Uprated Chimaeras

[Steve_T]

I placed the top bid in the PH auction for the Austec service with an hours rolling road time built in. I had a chat to the guys and also to Tim at ACT, about tuning options. I've decided to start small. On will go the ACT trumpet base + a Mark Adams chip & rolling road session and I may go for the Bosch AFM too. This should sort out the lean running and give me a little more oomph.

There's lots of tuned grifters (stablisers taken off etc. ) out there in PH-land, but how many tuned Chimaeras are there and what benefits did you find?

Steve.

[dannyboyo]

Previous owner had just the Mark Adams chip done (My car featured here on RH side of page) and before the chip the RR session said the car was putting out 209bhp (well below what TVR state!) and after it was putting out 239bhp.

Smoother and not so lumpy drive to. Apparently you even get better MPG in some conditions.

I'd like to get the ACT stuff fitted to. I'd imagine it makes a great induction noise.

Make sure you get the injectors removed, cleaned and tested while your doing all this. Can make one hell of a difference I've heard.

Let us know how it goes...

>> Edited by dannyboyo on Wednesday 7th July 20:48

[gaston]

Sounds like fun.
Remember that if it was sooo easy and beneficial everybody would be doing it!

[dannyboyo]

gaston said:

Remember that if it was sooo easy and beneficial everybody would be doing it!

What?

Are you talking about the chip or the ACT products?

Both are very common udgrades on any TVR done by people considered very respectable and clued up within the TVR community.

Maybe the reason "everyone" doesn't have it done is that they either don't know about it, think their car is fast enough already or don't want to spend £100's or £1000's getting it done, but as far as the products are concerned, there are real noticeable improvements.



>> Edited by dannyboyo on Wednesday 7th July 23:18

[GarryM]

dannyboyo said:

gaston said: Remember that if it was sooo easy and beneficial everybody would be doing it! What? Are you talking about the chip or the ACT products? Both are very common udgrades on any TVR done by people considered very respectable and clued up within the TVR community. Maybe the reason "everyone" doesn't have it done is that they either don't know about it, think their car is fast enough already or don't want to spend £100's or £1000's getting it done, but as far as the products are concerned, there are real noticeable improvements. >> Edited by dannyboyo on Wednesday 7th July 23:18

Just a thought regarding the chip upgrade - if your existing chip just happens to suit your car perfectly (and by the law of averages some will) then having a new chip is not really going to make any difference, is it? - apart from £700.

[pbrettle]

Mines not tuned, but its got uprated brakes, fully adjustable suspension (currently running stiff with a low ride height), a competition clutch and a couple of other smaller mods.... technical doesnt go faster, but gets round corners tidier and can stop better.....

[Nano2nd]

GarryM said:

Just a thought regarding the chip upgrade - if your existing chip just happens to suit your car perfectly (and by the law of averages some will) then having a new chip is not really going to make any difference, is it? - apart from £700.

thats correct, however MA won't sell you one if you don't need one as hes stated on this forum previously. TBH i wouldn't bother having just the chip without doing some of the quick wins i.e. airflow meter and ACR pipe, possibly trumpets. you'd be very unlucky or have and exceptional engine if these few mods didn't see and improvement

[Incorrigible]

Steve, go for the double or triple throttle plemun

If only because they look sooooo good

[Steve_T]

I agree that the standard map could be a very good fit for some cars, so an after market chip would not be worth it. However, I know from a previous session on the Austec road I'm running lean with peak power at only 5k rpm, so there should be some more from just sorting out the fueling. Add the trumpets and other improvements to the induction and I'm hoping for a healthy improvement.

Cheers,
Steve.

[Jem]

is there a beginner's guide to starting to understand upgrading?

Jem

[Steve_T]

Incorrigible said:

Steve, go for the double or triple throttle plemun If only because they look sooooo good

That's the next potential upgrade, along with new cam (hydraulic P404)+ uprated injectors. I think the OMEX ECU that Austec do might be overkill though

Steve.

[deeen]

Austec have an upgrade menu printed up now, i'm sure they would post to genuinely interested ppl

[Podie]

2 cylinders short... but the principle of chipping is essentially the same... www.pistonheads.com/tvr/s/default.asp?storyId=7562

[Steve_T]

Read that one Podie, good write-up. Will take the camera along and capture the process too.

Cheers,
Steve.

[Painey]

As I understand it, a Bosch Airflow meter+Act Silicon Pipe from Filter to Plenum+Mark Adams Chip+Rolling Road Session would cost getting on for a grand?

Bloody expensive that for a possible gain of 10-20bhp? That's only guessing and I'd like to know/hope I'm wrong!

[Steve_T]

You pays yer money and takes yer choice. This is mine and I think it'll be worth it.

Cheers,
Steve.

[JonRB]

Painey said:

Bloody expensive that for a possible gain of 10-20bhp? That's only guessing and I'd like to know/hope I'm wrong!

Depends on what you want. If it's big horsepower gains that make your pants moist then get a Supra or Skyline and start winding the boost up.

These mods aren't about big horsepower gains, they're about driveability, response and knowing you're getting the best out of your particular engine. That and cool bits of silicon & carbon fibre, of course .