Discussion
Hi everyone, I am looking at buying a 400hc model and am looking for advice on what to look out for.
It's a 1994 model and when I went to see it I didn't even know how to open the doors or bonnet. Any help would be greatly appreciated. What's the difference between the standard 4.0 and the 4.0 hc ?
It's a 1994 model and when I went to see it I didn't even know how to open the doors or bonnet. Any help would be greatly appreciated. What's the difference between the standard 4.0 and the 4.0 hc ?
Hi,
You need to get underneath and take a good look at the chasis, especially where the front wheels, chuck dirt and rain spray up onto it at the front. Make sure everything works inc the wipers (test on a wet screen) and then really its like looking at any car you would be intending to buy, heres a good page to look at:
http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_buyers.php
Welcome to PH and TVR ownership
You need to get underneath and take a good look at the chasis, especially where the front wheels, chuck dirt and rain spray up onto it at the front. Make sure everything works inc the wipers (test on a wet screen) and then really its like looking at any car you would be intending to buy, heres a good page to look at:
http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_buyers.php
Welcome to PH and TVR ownership
Edited by Pinx on Tuesday 9th September 06:10
Some useful info here on the difference between 4.0 and 4.0hc.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=959...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=959...
Pinx said:
Hi,
HC is High Compression. You need to get underneath and take a good look at the chasis, especially where the front wheels, chuck dirt and rain spray up onto it at the front. Make sure everything works inc the wipers (test on a wet screen) and then really its like looking at any car you would be intending to buy, heres a good page to look at:
http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_buyers.php
Welcome to PH and TVR ownership
Pinx you have got it all wrong ,HC stands for high lift cam .Its the same cam used in the 500`s ,they have double valve springs .HC is High Compression. You need to get underneath and take a good look at the chasis, especially where the front wheels, chuck dirt and rain spray up onto it at the front. Make sure everything works inc the wipers (test on a wet screen) and then really its like looking at any car you would be intending to buy, heres a good page to look at:
http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_buyers.php
Welcome to PH and TVR ownership
Apart from that is the same engine has the 4l . Its probably running on a different cam anyway .
As Pinx mentioned check the chassis, the parts refferred to as "outriggers", you need to at least jack up the car and get it on stands to have a decent look, there are tubes running along both sills and also in towards the main backbone of the chassis, they need to be solid as replacement is expensive. If you're not confident then it may be worth paying somebody who knows what they are looking at to inspect the car for you.
Hope this helps, good luck.
Hope this helps, good luck.
Hey,
You sound a bit like me when I was looking for my Chim. I had no real idea how to check it's condition, and was aware how costly it can be to repair a bad one (especially if you have no mechanical know-how like me!).
I ended up contacting a specialist (recommended through this forum) to look at a couple of cars on my behalf. Cost a bit, but money well spent for piece of mind in my opinion.
He's based in the London area if that's of any use to you:
http://www.sportscarinspections.co.uk/
You sound a bit like me when I was looking for my Chim. I had no real idea how to check it's condition, and was aware how costly it can be to repair a bad one (especially if you have no mechanical know-how like me!).
I ended up contacting a specialist (recommended through this forum) to look at a couple of cars on my behalf. Cost a bit, but money well spent for piece of mind in my opinion.
He's based in the London area if that's of any use to you:
http://www.sportscarinspections.co.uk/
SILICONEKID345HP said:
Pinx you have got it all wrong ,HC stands for high lift cam .Its the same cam used in the 500`s ,they have double valve springs .
Apart from that is the same engine has the 4l . Its probably running on a different cam anyway .
This ^ but worse road manners Apart from that is the same engine has the 4l . Its probably running on a different cam anyway .
but a more urgent top end 
I doubt many are on the original cam gear now anyway and there are far more suitable profiles for the baby RV8 it was a poorly configured modded engine IMO just slapping a bigger cam in an already poorly breathing stock motor does not make for a happy tune 
nothing a better cam choice would not put right though so dont let me put you off 
Sardonicus said:
his ^ but worse road manners but a more urgent top end I doubt many are on the original cam gear now anyway and there are far more suitable profiles for the baby RV8 it was a poorly configured modded engine IMO just slapping a bigger cam in an already poorly breathing stock motor does not make for a happy tune nothing a better cam choice would not put right though so dont let me put you off
As Simon says the 4.0HC received the Kent 435 which was the same as the 5 litre cars got, but the 4 litre cars didn't get the 5 litre's cylinder head porting work & bigger valves. but a more urgent top end I doubt many are on the original cam gear now anyway and there are far more suitable profiles for the baby RV8 it was a poorly configured modded engine IMO just slapping a bigger cam in an already poorly breathing stock motor does not make for a happy tune nothing a better cam choice would not put right though so dont let me put you off And as we know, what every Rover V8 needs above anything else is a set of better heads
But slapping a higher lift cam in was way cheaper than hand porting heads, and with demand for these cars as strong as it was in the mid to late 90's TVR was in no position to add time & cost to production.
The HC has nothing to do with compression ratio, both 4 litre derivatives including the HC had 9.35:1 compression ratio (possible lower in reality) so it's hardly a high compression engine.
But that does of course make it ideal for a bit of forced induction
According to Rob Robertson (the respected RV8 engine builder from V8 Developments) a TVR KC435 cam was basically a Kent 214 with it's lobe centre line angle extended to 116 degrees.
All the Rv8 cams were (and mostly still are) just a grind on the same basic blanks, the Kent 435 being a rather aggressive grind that is thought may have breached the case hardening.
Rover V8 cams dont have a reputation for longevity at the best of times, but the over machined 435 grind could have an even shorter life.
The HC also had valve reliefs machined into the standard 4 litre pistons to avoid the valves meeting the piston crowns which can occur when using the longer duration cam profiles.
TVR fitted double valve springs, machined the spring seats and shortened the guides to allow a slightly higher lift cam, but I think even the standard 4 litres got this work?
For the first 10,000 miles the HC would rev better but probably had worse town manners & drivability in the lower RPM range.
The true power of a brand new & healthy HC was around 215hp compared with 200 ponies on the standard car, but after as little a 10,000 miles you could easily lose the extra 15hp (or more) in cam wear on that chocolate KC435 grind as it flatted it's lobes.
One thing is for sure...there is no way on God's earth an HC ever made the 275hp TVR claimed it did, TVR always hyped up their power figures but they really went silly with the 4.0HC.
For a genuine 275HP you needed the 5 litre that TVR said made 340hp
Other than the above light mods and some small ECU chip tweaks the HC is exactly the same engine that went in the standard 4 litre cars.
Don't pay extra for the 4.0HC derivative, focus on buying the better car with a sound chassis that been well maintained.
After that... save up & supercharge it!
Even a bog standard 4 litre should easily make 340hp with a blower and decent engine management system, and remember these cars only weigh just over a tonn so you're going to notice 340hp & 360 Ft/Lbs of torque
Enjoy
Thanks for all the great replies. I went for another look tonight and the hazzards only work on the drivers side but the indicators work ok on both sides. Wipers don't work in position 1 and only really go 1 speed and seem very worn. The mirror has been broken off and bonded back in place ! Also the front arms seem as if they need bushes.Apart from that it seems ok for a 20 year old car. I keep saying go for it but then I could have a decent tt or 6 series BMW. I know the tvr will be raw and sound great
ChilliWhizz said:
Please explain this... I'd assumed (maybe wrongly) that you were a bloke.....
As someone who has had a E39 M5 that turned up into a money pit I would go for a Chimaera. Depends what your budget is I suppose but even though a 6 Series might be a lot cheaper than its new price it will still be a £50K car when it goes pear shaped. Tvr26racer said:
Sorry ! I've never had a shot of a tt or 6 series but just curious that's all.
No offence was meant and no apology needed.. just a bit of banter... an Audi TT or BMW 6 series are worlds apart from a TVR, you need to drive one (apologies if you already have) to know if it's the car for you... A TVR is a very different driving experience compared to an Audi or a BMW... If you're thinking TVR but also fancy main stream German then you must go in eyes wide open... If you know little about TVR's then it's all too easy to buy one and then hate the damn thing six months later because it hasn't lived up to your expectations... If you explain where you're at in experience, needs, expectations etc with regard to your choice of car the guys on here will give you a wealth of advice on what to look for and what to expect, all based on solid experience.... and it's also very worthwhile getting along to a local TVRCC meet.... the people are a bit strange and can be a bit cliquey, but they do love their cars...
Good luck with it.....
Chilli
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