Chimp vs Griff??????
Discussion
Help am muchly confused.
Up until a couple of days ago I was under the impression that post '98(?) the Chimp and Griff were mechanically the same and it was only the styling that differed (I appreciate that even two identical TVR's may handle differently, but that is for another day)
Anyway, chatting to a (main) dealer recently and to quote him "they are completely different cars" he also said that the Chimp was more laid back and that the Griff was "a monster" also stated that the chassis are completely different, including their dimensions... this has led to me being a tad confused as my original info was from some very clued up pistonheaders - does anyone know the definitive answer(s)?
PS:- Great quote from aforementioned dealer, apparently "TVR's are like racing cars..very highly tuned and in many ways (apparently) TVR are a bit like the BAR or Jaguar F1 teams, in that they do the best they can with limited resources, hence why things go wrong occasionally" also "the engines (talking Griff/Chimp here) are like racing engines and are very highly tuned"... erm now I no I'm no mechanic but the Buick V8 has been around since the 60's and in the 4L cars is only putting out c.55/60 BHP/tonne...
Any informed answers much appreciated(!)
Up until a couple of days ago I was under the impression that post '98(?) the Chimp and Griff were mechanically the same and it was only the styling that differed (I appreciate that even two identical TVR's may handle differently, but that is for another day)
Anyway, chatting to a (main) dealer recently and to quote him "they are completely different cars" he also said that the Chimp was more laid back and that the Griff was "a monster" also stated that the chassis are completely different, including their dimensions... this has led to me being a tad confused as my original info was from some very clued up pistonheaders - does anyone know the definitive answer(s)?
PS:- Great quote from aforementioned dealer, apparently "TVR's are like racing cars..very highly tuned and in many ways (apparently) TVR are a bit like the BAR or Jaguar F1 teams, in that they do the best they can with limited resources, hence why things go wrong occasionally" also "the engines (talking Griff/Chimp here) are like racing engines and are very highly tuned"... erm now I no I'm no mechanic but the Buick V8 has been around since the 60's and in the 4L cars is only putting out c.55/60 BHP/tonne...
Any informed answers much appreciated(!)
Well, it would seem that the guy at your dealership knows as much about TVR's as my next door neighbours cat....
The Griff and Chim chassis is identical. The suspension settings may be slightly different but apart from that they use the same chassis/engine/brakes etc.etc.
The Rover V8 is tuned up quite a bit but most cars only produce around 250-280 bhp at most unless you are very lucky. But they are very reliable and will do very high mileage if looked after properly.
The Griff and Chim chassis is identical. The suspension settings may be slightly different but apart from that they use the same chassis/engine/brakes etc.etc.
The Rover V8 is tuned up quite a bit but most cars only produce around 250-280 bhp at most unless you are very lucky. But they are very reliable and will do very high mileage if looked after properly.
Hi Ferret Boy,
there has been much debate on this matter over the past few years in these pages, and the informed consensus is that later Chimaeras & Griffs are the same under the skin, but that they "feel" different at speed.
This is put down to the different aerodynamics of both (Chimaera is likely to have less hugh-speed lift, due to the differing boot lid design)
The Buick V8 may have been round since the '60s, but it originally only had about 150BHP & 3.5 litres, and wasn't shoehorned into a mobile oven (fibreglass engine bay)
The 4 litre engine should be still be relatively unstressed though...
there has been much debate on this matter over the past few years in these pages, and the informed consensus is that later Chimaeras & Griffs are the same under the skin, but that they "feel" different at speed.
This is put down to the different aerodynamics of both (Chimaera is likely to have less hugh-speed lift, due to the differing boot lid design)
The Buick V8 may have been round since the '60s, but it originally only had about 150BHP & 3.5 litres, and wasn't shoehorned into a mobile oven (fibreglass engine bay)
The 4 litre engine should be still be relatively unstressed though...
You will get more info from others no doubt but.......
Chim and Griff have identical chassis.
Suspension geometry, dampers etc different (generally).
4L engine will give at least 200bhp/tonne.
That dealer should be taken somewhere dark and disposed of discreetly before he frightens any more would-be TVR owners.
Name Names please and I'll send the boys round.
Chim and Griff have identical chassis.
Suspension geometry, dampers etc different (generally).
4L engine will give at least 200bhp/tonne.
That dealer should be taken somewhere dark and disposed of discreetly before he frightens any more would-be TVR owners.
Name Names please and I'll send the boys round.
flasher said:
in the 4L cars is only putting out c.55/60 BHP/tonne
remember that these cars weigh slightly over the tonne, so that would mean a Griff/Chim 400 would have 75bhp? Don't be daft, like the dodger says it's more like 200bhp per tonne....
I Think he Meant per litre, not per tonne, and the figures would then be correct.
oops yes meant 55/60 BHP/Litre rather than tonne!! Thanks for all the info - tallies with what I'd heard previously..
now all I have to do is wait for 4 weeks and see just how teeny my bonus is and if I can scrape together enough for a 2nd hand Chimaera, finger well and truly crossed.
Couldn't possibley name the dealer but they are 'north of London' (but not that far north..)
now all I have to do is wait for 4 weeks and see just how teeny my bonus is and if I can scrape together enough for a 2nd hand Chimaera, finger well and truly crossed.
Couldn't possibley name the dealer but they are 'north of London' (but not that far north..)
I've heard a story from a mate, and I have it on good authority that this is true, who's old boss apparently has a Chimaera.
He took his to a North London dealer and had the front and rear wheels swapped around during the service
Apparently this has happened twice, he doesn't have it serviced there anymore.
Lee
>> Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 1st January 21:28
He took his to a North London dealer and had the front and rear wheels swapped around during the service
Apparently this has happened twice, he doesn't have it serviced there anymore.
Lee
>> Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 1st January 21:28
The definitive answers are in the bible and are very complicated.
Upto 1996 they were different cars with different chassis, suspension and brake variations.
After that they had similar chassis and brakes.
There have been claims that they are mechanically the same after 1998 except that much of the TVR docs say otherwise and I have never driven a Chimaera that feels the same as a Griff... I also believe that the body work has a big influence on the handling etc.
If you want a car that handles like a Griff, buy a Griff. If you want a car that handles like a Chimaera, buy a Chimaera. Go out and try them as even within the build years there have been many changes.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Upto 1996 they were different cars with different chassis, suspension and brake variations.
After that they had similar chassis and brakes.
There have been claims that they are mechanically the same after 1998 except that much of the TVR docs say otherwise and I have never driven a Chimaera that feels the same as a Griff... I also believe that the body work has a big influence on the handling etc.
If you want a car that handles like a Griff, buy a Griff. If you want a car that handles like a Chimaera, buy a Chimaera. Go out and try them as even within the build years there have been many changes.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
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