My 4ltr s/c Chimaera
Discussion
Thought I’d share my TVR story so far..so here goes and apologies in advance if it’s a waffle!
I’ve been hankering after a V8 for a while, however a house purchase and life kept getting in the way..as it does for so many of us.
Yearning for some American muscle but without the space or funds..my head was turned by you lot on here!!
I have to admit that I know very little compared to most people regarding cars..let alone TVRs..so I’ve read all the threads, making notes of must haves..check this..don’t do this or that etc etc.
One of the first things that really stood out was that it was a benefit to be able to spanner and have a garage. Well I can’t and I don’t but that wasn’t go to deter me.
Undeterred..I found a garage about 20mins..TVR101..read the reviews and seemed well respected and a bonus was that they do storage, so the winter months were sorted at least.
Next big thing that jumped out was..don’t buy the 1st one you look at..drive a few to make sure that you like them..so with my budget of £14-£15k set I started looking in earnest.
With my budget it was even more important to follow the advice..but that went out of the window as well..I saw a lovely looking orange Chim advertised on FB one Monday evening (about 3days after I started looking)..made contact on the Tuesday..spoke at length with the owner on Wednesday..put a deposit down on Thursday..travelled 230 miles by train early on the Saturday..the owner picked me up at 9.30am at the station and by 10.30am I owned a TVR!!
It was faultless driving home..although I was a little anxious as all the words of advice suddenly started flooding through my brain..hot start issue/overheating/generally breaking down for no apparent reason.
Anyway, I arrived home safely after being stuck in motorway traffic (remembered it had an override switch for the fan)..obviously had to stop for petrol..panicking if the fuel gauge was accurate..heart in mouth as worried it wouldn’t start..but nothing!!
This is what I fell for:
To be continued….
I’ve been hankering after a V8 for a while, however a house purchase and life kept getting in the way..as it does for so many of us.
Yearning for some American muscle but without the space or funds..my head was turned by you lot on here!!
I have to admit that I know very little compared to most people regarding cars..let alone TVRs..so I’ve read all the threads, making notes of must haves..check this..don’t do this or that etc etc.
One of the first things that really stood out was that it was a benefit to be able to spanner and have a garage. Well I can’t and I don’t but that wasn’t go to deter me.
Undeterred..I found a garage about 20mins..TVR101..read the reviews and seemed well respected and a bonus was that they do storage, so the winter months were sorted at least.
Next big thing that jumped out was..don’t buy the 1st one you look at..drive a few to make sure that you like them..so with my budget of £14-£15k set I started looking in earnest.
With my budget it was even more important to follow the advice..but that went out of the window as well..I saw a lovely looking orange Chim advertised on FB one Monday evening (about 3days after I started looking)..made contact on the Tuesday..spoke at length with the owner on Wednesday..put a deposit down on Thursday..travelled 230 miles by train early on the Saturday..the owner picked me up at 9.30am at the station and by 10.30am I owned a TVR!!
It was faultless driving home..although I was a little anxious as all the words of advice suddenly started flooding through my brain..hot start issue/overheating/generally breaking down for no apparent reason.
Anyway, I arrived home safely after being stuck in motorway traffic (remembered it had an override switch for the fan)..obviously had to stop for petrol..panicking if the fuel gauge was accurate..heart in mouth as worried it wouldn’t start..but nothing!!
This is what I fell for:
To be continued….
Looks glorious!
With a hard top- which is not original, but potentially handy!
Welcome to the crew, lots of expertise, enthusiasm and advice on here mate 😎
Ask questions, but ask google too (which will largely bring up pistonheads threads). Also join the Facebook groups. It’s a brilliant community.
With a hard top- which is not original, but potentially handy!
Welcome to the crew, lots of expertise, enthusiasm and advice on here mate 😎
Ask questions, but ask google too (which will largely bring up pistonheads threads). Also join the Facebook groups. It’s a brilliant community.
Just wait until you see his chassis. 
I’ve always advocated using a good specialist especially when your new to Tvr.
They are a mind of information and usually offer the best advice on many aspects of the car until you get more used to them.
If your not hands on at all his is a vital link and these few respected dealers have kept Tvr cars going for us less mechanically minded for many a year.
Luckily because Tvr also attract the tinkerers and after slowly getting familiarised many owners then take on less daunting problems and you’ll usually find there’s not an issue some owner hasn’t faced at some point which is then documented or advised on by other owners with direct knowledge.
There’s probably never been more talk about how to fix a car than there is for Tvr cars
Wasn’t Pistonheads created to first help TVR owners keep in touch and share knowledge of an otherwise hardly understood hand built car. It then grew into what it became.
Is this correct or just myth?
I remember the chap who created PH often talked to Tvr people as if very close friends.
I realised after a few years that normal mechanics had zero knowledge of these cars.
This place became vital for me to understand the car or at least guide a mechanic as to what parts and from what car they were dealing with but in the end i felt safer using specialists and or indeed doing it myself.
I am vaguely mechanical though lol.
Im very much looking forward to seeing more pictures of this car.
It’s very individual and looks like it has some very tasteful usable mods.
I see Brembo brakes
Is this a new addition or came on the car?
It’ll be interesting to see what your specialist thinks of them.
This thread is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise often gloomy place as there is much negativity around.
This car is what Tvr are all about.
Personal choice and vision.
I love the colour and anything attached to McLaren even if it is only the paint is a bonus in my book.
Brave fantastic move.
I’ve always advocated using a good specialist especially when your new to Tvr.
They are a mind of information and usually offer the best advice on many aspects of the car until you get more used to them.
If your not hands on at all his is a vital link and these few respected dealers have kept Tvr cars going for us less mechanically minded for many a year.
Luckily because Tvr also attract the tinkerers and after slowly getting familiarised many owners then take on less daunting problems and you’ll usually find there’s not an issue some owner hasn’t faced at some point which is then documented or advised on by other owners with direct knowledge.
There’s probably never been more talk about how to fix a car than there is for Tvr cars
Wasn’t Pistonheads created to first help TVR owners keep in touch and share knowledge of an otherwise hardly understood hand built car. It then grew into what it became.
Is this correct or just myth?
I remember the chap who created PH often talked to Tvr people as if very close friends.
I realised after a few years that normal mechanics had zero knowledge of these cars.
This place became vital for me to understand the car or at least guide a mechanic as to what parts and from what car they were dealing with but in the end i felt safer using specialists and or indeed doing it myself.
I am vaguely mechanical though lol.
Im very much looking forward to seeing more pictures of this car.
It’s very individual and looks like it has some very tasteful usable mods.
I see Brembo brakes
Is this a new addition or came on the car?
It’ll be interesting to see what your specialist thinks of them.
This thread is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise often gloomy place as there is much negativity around.
This car is what Tvr are all about.
Personal choice and vision.
I love the colour and anything attached to McLaren even if it is only the paint is a bonus in my book.
Brave fantastic move.
At the time I thought the inside was nice enough:
The paint was in very good order due to the very low mileage since the respray..I knew the chassis was original so would require new outriggers but would be good for a year or two at least.
I booked it in to the garage for storage over the winter as well as an inspection on the ramp..there were a few things that needed sorting but nothing too much.
Whilst chatting with the proprietor he gave me a tour of the premises..a mighty impressive set up and some glorious TVRs.
It got me thinking..my interior wasn’t that nice after all..so armed with a selection of sample books I left for home and 3 days later I came up with a completely new interior design..I began with blacks and greys, influenced from my Audi days but then thought..this is a TVR, it’s not an Audi so colour is the order of the day!
My design:
Of course, this would need new seats..I found a company through PH called Intratrim, they seemed well regarded and very reasonably priced..so getting into design mode again..I came up with this:
In addition I chose orange seat belt webbing plus a wooden Nardi steering wheel!
To be continued…..
The paint was in very good order due to the very low mileage since the respray..I knew the chassis was original so would require new outriggers but would be good for a year or two at least.
I booked it in to the garage for storage over the winter as well as an inspection on the ramp..there were a few things that needed sorting but nothing too much.
Whilst chatting with the proprietor he gave me a tour of the premises..a mighty impressive set up and some glorious TVRs.
It got me thinking..my interior wasn’t that nice after all..so armed with a selection of sample books I left for home and 3 days later I came up with a completely new interior design..I began with blacks and greys, influenced from my Audi days but then thought..this is a TVR, it’s not an Audi so colour is the order of the day!
My design:
Of course, this would need new seats..I found a company through PH called Intratrim, they seemed well regarded and very reasonably priced..so getting into design mode again..I came up with this:
In addition I chose orange seat belt webbing plus a wooden Nardi steering wheel!
To be continued…..
Thank you Pablo and Belle!
Thank you also to Classic Chim for his enthusiasm and support!
I won’t be able to answer anything too technical but the Brembo were already on the car, along with the Rotrex supercharger.
The ECU is standard but has a tornado chip..again installed when I purchased it.
Long term plan is an Emerald but the finances are dictating that for now.
Thank you also to Classic Chim for his enthusiasm and support!
I won’t be able to answer anything too technical but the Brembo were already on the car, along with the Rotrex supercharger.
The ECU is standard but has a tornado chip..again installed when I purchased it.
Long term plan is an Emerald but the finances are dictating that for now.
So with the seats ordered and the interior agreed..it was sit and wait time..time to consider the engine bay
Lots to improve upon there!!
My attention also turned to the wheels…although they were SP12s I didn’t like the black..so I started to go down the new wheel rabbit hole..I read nearly every thread on here regarding off sets and sizes..using the will they fit site coupled with the collective PH knowledge I decided to stay to the SP12 sizes and offset..then I had to find some wheels that actually fitted and I thought fitted with my ideas - not an easy task!!
After many hours of poorly photo shopped wheels..here’s a couple:
In the end I ordered some bespoke Work Wheels from Japan..exactly the same spec as the SP12 but in a colour way that I liked..again sit and wait time as it was 3-4 months delivery!
The registration of V503 DBY was the next thing to consider..at first I thought it ok but I gradually went off it!
After some excellent communication with fellow PHer - 2smokingbarrells - I purchased the one he had on retention! Thanks again to him..a true gent to deal with!
Lots to improve upon there!!
My attention also turned to the wheels…although they were SP12s I didn’t like the black..so I started to go down the new wheel rabbit hole..I read nearly every thread on here regarding off sets and sizes..using the will they fit site coupled with the collective PH knowledge I decided to stay to the SP12 sizes and offset..then I had to find some wheels that actually fitted and I thought fitted with my ideas - not an easy task!!
After many hours of poorly photo shopped wheels..here’s a couple:
In the end I ordered some bespoke Work Wheels from Japan..exactly the same spec as the SP12 but in a colour way that I liked..again sit and wait time as it was 3-4 months delivery!
The registration of V503 DBY was the next thing to consider..at first I thought it ok but I gradually went off it!
After some excellent communication with fellow PHer - 2smokingbarrells - I purchased the one he had on retention! Thanks again to him..a true gent to deal with!
In late October I got a call to say that the interior was coming along nicely..the new headunit and speakers were in and the retrim was well underway..so I went over to have a look..nicely was an understatement to my eyes at least!
My thought process in design was that the interior should compliment the exterior and vice versa..to see it coming together was a bit of relief..after all it’s one thing choosing colours from samples and quite another to see much larger areas working together!
Anyway..for me the interior/exterior were definitely starting to meet the design brief to my eyes!
Whilst there I began to discuss the engine bay and hatched a plan!
In the meantime I ordered a Clive f y piece, ACT cherry bomb exhaust, ACT aluminium radiator and some s/s pipes!
My thought process in design was that the interior should compliment the exterior and vice versa..to see it coming together was a bit of relief..after all it’s one thing choosing colours from samples and quite another to see much larger areas working together!
Anyway..for me the interior/exterior were definitely starting to meet the design brief to my eyes!
Whilst there I began to discuss the engine bay and hatched a plan!
In the meantime I ordered a Clive f y piece, ACT cherry bomb exhaust, ACT aluminium radiator and some s/s pipes!
Both the bonnet and rear badges were in poor condition so I sent them off to be refurbished..not cheap by any means..but in reality a drop in the ocean to everything else! They took about 3 or 4 weeks from memory.
Before and after;
In early December I agreed with TVR101 to go for a body off restoration along with new shocks and a host of other improvements and upgrades.
The body off was really driven by the appearance that I wanted within the engine bay..the garage were great and talked me through everything..far too much to list here and patiently explaining many areas that I didn’t understand..but I’m sure that the photos will explain far more in due course!
Off to work now so will try to post some more later!
Before and after;
In early December I agreed with TVR101 to go for a body off restoration along with new shocks and a host of other improvements and upgrades.
The body off was really driven by the appearance that I wanted within the engine bay..the garage were great and talked me through everything..far too much to list here and patiently explaining many areas that I didn’t understand..but I’m sure that the photos will explain far more in due course!
Off to work now so will try to post some more later!
Thanks Rako - it’s a SC-Power rotrex supercharger
https://www.sc-power.co.uk/
December was fairly quiet on the car front..but I did get to the garage to see the underbody /wheel arch/engine bay painting:
Early January my new seats were finally delivered..Intratrim were very good..communication was excellent..they had trouble with the tonal stitching as a couple of times they weren’t happy with the match..but finally they were happy and sent direct to the garage by courier:
Then towards the end of the month it all started happening..I got the call to go over as my chassis was back..I managed to get over within a few days..this is what I saw..a McLaren Orange TVR chassis and rather nice it was as well:
The guys had time to start a dry run of putting a few bits back on..I’d had the engine cleaned..the ACT manifolds and Clive f y piece had been Ceramic heat treated..it was starting to come together!!
https://www.sc-power.co.uk/
December was fairly quiet on the car front..but I did get to the garage to see the underbody /wheel arch/engine bay painting:
Early January my new seats were finally delivered..Intratrim were very good..communication was excellent..they had trouble with the tonal stitching as a couple of times they weren’t happy with the match..but finally they were happy and sent direct to the garage by courier:
Then towards the end of the month it all started happening..I got the call to go over as my chassis was back..I managed to get over within a few days..this is what I saw..a McLaren Orange TVR chassis and rather nice it was as well:
The guys had time to start a dry run of putting a few bits back on..I’d had the engine cleaned..the ACT manifolds and Clive f y piece had been Ceramic heat treated..it was starting to come together!!
It was all happening now..I received notice that my wheels had arrived from Japan and were to be delivered to me in a couple of days..I was excited and nervous at the same time..it was an expensive purchase if they didn’t fit or the colour wasn’t right!!
They arrived and I unboxed them frantically (I’m 58 and shouldn’t be getting excited over a set of wheels!!)
I managed to get over to the garage within the week and the car had moved on considerably:
So it was time to offer one of the wheels up..to get a better idea of what it will look like:
I was very pleased..I know that colours/wheels and any design is subjective but I loved it..just hope they fit now..I knew the rear wheels would fit because of the smaller calipers..the fronts over the Brembos was the concern..even though I’d selected the big brake recess when ordering them!
The seats were in the car as well..not actually fitted though..I want them to feel and look like a smaller traditional bucket seat..when they’re on the rails I think it’ll work:
That week I managed to get a ceramic coating on the wheels and did a mock up of the finished article:
They arrived and I unboxed them frantically (I’m 58 and shouldn’t be getting excited over a set of wheels!!)
I managed to get over to the garage within the week and the car had moved on considerably:
So it was time to offer one of the wheels up..to get a better idea of what it will look like:
I was very pleased..I know that colours/wheels and any design is subjective but I loved it..just hope they fit now..I knew the rear wheels would fit because of the smaller calipers..the fronts over the Brembos was the concern..even though I’d selected the big brake recess when ordering them!
The seats were in the car as well..not actually fitted though..I want them to feel and look like a smaller traditional bucket seat..when they’re on the rails I think it’ll work:
That week I managed to get a ceramic coating on the wheels and did a mock up of the finished article:
I took the wheels over last Thursday..again the car had moved on considerably:
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/wrys3qSQ[/url]
Then it was time to try the wheels..bingo!
The steering wheel had also been fitted..again was extremely pleased:
That’s just about where I am today..hopefully it’ll be on the road in a few weeks..lots to do yet though so will keep updating as it happens!
[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/wrys3qSQ[/url]Then it was time to try the wheels..bingo!
The steering wheel had also been fitted..again was extremely pleased:
That’s just about where I am today..hopefully it’ll be on the road in a few weeks..lots to do yet though so will keep updating as it happens!
CharliesTTS said:
So with the seats ordered and the interior agreed..it was sit and wait time..time to consider the engine bay
Lots to improve upon there!!
My attention also turned to the wheels…although they were SP12s I didn’t like the black..so I started to go down the new wheel rabbit hole..I read nearly every thread on here regarding off sets and sizes..using the will they fit site coupled with the collective PH knowledge I decided to stay to the SP12 sizes and offset..then I had to find some wheels that actually fitted and I thought fitted with my ideas - not an easy task!!
After many hours of poorly photo shopped wheels..here’s a couple:
In the end I ordered some bespoke Work Wheels from Japan..exactly the same spec as the SP12 but in a colour way that I liked..again sit and wait time as it was 3-4 months delivery!
The registration of V503 DBY was the next thing to consider..at first I thought it ok but I gradually went off it!
After some excellent communication with fellow PHer - 2smokingbarrells - I purchased the one he had on retention! Thanks again to him..a true gent to deal with!
Really pleased my plate of over 30 years is going to be on such a wonderful car...and owned by a great guy too!Lots to improve upon there!!
My attention also turned to the wheels…although they were SP12s I didn’t like the black..so I started to go down the new wheel rabbit hole..I read nearly every thread on here regarding off sets and sizes..using the will they fit site coupled with the collective PH knowledge I decided to stay to the SP12 sizes and offset..then I had to find some wheels that actually fitted and I thought fitted with my ideas - not an easy task!!
After many hours of poorly photo shopped wheels..here’s a couple:
In the end I ordered some bespoke Work Wheels from Japan..exactly the same spec as the SP12 but in a colour way that I liked..again sit and wait time as it was 3-4 months delivery!
The registration of V503 DBY was the next thing to consider..at first I thought it ok but I gradually went off it!
After some excellent communication with fellow PHer - 2smokingbarrells - I purchased the one he had on retention! Thanks again to him..a true gent to deal with!
Looking amazing !!!
If the car is still running on 14CUX and standard ignition, the most remarkable transformation you'll get is moving to a third party ECU and adding mappable ignition with coil packs etc.
The difference will blow you away
I went with Megasquirt (MS2) and don't regret it.
They do a full kit which uses the existing TVR loom:
http://www.extraefi.co.uk/products/RV8_kits.html
If you're thinking of going this route, speak to Shaun O'Donnel : 0789 151 2664 - the man is a wizard, and his prices are very reasonable. What he doesn't know about Rover V8's isn't worth knowing.
Here's mine:
If the car is still running on 14CUX and standard ignition, the most remarkable transformation you'll get is moving to a third party ECU and adding mappable ignition with coil packs etc.
The difference will blow you away
I went with Megasquirt (MS2) and don't regret it.
They do a full kit which uses the existing TVR loom:
http://www.extraefi.co.uk/products/RV8_kits.html
If you're thinking of going this route, speak to Shaun O'Donnel : 0789 151 2664 - the man is a wizard, and his prices are very reasonable. What he doesn't know about Rover V8's isn't worth knowing.
Here's mine:
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