Chimaera handling/geo

[Ben-nj385]

Hey Guys,

Well Ive owned my Chim for just over 2 months now and mostly enjoying the experience.

Now that I am getting used to the car I have started to push it a little more (as you do ) and have noticed that when on country lanes it tends to swagger or wander about a bit.

After doing a bit of reading up Ive come to the conclusion that maybe the geo/setup needs checking as Ive read that it can transform the car. As it stands, it feels like the car is sometimes trying to kill me when pushing on.

I'm quite close to Kerridges in suffolk - does anyone know if these guys are good with setup? Alternatively Ive heard that Matt Smith Sports cars in Downham Market are well respected in car setup.

If anyone has any experience with getting their car set up at either of these it will be great to hear about it. Or if anyone knows or anywhere else in the east of the country thats worth speaking to.

Cheers

Ben

[ClassiChimi]

Matt Smith is your man,
Ask him to corner weight it while he's at it and your car will have been set up by the best.

[trev4]

I can recommend Mat Smith, it would also be worth checking the age of the tyres these cars don't do a lot of miles, my tyres had loads of tread but were eight years old I changed the tyres and it made a huge difference, I then got Mat to set the car up properly which again made a big difference now the car is a joy to drive.

[FoxTVR430]

I also changed the old tyres +/- 10yrs old when I bought the car. then took it to Matt Smith to set the GEO up.
Great service, honest advice, and the car drives wonderfully.

[QBee]

I was Mat Smith's first customer in 2012 on his brand new (then) Hunter machine. Turned my killer car into a joy to drive.
Since when he has set up many a TVR on it, including his own Chimaera race car with which he won the Dunlop TVR European Championship this year. So he can set your car up exactly how you want it, not just limited to standard settings.
Also, he checks the suspension over first to make sure is well, so that you don't waste your money.

He's very knowledgable, pleasant, honest and not expensive. Definitely worth the trip.

[mickh32]

Same as the others. When I bought my Chim it was scary to drive at all speeds and I struggled just to get it to turn round a roundabout. When Matt put it on his machine there was something like 15 settings of which all but two were out. As soon as I turned out of the end of his road I could tell the difference straight away. A really top guy who races a Chim so he knows whats what.

[Ben-nj385]

Thanks Guys, I really appreciate the advice. Looks like I will be giving Matt a call!

Ben

[QBee]

01366 386004.

[Ben-nj385]

QBee said:

01366 386004.

Cheers

[l6rth]

I have a 100% standard set up, is it still worth a full geo and corner weight set up?

[phazed]

l6rth said:

I have a 100% standard set up, is it still worth a full geo and corner weight set up?

Definitely because what you have may not be set up correctly.

[Richard 858]

+1 for Mat, great bloke, great service and his full geometry set up & corner weighting make all the difference in the world. Getting the set up right gives you the confidence to learn to drive it as it was meant to be driven and take it to the track if you fancy doing so.

[QBee]

phazed said:

l6rth said:

I have a 100% standard set up, is it still worth a full geo and corner weight set up?

Definitely because what you have may not be set up correctly.

Mine was 100% standard the day I got it.

Unknown to me, the dealer had changed the track rod ends to get it through the MOT prior to sale to me, but had not bothered to re-align it. It was horrendously out. I took it down the B1098 that first morning, from Upwell to Chatteris, at 50 mph and terrified myself. I had previously driven that road at 4am flat out in my Saab with total confidence.

Mat aligned the wheels properly, toe, cast and camber on all 4 wheels and was shocked how far out it was.

Following the alignment my confidence in the car returned.

[Milky400]

Mat is ya man, I'd go no where else.....