Improving the Chimaera's handling
Discussion
I'm well aware of the suspension upgrades available and the specialists who can set up the geometry, but what i would like to know is once the car has been properly setup and after-market adjustable dampers/springs fitted, how does the car compared to other cars?
ie. can the Chimaera be made to handle like an Elise, or VX220 Turbo, or T350C etc, etc.?
Also, what would you say the handling compares to in current form?
And please, none of the 'better to improve drive skills' answers - i just want something to compare a standard and 'modified' Chimaera to!
ie. can the Chimaera be made to handle like an Elise, or VX220 Turbo, or T350C etc, etc.?
Also, what would you say the handling compares to in current form?
And please, none of the 'better to improve drive skills' answers - i just want something to compare a standard and 'modified' Chimaera to!
Surprised that no-one has any opinions/ideas. I know there are people out there who have had the mods done.
I only ask so that i know what to expect if i decide to upgrade the suspension of my Chimaera.
Searching through previous threads just reveals that it makes it handle 'a bit better'. No-one seems willing to be more specifc than that, or say that it handles more like a xxxxx car etc.
I only ask so that i know what to expect if i decide to upgrade the suspension of my Chimaera.
Searching through previous threads just reveals that it makes it handle 'a bit better'. No-one seems willing to be more specifc than that, or say that it handles more like a xxxxx car etc.
I replaced reasonably tired suspension on my 94 Chimaera with £1200 worth of nitrons. I then replaced the wheels with 17" jobs after a slight altercation with the central reservation kerbs ... and it was like driving a different car. I also had the sterring geometrey checked and corrected.
The improvement in the handling was unbeleivable. A particular "hump" on a bend in one of our local dual carraigeways used to cause the car to wander dramatically at 90, but after the suspension swap and the larger wheels it went over it comparably to my Tamora. Of all the money I spent on it that was the best return for the money.
The improvement in the handling was unbeleivable. A particular "hump" on a bend in one of our local dual carraigeways used to cause the car to wander dramatically at 90, but after the suspension swap and the larger wheels it went over it comparably to my Tamora. Of all the money I spent on it that was the best return for the money.
Step 1: replace worn out bushes.
Step 2: Get the car laser aligned, either to factory spec or get a specialist to do their own set-up.
I had this done and it was noticeably better behaved over uneven surfaces and tramlines. Turn-in seemed sharper.
Step 3: uprated springs/shocks. Note you won't be able to lower the car much as it just grounds out on every bump.
This made my car much better (Spax kit), due in some part to the old suspension being a bit tired. Steering feels more responsive and the car is more settled in corners, feels less twitchy and loose.
As to how much it is improved compared to another car is difficult. A badly set up car is leagues away from a sorted one, like blueprinting an engine.
I would say the grand spent was well worth it.
Dan
Step 2: Get the car laser aligned, either to factory spec or get a specialist to do their own set-up.
I had this done and it was noticeably better behaved over uneven surfaces and tramlines. Turn-in seemed sharper.
Step 3: uprated springs/shocks. Note you won't be able to lower the car much as it just grounds out on every bump.
This made my car much better (Spax kit), due in some part to the old suspension being a bit tired. Steering feels more responsive and the car is more settled in corners, feels less twitchy and loose.
As to how much it is improved compared to another car is difficult. A badly set up car is leagues away from a sorted one, like blueprinting an engine.
I would say the grand spent was well worth it.
Dan
It's almost an impossible question to answer because a Chimaera is not particular similar to any other cars as standard - in fact the handling can vary significantly so it isn't even fair to say it handles like another Chimaera. A better question to ask might be: what options are available to change the handling, and what affect do these changes have? Even this is a bit too general to answer though unless you can give some idea what sort of problem you're trying address or how you think the handling can be improved to suit your preferences. For instance I've got the V8S set up to handle like a go-kart with very stiff suspension set up for track use because that's how I want it, but this would be totally unsuitable for most people.
IMO the fundamentals are that Tiv is a power car whereas Elise, 220 etc are handling cars. However big an engine you put in an elise it will never outdo a Tiv at what the Tiv does well. Similarly no amount of work on a Tiv will make it handle quite as well as a small mid-engined car. To get the best of both worlds in one car I think you have to look at Pagani/Noble/Ferrari which means a much higher purchase and running cost. However, a few gentle tweaks at reasonable cost can make sense.
NigeW, that's the sort of thing i would like to do - shocks and wheels - also on my 94 Chimaera.
It's good to know that it can make the car comparable to a Tamora - might help me justify the cost
What does a full geometry setup comprise of? I've seen the website of the TVR specialist who used to prepare the Ford Rally cars, but IIRC, a steup costs £400.
How is this different to get the tracking setup which costs about £30?
It's good to know that it can make the car comparable to a Tamora - might help me justify the cost
What does a full geometry setup comprise of? I've seen the website of the TVR specialist who used to prepare the Ford Rally cars, but IIRC, a steup costs £400.
How is this different to get the tracking setup which costs about £30?
Elite's just down the road from me. Always get my tyres from there and tracking.
They provide a diagramatic printout of the settings for tracking/allignment.
Got 2 new front tyres when i bought my Chimaera about 2 months ago and had the front's alligned then. Dont remember paying £80 though.
So what is Andy Larkins able to do that Elite can't, seeing as his setup costs much more? Will he set the car up to non-standard settings to get the best out of it?
They provide a diagramatic printout of the settings for tracking/allignment.
Got 2 new front tyres when i bought my Chimaera about 2 months ago and had the front's alligned then. Dont remember paying £80 though.
So what is Andy Larkins able to do that Elite can't, seeing as his setup costs much more? Will he set the car up to non-standard settings to get the best out of it?
Andy Larkins (and others) supply tailored adjustable suspension (springs and shocks specifically chosen for the Chimaera). He will adjust ride height and damper stiffness, as well as toe and camber, depending on what you want - a decent road set-up, track day or full race etc.
The advantage of leaving it to an expert is that they have done many cars and have a much finer feel for what is right. That's what you pay for.
The advantage of leaving it to an expert is that they have done many cars and have a much finer feel for what is right. That's what you pay for.
Don't forget to check the condition of the wishbone bushes before changing the springs/dampers.
Check for the wishbones rubbing on the chassis pick-up points and renew any bush which looks as if it is being squeezed out or perished.
Fit nylon spacer washers between the wishbones and pick-up points where possible.
Check for the wishbones rubbing on the chassis pick-up points and renew any bush which looks as if it is being squeezed out or perished.
Fit nylon spacer washers between the wishbones and pick-up points where possible.
Get yourself a copy of "how to make your car handle". Some of it is a bit outdated but it covers pretty much everything you can do and why you should (or in some cases should not) do it.
It is possible to improve handling greatly by altering the stock toe/camber settings without changing any components but you need to know what you are doing first! It is quite possible to tune everything to personal tastes and skill
It is possible to improve handling greatly by altering the stock toe/camber settings without changing any components but you need to know what you are doing first! It is quite possible to tune everything to personal tastes and skill
you can do alot to sort your handling out without spending major money, for instance today at elvington my S overtook a tuscan SP6 twice in one session, overtook BMW M5 V8s a very well sorted Manta race car, honda integra Type R and loads of other supposedly well handling/ finely balanced machine stuff too .. and I'm a not a very good driver either .. !!
joospeed said:
you can do alot to sort your handling out without spending major money, for instance today at elvington my S overtook a tuscan SP6 twice in one session, overtook BMW M5 V8s a very well sorted Manta race car, honda integra Type R and loads of other supposedly well handling/ finely balanced machine stuff too .. and I'm a not a very good driver either .. !!
Doesn't mean they were either
In practical terms a integra should be able to keep up quite well but only if the driver knows how to make the car work - can't vouch for the others. I spent a recent session at Castle Combe hammering a certain well sorted chim (V8 NUT) that is supposed to have some very good suspension on it. My little Fiat was giving away a LOT of power to it at the time (probably only had 110bhp at the time) and a broken gearbox but I was still having no trouble at all keeping up. The only thing in my favour was about 200kg and a set of slicks.
if it's the one on the trailer i'm not surprised you didn't have trouble .. looks gorgeous
I would think slicks make a big difference, my car is virtually undrivable on goodyear eagles but sublime on SO2PPs .. just wish i could dial out the turn-in understeer but with AVOs fitted you can rebuild with less low speed bump resistance. makes it safe and predictable though for TVR! .. only had one spin all day despite pushing hard all day. best news is the tyres wore completely evenly and temps were down across the tread even after several laps showing the new suspension settings for track based S series really work
It's actually got to the poit where the plans to trade up to a cerbera may be put on hold to develop the S a bit more .. it's a stunning track car that can hold it's own with cars much more powerful and glamorous .. I love it
>> Edited by joospeed on Sunday 11th January 23:28
I would think slicks make a big difference, my car is virtually undrivable on goodyear eagles but sublime on SO2PPs .. just wish i could dial out the turn-in understeer but with AVOs fitted you can rebuild with less low speed bump resistance. makes it safe and predictable though for TVR! .. only had one spin all day despite pushing hard all day. best news is the tyres wore completely evenly and temps were down across the tread even after several laps showing the new suspension settings for track based S series really work
It's actually got to the poit where the plans to trade up to a cerbera may be put on hold to develop the S a bit more .. it's a stunning track car that can hold it's own with cars much more powerful and glamorous .. I love it
>> Edited by joospeed on Sunday 11th January 23:28
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