Discussion
Hi folks, after over a year of upgrade contemplation and understanding of how im going to actually use the car, ie % percentage of road v track, I've come to realise that my 450 is really only ever going to be a road car, with maybe 2-3 track days a year. I felt it important to get a full understanding as this would obviously lead my upgrades.
As funds aren't endless, I've simply gone for standard, albeit Carbon Lorraine and nitrac disc breaks. Ditched spark plug extenders for socks as well as putting iridium tipped hotter plugs in - later has given it a lovely cleaner review ability up the rpm. I've a clive for y piece and I'll cut the pre-cats out when the manifolds are off. I'm keeping my 15" and 16" as a really quite like them.
I'm keeping standard bushes. Had a set of Protechs but which are now sold in favour of ordering tuston s belsteins very soon now .
Oh, and have a set of Intatrim seats ready to go in, so I guess it's clear as to my intent with the car. But, what I am struggling with is a clear path on the engine. Not many months ago I was going to sell a kidney, or two, and drive the car down to powers for a turbo and ecu...but realising that I need my organs more than a single turbo, I shelved that idea! Also, I felt a turBo 'could' lead to extra unplanned expenses in the future.
Next up was an Emerald ecu that I had been talking about with Joolz. This seemed a great idea, probably adding one of his blended bases into the conversation. This as a cert until I heard of the potential for a Gems efi to be fitted, and that appeared to be an 'even better' solution. Although I maybe appearing to be the most non-committal of folk, I like to blame it on the lack of Black and White evidence of the best bang for the buck upgrades, and not as a personal flaw!
Undecided I may of been upto now, I can unequivocally commit to keeping my car as 80-90% road use.
Ive obviously got the 450 engine in standard form. I planned to wip the heads off and port them along with and manifolds. Leave the valves (what ever they maybe in size), drop a new cam and chain, I was thinking Stealth? Increase plenum butterfly to 72mm or maybe go a full act twin carbon? Thinking about leaving the trumpets as standard 38mm?
This to all finished off with either a simple rolling road tune for my lucas, which incidently runs great, or potentially moving over to gems once we have full knowledge of what's required? Or, omex200 maybe with the Lucas?
Decisions decisions, but what I don't want to do is throw unnecessary money on my car. I'd like to upgrade as could be seen to of been done at the factory, OEM kind of style.
Would those of greater knowledge and experience (most people here I'd say) care to comment on the aboverall for me, please?
I'll do most the work from home, except of course the rolling road and planned to get the porting done by v8 developments or the like.
I'm not looking for bragging bhp, I just want the sweetest driving 45 chim I can.
Cheers.
Adrian
As funds aren't endless, I've simply gone for standard, albeit Carbon Lorraine and nitrac disc breaks. Ditched spark plug extenders for socks as well as putting iridium tipped hotter plugs in - later has given it a lovely cleaner review ability up the rpm. I've a clive for y piece and I'll cut the pre-cats out when the manifolds are off. I'm keeping my 15" and 16" as a really quite like them.
I'm keeping standard bushes. Had a set of Protechs but which are now sold in favour of ordering tuston s belsteins very soon now .
Oh, and have a set of Intatrim seats ready to go in, so I guess it's clear as to my intent with the car. But, what I am struggling with is a clear path on the engine. Not many months ago I was going to sell a kidney, or two, and drive the car down to powers for a turbo and ecu...but realising that I need my organs more than a single turbo, I shelved that idea! Also, I felt a turBo 'could' lead to extra unplanned expenses in the future.
Next up was an Emerald ecu that I had been talking about with Joolz. This seemed a great idea, probably adding one of his blended bases into the conversation. This as a cert until I heard of the potential for a Gems efi to be fitted, and that appeared to be an 'even better' solution. Although I maybe appearing to be the most non-committal of folk, I like to blame it on the lack of Black and White evidence of the best bang for the buck upgrades, and not as a personal flaw!
Undecided I may of been upto now, I can unequivocally commit to keeping my car as 80-90% road use.
Ive obviously got the 450 engine in standard form. I planned to wip the heads off and port them along with and manifolds. Leave the valves (what ever they maybe in size), drop a new cam and chain, I was thinking Stealth? Increase plenum butterfly to 72mm or maybe go a full act twin carbon? Thinking about leaving the trumpets as standard 38mm?
This to all finished off with either a simple rolling road tune for my lucas, which incidently runs great, or potentially moving over to gems once we have full knowledge of what's required? Or, omex200 maybe with the Lucas?
Decisions decisions, but what I don't want to do is throw unnecessary money on my car. I'd like to upgrade as could be seen to of been done at the factory, OEM kind of style.
Would those of greater knowledge and experience (most people here I'd say) care to comment on the aboverall for me, please?
I'll do most the work from home, except of course the rolling road and planned to get the porting done by v8 developments or the like.
I'm not looking for bragging bhp, I just want the sweetest driving 45 chim I can.
Cheers.
Adrian
Hi Adrian,
I'm in a pretty similar place as you - use my Chimaera predominantly as a road car and will use it for the occasional track day. With that in mind, I've upgraded engine management (Canems), plugs and injectors, braking (braided lines/Mintex pads/racing fluid), shocks (adjustable Gaz Golds) and cooling (new fans + radiator, runs off Canems).
With a Chimaera 500 that received a Taraka upgrade from TVR Power as a base, I aim for having a reliable and enjoyable car with enough grunt to be entertaining on the road and track.
I think your approach should provide you with a car that has plenty to offer on and off the track, and hopefully keep running costs manageable. Great power often comes at greater expensive as you said. The upgrade from Lucas to a new engine management system I think is a good move, especially for improving the day-to-day driveability of your car. Also, this should provide a good basis for when you do want to splash out on forced induction.
I'm in a pretty similar place as you - use my Chimaera predominantly as a road car and will use it for the occasional track day. With that in mind, I've upgraded engine management (Canems), plugs and injectors, braking (braided lines/Mintex pads/racing fluid), shocks (adjustable Gaz Golds) and cooling (new fans + radiator, runs off Canems).
With a Chimaera 500 that received a Taraka upgrade from TVR Power as a base, I aim for having a reliable and enjoyable car with enough grunt to be entertaining on the road and track.
I think your approach should provide you with a car that has plenty to offer on and off the track, and hopefully keep running costs manageable. Great power often comes at greater expensive as you said. The upgrade from Lucas to a new engine management system I think is a good move, especially for improving the day-to-day driveability of your car. Also, this should provide a good basis for when you do want to splash out on forced induction.
Edited by AdriaanB on Wednesday 12th April 16:45
Nice post Adrian and a situation I guess we all find ourselves in with TVR ownership. I have spent quite a lot on my 450 over the 7 years I have now owned it and also had the urge for large BHP at the outset...........but I managed to resist and I now have a well balanced car overall that I am very happy with. My whole list of necessary work, upgrades and other wallet lightening expenditure is in my profile under the car in my garage.
The one last thing I am going to add is a new ignition system which should set off the rest of the engine and breathing work perfectly. There are a lot of excellent options in this area and all have their fans based on real world experience that are well documented here on PH. I am going to have a Powers Performance MBE system installed. I have been speaking to Dom since I bought the car in 2010 and he serviced and maintained the car for the first 5 years I owned it. Since then Dan Taylor has looked after the car and as he works closely with Dom has helped me get the engine and breathing work all put together as a complete package. The MBE will finally give me a car I wanted to get to from the outset; perfectly balanced between power and drivablilty
Could I have added a lot more BHP? very easily but I don't think the car would have the road manners it has now, be quick enough and stop well enough to enjoy on track and I would not enjoy the car as much
The one last thing I am going to add is a new ignition system which should set off the rest of the engine and breathing work perfectly. There are a lot of excellent options in this area and all have their fans based on real world experience that are well documented here on PH. I am going to have a Powers Performance MBE system installed. I have been speaking to Dom since I bought the car in 2010 and he serviced and maintained the car for the first 5 years I owned it. Since then Dan Taylor has looked after the car and as he works closely with Dom has helped me get the engine and breathing work all put together as a complete package. The MBE will finally give me a car I wanted to get to from the outset; perfectly balanced between power and drivablilty
Could I have added a lot more BHP? very easily but I don't think the car would have the road manners it has now, be quick enough and stop well enough to enjoy on track and I would not enjoy the car as much
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