Chimarea 4.0 HC?
Discussion
Hiya all,
Im new to this forum so hello everyone. Im looking to buy a Chimaera 4.0 but want the HC version. Ive made an apointment to veiw a vehicle privately but the owner says he only thinks it's a 4.0HC???? So is there any way of telling by engine numbers? I spoke to a TVR agent and they said there would be HC stamped on the plenum chamber, is this correct? Sorry if this question has been asked hundreds of times before. I did spend 10 minutes looking for a previous post before starting a new one. Im buying this car on a tight budget which as far as ive seen does seem to be the wrong thing to do with a TVR! Ive heard all sorts of horror stories about Cerberas and Tuscans but surely a Chimaera is better with the proven Rover V8? Luckily I am a mechanic so im not too scared about normal repairs and maintenance but is there anything really nasty to look out for i.e pourous blocks, doddgy diffs ect.
Many Thanks in advanace
Keith Miller
Im new to this forum so hello everyone. Im looking to buy a Chimaera 4.0 but want the HC version. Ive made an apointment to veiw a vehicle privately but the owner says he only thinks it's a 4.0HC???? So is there any way of telling by engine numbers? I spoke to a TVR agent and they said there would be HC stamped on the plenum chamber, is this correct? Sorry if this question has been asked hundreds of times before. I did spend 10 minutes looking for a previous post before starting a new one. Im buying this car on a tight budget which as far as ive seen does seem to be the wrong thing to do with a TVR! Ive heard all sorts of horror stories about Cerberas and Tuscans but surely a Chimaera is better with the proven Rover V8? Luckily I am a mechanic so im not too scared about normal repairs and maintenance but is there anything really nasty to look out for i.e pourous blocks, doddgy diffs ect.
Many Thanks in advanace
Keith Miller
and a very big welcome. Try this thread somebody did ask the same question last year.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=119744&f=8&h=0&hw=4%2E0+HC
You could try out search facility in the grey bar above, type in 4.0 HC for example all date Chimaera.
You'll find loads to read on the subject.
Also look in the FAQ's in the Chimaera Forum that's under THIS FORUM SHOW FAQ's that will give you loads more to read.
Hope this helps
BTW I've deleted your other post in General Gassing.
Believe me you'll get sufficient replies to this one.
Hi millermilla
As far as I know, the HC engine hasn't proved to be less reliable than the 4.0.
As well as the usual things that you would check for when buying a new car (blowing manifold, excessive smoke on startup, leaks, good oil pressure, crash damage etc etc (I'll stop now as you being a mechanic, I realise this is turning into a course in sucking eggs!), it's really important to make sure the chassis is in good condition.
TVR's rust-proofing process doesn't seem to have been the best, and a rotting chassis could spell financial ruin for any of us! It's really just a case of having a good poke around, paying special attention to the outriggers (which seem to be the easiest to neglect and the first to show signs of corrosion). You really ought to check for a good coating of Waxoyl and ask the owner when it was last done, how often it was done etc.
The next piece of advice will undoubtedly be the hardest to swallow... Ignore the fantastic noise (and it will be fantastic, outstanding good looks etc and walk away from it if you're not completely happy. A wrongun' can doubtless take huge amounts of time, money and heartache.
If you can buy a bit of time, you could do worse than joining the TVR Car Club and also buying a copy of The TVR Griffith and Chimaera' by Steve Heath (referred to as 'The Bible'. Both of which will prove very useful sources of buying advice.
Yes okay, but guy's a mechanic and the RV8 isn't exactly the world's most complicated engine...
>> Edited by Nuggs on Thursday 7th April 10:05
As far as I know, the HC engine hasn't proved to be less reliable than the 4.0.
As well as the usual things that you would check for when buying a new car (blowing manifold, excessive smoke on startup, leaks, good oil pressure, crash damage etc etc (I'll stop now as you being a mechanic, I realise this is turning into a course in sucking eggs!), it's really important to make sure the chassis is in good condition.
TVR's rust-proofing process doesn't seem to have been the best, and a rotting chassis could spell financial ruin for any of us! It's really just a case of having a good poke around, paying special attention to the outriggers (which seem to be the easiest to neglect and the first to show signs of corrosion). You really ought to check for a good coating of Waxoyl and ask the owner when it was last done, how often it was done etc.
The next piece of advice will undoubtedly be the hardest to swallow... Ignore the fantastic noise (and it will be fantastic, outstanding good looks etc and walk away from it if you're not completely happy. A wrongun' can doubtless take huge amounts of time, money and heartache.
If you can buy a bit of time, you could do worse than joining the TVR Car Club and also buying a copy of The TVR Griffith and Chimaera' by Steve Heath (referred to as 'The Bible'. Both of which will prove very useful sources of buying advice.
parrot of doom said:
Buying on a tight budget is a bad idea.
Yes okay, but guy's a mechanic and the RV8 isn't exactly the world's most complicated engine...
>> Edited by Nuggs on Thursday 7th April 10:05
HC is stamped on the thingy under the bonnet. However, it may be that the definitive test is to get the vin number and pay £30 or so to the TVR factory who will send you the full history of the car including any factory upgrades, make, model and services.
Caveat:- not really sure as to the above... only guessing given I had this "factory check" piece of paper and TVR invoice when I bought my 400HC
last August.millermilla said:
Hiya all,
Im new to this forum so hello everyone. Im looking to buy a Chimaera 4.0 but want the HC version.
Hi there and welcome
I'd love to know the rationale behind that statement.. I've driven 4.0's that are faster than 4.0HC's and 4.3's so I'm assuming its not a "BHP" issue..?
I'd say on a tight budget, buy the best condition & serviced car you can for your money, and don't worry about the engine size/spec.
Cheers,
Matt
M@H said:
I'd say on a tight budget, buy the best condition & serviced car you can for your money, and don't worry about the engine size/spec.
Cheers,
Matt
What he said above !!!
Buy on condition, size does not matter much (on the road anyhow)
The chassis, especially the outriggers & wishbones, is what worried me the most when considering the purchase of a tiv (still does, hence the impending rub down and treatment with POR-15 in the next week or so).
Look at loads and Research Research Research !! so you know what to look for.
Stu.
trinitycall said:
When I was looking for a chimaera... i was only interested in the "HC" version.
It's akin to the "AMG" badge on a merc... you can either have an SL500 or an SL55AMG... no contest really... the AMG wins everytime
So you think a AMG Merc is just adding a couple more horsepower..
I don't think so.
trinitycall said:
When I was looking for a chimaera... i was only interested in the "HC" version.
It's akin to the "AMG" badge on a merc... you can either have an SL500 or an SL55AMG... no contest really... the AMG wins everytime
All this achieves is it reduces your chances of finding a nice cared for example by quite a margin !!
As Matt and many others have stated in the past, there is not much difference between a 4.0L and 4.0L HC, apart from the sticker on the plenum DON'T BE BLINKERED !!
Hello,
I've got a 4.0HC. It's got a 400HC badge on the plenium. It's supposed to have an extra 35 BHP over a standard 4.0 but it doesn't. Mine has about 220BHP at the flywheel. TVR claim 275, go figure.
As far as running on a budget goes, sure, why not? Mine cost £15k 2 years ago with 22k on the clock. It'd probably fetch about £12k now with 56k on the clock. It's a P plate, facelift version. I get it serviced independantly by Julian Blackborrow in Biddenden and I do most little repairs & stuff myself. It's got it's little foibles (ooer!) but everything's pretty simple really. Parts are fairly cheap and as a mechanic I guess you'd service it yourself. Mine's been very reliable really. Drop me a line via my profile if there's anything else you think I can tell you. I'm probably fairly local to you (Kent).
I've got a 4.0HC. It's got a 400HC badge on the plenium. It's supposed to have an extra 35 BHP over a standard 4.0 but it doesn't. Mine has about 220BHP at the flywheel. TVR claim 275, go figure.
As far as running on a budget goes, sure, why not? Mine cost £15k 2 years ago with 22k on the clock. It'd probably fetch about £12k now with 56k on the clock. It's a P plate, facelift version. I get it serviced independantly by Julian Blackborrow in Biddenden and I do most little repairs & stuff myself. It's got it's little foibles (ooer!) but everything's pretty simple really. Parts are fairly cheap and as a mechanic I guess you'd service it yourself. Mine's been very reliable really. Drop me a line via my profile if there's anything else you think I can tell you. I'm probably fairly local to you (Kent).
Stu247 said:
When I was looking for a chimaera... i was only interested in the "HC" version.
It's akin to the "AMG" badge on a merc... you can either have an SL500 or an SL55AMG... no contest really... the AMG wins everytime
All this achieves is it reduces your chances of finding a nice cared for example by quite a margin !!
As Matt and many others have stated in the past, there is not much difference between a 4.0L and 4.0L HC, apart from the sticker on the plenum DON'T BE BLINKERED !!
*sigh* i guess sometimes irony and humour are sometimes lost when posting.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff