Chim engine sizes and power

[l33]

Sorry to gatecrash this forum from the dark side (Wedge forum)

I am contemplating selling the wedge and buying a chimp for a second car

I see there are a few options on engine sizes - 4.0, 4.3, 4.5 & 5.0???

What is "the" one to go for and is the difference in power great - i.e. if I got a 4.0, would I be kicking myself I did not go for the 5.0?

Cheers in advance,
L33.

[pies]

Id be fairly confident the 4.0 will have less power at the wheels than your wedge due to it having cats.

4.3's are rarer so finding one in good condition will be harder.

Therefore id be looking at 4.5 and 5.0

AIMHO

Edited by pies on Friday 22 September 00:07

[TVRobin]

I have a 95 4.0 and I have always driven fast in any other car I have had. In this car I don't always put my foot all the way down. I think that if you want to race all the time then get the 5.0 L but I am sure you will have fun in a 4.0 L unless you are coming out of a SEAC!
Regards,
Robin.

p.s. My girlfriend is very choosey about cars (and everything) and loves the look of the Chim!

[chassis 33]

Hi Lee, someone summed it up quite well a while back, the difference in power between a 4l and a 4.5 won't be hugely noticeably. Likewise a 4.5 to a 5l won't be hugely noticeable, but a 4l to a 5l will be worlds apart.

Alot of it depends on how good the engine is, a 4l can be anywhere from about 195hp (at the fly) upwards to around 225hp, 250hp is achievable without too much hassle from a 4l. From what I'm told a 4.5 will put out from about 240hp-260hp in standard spec. Compare that to a Quinny's Griff 500 that is a good fresh engine and puts out around 295hp, the 5l engines in Marc and Graham's race cars are capable of around 370hp with all the bells and whistles blowing.

At the end of the day, in the real world a 4l will be quicker than most things and put a smile on your face, a 5l will be quicker and put a bigger smile on your face. However, as always, a good 4l car will always be a better choice than a dog of a 5l!

Drive a few, see what you like, go and enjoy.
Regards
Iain

[smb]

As an everyday 2nd car, I'd pick a 4 litre, more around so you can shop on condition, 5 ltrs will tend to have been owned by people who wanted the speed. the 4 litre lacks nothing as an everyday car, and has less changes by tvr so were less stressed mechanically

[chugger]

I drove numerous 4, 4.5 and 5ltrs before finding mine (500), really what matters the most (i found) is the quality of the car itself, not what it has in terms of power under the bonnet, they're all very rapid and just the sound of the engine was enough to put a smile on my face (still is!)

[l33]

Cheers guys.
I shall be putting the wedge up for sale in the near future.

If anyone has a good chimp for £8k or under, I'd be interested. I don't mind getting my hands dirty and it doesn't have to be a minter - just a good one.


L33.

[Wicker Man]

Happy hunting,
but please, there is no 'P' in Chimaera!
(unless you're a medallioned Griffith owner taking the pee)

[RTZ62]

I think a lot of people talk a lot of bo*&%@ks about the size of their engine, which is in direct diproportion to the size of their !

I have had plenty of fast cars in the past, some a good deal faster than my 4.0l Chim, but none as enjoyable.

As above, mine is a 4.0l, yes I would have liked the 4.3 or 5.0 for the bragging rights, but on an everyday basis,(and yes, I do use it EVERY day) its every bit as good.

I would only consider a 5.0 if it was the right colour for me (metallic grey) and have the same 'spider' alloys and TVR uprated brake kit as mine. Guess that'll be rare then....

Anyway, don't suppose any of the people who say they can do 160mph plus have ever heard of Richard Hammond....