1997 TVR Chimaera 450
Discussion
Got the 8" woofers in the back, added a good depth to the sound and surprisingly good bass!
Also found some 165mm grilles meant for 5.25" speakers but fit well over the 165mm door speakers. Cut the flange back and attached with double sided tape:
Should have the tweeter mounts by the end of the week, then it's back onto brakes.
Also found some 165mm grilles meant for 5.25" speakers but fit well over the 165mm door speakers. Cut the flange back and attached with double sided tape:
Should have the tweeter mounts by the end of the week, then it's back onto brakes.
Adam205 said:
......
I'll check them for cracks and get the flanges skimmed before reassembly. Luckily no damage has been done to the cylinder heads so I've cleaned them up nicely.
Another ex-chimaera owner who always felt they were really under appreciated, they’re such a brilliant all rounder.I'll check them for cracks and get the flanges skimmed before reassembly. Luckily no damage has been done to the cylinder heads so I've cleaned them up nicely.
One tip I was told with the manifolds was to lay them on their back like in the photo and fill them up with water, you’ll then easily see if they’re cracked around the collector welds.
The Surveyor said:
Another ex-chimaera owner who always felt they were really under appreciated, they’re such a brilliant all rounder.
One tip I was told with the manifolds was to lay them on their back like in the photo and fill them up with water, you’ll then easily see if they’re cracked around the collector welds.
Top trick! I used soapy water and compressed air which was probably more difficult.One tip I was told with the manifolds was to lay them on their back like in the photo and fill them up with water, you’ll then easily see if they’re cracked around the collector welds.
Tweeter mounts arrived today, fit perfectly and the sound is now brilliant to considering the low cost and effort. It's at least on a par with the HK in my V60, only let down slightly by the limited equalizer in the head unit and a small amount of sub bass. Definitely enough for a car like this though.
If anyone wants to do the same install I've got another pair of tweeter mounts going spare.
If anyone wants to do the same install I've got another pair of tweeter mounts going spare.
B'stard Child said:
I'm amazed at how good (and OE) that looks - I'd love to say "oooh yes please" in preparation for my Chim ownership but I'm sure someone else would make much better use of them 
I hope that's german OE and not TVR OE!They're a better fit on the door than the original ash trays, which required an 'OE' piece of rubber bonded to the top to stop them falling out....
Love the sound system install, definitely going to borrow a few of those ideas. Where did you mount the amp? Does it provide enough power for all those speakers? Was the wiring harness standard from Vibe?
Also does the top block the rear woofers when it's down? I'm wondering if there's enough room for those in the cubbies behind the seats, since the AP8s are slim woofers, not full-on subs.
I'm definitely going to hit you up for the CAD of those tweeter pods whenever I get around to doing this
Also does the top block the rear woofers when it's down? I'm wondering if there's enough room for those in the cubbies behind the seats, since the AP8s are slim woofers, not full-on subs.
I'm definitely going to hit you up for the CAD of those tweeter pods whenever I get around to doing this
andrewbr said:
Love the sound system install, definitely going to borrow a few of those ideas. Where did you mount the amp? Does it provide enough power for all those speakers? Was the wiring harness standard from Vibe?
Also does the top block the rear woofers when it's down? I'm wondering if there's enough room for those in the cubbies behind the seats, since the AP8s are slim woofers, not full-on subs.
I'm definitely going to hit you up for the CAD of those tweeter pods whenever I get around to doing this
The amp is tucked behind the head unit (the Sony A60BT might not be full din length though) and comes with an ISO intermediate loom so there is no splicing required. The Prima speakers are quite high sensitivity so don't need too much power, from what I've read they are a great balance of sound quality vs power consumption. They certainly seem to be well matched to the amp from what I've experienced so far. There's no doubt that they could take more power, but unless you sit at 100mph with the roof down it doesn't seem necessary!Also does the top block the rear woofers when it's down? I'm wondering if there's enough room for those in the cubbies behind the seats, since the AP8s are slim woofers, not full-on subs.
I'm definitely going to hit you up for the CAD of those tweeter pods whenever I get around to doing this
I've mounted the AP8s as low as possible and the hood doesn't cover them. I'd recommend that position rather than behind the seats as they still add some surround depth. Although they add to the low frequencies they are a lot more versatile than a sub woofer.
The whole approach is taken from the 2007 Volvo S60 I had with a Dynaudio system. It had 8" woofers, 6" mids and 1" tweeters running off a fairly basic amp and I've yet to find a better balanced system than that. Even my current 2019 V60 with HK system doesn't match it.
Although the vented golf calipers fit well, the vented disc and pad stack is significantly narrower than the sierra setup. As the travel on the sliders is less on the sierra carrier than on the golf, you end up with less slider engagement than would be ideal. Don't get me wrong, it would work and could be improved with a couple of spacers between caliper and slider, but it got me wondering whether the solid caliper would work. The stack for the sierra vented setup is 47mm where the golf solid is 46mm, so there's was a good chance!
I bought a pair of new calipers for £35 (yes, you read correct!) to try. They need a small amount of non structural material removing to clear the pad tab, but other than that fit perfectly!
I've measured up and ordered all the fittings to make my brake lines, luckily had just the right amount of hose left over from the Westfield.
I bought a pair of new calipers for £35 (yes, you read correct!) to try. They need a small amount of non structural material removing to clear the pad tab, but other than that fit perfectly!
I've measured up and ordered all the fittings to make my brake lines, luckily had just the right amount of hose left over from the Westfield.
Edited by Adam205 on Monday 5th April 20:25
Adam205 said:
The amp is tucked behind the head unit (the Sony A60BT might not be full din length though) and comes with an ISO intermediate loom so there is no splicing required. The Prima speakers are quite high sensitivity so don't need too much power, from what I've read they are a great balance of sound quality vs power consumption. They certainly seem to be well matched to the amp from what I've experienced so far. There's no doubt that they could take more power, but unless you sit at 100mph with the roof down it doesn't seem necessary!
I've mounted the AP8s as low as possible and the hood doesn't cover them. I'd recommend that position rather than behind the seats as they still add some surround depth. Although they add to the low frequencies they are a lot more versatile than a sub woofer.
The whole approach is taken from the 2007 Volvo S60 I had with a Dynaudio system. It had 8" woofers, 6" mids and 1" tweeters running off a fairly basic amp and I've yet to find a better balanced system than that. Even my current 2019 V60 with HK system doesn't match it.
Thanks for the info! I've mounted the AP8s as low as possible and the hood doesn't cover them. I'd recommend that position rather than behind the seats as they still add some surround depth. Although they add to the low frequencies they are a lot more versatile than a sub woofer.
The whole approach is taken from the 2007 Volvo S60 I had with a Dynaudio system. It had 8" woofers, 6" mids and 1" tweeters running off a fairly basic amp and I've yet to find a better balanced system than that. Even my current 2019 V60 with HK system doesn't match it.
Trial fitted calipers, unfortunately not THE calipers (they went back due to the anodizing not matching) but non vented versions destined for the Westfield. Fine for checking wheel clearance and making brake lines though.
I think we can safely say that's as big as you can go...
Brake lines made up, stainless fittings and plastic coated braided lines. Not cheap but will live forever.
Got a few other things to sort before these get fitted finally, but they're about ready to bolt on.
I think we can safely say that's as big as you can go...
Brake lines made up, stainless fittings and plastic coated braided lines. Not cheap but will live forever.
Got a few other things to sort before these get fitted finally, but they're about ready to bolt on.
Correct calipers turned up, got them trialled with the discs. There was a little more space to the bridge than necessary so I took a mm off the spacers to gain a bit of clearance to the wheel. Overall I'm pretty happy with the installation!
Just need a clear day to do the switch, but I've got a few plans for the suspension so I might wait and get it all done together.
Just need a clear day to do the switch, but I've got a few plans for the suspension so I might wait and get it all done together.
Lovely thing.
I looked at Chims about a decade ago but in the hope to DD. I just felt I didnt have the time / ability / workshop to keep it tip top, in the way you are.
O/T
I am all ears for a good ICE head unit for my MX5. I have been looking for something Apple compatible, but single DIN...
I looked at Chims about a decade ago but in the hope to DD. I just felt I didnt have the time / ability / workshop to keep it tip top, in the way you are.
O/T
I am all ears for a good ICE head unit for my MX5. I have been looking for something Apple compatible, but single DIN...
mmcd87 said:
Great thread / car / detail. Just a note for anyone considering similar setup - Sony actually do a few single DIN headunits with 4x100w amp built in. Would make the ICE install even cleaner (no separate amp).
I considered the sony GS80, but decided that the independent amp gives more flexibility for upgrades in the future and was about half the price. I've read good things about them though!Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff