40 Litre, 4.5 Litre, 5.0 Litre

[bernietopcdo]

I own a 4.0 litre Chimaera and will be changing it in about 6 months for a new model. Is there a noticable difference in the range of engine sizes performance wise, also how does this effect the insurance and petrol consumption

[sparkythecat]

There are a few threads on this very topic.

Here's one to start you off

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=290047&f=8&h=0

[Sharky500]

Based on my research of driving 7 Chims before I got mine:

In terms of driving feel and outright performance:

BIG difference between 4.0 and 4.5
Not so big difference between 4.5 and 5.0
Massive difference between 4.0 and 5.0

Consumption? (Mixed Driving)
4.0 = 24mpg = ~260 mile safe range
4.5 = 22mpg = ~242 mile safe range
5.0 = 20mpg = ~220 mile safe range

Just get a GOOD one, be it 4.5 or 5.0 - that is the most improtant thing, IMO

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I'd like to try one of them forty litre babies!

[chlomeara]

Regretabbly not tried the 5.0ltr but swapped froma 4ltr to 4.5ltr earlier this year and there is a big difference in performance. Fuel consumption down at 20 mpg, the 4.0 ltr was a bit better. You don't have one of these cars if you worry that much about the costs. The diesel day car does 40+ but is hardly in the same league....

[jasandjules]

They are all fast. The 5.0 seemed to me to be a bit faster than the 4.5 I drove. But not much in it

[biggiles]

The 5 is significantly faster than the 4.0. It's only a few bhps and ccs, but the torque is very noticeable.

I'd like to try the 40 though referenced in the title...

[Nuggs]

I drove quite a few before buying mine. As has been said, big difference between the 4 and 5. HOWEVER, I plumped for the 4.0 as I found it a bit more tractable - easier to get the power down earlier without back trying to overtake front. It was also my first foray into a 'proper' sportscar, so I erred on the side of caution.

I haven't regretted the decision, I don't care that it's not the quickest and never will be. It's all (brake) horses for courses, and I love it

[zippee]

Nuggs said:

I drove quite a few before buying mine. As has been said, big difference between the 4 and 5. HOWEVER, I plumped for the 4.0 as I found it a bit more tractable - easier to get the power down earlier without back trying to overtake front. It was also my first foray into a 'proper' sportscar, so I erred on the side of caution.

I haven't regretted the decision, I don't care that it's not the quickest and never will be. It's all (brake) horses for courses, and I love it

Same here, though I never managed to test a 4.5.
Went for the 4.o for a couple of reasons;
Firstly it being my first ever TVR I thought I'd better play safe and start 'small'.
Secondly I found the 400 a bit easier to drive round town etc. though I believe this can vary from car to car.
Thirdly, whilst there is a big difference in performance the 400 can hardly be called a slow car - if I ever feel I REALLY need the extra speed then I'll upgrade but for now my little baby provides me with more than enough.

[jasandjules]

Agree, a 4.0 is the ideal starter TVR Chimaera, but here the OP has a 4 already, and wants more poke...

I think either 4.5 or 5.0 will be good though, as long as it is a Chimaera, it is a fun car.

[DavHughes]

I don't think there's much between a 5 litre and a 4.5. However, two things you might consider -

a) Re-sale may be better on a 5 litre - as there are less around.
b) It feels good to have a 5 litre - silly I know - but its nice when people ask how big it is

Dav

[mouseymousey]

Sharky500 said:

Consumption? (Mixed Driving)
4.0 = 24mpg = ~260 mile safe range
4.5 = 22mpg = ~242 mile safe range
5.0 = 20mpg = ~220 mile safe range

Based on those figures I must have a 5 litre and not a 4 litre then

[TVRTimH]

my first TVR also, bought the 4.5 to get as much bang for buck etc. Never looked back the car is great in all conditions,traffic included (appart from todays rain - when it breaks traction it reeaallyy lets go)

[puffsorted2]

Just gone from a 4.0 Chimaera to a Griff 500, its not the power difference thats noticable its the torque. The 500 makes you into a lazy driver, no need ever to change out of third! the sheer grunt from 2000 revs is sensational. Once above 4k I can't really notice any difference.

[Ribol]

When I was looking around I drove a good few 400/450s, there was little to choose between them. In fact a good 400(what I ended up buying) is better than an average 450, hence why buying a "good" one is so important.
The 500 is on a higher level performance wise(torque is very impressive) as is fuel consumption on short/town use.
The late cars(mine is "X" Reg) use all the same running gear(500 has different clutch IIRC) regardless of engine size so common sense would suggest a less powerful car is likely to wear things out slower.
Really good cars are not so plentiful now for obvious reasons but if you find one you won't regret it - regardless of engine size.

[dr chuff]

I changed up from a 4 to a 5 litre purely for track work; I was being outdragged by Griffs on the straight.
On the road there's not a lot of difference. I hear a rumour somewhere that 4 litres are louder and sound better than 5s. 5s used to have bigger brakes too, but I think the later chimaeras all have the same brakes.
The torque is noticably more and the 5 litre can be a handful - I've spun big time at Bedford and Snetterton, and lost it 120mph at Goodwood (and survived). I had mine chipped and tuned by Mark Adams.
Going around Bedford I used 3rd and 4th only once going - afterwards a friend took me round in his Impreza 22B, using 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th and driving like a nutter with no fear.

Happy hunting,

Dr C

[mac5]

Have owned all three,

Started with a 5ltr, absolute animal.
the a later 4Ltr far to slow when changing from a 5ltr
now a late 4.5ltr great compromise if you can live with the word compromise.

If you have not owned any other Tiv the 4 is great but you will always be thinking what if i had?

MAC5

[derbygreg]

I found after test driving a few chims that the 4.0 HC i went for felt allot faster than some of the 4,5s.... its just a bit of a pig in town under 2K rpm...

[p400pls]

There is something that no-one has mentioned so far that I always find, and that is the difference between my daily driver and the TVR !

Every time I feel like I have strapped myself to a rocket.

This may of course be because I drive a Berlingo every day and you chaps have far more exotic vehicles for daily use.

[IM]

p400pls said:

This may of course be because I drive a Berlingo every day...