Chim engine size
Discussion
I've had the Chim bug for while now and will be investing in one soon (in fact it will be my first ever TVR and I can't wait!).
I am strongly leaning towards a 4.5 because it seems to be the "best of both worlds" ie performance and fuel consumption.....but could be tempted into going for a 5l (I went to a dealer and was strongly encouraged not to go for a 5l......surprise surprise he had no 5l to sell!).
Can anyone give me performance and fuel consumption comparisons between these two engine sizes? Other advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Marco
I am strongly leaning towards a 4.5 because it seems to be the "best of both worlds" ie performance and fuel consumption.....but could be tempted into going for a 5l (I went to a dealer and was strongly encouraged not to go for a 5l......surprise surprise he had no 5l to sell!).
Can anyone give me performance and fuel consumption comparisons between these two engine sizes? Other advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Marco
I am not really sure that Fuel consumption should come into it!!!!!, Most people with TVR's don't worry about that!!!. Due to it being a big engine on a light car its not that bad but then if you DRIVE it, it will obviously go down quite rapidly!!!!!
Performance wise I think you have to go for a 5 litre, I sometimes wish I had, but I think the 4.5 would probably be a good compromise!!. You will probably find that people with a 5 litre will say go for a 5 and those with a 4.5 or 4 will say go for the 4.5!!!!!!
Drive both and then make up your mind!!, What sort of driving are you planning on doing??? Commuting or weekend??/Trackdays??
cheers
Richard
Performance wise I think you have to go for a 5 litre, I sometimes wish I had, but I think the 4.5 would probably be a good compromise!!. You will probably find that people with a 5 litre will say go for a 5 and those with a 4.5 or 4 will say go for the 4.5!!!!!!
Drive both and then make up your mind!!, What sort of driving are you planning on doing??? Commuting or weekend??/Trackdays??
cheers
Richard
I've got a 4.0HC and love it, but then again it is SIGNIFICANTLY slower than a 5.0. The power figures dont really tell the tale accurately, its all in the torque as they say.
A good 4.0 (HC or not) will rev nicely and smoothly. It will have good power progression and is probably an excellent starting point (one of the reasons why I bought one). Fuel consumption is good at around 24 to 27 for me - but get caught in traffic and watch it drop to 18 (the last time I worked it out!). Nice and tractible in traffic and fairly well behaved - though mine suffers a little at low revs, probably just needs a damn good tune and new HT leads!
A 5.0 is a monster. Its got lots more power and a stonking torque curve (or is that plateau!). Much faster and mid range is amazing. However, you do pay the penalty on fuel, 20 to 22 is about the average and it will be a lot more lumpy around town - though this can be sorted out and what you loose on a slightly lumpy engine you gain in low down torque (not so many gear changes etc).
The 4.5 is as you say the best of both - more power than a 4.0 but not as brutal as a 5.0. Its a newer engine, but not a massive update on the 4.0 or 5.0 ones. Nicer to drive and smooth power delivery. Fuel consumption is pretty good at around 22 - 24 on average. Its all relative really.
I guess it just boils down to what you want and how much the budget can stretch too. A good 4.5 is a fair bit more than a 4.0 while a good 5.0 is somewhere in the middle. The best advice for a TVR purchase is to get the best that you can - if its a 5.0 / 4.5 / 4.0 then fine - but get the best anyway. Personally I am really happy with mine, but then again I do feel a little 'inadequate' at the various TVR meetings - cos its the second slowest there!!! In fact the Cambs TVRCC I think that I now have the slowest one of the regulars - they all have 4.5's or 5.0 for the RV8 engines or the newer Cerbera / Tuscan / Tamora models.... so I do feel slow in comparison... Oh, well time to upgrade then.
Cheers,
Paul
A good 4.0 (HC or not) will rev nicely and smoothly. It will have good power progression and is probably an excellent starting point (one of the reasons why I bought one). Fuel consumption is good at around 24 to 27 for me - but get caught in traffic and watch it drop to 18 (the last time I worked it out!). Nice and tractible in traffic and fairly well behaved - though mine suffers a little at low revs, probably just needs a damn good tune and new HT leads!
A 5.0 is a monster. Its got lots more power and a stonking torque curve (or is that plateau!). Much faster and mid range is amazing. However, you do pay the penalty on fuel, 20 to 22 is about the average and it will be a lot more lumpy around town - though this can be sorted out and what you loose on a slightly lumpy engine you gain in low down torque (not so many gear changes etc).
The 4.5 is as you say the best of both - more power than a 4.0 but not as brutal as a 5.0. Its a newer engine, but not a massive update on the 4.0 or 5.0 ones. Nicer to drive and smooth power delivery. Fuel consumption is pretty good at around 22 - 24 on average. Its all relative really.
I guess it just boils down to what you want and how much the budget can stretch too. A good 4.5 is a fair bit more than a 4.0 while a good 5.0 is somewhere in the middle. The best advice for a TVR purchase is to get the best that you can - if its a 5.0 / 4.5 / 4.0 then fine - but get the best anyway. Personally I am really happy with mine, but then again I do feel a little 'inadequate' at the various TVR meetings - cos its the second slowest there!!! In fact the Cambs TVRCC I think that I now have the slowest one of the regulars - they all have 4.5's or 5.0 for the RV8 engines or the newer Cerbera / Tuscan / Tamora models.... so I do feel slow in comparison... Oh, well time to upgrade then.
Cheers,
Paul
I had the same dilemma a couple of months ago. I asked the same sort of questions about which model to go for. One reply was that people who had 4 or 4.5s only sold theres to upgrade to a 5. Someone else said that the right car colour exerior / interior etc was much more important.
For me i ended up with a 5l - why because when i saw it i knew it was the right car - none of rest had that extra sparkle that made this one mine. Some people might say that its a woman thing but i think you know the right car when you see it. I love mine and cant drive it enough.
Whichever one you decide to buy you the best advice i got was to practice smiling because from the first time you start up that mighty V8 engine (what ever size) you will not be able to stop grinning
For me i ended up with a 5l - why because when i saw it i knew it was the right car - none of rest had that extra sparkle that made this one mine. Some people might say that its a woman thing but i think you know the right car when you see it. I love mine and cant drive it enough.
Whichever one you decide to buy you the best advice i got was to practice smiling because from the first time you start up that mighty V8 engine (what ever size) you will not be able to stop grinning
Haven't yet been in a 5litre so don't know the difference but the 4.0 is still pretty quick - in any gear. That mid range punch is probably better in the larger engined cars I would think.
You'll have to spend a weekend or two test driving lots and see which ones take your fancy - don't worry about mpg, if you're asking those sort of questions, I'd wonder whether you were getting the right car!
You'll have to spend a weekend or two test driving lots and see which ones take your fancy - don't worry about mpg, if you're asking those sort of questions, I'd wonder whether you were getting the right car!
When looking I knew I wanted a chimaera, I was looking for a 4.5 but it just happened that the car that appealled was one of the last 4.0l cars.
I've not once regretted buying it as they are all quick and fun to drive.
Service history, looks right, feels right, sounds right, the cost is right then probably it is right.
Happy Hunting
Rich
I've not once regretted buying it as they are all quick and fun to drive.
Service history, looks right, feels right, sounds right, the cost is right then probably it is right.
Happy Hunting
Rich
I guess it comes down to if you are the type off person who can buy a 4.0 or a 4.5 without thinking I wish I had bought the 5.0L.
I thought I was and originally bought the 4.0L and then spent the next 12 months trying to find the right 5.0L which I have done now, I am just one of those people that wanted the ultimate and nothing else would do.
If you are even going to think about fuel or costs buy a late 4.0L great car 20 - 29 mpg on my old one 98 and still will blow most things away on the road.
If you dont give a s**t about costs buy a 5.0L the only time I looked was 8 - 19 mpg but I had just bought it.
Not sure if that helps but hey !!!!!!!!
I thought I was and originally bought the 4.0L and then spent the next 12 months trying to find the right 5.0L which I have done now, I am just one of those people that wanted the ultimate and nothing else would do.
If you are even going to think about fuel or costs buy a late 4.0L great car 20 - 29 mpg on my old one 98 and still will blow most things away on the road.
If you dont give a s**t about costs buy a 5.0L the only time I looked was 8 - 19 mpg but I had just bought it.
Not sure if that helps but hey !!!!!!!!
I looked around, asked a few people I knew in the trade and concluded that the 450 would be the best bet for me. The thing that put me off the 500 was how much more it costs to own in all ways. When I finally found a car that was in the condition I wanted it to be in it happened to be a 400. I bought it anyway and cannot say I have been disappointed by it in any way, I can still get my rear number plate photographed all over the UK quite easily.
Ivan
Ivan
Test drove all three. They all got better with more power but I found the 5L to much. Great if you just got the car out at the weekends and in the right conditions, but as a day to day you just could not make use of the power.
I opted for the 4.5 in the end, a balance of power with usability.
I get between 15-25 and average about 19. Cars used everyday for the work commute.
>> Edited by madhatter on Tuesday 18th February 13:57
I opted for the 4.5 in the end, a balance of power with usability.
I get between 15-25 and average about 19. Cars used everyday for the work commute.
>> Edited by madhatter on Tuesday 18th February 13:57
Ditto much of the above......
I've been looking around for a few months and just gone for one.....a 5.0 which I absolutely love. I test drove the 4.0 and found it very smooth and definitely rapid. However, when I jumped into the 5.0 it just had that extra wave of 'thrust'.....once experienced I couldn't say no.
After 3 days of ownership now I've still got that permanent grin and commuting has never been so much fun!
End of the day it's a personal decision but you really should experience the range before deciding.
I've been looking around for a few months and just gone for one.....a 5.0 which I absolutely love. I test drove the 4.0 and found it very smooth and definitely rapid. However, when I jumped into the 5.0 it just had that extra wave of 'thrust'.....once experienced I couldn't say no.
After 3 days of ownership now I've still got that permanent grin and commuting has never been so much fun!
End of the day it's a personal decision but you really should experience the range before deciding.
I've had the Chim bug for while now and will be investing in one soon (in fact it will be my first ever TVR and I can't wait!).
I am strongly leaning towards a 4.5 because it seems to be the "best of both worlds" ie performance and fuel consumption.....but could be tempted into going for a 5l (I went to a dealer and was strongly encouraged not to go for a 5l......surprise surprise he had no 5l to sell!).
Can anyone give me performance and fuel consumption comparisons between these two engine sizes? Other advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Marco
Hi Marco!
What a nice problem to have. I own a 5L an used to own a 4L. For general round and about there is little noticeable difference. Track days are of course another thing. Just one tip which might help. The 5L is an old design unresponsive engine compared to the AJP engines and for a small outlay you can get a triple plenum induction kit from Tim at ACT with Mark Adams chip to go with it. MA has done this one so its more or less set up from the word go and the improvement in response is really marked
I got a 5 litre because I knew that it would always nag at me if I didn't.
Disregarding the fact that absolutely nothing has gone wrong with it in my 15 months ownership, all the dealers and experts I have spoken to say it's no more expensive to run. Basic servicing costs are certainly identical across all engine sizes I believe.
Insurance costs are identical. Warranty costs are identical. I get an average of 22mph and drive with vigour in urban areas.
Yes it was scarey to start with but like anything else you get used to it and apply respect. Now of course I'm thinking seriously of the considerably quicker Tuscan S. It's all relative.
Disregarding the fact that absolutely nothing has gone wrong with it in my 15 months ownership, all the dealers and experts I have spoken to say it's no more expensive to run. Basic servicing costs are certainly identical across all engine sizes I believe.
Insurance costs are identical. Warranty costs are identical. I get an average of 22mph and drive with vigour in urban areas.
Yes it was scarey to start with but like anything else you get used to it and apply respect. Now of course I'm thinking seriously of the considerably quicker Tuscan S. It's all relative.
I think you're all ignoring the mighty 4.3. The undiputed hotrod jewel in the crown.
It's a monster (as far as I'm concerned) and 25+ mpg to boot.
Even though they are mostly earlier cars, if you're on a budget and require a little more performance than a 4l then look no further.
I'll let you know some figures after Mark Adams has set up the tornado chip fitted (but not rolling roaded) by the PO.
Cheers
Ed
It's a monster (as far as I'm concerned) and 25+ mpg to boot.
Even though they are mostly earlier cars, if you're on a budget and require a little more performance than a 4l then look no further.
I'll let you know some figures after Mark Adams has set up the tornado chip fitted (but not rolling roaded) by the PO.
Cheers
Ed
I bought a 5.0 just before Chistmas but it is not as quick as I thought it would be. I thought it was going to be a complete animal with throw-back in the seat characteristics but it doesn't feel like that. I do know it is quick from looking at the speedo and knowing how fast I used to be able to go at certain points so perhaps it's just me. Another 50bhp as standard would just be about right I think. I can see that drivers could be caught out by these though because the grunt comes from so low down in the rev range.
Try testing it against another 5.0, if you can find a friendly person to do some acceleration runs with.
gavmitchell said: I bought a 5.0 just before Chistmas but it is not as quick as I thought it would be.
Your car may be down on power for some reason, so it may be worth checking to see if the power you have is normal....
I test drove a 450 and a 5 Litre. From the name you can guess which I plumped for. Horses for courses really. The 450 is very fast, I often find myself hanging on for dear life under hard acceleration. I found the 5 litre not much different on the test drive (still stupidly quick, but felt a little more "torquey") and bought the car which looked and felt right. Never regretted it, use it every day with no real problems. May consider a Tuscan S in the future if I can convince myself the speed 6 won't go bang.
"gavmitchell said: I bought a 5.0 just before Chistmas but it is not as quick as I thought it would be."
Umm seeing as there are only about 7/8 production cars faster than the 500 on the road they dont come much faster !!!!
Maybee worth getting it checked out as it doesent sound right, if you put your foot down you should be thrown more or less into the back of the seat, both mine have done this.
Mine certainly feels and is quicker to 100 (in a straight line, not round bends) than a 996tt,993tt,355,360 (in the dry) in fact the only thing its lost out to is an F40 !!!!!!
Best get it on a rolling road me thinks.
Umm seeing as there are only about 7/8 production cars faster than the 500 on the road they dont come much faster !!!!
Maybee worth getting it checked out as it doesent sound right, if you put your foot down you should be thrown more or less into the back of the seat, both mine have done this.
Mine certainly feels and is quicker to 100 (in a straight line, not round bends) than a 996tt,993tt,355,360 (in the dry) in fact the only thing its lost out to is an F40 !!!!!!
Best get it on a rolling road me thinks.
Lets get the bias out of the way first - I accidentally bought a 5L Chim in December, and I've never driven a 450.
It's not silly to ask about fuel consumption if you have no idea - as long as you ignore it once you get in the car. I average about 22mpg overall, using it as my only car and with mainly motorway driving. Even being slightly adventurous pushes that down into the mid teens, though.
I was looking for a 4L when I got mine, because I'd heard that the 5 was an unruly beast. As pistonheader's go, I'm probably a timid driver, but it's been kind to me so far and I'm glad I wasn't scared off. I'm sure you can work out for yourself how much more enthusiastic a 5 is than a 4.
Drive them all, fall in love, buy one. Get whichever engine size happens to be in the one you love, as long as it's a 5L :-)
It's not silly to ask about fuel consumption if you have no idea - as long as you ignore it once you get in the car. I average about 22mpg overall, using it as my only car and with mainly motorway driving. Even being slightly adventurous pushes that down into the mid teens, though.
I was looking for a 4L when I got mine, because I'd heard that the 5 was an unruly beast. As pistonheader's go, I'm probably a timid driver, but it's been kind to me so far and I'm glad I wasn't scared off. I'm sure you can work out for yourself how much more enthusiastic a 5 is than a 4.
Drive them all, fall in love, buy one. Get whichever engine size happens to be in the one you love, as long as it's a 5L :-)
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