revving to more like 7k - certainly more like "just under 7" rather than "just over 6". Mine head peak power at 7 to 7.2k depending, peak torque 4.5 to 5.

danny