Problems and upgrades questions

[Donkercam]

Hi everybody,

My chim 500 jerks under 2000 rpm, I think replace the angled spark plug shroud for ceramic wires like that :
https://racetechdirect.co.uk/car-parts/electrical/...
But it's not avalaible, I find alternatives like accel 9002 but in black and I want blue wire, Taylor set 85653 is it ok for chimaera ?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Taylor-Spark-Plug-Wire-Se...
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tay-85653
Alternative idea for ceramic spark plug with blue wires please ?

I also think about put new eprom chip but I don't found 500 firmware here :
http://www.remap-14cux.uk/bins/
What firmware choice for chimaera 500 1999 ? It is the same for 450 ?

Last question, my car hasn't running during long time (6 months), I thing I have Hydraulic Valve Lifter noise, is it necessary to replace all the hydraulic Valves Lifter ? Or the valves will initiate with the oil during a long run ? My car have only 35 000 miles on clock.

Thanks from France
Cam

[Colin RedGriff]

What have you done to prepare the car for restarting after the lay up?

I would suggest at a minimum
new plugs
oil
oil filter
coolant + check coolant system for condition of hoses
some fresh fuel - as the old fuel will have deteriorated

The lifters should pressurise within a few seconds but if it has been standing for a long time they may have become seized or blocked, what was the oil like when it was laid up?

I've got the accel leads on my car and have been very happy with them, but if you want blue then I don't know the other leads.

As for the ECU I would post a question on the thread that SteveSprint started or pm him directly through PH.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Belle427]

Taylor ht leads are very high quality but there have been reports of the ceramic ended type on here sticking in the plugs resulting in breakages.
Not great when you can't buy them individually.

[Donkercam]

Thanks guys,

What do you think about Mollary ceramic spark plug wire :
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Mallory-947C-Mallory-PSW-C...

[Steve_D]

Donkercam said:

Thanks guys,

What do you think about Mollary ceramic spark plug wire :
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Mallory-947C-Mallory-PSW-C...

Further down in the description they would seem to be MSD leads. If so then MSD make IMO pretty much the best leads out there.

Steve

ETA just noticed the seller is msdperformance

[Belle427]

Steve_D said:

Donkercam said:

Thanks guys,

What do you think about Mollary ceramic spark plug wire :
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Mallory-947C-Mallory-PSW-C...

Further down in the description they would seem to be MSD leads. If so then MSD make IMO pretty much the best leads out there.

Steve

ETA just noticed the seller is msdperformance

I’d agree they are they are very high quality.
Don’t know if it’s possible to apply some sort of lubricant to the caps before install to stop them sticking?

[ChimpOnGas]

Steve_D said:

Donkercam said:

Thanks guys,

What do you think about Mollary ceramic spark plug wire :
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Mallory-947C-Mallory-PSW-C...

Further down in the description they would seem to be MSD leads. If so then MSD make IMO pretty much the best leads out there.

Steve

ETA just noticed the seller is msdperformance

I ran MSD leads for years, and yes they are superb, but they are expensive.

Due to cost I switched to Mr Retro's top of the line 8.5mm leads which I make up myself, these have proved the equal of MSD Super Conductors but used with Mr Retros 135 degree angled plug boots are even better for the Chimaera as they clear the manifolds perfectly.

https://mrretroleads.co.uk/product/red-8-5mm-extre...

Use with proper bassalt heat protecting socks fitted at the plug boot end covering his 135 degree boots and they'll last better than anything else. You can buy a proper set of HT lead crimping pliers from Ali Express which work perfectly, and Mr Retro sells quality plug connectors, coil ends, and those all important 135 degree plug boots.

https://mrretroleads.co.uk/product/8-ignition-spar...

Buying HT lead on the reel is cheaper and making them up yourself gives you flexibility to build anything from a full custom length set of 8, to a single replacement lead. However, if making your own leads does not appeal, fear not as Mr Retro will build you a set for about half what you'll pay for a set of MSD Super Conductors, and as MSD do not make a set for the Chimaera you'll probably need to adapt them slightly anyway.

https://mrretroleads.co.uk/product/red-8-5mm-perfo...

I've pretty much tested all the options from cost effective Bosch leads sold for Range Rovers at the low end of the price point to expensive MSD Super conductors at the other, what I've found it Mr Retro's 8.5mm TVR Chimaera HT lead set are the best balance between quality, price, and service life.

Be sure to ditch the dreadful failure prone and misfire promoting plug extenders used by TVR and cover Mr Retro's 135 degree plug boots with 8 basalt socks, these are cheap from this seller at £22.32 a set.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TriX-6-Titanium-Basalt-...

With Mr Retro's pre-made 8.5mm Chimaera lead set costing £66.66 the whole sock and lead package comes in at £88.98. That's still a lot of money for a set of HT leads but it's still way cheaper than what the TVR parts people charge for the ceramic plug end leads, and apparently they can get stick in the plugs.The Mr Retro & basalt sock setup will last, so if reliability and fewer misfires are important and you don't want to get robbed, Mr Retro leads wins out all day long.

Saying all that if money is tight and you just want to throw a set of cost effective leads on the car, then for only £20.85 you can buy a set of Bosch leads for a Range Rover classic which will fit just fine, I would still add pay the extra £22.32 for 8 basalt socks though as they are a great additional layer of protection for the money.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-Range-Rover-...

[Donkercam]

Thanks you for your advices.

Cam

[Steve_D]

Have to say again I hate those ceramic caps.
They jam on the plug so how do you get them off. You are doing this on a customers car and if you break one you would have to source a complete set as they don't sell them separately.

Steve

[spitfire4v8]

Steve_D said:

Have to say again I hate those ceramic caps.
They jam on the plug so how do you get them off. You are doing this on a customers car and if you break one you would have to source a complete set as they don't sell them separately.

Steve

I agree they are awful things, create more problems than they solve. Not helped by some early sets not being crimped correctly and pulling apart very easily. My advice is avoid them.

[debaron]

Donkercam said:

Hi everybody,

My chim 500 jerks under 2000 rpm, I think replace the angled spark plug shroud for ceramic wires like that :
Cam

I bought these from Summit and made up my own leads (I have coil packs)

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pnx-8503ht-8?rr...

Absolutely brilliant - throw the horrid plug extenders in the sea and never look back. No issues with getting stuck on the plug and no more misfires.

If you do this you will need a decent plug crimping tool - I ordered mine from China. It's surprisingly good....