TVR Chimaera Turbo - Build Thread
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Offset cross member made up today to clear the turbo.
My special wooden jig thingy
Getting there
Notched for the turbo and swirl pot plate welded back on. Fits like a glove
Lick of paint
On Tuesday I will get the coolant system plumbed back in and filled, refill with oil and it will be ready for the first start!
My special wooden jig thingy
Getting there
Notched for the turbo and swirl pot plate welded back on. Fits like a glove
Lick of paint
On Tuesday I will get the coolant system plumbed back in and filled, refill with oil and it will be ready for the first start!
I managed to get the new bonnet pins installed before it got dark (just). This should hopefully cure the common Chimaera 'bonnet wobble'. The one on the drivers side is mounted into one of the pedal box captive nuts and I just mirrored the position on the other side.
The battery is now on charge and hopefully Friday I can get it running and start some low boost road mapping prior to the new clutch and final dyno map!
The battery is now on charge and hopefully Friday I can get it running and start some low boost road mapping prior to the new clutch and final dyno map!
Drivers seat refitted without runners to get it a bit lower in the car. Feels much better now and gives some much needed helmet space (ooh err)
Road mapping booked in for Friday (just at wastegate pressure) to get the car drivable so I can spend a couple of weeks sorting out any snagging issues before dyno tuning and upping the boost!
Just had it mapped. Making more boost than expected but Shaun is happy that it is safe. I don't think the clutch will last long though, it is FAST!
Thankfully it all went without issue, no smoke, no leaks, all safe, all good
I will get a video up soon but I cannot get the grin off my face. Shaun estimates 350-400bhp with his butt dyno!
Video of the first drive out
Wimping out early but its cold outside and have already had partial throttle wheelspin in 3rd!
https://youtu.be/MaHS6HgGHa0
Thankfully it all went without issue, no smoke, no leaks, all safe, all good
I will get a video up soon but I cannot get the grin off my face. Shaun estimates 350-400bhp with his butt dyno!
Video of the first drive out
Wimping out early but its cold outside and have already had partial throttle wheelspin in 3rd!
https://youtu.be/MaHS6HgGHa0
Gearbox out today ready for the new clutch. The old one was starting to slip after the first day.
My friend Lew turned up to help at about 3pm (I already had the car on stands, exhaust off and gearbox drained) but we had the box on the floor by 5pm so probably only 3 hours all in.
Unfortunately I died in the process
My friend Lew turned up to help at about 3pm (I already had the car on stands, exhaust off and gearbox drained) but we had the box on the floor by 5pm so probably only 3 hours all in.
Unfortunately I died in the process
Took the clutch and flywheel off today.
I have a McLeod 10.5" clutch ready to go on but it needs the flywheel re-drilling to fit it. I will get a fresh friction plate and release bearing for it as well, and get the flywheel and pressure plate resurfaced at the same time.
I have had the flywheel lightened in the past (21 pounds down from 28 as standard) so would rather nt have to replace it if not needed
Bit bigger than standard:
Tight fit on the flywheel!
I have a McLeod 10.5" clutch ready to go on but it needs the flywheel re-drilling to fit it. I will get a fresh friction plate and release bearing for it as well, and get the flywheel and pressure plate resurfaced at the same time.
I have had the flywheel lightened in the past (21 pounds down from 28 as standard) so would rather nt have to replace it if not needed
Bit bigger than standard:
Tight fit on the flywheel!
Who here likes a before and after picture?
Clutch slave cylinder rebuilt
Propshaft bare metalled and painted
Screamer finishing pieces laser cut and now fitted
I will be shortening the screamer a bit one the gearbox is back in (at the moment the back of the engine is supported on a jack)
Heavy duty clutch arm turned up. I could have welded a bit of plate onto my old one but oh well
I have also bought an action camera with external mic so expect some better videos once she is back on the road
Clutch slave cylinder rebuilt
Propshaft bare metalled and painted
Screamer finishing pieces laser cut and now fitted
I will be shortening the screamer a bit one the gearbox is back in (at the moment the back of the engine is supported on a jack)
Heavy duty clutch arm turned up. I could have welded a bit of plate onto my old one but oh well
I have also bought an action camera with external mic so expect some better videos once she is back on the road
Well at least its all fresh in my mind and I cleaned everything up before putting it back together. I might just bite the bullet and go for a new lighter flywheel and McLeod twin plate as I cant be bothered to be pulling the box a third time and they are rated to 800ft/lbs
Am going to call Real Steel, John Eales and TVR Power this morning for their opinion but I hope they have something on the shelf as I want to get it done before the 17th hopefully (and also to bosh it out whilst I am still enthused!)
Am going to call Real Steel, John Eales and TVR Power this morning for their opinion but I hope they have something on the shelf as I want to get it done before the 17th hopefully (and also to bosh it out whilst I am still enthused!)
So anyways, despite the weather and slipping clutch, I thought I would go out and try to get a better video before it comes off the road again.
The microphone was in the engine bay so the turbo sounds are not as intrusive as it makes out
Unfortunately YouTube has ruined the sound and video quality but you get the idea!
https://youtu.be/mJqZbfyznrw
ETA in the second clip you can see the back end come loose in 4th gear despite me being gentle!
The microphone was in the engine bay so the turbo sounds are not as intrusive as it makes out
Unfortunately YouTube has ruined the sound and video quality but you get the idea!
https://youtu.be/mJqZbfyznrw
ETA in the second clip you can see the back end come loose in 4th gear despite me being gentle!
Long overdue update but progress has been slow due to weather and just starting a new job. I did a lot of reading up, research and chatting to other people in the modified TVR fold and have plumped for the McLeod twin plate. Same pedal pressure as the standard clutch but rated to 800nm and the several people I know who drag their TVR's use them without issue so I am pretty confident it is the right choice over a potentially snatchy paddle.
I have also just ordered a pair of strengthened driveshafts from Dave Mac, made with S155 grade steel, hardened, double tempered and with top quality CV's. These come with a lifetime warranty but are also as expensive as they sound (I will try to forget that part)
Other news is that my rebuilt rear brakes are back from Bigg Red, along with some new discs and pads to match the front. Hopefully the handbrake will finally work after this! Thumbs up for Bigg Red though as the rebuild looks top quality and fantastic value at £89 for the pair!
I have also just ordered a pair of strengthened driveshafts from Dave Mac, made with S155 grade steel, hardened, double tempered and with top quality CV's. These come with a lifetime warranty but are also as expensive as they sound (I will try to forget that part
)Other news is that my rebuilt rear brakes are back from Bigg Red, along with some new discs and pads to match the front. Hopefully the handbrake will finally work after this! Thumbs up for Bigg Red though as the rebuild looks top quality and fantastic value at £89 for the pair!
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