Basic Chimaera info. needed

[Graham and Rosie]

I think the gearbox change was a bit earlier, my 98 had the none Rover box. The easy way to tell (I believe) is that reverse moves from top left to bottom right in the shift pattern. As for selcting reverse, I find going to5th then reverse (with no need to blip the throttle) and it slots in easily, no need for a good shove or anything. It is the same gearbox in the Cerbera, Griffith, Tuscan etc as well and was also used in many other cars with the same reverse selection problems - the Sierra Cosworth springs to mind! ================ Graham and Rosie

[Marshy]

My '97 has the T5 (or perhaps 55) box. Reverse is bottom right. Slotting 5th then reverse with no throttle blip also does the trick for me. I did read somewhere that this can have an adverse affect on some bit of the gearbox (synchro on 5th?). Anyone know if there's substance to this? Come to think of it though, I don't find myself in reverse much... Odd that.

[paul]

T5 'box is a Borg Warner unit that Corvette use - been in the Chimp for quite some time (I'd hazard a guess as to '95) - Gate pattern is indeed the give-away. I'd echo comments ref "they're all unique" - try before you buy... Edited by paul on Wednesday 21st February 00:38

[rcorbett]

M326LUL....'94 4litre, reverse in bottom right, select 5th before etc.... does anyone have the 'early'gearbox with reverse in top left ?

[ADB]

In my car (Griff 500, T5 'box) I select ANY other gear, before reverse, often 1st. The reason being is that I was told of many cars wearing out the synchro on 5th, as owners always used that as the 'pre' reverse gear. Seems to work.

[AdamB]

It was suggested to me by a dealer that it is worth using 5th or 3rd before going into reverse so not to cause problems with the box. 3rd seems to be harder to get right but still works

[nubbin]

A couple of minor points - my 99T Chimaera has been left for 2-3 weeks at a time (holidays)with no ill effects on the battery - maybe there's been a battery upgrade recently. Also use 5th/3rd before reverse - apparently not doing so wears the 'box out very quickly - it always seems to baulk when I try going straight into (R). Expect paint flaking off the door mirrors - they all do it - I managed to jet-wash huge flakes off! Latly, electrical glitches are probably the main annoyances - usually minor, but incredibly frustrating on an otherwise well-sorted car. I wouln't swap mine for anything!

[philshort]

Agree about the paint on the mirrors. Get used to seeing white plastic poking through. Apparently Zertec are going to do some replacements, maybe they will hold the paint a bit better. They won't have the kudos of being the same as an XK220's though!