4.5 Lightweight

[350matt]

Chaps
does anyone know if TVR made 4.5 Lightweights with the old style single headlamps? As now I've got my 4.2 obviously I've got a hankering to swap it for a 4.5.......

And I'm not keen on the look of the later 4 headlamp set-up, the main reason I'm interested in the LW is its supposed to have a smaller roll over bar trim covers as I struggle to see out of my std 4.2, of course a bit less weight wouldn't hurt either..... and all the bigger, better engine stuff also appeals...

Matt

[SXS]

I think you'll be looking at an early V plate for that......

[GCerbera]

For the 2000 model year, lights, A pillars, roofline and seats were changed and lightweight bonnet, doors and bootlid were introduced on the Cerbera 4.5.

In 2002, the headlight housings were faired into the wings for even smoother lines at the same time as the suspension being upgraded.

[simonsparrow]

350matt said:

Chaps does anyone know if TVR made 4.5 Lightweights with the old style single headlamps? As now I've got my 4.2 obviously I've got a hankering to swap it for a 4.5....... And I'm not keen on the look of the later 4 headlamp set-up, the main reason I'm interested in the LW is its supposed to have a smaller roll over bar trim covers as I struggle to see out of my std 4.2, of course a bit less weight wouldn't hurt either..... and all the bigger, better engine stuff also appeals... Matt

I had the same vision isssues as you, but I lowered my seat - much better. I've also heard (on here) that the later 'lightweights' are heavier than the earlier 4.2s, but have never weighed the two, so couldn't really say.

But, if you want to change, then you want to change!

[350matt]

How did you lower your seat? I had mine off at the w'end and its bolted directly to the floorpan.

Matt

[simonsparrow]

350matt said:

How did you lower your seat? I had mine off at the w'end and its bolted directly to the floorpan. Matt

Stage 1, I used the standard seat, but removed the sliding rails. the 4 holes in the seat base line up with the 4 holes in the floor - saved about 15-20mm.

Stage 2, got an old racing seat off ebay, and trimmed the rear corners down so that they'd fit as low as possible on the floor (lower than the contours for the original seat mounts. Used Sparco side mounts on the existing holes. This seat is lower than the standard one, but is also more upright, meaning the steering wheel is closer.

I'm 6'2" and kinda lanky, hence the need for this.

Oh, and I may have misunderstood, but I think a lot of the untapped potential in the 4.5s is their induction setup. The engine sizes aren't that different. So maybe a set of (larger than standard 4.2) throttle bodies and Emerald would help? Don't know if anyone has tried this though.

I kind of like the 4.2 though, I've said this before, but its like the original Yamaha RD350LC vs the later YPVS model. The later one was more refined, but thats hardly the point.

>> Edited by simonsparrow on Monday 20th March 10:32

[350matt]

Possibly just bolt on a 4.5 set-up? Apart from the capacity though the 4.5 has the larger diameter crank so less prone to snapping as some early 4.2s have done, Are the heads the same between the two engines?
I'll have a go at dropping the seat still further

Matt

[simonsparrow]

350matt said:

Possibly just bolt on a 4.5 set-up? Apart from the capacity though the 4.5 has the larger diameter crank so less prone to snapping as some early 4.2s have done, Are the heads the same between the two engines? I'll have a go at dropping the seat still further Matt

Yes, the 4.5 has a larger main bearing sizes, and the 'small' 4.2 cranks are not available. I would guess a 4.5 inlet system would bolt on, but perhaps one of the experts (Trackcar, APM) might know?

[dannylt]

350matt said:

Chaps does anyone know if TVR made 4.5 Lightweights with the old style single headlamps? As now I've got my 4.2 obviously I've got a hankering to swap it for a 4.5.......

The double headlights in a pod thingie came out at exactly the same time as the 4.5 became "lightweight". My 2000 car was exactly the cutover point, and one of the first lightweights.

[gbbird]

You could always get a 4.5 lightweight with the new style headlights and then go for a retro headlight conversion

Mark my words, in time this will be happening a fair bit, as the public will want to have a truly original looking, non modded classic Cerbera ...................

( in yellow )