TVR Chimaera dream car or nightmare
Discussion
After over 30 yrs of wanting a TVR I've finally got one. My prefered car is the Sagaris but unfortunately ill never afford one of those. So i went for a Chimaera. Mainly for the Rover V8. I think they're less problematic and cheaper to run than the speed 6.
This car had a new clutch, engine overhaul and the all important body off chassis restoration. It has the blue mica chameleon paint which has about 4 different colours in the sun. Went along way to see it.
It looked a bit untidy compared to the pics so a little disapointed. But i gave it a good look over. Checked chassis etc. Engine started and sounded good. Couldnt see any sign of oil leaks.
Went for a test run. It struggled to start for second time but he says its the stepper motor.
Anyway. Fast forward 6 weeks. I addressed the hunting idle first. Still am. 🙄. I've had to learn everything these last 6 weeks. Replaced stepper motor and set it up. No change. Checked for vac leaks. Couldnt find any. Replaced MAF sensor. Improved throttle response but not idle. Replaced TPS and set up. Not much difference. Replaced coolant temp sensor. Replaced ignition amplifyer. Solved hard to start issue but not much improvement on hunting idle. Replaced plugs n leads. Last weekend i bought myself a smoke machine. Tested vacuum hose from crank into the system. Found leak from throttle shaft bush and i think the heat box gasket. Hopefully sort those out at the weekend.
This is where the previous owners true character shows. On the day he was a lovely bloke. Very knowledgeable about tvrs as he had a few.
The first weekend i got back home i decided i needed better lightbulbs in the headlights.
Did the research. Went in through the front grill. Put my hand in to feel the unit and pulled out a pair of trousers. Yep you read it right. The trousers were propping the o/s headlight unit up. Ffs. Put them back, ill deal with that later.
I checked speedo sensor as speedo wasnt working. He had put in a GPS one. The sensor is a right tard to get to. Finally got it out to find it was the wrong one and had bodged wiring. This is the kind of thing you sort when the body is off.
The headlights are barely held in as they dont seem to have any bolts, just a bucket load of silicon sealer everywhere, i mean EVERYWHERE.
The horn stopped working. Turns out the fuse is shared with the engine fans. Meant to be a 25amp. Nope. Its a 30amp. The fuse had melted into the fuse box. Couldve had a bloody fire 🤨😬.
The boot hinge has popped out. Looks like another cowboy bodged job.
So as you can imagine after 6 weeks of delving into 'Thalia's' issues, im pretty pissed at the Cowboy.
But I love the car, the drive, the sound and the fact 'I have a TVR'. Love the experience. I will continue to fix Thalia. Make her better. I've learnt so much these last 6 weeks. Im picking up new knowledge and skills as which is half the fun of TVR ownership.
For anyone who has dreamed of owning a TVR, dont let this put you off. There's little out there now that matches the experience. No driving aids whatsoever. Just you, your 2 feet and that amazing growl. What a car. I HAVE A TVR 😍😍
This car had a new clutch, engine overhaul and the all important body off chassis restoration. It has the blue mica chameleon paint which has about 4 different colours in the sun. Went along way to see it.
It looked a bit untidy compared to the pics so a little disapointed. But i gave it a good look over. Checked chassis etc. Engine started and sounded good. Couldnt see any sign of oil leaks.
Went for a test run. It struggled to start for second time but he says its the stepper motor.
Anyway. Fast forward 6 weeks. I addressed the hunting idle first. Still am. 🙄. I've had to learn everything these last 6 weeks. Replaced stepper motor and set it up. No change. Checked for vac leaks. Couldnt find any. Replaced MAF sensor. Improved throttle response but not idle. Replaced TPS and set up. Not much difference. Replaced coolant temp sensor. Replaced ignition amplifyer. Solved hard to start issue but not much improvement on hunting idle. Replaced plugs n leads. Last weekend i bought myself a smoke machine. Tested vacuum hose from crank into the system. Found leak from throttle shaft bush and i think the heat box gasket. Hopefully sort those out at the weekend.
This is where the previous owners true character shows. On the day he was a lovely bloke. Very knowledgeable about tvrs as he had a few.
The first weekend i got back home i decided i needed better lightbulbs in the headlights.
Did the research. Went in through the front grill. Put my hand in to feel the unit and pulled out a pair of trousers. Yep you read it right. The trousers were propping the o/s headlight unit up. Ffs. Put them back, ill deal with that later.
I checked speedo sensor as speedo wasnt working. He had put in a GPS one. The sensor is a right tard to get to. Finally got it out to find it was the wrong one and had bodged wiring. This is the kind of thing you sort when the body is off.
The headlights are barely held in as they dont seem to have any bolts, just a bucket load of silicon sealer everywhere, i mean EVERYWHERE.
The horn stopped working. Turns out the fuse is shared with the engine fans. Meant to be a 25amp. Nope. Its a 30amp. The fuse had melted into the fuse box. Couldve had a bloody fire 🤨😬.
The boot hinge has popped out. Looks like another cowboy bodged job.
So as you can imagine after 6 weeks of delving into 'Thalia's' issues, im pretty pissed at the Cowboy.
But I love the car, the drive, the sound and the fact 'I have a TVR'. Love the experience. I will continue to fix Thalia. Make her better. I've learnt so much these last 6 weeks. Im picking up new knowledge and skills as which is half the fun of TVR ownership.
For anyone who has dreamed of owning a TVR, dont let this put you off. There's little out there now that matches the experience. No driving aids whatsoever. Just you, your 2 feet and that amazing growl. What a car. I HAVE A TVR 😍😍
Occasionally I get annoyed with my TVR Griffith for silly things that would just be better thought on a better productionised car like a Porsche, but then I read something like this and am delighted I have mine!
I'm really sorry to hear all the issues you have, but at least once you get each one sorted in turn you'll know you are making the car better, lets face it, even the most fastidious owner will only ever see their car deteriorate in their ownership, but not you!
I'm really sorry to hear all the issues you have, but at least once you get each one sorted in turn you'll know you are making the car better, lets face it, even the most fastidious owner will only ever see their car deteriorate in their ownership, but not you!
written on it. Jasesonix said:
After over 30 yrs of wanting a TVR I've finally got one. My prefered car is the Sagaris but unfortunately ill never afford one of those. So i went for a Chimaera. Mainly for the Rover V8. I think they're less problematic and cheaper to run than the speed 6.
This car had a new clutch, engine overhaul and the all important body off chassis restoration. It has the blue mica chameleon paint which has about 4 different colours in the sun. Went along way to see it.
It looked a bit untidy compared to the pics so a little disapointed. But i gave it a good look over. Checked chassis etc. Engine started and sounded good. Couldnt see any sign of oil leaks.
Went for a test run. It struggled to start for second time but he says its the stepper motor.
Anyway. Fast forward 6 weeks. I addressed the hunting idle first. Still am. ?. I've had to learn everything these last 6 weeks. Replaced stepper motor and set it up. No change. Checked for vac leaks. Couldnt find any. Replaced MAF sensor. Improved throttle response but not idle. Replaced TPS and set up. Not much difference. Replaced coolant temp sensor. Replaced ignition amplifyer. Solved hard to start issue but not much improvement on hunting idle. Replaced plugs n leads. Last weekend i bought myself a smoke machine. Tested vacuum hose from crank into the system. Found leak from throttle shaft bush and i think the heat box gasket. Hopefully sort those out at the weekend.
This is where the previous owners true character shows. On the day he was a lovely bloke. Very knowledgeable about tvrs as he had a few.
The first weekend i got back home i decided i needed better lightbulbs in the headlights.
Did the research. Went in through the front grill. Put my hand in to feel the unit and pulled out a pair of trousers. Yep you read it right. The trousers were propping the o/s headlight unit up. Ffs. Put them back, ill deal with that later.
I checked speedo sensor as speedo wasnt working. He had put in a GPS one. The sensor is a right tard to get to. Finally got it out to find it was the wrong one and had bodged wiring. This is the kind of thing you sort when the body is off.
The headlights are barely held in as they dont seem to have any bolts, just a bucket load of silicon sealer everywhere, i mean EVERYWHERE.
The horn stopped working. Turns out the fuse is shared with the engine fans. Meant to be a 25amp. Nope. Its a 30amp. The fuse had melted into the fuse box. Couldve had a bloody fire ??.
The boot hinge has popped out. Looks like another cowboy bodged job.
So as you can imagine after 6 weeks of delving into 'Thalia's' issues, im pretty pissed at the Cowboy.
But I love the car, the drive, the sound and the fact 'I have a TVR'. Love the experience. I will continue to fix Thalia. Make her better. I've learnt so much these last 6 weeks. Im picking up new knowledge and skills as which is half the fun of TVR ownership.
For anyone who has dreamed of owning a TVR, dont let this put you off. There's little out there now that matches the experience. No driving aids whatsoever. Just you, your 2 feet and that amazing growl. What a car. I HAVE A TVR ??
To be fair that's how they came out of the factory back in the day This car had a new clutch, engine overhaul and the all important body off chassis restoration. It has the blue mica chameleon paint which has about 4 different colours in the sun. Went along way to see it.
It looked a bit untidy compared to the pics so a little disapointed. But i gave it a good look over. Checked chassis etc. Engine started and sounded good. Couldnt see any sign of oil leaks.
Went for a test run. It struggled to start for second time but he says its the stepper motor.
Anyway. Fast forward 6 weeks. I addressed the hunting idle first. Still am. ?. I've had to learn everything these last 6 weeks. Replaced stepper motor and set it up. No change. Checked for vac leaks. Couldnt find any. Replaced MAF sensor. Improved throttle response but not idle. Replaced TPS and set up. Not much difference. Replaced coolant temp sensor. Replaced ignition amplifyer. Solved hard to start issue but not much improvement on hunting idle. Replaced plugs n leads. Last weekend i bought myself a smoke machine. Tested vacuum hose from crank into the system. Found leak from throttle shaft bush and i think the heat box gasket. Hopefully sort those out at the weekend.
This is where the previous owners true character shows. On the day he was a lovely bloke. Very knowledgeable about tvrs as he had a few.
The first weekend i got back home i decided i needed better lightbulbs in the headlights.
Did the research. Went in through the front grill. Put my hand in to feel the unit and pulled out a pair of trousers. Yep you read it right. The trousers were propping the o/s headlight unit up. Ffs. Put them back, ill deal with that later.
I checked speedo sensor as speedo wasnt working. He had put in a GPS one. The sensor is a right tard to get to. Finally got it out to find it was the wrong one and had bodged wiring. This is the kind of thing you sort when the body is off.
The headlights are barely held in as they dont seem to have any bolts, just a bucket load of silicon sealer everywhere, i mean EVERYWHERE.
The horn stopped working. Turns out the fuse is shared with the engine fans. Meant to be a 25amp. Nope. Its a 30amp. The fuse had melted into the fuse box. Couldve had a bloody fire ??.
The boot hinge has popped out. Looks like another cowboy bodged job.
So as you can imagine after 6 weeks of delving into 'Thalia's' issues, im pretty pissed at the Cowboy.
But I love the car, the drive, the sound and the fact 'I have a TVR'. Love the experience. I will continue to fix Thalia. Make her better. I've learnt so much these last 6 weeks. Im picking up new knowledge and skills as which is half the fun of TVR ownership.
For anyone who has dreamed of owning a TVR, dont let this put you off. There's little out there now that matches the experience. No driving aids whatsoever. Just you, your 2 feet and that amazing growl. What a car. I HAVE A TVR ??
Firstly ... WE NEED PICS! 
Secondly, well done on taking the plunge. I've also been bold this year and finally fulfilled my childhood dream of owning a TVR. My teething niggles have involved a lot less gentleman's clothing than yours though!!!
It sounds like you are slowly working your way through the issues, and while it might take a little longer than you expected, soon you will have a well sorted car that you know inside out.
Not sure where in the country you are, but if your local TVR club is anything like mine then it'll be well worth making new friends as they will have so much accumulated knowledge they'll be happy to share.
Secondly, well done on taking the plunge. I've also been bold this year and finally fulfilled my childhood dream of owning a TVR. My teething niggles have involved a lot less gentleman's clothing than yours though!!!
It sounds like you are slowly working your way through the issues, and while it might take a little longer than you expected, soon you will have a well sorted car that you know inside out.
Not sure where in the country you are, but if your local TVR club is anything like mine then it'll be well worth making new friends as they will have so much accumulated knowledge they'll be happy to share.
Mr Tidy said:
Well congratulations on finally getting a TVR. 
Even though yours has some issues it sounds like you are loving it so good luck getting it all sorted. I've always fancied one, just never been grave enough.
Yes this..Even though yours has some issues it sounds like you are loving it so good luck getting it all sorted. I've always fancied one, just never been grave enough.
..remember. when all's said and done.
You own a TVR
Yes it needs work. They all do... but..
You own a TVR
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