TVR Chimaera Turbo - Build Thread
Discussion
Update from last week - Oil leaks and wheels
Since the car has been back on the road it had developed a few leaks, possibly from dried out gaskets but i suspect maybe its due to the breather system.
My oil catch tank was venting to atmosphere as can be seen in previous pictures. Normally on Chimaeras there is also an atmospheric breather on the left side rocker cover but mine doesn't have one. Its something i am looking into.
Anyways to help the breathing system i decided to reconnect it to the air intake to create positive vacuum as it would have been originally, rather than just venting to air. I started by cleaning out the flame trap (cylinder on top of the rocker cover that is full of wire wool to filter oil vapour from the crankcase air), and having a better look at the oil catch tank. This also has a little filter box built in, which I added some more stainless wire wool too as a second stage oil seperator. Obviously the less oil being sucked into the turbo inlet the better!
Catch tank internals
All done
I then plumbed the catch tank outlet into the end of the air filter as thats the only source of vacuum i have
All seems well so far but only time will tell if it has helped the leaks. I have a road mapping session booked in tomorrow and I also picked up some spare 16" rear wheels ready for drag radials to be fitted. Suggestions for wheel colour below please
Since the car has been back on the road it had developed a few leaks, possibly from dried out gaskets but i suspect maybe its due to the breather system.
My oil catch tank was venting to atmosphere as can be seen in previous pictures. Normally on Chimaeras there is also an atmospheric breather on the left side rocker cover but mine doesn't have one. Its something i am looking into.
Anyways to help the breathing system i decided to reconnect it to the air intake to create positive vacuum as it would have been originally, rather than just venting to air. I started by cleaning out the flame trap (cylinder on top of the rocker cover that is full of wire wool to filter oil vapour from the crankcase air), and having a better look at the oil catch tank. This also has a little filter box built in, which I added some more stainless wire wool too as a second stage oil seperator. Obviously the less oil being sucked into the turbo inlet the better!
Catch tank internals
All done
I then plumbed the catch tank outlet into the end of the air filter as thats the only source of vacuum i have
All seems well so far but only time will tell if it has helped the leaks. I have a road mapping session booked in tomorrow and I also picked up some spare 16" rear wheels ready for drag radials to be fitted. Suggestions for wheel colour below please
Dyno results are in!
417bhp and 450ftlb at 12psi
Very happy with that and the car has been running perfectly since being back on the road. Awaiting payday for some drag radials and some more RWYB days. Hopefully will get into the 11's this year
3.08 diff internals are currently on their way from Australia as well.
https://youtu.be/0gK1a7R8c30
417bhp and 450ftlb at 12psi
Very happy with that and the car has been running perfectly since being back on the road. Awaiting payday for some drag radials and some more RWYB days. Hopefully will get into the 11's this year
3.08 diff internals are currently on their way from Australia as well.
https://youtu.be/0gK1a7R8c30
Can I ask if you are running a CAT. If so what have you used?
It is getting that much harder to keep these road legal with current ministry requirements at the local test station.
Great thread, and hats of to you for doing it yourself..... I wimped out and got Eann to do mine 6 years ago.
It is getting that much harder to keep these road legal with current ministry requirements at the local test station.
Great thread, and hats of to you for doing it yourself..... I wimped out and got Eann to do mine 6 years ago.
Thread resurrected
To answer some questions, currently no cat but it's something on my future list as I agree Mot's are getting a little harder.
The diff has been finally returned with its taller gearing and is so much better, I really wish I had done it years ago. 70mph cruise is now 2400rpm instead of 3100rpm that it was before, and the taller gearing has mellowed the power delivery somewhat, so now I feel like it can handle a little more
Next Saturday I am planning on Santa Pod RWYB so hopefully the weather will hold out
To answer some questions, currently no cat but it's something on my future list as I agree Mot's are getting a little harder.
The diff has been finally returned with its taller gearing and is so much better, I really wish I had done it years ago. 70mph cruise is now 2400rpm instead of 3100rpm that it was before, and the taller gearing has mellowed the power delivery somewhat, so now I feel like it can handle a little more
Next Saturday I am planning on Santa Pod RWYB so hopefully the weather will hold out
I have been away with work over winter and only got back last month, so with this lockdown I have been cracking on with some odd jobs on the TVR.
First up was finally shortening the bonnet schnozzle
Then gave her a quick wash
I have also fitted some Nitron Racing Red shocks to replace the GAZ Gold Pros that were on there originally. Should be a more premium shock and they do seem a little less harsh, but ive not had much chance to drive it yet.
This weekends job is replacing the front wishbones with new tubular versions. The old ones were getting a bit crusty and needed new bushes anyways. These ones are 2kg lighter in total, stronger and have no built in rust traps like the originals.
Before
After
New vs Old
The car will soon be going off to Mat Smith sports cars to get the diff rebuilding again (properly this time) as after the saga last year with the original company it has a slight whine which i'm not happy with, but it was such a pig to remove I am going to pay somebody this time It will be getting a full alignment at the same time too.
I also think there is a slight leak from the brake master cylinder so that will be next up on the list.
I was due to go to Santa Pod this weekend but was obviously cancelled due to the lockdown. I do hope we get this cleared up fairly soonish.
First up was finally shortening the bonnet schnozzle
Then gave her a quick wash
I have also fitted some Nitron Racing Red shocks to replace the GAZ Gold Pros that were on there originally. Should be a more premium shock and they do seem a little less harsh, but ive not had much chance to drive it yet.
This weekends job is replacing the front wishbones with new tubular versions. The old ones were getting a bit crusty and needed new bushes anyways. These ones are 2kg lighter in total, stronger and have no built in rust traps like the originals.
Before
After
New vs Old
The car will soon be going off to Mat Smith sports cars to get the diff rebuilding again (properly this time) as after the saga last year with the original company it has a slight whine which i'm not happy with, but it was such a pig to remove I am going to pay somebody this time
It will be getting a full alignment at the same time too.I also think there is a slight leak from the brake master cylinder so that will be next up on the list.
I was due to go to Santa Pod this weekend but was obviously cancelled due to the lockdown. I do hope we get this cleared up fairly soonish.
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