How much power is enough???

[SharkyTVR]

I have had my Chim 500 for 4 months now. It is a car that, I think you will agree, cannot really be described as slow. I mean, we're talking about a car that (before I owned her) was measured at close on 300BHP at the fly - I have a rolling road printout. (It does have one or two mild mods, and a Mark Adams chip)

But, I got to tell you, the performance is beginning to very "normal". I am no longer getting that feeling of awe that I used to when hooning it. I dont think anything is wrong with her, she's running beautifully. It's just that the performance no longer seems enough.

I just think I'm just getting used to this level of performance. Has anyone else experienced this? Does this phenomenon of continuous modding in pursuit of more BHP ever stop?

I'm beginning to understand why these nutters (sorry Jellison) fit Corvette engines to Chims!!!

[jsr]

I reckon you'll get used to the power no matter what car you drive or how much power you have.

If you want to get that rush back, try not driving it for a few days - when you do drive it again it will feel faster than you remembered!...

Though that's not easy with the brilliant weather were having at the moment

[2 Smokin Barrels]

You are now in the danger zone. Four months in & you feel comfortable.

Remember! You will now regularly be approaching things fast, she may well bite back in a moment of lapsed concentration!

(voice of experience etc etc )

[blaineuk]

try getting a small engined cae and driving that for a week, then get in the tiv

[Nick_Chim]

2 Smokin Barrels said:

You are now in the danger zone. Four months in & you feel comfortable. Remember! You will now regularly be approaching things fast, she may well bite back in a moment of lapsed concentration! (voice of experience etc etc )

Thanks for the good & timely warning 2SB - I'm starting to feel 'comfortable' with my Chim after 1000 miles, so I need to be careful. I've also found that the back end seems more active now than it used to - or is that my right foot?!

[19560]

SharkyTVR said:

I just think I'm just getting used to this level of performance. Has anyone else experienced this? Does this phenomenon of continuous modding in pursuit of more BHP ever stop?

Doubtful, just gets more expensive.

SharkyTVR said:

I'm beginning to understand why these nutters (sorry Jellison) fit Corvette engines to Chims!!!

But I don't think that he's fitted nitrous or a supercharger yet.

[parrot of doom]

Take it onto a wet car park, floor it, and see 'if you're getting comfortable'.

[Nick_Chim]

parrot of doom said:

Take it onto a wet car park, floor it, and see 'if you're getting comfortable'.

[GreenV8S]

Exploiting the full potential of these cars requires skills and experience that will take work to develop. Now you're comfortable with the car you're in a position to really get to grips with it. There's far more to driving a TVR fast than just accelerating hard in a straight line, and if you're up for it then I suggest you get yourself onto a track with instruction and start the learning process.

parrot of doom said:

Take it onto a wet car park, floor it, and see 'if you're getting comfortable'.

My 400 bit me in the ass recently, just when i wasnt expectin it, nearly got me and the missus in hospital... floored up a hill near lansdown - bath, redline in first then in second, just before third the car snaked and i had to wrestle it back in check - goin in a straight line!, just missed two cars in the opposite direction and kept it from plantin into the ditch... stopped the car shortly after and we both got our breath back. All this after a year of ownership and gettin very used to the power. hmmm, i do know what you mean though, speed and torque are a drug, you get hooked and before you know it you need bigger doses to get your fix.

For me though, a reality check and a brush with danger reminded me that i am dealin with a very powerful car, lord knows what i'd do in a 500! That said......I would like a cerby or T350 next.

[Nick_Chim]

GreenV8S said:

Exploiting the full potential of these cars requires skills and experience that will take work to develop. Now you're comfortable with the car you're in a position to really get to grips with it. There's far more to driving a TVR fast than just accelerating hard in a straight line, and if you're up for it then I suggest you get yourself onto a track with instruction and start the learning process.

Agreed - just arranged a 1/2 day RideDrive course that is combined road and track (Bruntingthorpe). Hopefully well worth the investment.

[whitechimp500]

Ive spent lots of time on track in my 500 where ive really pushed it (and sometimes lost it) and circa 300 bhp is more than enough power IMO.
With brake and suspension mods ,the Chim is a pretty well rounded car for Track Days.

I take it easy on the road, but im always suprised how quick a car im driving - especilly after not driving it for a couple of weeks.

Its all relative to the last thing you've driven really - some times on track days we take 2 or 3 cars.

Jumping straight out of a mk2 Golf Gti or Pug 309 Mi16 and straight into the Chim - makes it feel terrifyingly fast.

Swap from a 450bhp/850kg Tuscan Challenge car straight into the Chim and it feels like a pussycat .

[SharkyTVR]

You all make greats comments - please don't think that getting "comfortable" equals getting complacent. It does not. I am very aware what potential there is under my right foot, and have a lot of respect for it. But like I said. You do seem to get use to the performance. Today I am driving a 1.2L Polo as a courtesy car, and am suddenly reminded what normal is!

I have done a Ride Drive course (admittedly "only" in a Honda S2000) and can relate to some of the caveats.

Also, I happen to hold a pilot's licence, and flying has a similar tendency to be very unforgiving for those that do not treat it with respect - strapping myself into the Chim feels a lot like getting into an aircraft, with the same level of nervous excitement.

I think the message to all is that complacency and TVR ownership are totally incompatible.

[bigdods]

said:

parrot of doom said: Take it onto a wet car park, floor it, and see 'if you're getting comfortable'. ... floored up a hill near lansdown - bath, redline in first then in second, just before third the car snaked and i had to wrestle it back in check - goin in a straight

Chim 450 flat straight road, had the same thing, full on in 3rd and suddenly the back end is off towards the scenery - Backing off brought it back into line. Quick stop, new underwear and pause for a smoke and contemplation of life the universe and everything and all was well. Went back to inspect the road and found a group of long shallow troughs (invisible to the naked eye at full throttle!) in the tarmac running across the road at the point where it let go - looks like traction broke as we hit the second one. Just shows that even a smooth looking road can cost you the price of a new pair of pants !

[kevin Secker]

Interesting comparison between driving and flying.

In both cases getting the licence is just a permit to carry on learning. Knowing the limits of your machinery and, frankly more important, knowing your own limits is key. There is NO substitute for experience. Breaching either of the above pretty much leads to death in an aircraft and serious injury or death in a car, especially a TVR.

Anyway my Chimp 500 is now slower than my girlfriends V8S.....this is not allowable!!!!!!!!More power needed me feels.

Kevin

[GreenV8S]

SharkyTVR said:

HOW MUCH POWER IS ENOUGH???

20% more than you have, but the effect only lasts for about six months ...

[pete1]

Yes you always need about 20% more, I had this with several Sierra Cosworths, ended up with a 2.4 engine with over 400HP you couldn't use full throttle at anthing less than 80mph in any gear and that felt a bit slow after a while !!!!

Much cheaper get the her indoors a 1.1 fiat and then drive that once a week or so, does wonders for the need for more speed.

Worked for me :-)

[steve1c]

Went to Spain a few weeks ago to see my folks, hired a Ford Ka. Comming from a 500 to that.... was ....well...has it got an engine at all?...Is it run by a 9v battery? After a week and about 1200km wandering, came home, didnt unpack and went for a spin in the chim....oh sweet lord. Ever since, I take it easy for a few days, no real acceleration and then take it for a blast for a few days....it really is amazing what you get used to.

But I totally agree with previous comments, never let confidence exceed ability...... whatever you drive.

[dinkel]

Every car has it's limits and sensations. I was the passenger in an '83 LP500S last week and it did go fast. But with all the control and (race-comfort) you'd expect. boy what a mighty sound btw.

Did it need more power Dunno if she was more fun with a 500 horse lump in. It's the character and sound and experience that gives you back what the car is all about. That's why I think a more civillised Chevy lump in a Tiv may give more speed but lacks the brutal boldness . . .

Well what can I say, I daily drive a Golf ffs.

[V8 Archie]

I'd been driving quite gently all week on the Le Mans trip (hot weather, car stuffed full of kit, passenger seat handbrake, etc.). Dropped Dad and his stuff off and gave it some on the way home. Wow! And that was with most of the camping stuff still in the car.