Discussion
Hi All,
Took the Chim to France last week, for a driving tour of the north (Normandy, Brittany, Loire and Champagne) - and in 1500 miles not even a hint of a hitch from the beast! She behaved beatifully, started every time, ate up the French D-roads and didn't use a single item from my spares kit.
The French roads are something else! So smooth - and very straight, excellent for overtaking. And the looks we got - makes you feel very special. Every town and village, people stopping a staring. A very nice boy in St. Malo came over and asked me what it was, and had a nose round - he said it looked like a Viper
- he'll learn. A group of guys a in the back of a 4x4 something asked if we wanted to swap (at the time we were stuck in a traffic jam in 30+ degrees heat, and it looked like they had aircon, so I considered it for as second!). A couple of lads in a souped up Tigra tried to play coming off a round-about - I had crawled passed them in traffic a couple of minutes before. They came steaming up behind me, so I planted my foot to the floor, and pulled away from them nicely. As I pulled off at the next junction they were all waving and tooting with approval! 
Last point - some of you may have seen my posts before going away about the new wiring from David Beer in an attempt to cure the hot starting issue, rather than replacing the starter motor. Well I can safely say that it has cured it completely on my Chim. Never a hot start issue the whole holiday, and on some days I don't think the car has ever been so hot. So, before you go replacing your starter motor, try the new wiring - it's MUCH cheaper, and easier to install.
Hope to see some of you guys soon - any word on a Sussex meet Cosmoschick, Big Al??
Cheers,
Ropey
Took the Chim to France last week, for a driving tour of the north (Normandy, Brittany, Loire and Champagne) - and in 1500 miles not even a hint of a hitch from the beast! She behaved beatifully, started every time, ate up the French D-roads and didn't use a single item from my spares kit.
The French roads are something else! So smooth - and very straight, excellent for overtaking. And the looks we got - makes you feel very special. Every town and village, people stopping a staring. A very nice boy in St. Malo came over and asked me what it was, and had a nose round - he said it looked like a Viper
- he'll learn. A group of guys a in the back of a 4x4 something asked if we wanted to swap (at the time we were stuck in a traffic jam in 30+ degrees heat, and it looked like they had aircon, so I considered it for as second!). A couple of lads in a souped up Tigra tried to play coming off a round-about - I had crawled passed them in traffic a couple of minutes before. They came steaming up behind me, so I planted my foot to the floor, and pulled away from them nicely. As I pulled off at the next junction they were all waving and tooting with approval! Last point - some of you may have seen my posts before going away about the new wiring from David Beer in an attempt to cure the hot starting issue, rather than replacing the starter motor. Well I can safely say that it has cured it completely on my Chim. Never a hot start issue the whole holiday, and on some days I don't think the car has ever been so hot. So, before you go replacing your starter motor, try the new wiring - it's MUCH cheaper, and easier to install.
Hope to see some of you guys soon - any word on a Sussex meet Cosmoschick, Big Al??
Cheers,
Ropey
Glad to hear you had a great time. I can't believe you ever doubted for one nano-sec your Chim would be anything else but reliable!
No news on any Sussex meets, I'm afraid. I'm not sure where Big Al is at the mo. He may have said but, if so, I've forgotten!
Btw...I'm not sure "beast" and "she" belong in the same sentence
Look forward to seeing you again soon(ish)
Hi Roz
I know - I think the Chim is a bit of a hermaphrodite: I refer to her as "her". But then sometimes call her "the beast", and then Dorothy calls her Trevor! I think she maybe confused!! Maybe I should call her Nadia!!
Are you going to the Pies on the Beach thing on the 5th Sept? Sounds good, and something to look forward to if nothing else gets organised in the mean time.
Ropey
I know - I think the Chim is a bit of a hermaphrodite: I refer to her as "her". But then sometimes call her "the beast", and then Dorothy calls her Trevor! I think she maybe confused!! Maybe I should call her Nadia!!
Are you going to the Pies on the Beach thing on the 5th Sept? Sounds good, and something to look forward to if nothing else gets organised in the mean time.
Ropey
It's pencilled in...weather permitting! It's pencilled in for me too - GF permitting! I will have just spent the week in Paris on business, so me bu&&ering off with the Chim may not go down well. Might be able to convince Dorothy to come with me though - shall approach the subject nearer the time.
Shall bring the "bat 'n' ball" for some beach vaguely-sporty fun!
Meeting at PP sounds good - let's hope it's a bit warmer than the Brighton Burble!
Ropey
Shall bring the "bat 'n' ball" for some beach vaguely-sporty fun!
Meeting at PP sounds good - let's hope it's a bit warmer than the Brighton Burble!
Ropey
Pease Pottage! You lot must live on the other side of the world!
I'll get a map drwan up and arrange some meeting places for everyone.
We have a large amount meeting in basingstoke too. Is that easy for you to get too?
Whats a good time for you to be there? Im thinking the earlier the better for the quiet roads.
I'll get a map drwan up and arrange some meeting places for everyone.
We have a large amount meeting in basingstoke too. Is that easy for you to get too?
Whats a good time for you to be there? Im thinking the earlier the better for the quiet roads.
DustyC said:
Ropey, just seen your profile.
Us three will have to arrange a photo on the day.
OK, but I'm not getting up early again to wash the Chim and then have it rain on me on the way to the meet.....
(This is what happened to me at the Brighton Burble)
Like the piccies of your griff in your profile - blue is the only way forward, whichever shade you choose!
Ropey
Early? Basingstoke? You are having a laugh DustyC...noooo way. Have you forgotten where I live?! Just in case, 15 mins drive from the Piltdown Man...or 10 on a clear run
I shall consult the map...later.
And DustyC - can you please spell Chimaera correctly on your profile! A photo sounds a great idea - I reckon DustyC should be in the middle
>> Edited by cosmoschick on Monday 26th July 15:10
Glad you enjoyed your trip and sorry about butting in - can you enlighten me about this "new wiring"
Cheers,
Mark.
Cheers,
Mark.
ropey said:
Last point - some of you may have seen my posts before going away about the new wiring from David Beer in an attempt to cure the hot starting issue, rather than replacing the starter motor. Well I can safely say that it has cured it completely on my Chim. Never a hot start issue the whole holiday, and on some days I don't think the car has ever been so hot. So, before you go replacing your starter motor, try the new wiring - it's MUCH cheaper, and easier to install.
5ltr-chim said:
Glad you enjoyed your trip and sorry about butting in - can you enlighten me about this "new wiring"
Cheers,
Mark.
OK, I can give you the non-technical version - David might be able to give you a better version...
Currently in a standard TVR, when you turn the ignition, the current goes from the battery, through the ignition and the immoboliser, and then down to the starter motor. The problem is, all the wiring from the battery to the ignition and immoboliser is not so good, and gets effected by the heat. The wiring from the immob to the starter motor is decent Rover wiring.
So David's kit is basically a relay that you put in place after the immob, and when you turn the ignition is now switches the relay thus allowing current to flow directly from the battery to the starter motor.
I hope that makes sense? If not I'm sure David will be back on to correct me.
It was dead easy to fit - took about 5 minutes. But you will need a voltmeter to find the correct wire to cut (choice of 3). Not sure if David is still supplying these kits - think he's very busy with his other business at the mo. But drop him a line through his profile and see what he says.
As this may be of advantage to more than just Chim owners, I shall get Ted to shift it into General TVR gassing.
Ropey
ropey said:
Last point - some of you may have seen my posts before going away about the new wiring from David Beer in an attempt to cure the hot starting issue, rather than replacing the starter motor. Well I can safely say that it has cured it completely on my Chim. Never a hot start issue the whole holiday, and on some days I don't think the car has ever been so hot. So, before you go replacing your starter motor, try the new wiring - it's MUCH cheaper, and easier to install.
I fitted the "hot starting" mod a couple of weeks ago from David and haven't had a problem since. The problem had been getting worse to the point that when ever I stopped after a run it would takes ages to start again, but now it doesn't happen anymore. The guy is a hero!
Good to hear about your Chim behaving nicely whilst in France..was thinking about doing the same but was a bit nervous about it...this has given me the confidence to do it - can't wait!
Dave
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