What condition is my engine?

[9884booth]

I'm waiting to get my car back from having outriggers replaced (May 2000 V reg 4 litre Chimaera with 55k miles). I've had the car 5 years (got it at 46k)and do low mileage in summer only.
Next potential bill I guess will be engine related but I've no idea if it's in good shape or not.
I get the MOT emissions report each year and just wondered if it gives any clues on engine condition (as you can tell I'm not a tecky).
Fast Idle
CO% 0.014 vs 0.2 max limit
HC 65 ppm vs 200 limit
Lambda 1.022 vs spec of 0.970-1.030
natural Idle
CO% 0.010 vs 0.300 limit

Looking back through all the MOT test results the levels seem pretty consistent

[v8chimmy]

Other than checking the cams etc I'd suggest putting it on a rolling road.

My 99, 4.0 made 227 bhp, which is about right straight out of the factory.

There's some I know that can only muster 190-200 bhp, not saying that low
bhp is systematic of any likely engine work being required, but would be
a good indicator for you. Dyno charges vary, but approx £40-50.

Cam wear would show lower bhp values.

[Grey Ghost]

v8chimmy said:

Other than checking the cams etc I'd suggest putting it on a rolling road.

^^^^^^^^^^

This. I am aiming to take my Chimaera to a rolling road in a few weeks to ascertain what BHP is being produced and what (if anything) needs to be done to get it into the ball park number the factory quoted. The RR I will be using is very experienced with TVR's and can analyse read outs well.

All of the above is not going to stop me modding the engine at all, it will just show me where to focus my pennies first

[Timja]

Can anyone suggest a good rolling road place near Hertfordshire? I am keen to see what my car produces after it's engine rebuild last year (although i don't know what it was previously, i can compare to what it is meant to have i guess!)

[Alexdaredevilz]

Compression test wet and dry
Read all 8 plugs
Leak down test
Then rolling road

That will tell you enough

[ewan221]

Mine is going on Rollers on Monday so I can get baseline before I look at some performance mods.

[Alexdaredevilz]

ewan221 said:

Mine is going on Rollers on Monday so I can get baseline before I look at some performance mods.

Looking back at mine, first thing id do is decat it, then mappable ecu/ignition

[Chilliman]

Alexdaredevilz said:

Compression test wet and dry
Read all 8 plugs
Leak down test
Then rolling road

That will tell you enough

Agree with Alex, get the basics checked (cheap and cheerful) before the RR.... Some companies offer a relatively cheap 'health check'. RR will tell you where your power & torque is but not where you might be losing it..

[lestershaw]

Timja said:

Can anyone suggest a good rolling road place near Hertfordshire? I am keen to see what my car produces after it's engine rebuild last year (although i don't know what it was previously, i can compare to what it is meant to have i guess!)

Tom from tcs at birchhanger ( trackclassicsports) not far from Hilton and moss stansted has a rolling road and he's pretty reasonable ( he's the son in law ) :-)