My thoughts 1,000 miles in

[A900ss]

My first TVR (Chim 450) has now done 1,000 miles since it was rebuilt following the camchange. Bearing in mind I only did 200 miles (mostly motorway) before the cam change I can't comment on pre v post.

What I can detail however is my thoughts on the engine now.

It was fitted with a Stealth cam.

Well the disappointment is the mid- range; I was expecting more in the 2 to 4k rev range. I was thinking a big 4.5 litre V8 pulling a 1 ton car would have loads of grunt. Don't get me wrong, its OK and you can easily drive everywhere in 4th/5th without having to change down but it just isn't as 'grunty' as I was expecting. This may be my point of reference however as I am a company car man for a long time and drive turbo diesels all the time.

The second comment is the top end; much better than I expected. From 4 to 6k (and slightly more), it really seems to shift. Again, I wasn't expecting that 'kick' at the top end. It really does want to rev, much more than I was expecting from the V8. Again, I have no reference point, just my gut feelings.

All in all, really pleased with the car now (expenditure excepted) and I'm working hard refurbing the seats and steering wheel and am already planning my winter jobs (new shocks, new bushes and new carpets - money permitting of course).

Welcome to the world of TVR's.

[MADMAX2]

Karl.. wait till you are 7 years in just like me the wallet never looks the same

[SILICONEKID343HP]

That`s weird I have the same cam ,it has masses or mid range grunt ..

[QBee]

Me too

[chris1972]

SILICONEKID343HP said:

That`s weird I have the same cam ,it has masses or mid range grunt ..

Yours is a 500 though isn't it? More torque. It is one of the things that made me go for the 500, having spent the past few years with various German 3.0 diesels producing loads of torque. I have more oomph from 3k, put can almost pull from any gear around 1k.

One of the things you get used to with a modern performance diesel is a lazy drive and using a narrow rev range to deliver the power. Normally aspirated petrols need to be revved to do the same. It can be deceiving. Sometimes I give it beans and then look at the speedo approaching 70mph before changing into third. I never managed that in a diesel!!! I lot has to do what gear you're in. Think petrol, not turbo diesel!

Edited by chris1972 on Sunday 21st July 18:13

[Chilliman]

If you have time to look at the speedo you're not doing it right

[QBee]

Mine's a 500. The grunt's really useful for track days, means I never go lower than third gear except for hairpins. On my last one most other drivers were using second four times a lap.

[Trevor450]

I haven't a clue what cam my 450 has but it pulls well enough. The 500 is well known for the brutal torque low down. I don't get huge grunt below 3000 rpm but then it really wakes up and pulls hard up to 6k. These cars have quite long gearing.

[A900ss]

Don't get me wrong, it's not slow, I was just expecting more (maybe too much).

Eg it did get past an Audi A3 2.0 TDi who was trying (approx 60 to 90) when I was trying to get past him by staying in fifth but only just.

On the other hand it took on a 330d between about 40 to 90 and I went thru the gears to 6k and it just totally destroyed the BMW.

[carsy]

Maybe you should have opted for their MC1. this has more low down grunt than the Stealth.

[A900ss]

carsy said:

Maybe you should have opted for their MC1. this has more low down grunt than the Stealth.

If the stealth has a better top end, I chose correctly. It s a Sunday car after all. .

I just expected more mid-range. Maybe I'm making too much of it. It's a quick car no doubt.

[macdeb]

Maybe don't expect the hype that can surround some cam changes. More needs to be done to compliment the cam change, jeez i've even heard on here that fancy spark plugs can alter throttle response!

[phazed]

Karl, I would have thought that it would have felt torquey although as you said, you may have been spoilt by diesels!

If you ever visit the Surrey area, you're welcome to a comparison.

[A900ss]

phazed said:

Karl, I would have thought that it would have felt torquey although as you said, you may have been spoilt by diesels!

If you ever visit the Surrey area, you're welcome to a comparison.

That is what I really need to do. Unfortunately I haven't been able to meet up with any TVRCC run outs yet (bloody family commitments) but I am looking forward to putting it on a rolling drag run (upto legal speeds of course) against other Tiv's.

I think I am expecting too much in fairness. I'm used to torquey diesels and my perception of fast on the road is large cc motorbikes which isn't really fair on the Tiv. My first big bike (Ducati 900SS - hence username) was my slowest bike, yet it and the others that followed were so much quicker than almost all cars upto silly speeds.

[Sardonicus]

macdeb said:

Maybe don't expect the hype that can surround some cam changes. More needs to be done to compliment the cam change, jeez i've even heard on here that fancy spark plugs can alter throttle response!

[chris1972]

Chilliman said:

If you have time to look at the speedo you're not doing it right

I need three eyes... one for the road, one for the speedo and one for the mobile safety van!!!

[jojackson4]

Tvr bever had one fit (stealth ) have a word with him good guy for a griff oner (top man)

[QBee]

If you come to Chimfest next month you can drive my stealth 500 if you like. If I am there.

[Julesprivate]

Fancy meeting up and having a go in my poor old 400? Who knows, maybe that'll make you happier with your mid range :-)

[chris1972]

The Stealth isn't a road cam though is it? I have a 218, which isn't great for all out BHP, but is meant to be more suited to road driving.