HC or not

[big simp]

How can i determine if my Chimaera is a HC engine or not, my Rocker covers are purple and this newbie would like to know ,,,,,,,,,,

[joolzb]

What engine/year etc. is it?

[Corin Denton]

There should be a badge plate on top of the fuel inlet it should say either 400 or 400HC

[RCA]

Rocker covers being Purple normally means its a 5 litre. I think these are all HC's

[simpo two]

Not bigger than me I trust!

My '97 Griff has purple rocker covers too - I stand to be corrected but I think it was just a phase they went through. And yes, all 500's are high compression but it can also refer to the cam, I think.

[jamer]

You can check with either your supplying dealer or the factory will tell you from your chassis number. They should say 400HC on the top of the unit.

Personnally on the 4000 I could never tell the difference between the two when driving them.

Usually the one that felt quicker out of the two had the second throttle return spring remove

...a little tunning item that has always been very popular ...makes it feel quicker anyway..

The standard 4 litre had 235 bhp and the HC 275 bhp when TVR released their figures.


With regards to the purple rocker covers they were fitted standard only on 5 litre versions of the Chimaera and Griffith, however the last 2/3 years of production saw them reverting to black painted covers.


Purple most definalty looks better IMHO

[joolzb]

simpo two said:

And yes, all 500's are high compression but it can also refer to the cam, I think.

Hi simpo,

When I bought my Griff, I was told by a dealer that the pre 1998 (or there abouts) were HC and after they were not, subsequently there was a slight drop in BHP. Is this total sh@?

Joolzb

[GarryM]

joolzb said:

simpo two said: And yes, all 500's are high compression but it can also refer to the cam, I think. Hi simpo, When I bought my Griff, I was told by a dealer that the pre 1998 (or there abouts) were HC and after they were not, subsequently there was a slight drop in BHP. Is this total sh@? Joolzb

Apparently so. HC = High Camlift and all 500s are HC even if they don't have it stamped on the plenum. The de-tune (if that is what it was) is a separate issue to improve running at low revs. (I wish my 340 bhp Griff actually had 320 bhp

[simpo two]

joolzb said:

When I bought my Griff, I was told by a dealer that the pre 1998 (or there abouts) were HC and after they were not, subsequently there was a slight drop in BHP. Is this total sh@? Joolzb

Hi JoolzB, I see you have a 97 Griff too. He was essentially right. I think the detune (allegedly from 340 to 320bhp) was in October 97. Mine is August 97 so should be the unadulterated one. The engine is certainly more 'highly-strung' than a 4.0. However, it would be easier for TVR to make the detune in the chip rather than mechanically.

[RiverGirrl]

Ruby is a 4.0 HC and has normal 'silver' rocker covers. It says 400HC very clearly on the block...and in the black leather Owner's Manual...

[big simp]

Well its a 5.0 car and is July 97 its got Griff wheels,was there a short period in 1997 when 5 litre cars where fitted with this HC engine or am i just totally wrong and a little confused .