1997 TVR Chimaera 450

[B'stard Child]

Adam205 said:

Thanks for the multitude of compliments! I have a degree in automotive engineering and design race cars for a living so that probably explains my relative confidence with what I'm doing engineering wise. In reality I'm a practical person that learns from messing with stuff and getting it wrong, Mr B'child will vouch that not all of my projects over the years have been this plain sailing!

Adam - I think you are doing yourself a huge disservice there

I think you were 13 or maybe 14? when you joined a Forum to share your progress in building a locost with a motorcycle engine with the intention of doing hill climbs and sprints with it





I remember you brought on a trailer to a show with your Dad because it wasn't finished and you weren't old enough to drive it even if it was



These are not the actions or activities of your average 13/14 yr old

Edited by B'stard Child on Saturday 3rd July 10:40

[Adam205]

TVR Tommy said:

Where did you get the powder coating and zinc plating done?

Powder coating was done by my mate Jamie at Powder Monkeez in Swansea, he did a great job despite the liberal coating of shutz, corrosion and grease on everything. They really aren't the easiest things to coat even when clean!

The plating was done by Avon Electroplating Services who sorted all the blasting and cleaning as well. They struggled with the cast bits as they trap corrosion and grease in the pores, the uprights had a few patches (hence the coat of satin black over the top) but other than that it was all mint! It should certainly keep the corrosion at bay for a good few years.

[Adam205]

B'stard Child said:

Adam - I think you are doing yourself a huge disservice there

I think you were 13 or maybe 14? when you joined a Forum to share your progress in building a locost with a motorcycle engine with the intention of doing hill climbs and sprints with it





I remember you brought on a trailer to a show with your Dad because it wasn't finished and you weren't old enough to drive it even if it was



These are not the actions or activities of your average 13/14 yr old

Edited by B'stard Child on Saturday 3rd July 10:40

Thanks for digging those pictures out! :P

I certainly learned a lot from that one! It was mainly reading build threads and people kind enough to take the time to share their experience with me on various forums that taught me so much and kept me motivated, hence I feel somewhat obliged to share my projects on here. I really ought to do a write up of the Westfield development at some point!

[B'stard Child]

Adam205 said:

Thanks for digging those pictures out! :P

Sorry but some on here might appreciate the back history - it does rather put your current activities on the TVR into some perspective regardless of your current career activities.

Adam205 said:

I certainly learned a lot from that one! It was mainly reading build threads and people kind enough to take the time to share their experience with me on various forums that taught me so much and kept me motivated, hence I feel somewhat obliged to share my projects on here. I really ought to do a write up of the Westfield development at some point!

I’d really enjoy that if you did share it

Have you seen that there is a competitive event on the Sat of RRG?

[Adam205]

I hadn't seen that, but I am competing at Shelsley for the first time in a few years the weekend before!

[Adam205]

Got the alignment done and took it for a drive this evening. First impression... Wow those brakes are spectacular! Great power with an unbelievably stiff pedal. Completely linear until the point of locking, modulating at the limit is now possible. Surely there can't be a better setup that fits under 15" wheels.

The new Bilsteins offer great low speed control with seemingly no effect on the ride. Body movement on turn in now feels properly controller, rather than having to wait for everything to settle. Definitely worth the money.

The only problem appears to be that the diff bolts have come loose... Hopefully an easy one to sort!

[Adam205]

It turns out the diff bolts hadn't come loose, a bolt check this evening came up negative. I think that the new diff bushes are just transmitting more driveline clonks than the old soggy ones, and a decent length test drive this evening confirmed suspicions that it gets a bit louder with temperature.

[QBee]

Mine had the diff bushes changed and the CV joints changed about 4 years ago. But it still clonks on dropping the clutch. I have concluded it’s probably the diff itself. BTR in my car, one day I will stump up the several hundred quid to have it rebuilt at Grantura Engineering.

[Adam205]

It's been a busy month for the TVR, I have just returned from a week long, 2000mile trip on the amazing roads of Spain and Portugal.

The empty, smooth, winding mountain roads gave an opportunity to explore the handling on the new dampers and test the brake setup, which impressed immensely! Not a hint of brake fade or long pedal, even keeping pace with a couple of well driven Yaris GRs and a BBR Turbo MX5.

I took a comprehensive tool and spares kit with me, the only maintenance required was a few litres of oil (unsurprising given the use and temperatures!).

A few snaps from the trip....

[Adam205]

[Adam205]

Forgot to add, spotted the infamous 212k+mile Sagaris coming off the boat as we were waiting to board!