Cerbera: Essential modifications/enhancements

[SIXSIXES]

Cerbera going in for body off restoration and LS conversion in a few months.

Hoping to make the car mechanically mint as it will be daily driven in warm weather. If anyone has a list of must-do mods/enhancements/improvements feel free to chime in.

One area I do want to focus is keeping the cabin and gear knob temp bearable. Wondered if anyone had upgraded/improved their A/C.

[Byker28i]

Removing the cats stops a lot of the heat transfer through the clutch, gearbox and gearstick. Adding additional, or new heatshielding to the tunnel, I added some to the chassis as well well the exhaust runs close.

Perhaps ceramic coat the manifolds to take some of the heat out of the engine bay.

[Flatplane8]

Is the TVR engine broken? Just curious as I would think getting the TVR engine rebuilt would be less than a conversion (but perhaps not as powerful)

[camel_landy]

Byker28i said:

Removing the cats stops a lot of the heat transfer through the clutch, gearbox and gearstick. Adding additional, or new heatshielding to the tunnel, I added some to the chassis as well well the exhaust runs close.

Perhaps ceramic coat the manifolds to take some of the heat out of the engine bay.

^^^ This is essentially what mine has, though on mine, the extra shielding and ceramic coating was more targeted at protecting the chassis.

...and while the chassis is in bits, get everything zinc & powdered.

M

[pmessling]

A set of my outrigger guards, help protect your investment

[DCerebrate]

A Quaife diff, also to ‘protect your investment’! Expensive but worthwhile in my experience. On mine, if the wheels spin up on greasy roads, it tracks true and straight.

[Penelope Stopit]

Get rid of the 100 Amp alternator supply fuse

Sorry it's only a little mod but it does make a big difference

[robsco]

Sorry to be the one to say this, but the biggest improvement you could possibly make to the car would be to not bastardise it with a crate engine. You can make all the little tweaks you like, but if you’re then ripping the heart of the car out, one of the standout highlights of what made the Cerbera so special in the first place, then it’s all a waste.

[Tyre Smoke]

robsco said:

Sorry to be the one to say this, but the biggest improvement you could possibly make to the car would be to not bastardise it with a crate engine. You can make all the little tweaks you like, but if you’re then ripping the heart of the car out, one of the standout highlights of what made the Cerbera so special in the first place, then it’s all a waste.

I know you mean well, but it's not your car. If the OP wants to put a 1600 crossflow Ford engine in, that's his business.

I don't see much wrong with a LS conversion, especially if it's replacing a S6.

OP, maybe look at Corvette aircon? It's going to be relatively easy to fit to a 'Corvette' engine I would have thought.

Whilst it's all apart, put some decent headlights in it!

[FarmyardPants]

DCerebrate said:

A Quaife diff, also to ‘protect your investment’! Expensive but worthwhile in my experience. On mine, if the wheels spin up on greasy roads, it tracks true and straight.

This is my next mod

[robsco]

Tyre Smoke said:

I know you mean well, but it's not your car. If the OP wants to put a 1600 crossflow Ford engine in, that's his business.
!

You are quite right it’s not my car, but then he did turn to the forum to ask for advice and I couldn’t keep it zipped. To talk about tweaks to a car to improve it when you’re tearing out the heart and soul of it, it needed to be said.

[DuncanM]

robsco said:

You are quite right it’s not my car, but then he did turn to the forum to ask for advice and I couldn’t keep it zipped. To talk about tweaks to a car to improve it when you’re tearing out the heart and soul of it, it needed to be said.

It's difficult isn't it? The AJPV8 was the main reason I bought my Cerbera. I feel the same when I see people sticking V8s into RX8s and other cars with interesting/special engines.

To the OP, I would invest as much as you can allocate, to good suspension of your choice. Plenty of options, if you have the money, there's some active suspension called:

https://tractivesuspension.com/

[DCerebrate]

PS mindful that no-one has answered one of OP’s key questions………. Original air con works well if all components in good order. Perhaps not compared with a modern car and not for 30 degree temps, but good for most circumstances.

[Tyre Smoke]

I did! I reckon a Corvette system would be an easy fit.

[DuncanM]

Get the door cards off and all connections changed to super seal connectors, there was a good thread on here recently, I'll try and find the link.

[SIXSIXES]

Flatplane8 said:

Is the TVR engine broken? Just curious as I would think getting the TVR engine rebuilt would be less than a conversion (but perhaps not as powerful)

Engine is kaput but getting conversion purely for ease of servicing as this one will be kept abroad. Will make sure the outgoing 4.2 is utilised and made available for other Cerb owners.

Eta: Well aware of the desire some have to keep things original, especially with the unique qualities of the AJP8. Recently bought a Sag and a Tuscan (on the look for a clean 4.5 Cerb too) and they will remain true to form.

Thanks for the good suggestions so far, all noted down.

Edited by SIXSIXES on Tuesday 27th July 22:36

[Byker28i]

FarmyardPants said:

DCerebrate said:

A Quaife diff, also to ‘protect your investment’! Expensive but worthwhile in my experience. On mine, if the wheels spin up on greasy roads, it tracks true and straight.

This is my next mod

I'm just really careful. Took mine out yesterday into work, fine dry roads on the way in, damp and greasy on the way back, so was very gentle with the throttle.

[Byker28i]

DuncanM said:

Get the door cards off and all connections changed to super seal connectors, there was a good thread on here recently, I'll try and find the link.

Excellent suggestion. The connectors used are a source of most electrical issues, so either replace (especially the ones in the doors) or for the others ensure they are clean.
I'd also suggest checking all wiring for any damage, rubbing, wear, mouse chewing etc.
As suggested either relocate or replace the 100amp fuse that sits on the back of the engine.

Check all the earth cables and make sure they are all OK and the connection points are clean / not painted.

[julian64]

Byker28i said:

FarmyardPants said:

DCerebrate said:

A Quaife diff, also to ‘protect your investment’! Expensive but worthwhile in my experience. On mine, if the wheels spin up on greasy roads, it tracks true and straight.

This is my next mod

I'm just really careful. Took mine out yesterday into work, fine dry roads on the way in, damp and greasy on the way back, so was very gentle with the throttle.

Heard this a lot but to be honest I'm not careful with mine. I tend to spin the tyres on the start of most journeys (Old advice for my dad when learning to drive that stuck)
Strangely never had the car throw me off the road while in a straight line accelerating, and I suspect it never will.

[DuncanM]

julian64 said:

Heard this a lot but to be honest I'm not careful with mine. I tend to spin the tyres on the start of most journeys (Old advice for my dad when learning to drive that stuck)
Strangely never had the car throw me off the road while in a straight line accelerating, and I suspect it never will.

My Cerbera is quite benign compared to my old 200SX, or my current GT86 (which I love!). You have to be pretty clumsy with the throttle to get yourself into trouble.