So you think you've had problems!!

[mwtryan]

-- Yeah, try owning a Chimaera 500 in South Africa - (1 of only 3 in-country)no trained mechanics, poor access to parts, very little know-how, mostly trial & error. After a year of alternating misery & ecstastic times (plus TRUCKLOADS of money) I am getting really close to owning the car I thought I was buying 12 months ago.
You won't believe the pain I've been through with this car (or maybe you will)however all the bad memories flooded away last week as I wickedly watched a Porsche GT3 disappear from view as I hurtled along the coast road in Natal whilst crazily reminding meself that TVR's don't have ABS or traction control - and Porsche's do! Still, could'nt resist the moment and this made all the frustration worth it - what a rush!
After a total engine rebuild, "home-grown" air-induction mod (absolute "must" on these motors) re-profiled cam, swirled valves, strenghtened crank, full balancing, ceramic coated exhaust, oil cooler fitted, "improved" porting, race-spec coil, chipped management system this car now really moves - and is reliable too.
Now producing 206kw at the flywheel and 490nm torque!
We timed the car recently and produced a best run of 3.86 sec. 0-100km (62mph.)
Interestingly I took an out-the-box Tuscan for a test drive recently (the only one in SA)and glad to say the Chim would show it a clean pair of heels.
Next up is a re-bushing & diff overhaul and then the car will be right. MY POINT IS:
I can't help thinking that if TVR had re-engineered these Rover motors properly to begin with a lot of owners problems would never have materialised in terms of reliability, overheating, flooding, smooth-running etc - not to mention the huge improvement in performance.
Still - thing of the past now with the new motors (or is it)!
Me & my mechanic are mightily proud of this car now and I am looking forward to the next 12 months - broke but happy!
If you're ever in my part of the world (Johannesburg) -look me up - be happy to show you around.

[Corin Denton]

Now there's dedication!

[mwtryan]

Thanks Corin - kind of you to say.

[markh]

Tim
well done, makes my problems in Ireland look very jessie. Am keen to hear about your experience with the ceramic coating to the exhaust manifolds (in the heat of SA)I have a run down to Umbria most years in the Chimaera and any thing that keeps the temp down must be good, any info would be useful

cheers Mark

[mwtryan]

Mark,
To improve the heat in the engine bay you have two choices, either ceramic coat the manifolds and collector (very expensive) or you might try bandaging the same (quite expensive) - there is a US product (forgotten the name)that was developed for GT racing over there. The bandaging actually cools the exhaust better than the ceramic however the only drawback is that (apparently) your manifold etc. will rust in time thus shortening the lifespan. I have seen this done on a Chim 400 over here and you can actually touch the collector after driving - makes a big difference.
You might also try putting a adjustable resistor on the radiator fan switch and prompt it to turn on at 80 - 85 degrees instead of the stock 90 - I have done this quite successfully and it certainly improves the heating problem.

[mwtryan]

Sorry have to add this as well;
The Chimaera suffers from the stock Rover induction system which has a tendency to make the motor overfuel thus leading to more heat being generated and poor tractability, poor top-end etc.
I know that conversions are apparently readily available over there but here's what we did:
shortened and widened the ram pipes, machined the throttle body out to 68mm, widened the air sensor tunnel, installed a home-made "ram-air" induction system where we trashed the lousy TVR air filter system and installed a racing filter directly in the opening under the left front indicator connected in a virtual straight line to the air-sensor via a ceramic coated light steel tube.
after the resulting re-map of the chip and re-tune was performed this relatively simple mod allowed the motor to "breathe" properly and make power much further up the rev scale. Naturally this helped keep the motor cooler as well. Amazing TVR never did this.

[willmcc]

Interested to hear of your experience, am just embarking on what may be a similar journey, just bought a rough Chim in Dubai where there are plenty of range rover mechanics but nobody that has really seen TVRs. Will be doing most work myself but need engine and ecu support.
re the oli cooler what did you fit and how effective was it, also where did you put it? I am considering fitting one but feel the temp near the road is probably so hot that it would not be much use.

[markh]

mwtryan said:

Sorry have to add this as well; The Chimaera suffers from the stock Rover induction system which has a tendency to make the motor overfuel thus leading to more heat being generated and poor tractability, poor top-end etc. I know that conversions are apparently readily available over there but here's what we did: shortened and widened the ram pipes, machined the throttle body out to 68mm, widened the air sensor tunnel, installed a home-made "ram-air" induction system where we trashed the lousy TVR air filter system and installed a racing filter directly in the opening under the left front indicator connected in a virtual straight line to the air-sensor via a ceramic coated light steel tube. after the resulting re-map of the chip and re-tune was performed this relatively simple mod allowed the motor to "breathe" properly and make power much further up the rev scale. Naturally this helped keep the motor cooler as well. Amazing TVR never did this.

Tim
many thanks for the info, I have already junked the standard set up in favour of an ACT Twin throttle Plenum, this seems to make the car far more responsive. I'm just trying to get a slot with Mark Adams for the the final set-up

cheers Mark

>> Edited by markh on Wednesday 7th July 10:34

[shnozz]

some very impressive performance figures there. nicely done.

[chim500nj]

mwtryan said:

-- Yeah, try owning a Chimaera 500 in South Africa - (1 of only 3 in-country)no trained mechanics, poor access to parts, very little know-how, mostly trial & error. After a year of alternating misery & ecstastic times (plus TRUCKLOADS of money) I am getting really close to owning the car I thought I was buying 12 months ago. You won't believe the pain I've been through with this car (or maybe you will)however all the bad memories flooded away last week as I wickedly watched a Porsche GT3 disappear from view as I hurtled along the coast road in Natal whilst crazily reminding meself that TVR's don't have ABS or traction control - and Porsche's do! Still, could'nt resist the moment and this made all the frustration worth it - what a rush! After a total engine rebuild, "home-grown" air-induction mod (absolute "must" on these motors) re-profiled cam, swirled valves, strenghtened crank, full balancing, ceramic coated exhaust, oil cooler fitted, "improved" porting, race-spec coil, chipped management system this car now really moves - and is reliable too. Now producing 206kw at the flywheel and 490nm torque! We timed the car recently and produced a best run of 3.86 sec. 0-100km (62mph.) Interestingly I took an out-the-box Tuscan for a test drive recently (the only one in SA)and glad to say the Chim would show it a clean pair of heels. Next up is a re-bushing & diff overhaul and then the car will be right. MY POINT IS: I can't help thinking that if TVR had re-engineered these Rover motors properly to begin with a lot of owners problems would never have materialised in terms of reliability, overheating, flooding, smooth-running etc - not to mention the huge improvement in performance. Still - thing of the past now with the new motors (or is it)! Me & my mechanic are mightily proud of this car now and I am looking forward to the next 12 months - broke but happy! If you're ever in my part of the world (Johannesburg) -look me up - be happy to show you around.

My Uncle in Law lives in Pretoria and he has a Grantura MK1 which is no 43 in the production run. It is a heap at the moment but when he retires which is in a while he will be rebuilding it. It was exported to SA from the UK many years ago for hill climb and has a 1,600 MGA engine in it..It is still gorgeous to look at and it makes me very sad when I go to SA and see it in his garage..

I will pass you his E-Mail address if you like..

[mwtryan]

Thanks to all for enthusiastic response, I will take some pics in the next few days and post etc.
I am actually leaving for Mocambique in the early morning - can't wait to get the Chim at sea level again (+ - 700km journey) - I will be back in town on Tuesday next week.
Interesting maybe for you guy's is that there is a 17% power loss up here in the Transvaal due to the high altitude and low octane fuel (93) it's really amazing to feel the power increase as you approach sea level and there the fuel has a 97 octane quota. Naturally all my tests are done down there for rest-of-world comparison purposes.
In terms of the oil cooler I have asked Adrian my mechanic to give details of how this was done (I am not too sure) and if anyone needs some specific details of all the work done to date e-mail me and I will try my best to give you absolute tolerences etc.

[IPAddis]

mwtryan said:

I can't help thinking that if TVR had re-engineered these Rover motors properly to begin with a lot of owners problems would never have materialised

mwtryan said:

After a year of alternating misery & ecstastic times (plus TRUCKLOADS of money)...

You've answered your own question!

As far as I know, the standard induction doesn't overfuel. If anything it underfuels, especially on the 500s and then only when in open-loop cat mode. I could be wrong though.

mwtryan said:

Interestingly I took an out-the-box Tuscan for a test drive recently (the only one in SA)and glad to say the Chim would show it a clean pair of heels.

Only as far as the first corner sadly. See many links on suspension upgrades.

mwtryan said:

You might also try putting a adjustable resistor on the radiator fan switch and prompt it to turn on at 80 - 85 degrees instead of the stock 90 - I have done this quite successfully and it certainly improves the heating problem.

Does that really work? The otter switch is an on/off switch, not a thermistor?

Ian A.

[ian8542]

willmcc said:

re the oli cooler what did you fit and how effective was it, also where did you put it? I am considering fitting one but feel the temp near the road is probably so hot that it would not be much use.

Try this company Think Automotive. www.thinkauto.co.uk
you will need a sandwich plate to fit where the oil filter is at the moment with the filter screwed onto the sandwich plate. (OTSP1VW) This is a slightly larger bore plate compared to the standard unit, it gives better flow.
You will also need 5/8" hose to connect to the oil cooler, a 19 row cooler with a 235mm matrix should be sufficient, mounted in front of the radiator. The aeroquip type hose and fittings look the best but the rubber hose and steel fittings do the job cheaper.
You will need other minor bits and pieces to fit the hoses, but Think Auto should be able to advise.
Just thinking about where you live. Does'nt the car have a cooler fitted as standard ? I know the Malaysian cars do.

[mwtryan]

IPAddis said:

mwtryan said: I can't help thinking that if TVR had re-engineered these Rover motors properly to begin with a lot of owners problems would never have materialised mwtryan said: After a year of alternating misery & ecstastic times (plus TRUCKLOADS of money)... You've answered your own question! As far as I know, the standard induction doesn't overfuel. If anything it underfuels, especially on the 500s and then only when in open-loop cat mode. I could be wrong though. mwtryan said: Interestingly I took an out-the-box Tuscan for a test drive recently (the only one in SA)and glad to say the Chim would show it a clean pair of heels. Only as far as the first corner sadly. See many links on suspension upgrades. mwtryan said: You might also try putting a adjustable resistor on the radiator fan switch and prompt it to turn on at 80 - 85 degrees instead of the stock 90 - I have done this quite successfully and it certainly improves the heating problem. Does that really work? The otter switch is an on/off switch, not a thermistor? Ian A.

[mwtryan]

IPAddis said:

mwtryan said: I can't help thinking that if TVR had re-engineered these Rover motors properly to begin with a lot of owners problems would never have materialised mwtryan said: After a year of alternating misery & ecstastic times (plus TRUCKLOADS of money)... You've answered your own question! As far as I know, the standard induction doesn't overfuel. If anything it underfuels, especially on the 500s and then only when in open-loop cat mode. I could be wrong though. Sorry Ian, your'e dead wrong, because the standard set-up does not allow the engine to breathe correctly the 500 (mine anyway) always overfueled - especially when cold and the only way I could start it again after overfueling was to pinch the fuel supply pipe to starve the supply only releasing once the engine fired. Since the air induction modification I have not had one instance of engine flooding and the the fuel consumption has improved as well. mwtryan said: Interestingly I took an out-the-box Tuscan for a test drive recently (the only one in SA)and glad to say the Chim would show it a clean pair of heels. Only as far as the first corner sadly. See many links on suspension upgrades. You're probably right there as naturally the suspension design is much improved on the Tuscan - however the stock Tuscan has to catch me first! mwtryan said: You might also try putting a adjustable resistor on the radiator fan switch and prompt it to turn on at 80 - 85 degrees instead of the stock 90 - I have done this quite successfully and it certainly improves the heating problem. Does that really work? The otter switch is an on/off switch, not a thermistor? - Worked for me. Ian A.

Hi Ian,