Chim 450 - with or without PAS?

[verysideways]

Hi,
My previous Chim (4.0) had no PAS and i loved it, so to my questions:

1. Are there many 450's without PAS?
2. Have people had problems with their PAS on a Chim?

Thanks

[touchingcloth]

Hi Pete,

Saw you were coming back to Chimaera-dom, just as I am getting out as well. Have a nice Cerb (well will be) being stripped and put back to together by Steve (Howard).

I was under the impression that power-steering was standard fit on the 450, actually I thought it was pretty much standard on all post facelift models (97/98) but am often wrong so very good chance I am wrong on this as well. Don't recall coming across that many threads complaining of power steering probs so think they are pretty ok if maintained, certainly mine has given me no probs in the 2 years I have had it.

Any luck selling the TT or have you not really started yet.

See you around
Sinclair

(p.s. changed my PH name)

>> Edited by touchingcloth on Wednesday 4th January 10:04

[verysideways]

Sinc, how's it going? So you have gone to a Cerb? Steve's the best man for the job, he's only round the corner from me, i must pop in and see him soon.
Haven't started trying to sell the TT yet, plan is to figure out what i want between now and April and then make my move (unless a buyer for the TT or the right Chim forces me to make an early decision!).

[Nuggs]

The pessimist may say that PAS is just one additional thing that may go wrong.

That said, bar a couple of threads where people have had PAS problems, it's not a complaint that comes up very often on PH (cf. stepper motor issues, door solenoids, hot start problem) ergo, probably not too unreliable.

The only question you then have to ask yourself is whether you're a lady boy (you can get a tester kit from Boots) and therefore need PAS...

...I love my PAS, just call me Ting Tong

[aaandy]

- I think that post 98 Chimaera's of any engine size without PAS will be very rare.

- I personally have not really heard of many/any issues with the PAS systems.

- Guess that the bottom line is personal choice. I drove a few of each when picking mine and personal choice was definitely PAS.

[touchingcloth]

verysideways said:

Steve's the best man for the job, he's only round the corner from me, i must pop in and see him soon.

Not any more, he moved up to Sands Industrial Estate in High Wycombe just before Christmas, now called Euphoria Racing (at least I think that is what he has settled on), much more space and nice and dry and warm.

I kind of did what we were speaking about, cheap cerb off ebay and then a fix up with possible engine transplant if needed, however turned out engine is good but chassis was not so good, I think once it is all sorted the price will balance out to a dealer price for same year but I will know that I have a lovely newly sorted chasis underneath. Thread running here if you are interested in seeing what I have taken on:

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=6&t=227481

verysideways said:

Haven't started trying to sell the TT yet, plan is to figure out what i want between now and April and then make my move (unless a buyer for the TT or the right Chim forces me to make an early decision!).

Bloody awkward isn't it, never quite sure what the ideal is when it comes to cars, I guess a lot for me comes down to ichy feet and just wanting to try something else. Good luck and see you around.

[verysideways]

He moved? Oh no! Oh well, he's still the best man for the job.
Great pics on your thread - horrifying, but useful to know. I will watch with interest.
You helped me make the decision - the ad for the tt is up.

[Bomber Denton]

It was always an option, my 98 500 doesn't have it and I changed from a PAS car by choice, I find it a lot better on the road for everyday driving.

[Fire99]

aaandy said:

- I think that post 98 Chimaera's of any engine size without PAS will be very rare. - I personally have not really heard of many/any issues with the PAS systems. - Guess that the bottom line is personal choice. I drove a few of each when picking mine and personal choice was definitely PAS.

Hi All,

Well i am one of those Rare chaps. Ive a '98 450 without PAS but WITH AirCon. PAS was a £2k option and Aircon was also £2k. (Approximate figures before i get beaten to death by the 1998 price list! )

Personally i love the car without PAS. Yes at parking speeds its very heavy but i eat my Spinach so im ok there. Once on the move it feels great. I can feel exactly what the wheels are doing. One of my biggest complaints about most new cars is that the steering feels like its connected to the wheels by Elastic bands.

Obviously its a personal thing but im glad to be without PAS.

cheers,

Nick

[touchingcloth]

There you go then, conclusive proof from not one but two people that I am once again misinformed. Oh well it's something I have got used to over the years.....

[mongoose]

Although currently on a Griff,the power steering is the same.I've had these cars with and without pas.Although my current Griff has pas,i would prefer to be without it.If it weren't for Mrs Mongoose insisting on it for driving home from the pub,then it would have been in the bin long ago.The pas i generally reliable,the worst they usually suffer from is leaks,not helped by the under bonnet temps.Although theres not much in it,i definately prefer the feel of these cars without pas.

[Cider Andy]

Yes, leaking fluid can be a problem. As far as I can tell they all weep a bit of fluid, especially from the joints made with jubilee clips. Other than that they're pretty maintenance free.

PAS is a definite bonus for parking, but whilst driving it's not so light that you lose any feedback. If it made the difference between buying one particular car or another, I'd choose the one with PAS.

[soapbox]

Fire99 said:

aaandy said: - I think that post 98 Chimaera's of any engine size without PAS will be very rare. - I personally have not really heard of many/any issues with the PAS systems. - Guess that the bottom line is personal choice. I drove a few of each when picking mine and personal choice was definitely PAS. Hi All, Well i am one of those Rare chaps. Ive a '98 450 without PAS but WITH AirCon. PAS was a £2k option and Aircon was also £2k. (Approximate figures before i get beaten to death by the 1998 price list! ) Personally i love the car without PAS. Yes at parking speeds its very heavy but i eat my Spinach so im ok there. Once on the move it feels great. I can feel exactly what the wheels are doing. One of my biggest complaints about most new cars is that the steering feels like its connected to the wheels by Elastic bands. Obviously its a personal thing but im glad to be without PAS. cheers, Nick

My 450 has PAS. My old 400 didn't - I have to admit that aside from when street parking I dont really notice much of a difference.

Mine also has aircon, which is pretty good but when you are using it you can actually see the fuel gague go down

[Fire99]

soapbox said:

Fire99 said: aaandy said: - I think that post 98 Chimaera's of any engine size without PAS will be very rare. - I personally have not really heard of many/any issues with the PAS systems. - Guess that the bottom line is personal choice. I drove a few of each when picking mine and personal choice was definitely PAS. Hi All, Well i am one of those Rare chaps. Ive a '98 450 without PAS but WITH AirCon. PAS was a £2k option and Aircon was also £2k. (Approximate figures before i get beaten to death by the 1998 price list! ) Personally i love the car without PAS. Yes at parking speeds its very heavy but i eat my Spinach so im ok there. Once on the move it feels great. I can feel exactly what the wheels are doing. One of my biggest complaints about most new cars is that the steering feels like its connected to the wheels by Elastic bands. Obviously its a personal thing but im glad to be without PAS. cheers, Nick My 450 has PAS. My old 400 didn't - I have to admit that aside from when street parking I dont really notice much of a difference. Mine also has aircon, which is pretty good but when you are using it you can actually see the fuel gague go down

Ah the trusty Aircon... Well i think its great for clearing steamed up windows in the rain..

I have to admit even though im constanty chirping at people who judge all Chims as unreliable even I did raise my eyebrow at the thought of having one with Aircon.
Saying that its only cause ive never taken the time to find out exactly what components make it work.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Bomber Denton said:

It was always an option, my 98 500 doesn't have it and I changed from a PAS car by choice, I find it a lot better on the road for everyday driving.

It became standard in early 98. I had to beg Peter Wheeler to make me one without PAS.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

..or more specifically knock the £980 they'd added to the standard price for summat I didn't want

[verysideways]

Dude, how many TVR's have you had??

So what are the chances of me finding a 97/98 450 with the updated rear lights but without PAS?

[SharkyTVR]

IIRC the Bible indicates that PAS equipped cars had a slightly quicker rack than non-PAS cars (2.0 turns vs 2.2). Pretty marginal (10%-odd) I know, but it must make a difference to the steering response of the car.

I personally like the PAS on my car. I'm sure it's not essential, but I wanted if for the rare occasions the current Mrs Sharky drives the car.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

verysideways said:

So what are the chances of me finding a 97/98 450 with the updated rear lights but without PAS?

Slim I'd say.

But, it ain't a big deal either way.

[mongoose]

verysideways said:

So what are the chances of me finding a 97/98 450 with the updated rear lights but without PAS?

Why not find the right one without pas,then add the lights if necesary or vice versa? Anything is possible.With my first Griff,i found the right one but it didn't have a/c,so i had it fitted later.Far better to find the right car,then make it how you want it.