Almost Perfect
Discussion
I have had my 95 4.0HC from new and we are still in love. I still think 'cor that's mine' when I'm walking back to it after paying for petrol and all that.
Just one problem - it's not a 5.0 and I can't help hankering.
So - should I chop in my 14,000 mile beauty in for a second hand 5.0 in probably worse condition (I can't afford an awful lot to change)
Or - do I upgrade the car. I know it will cost several grand but at least I know what I'm working with and I don't have to spend it all at once.
I worry about messing with it's originality though.
Or - do I stop being a berk and be thankful for what I have ? Nah - this is PistonHeads!
Just one problem - it's not a 5.0 and I can't help hankering.
So - should I chop in my 14,000 mile beauty in for a second hand 5.0 in probably worse condition (I can't afford an awful lot to change)
Or - do I upgrade the car. I know it will cost several grand but at least I know what I'm working with and I don't have to spend it all at once.
I worry about messing with it's originality though.
Or - do I stop being a berk and be thankful for what I have ? Nah - this is PistonHeads!
Tricky one isn't it. We are in a similar situation with a 1996 4.0 although we haven't had it from new it has been pretty faultless and the thought of upgrading does worry me as I know what I've got is so good.
There is only one answer really, keep it and buy a 5.0 to go with it
That's our current plan, but we want a Cerbie.
There is only one answer really, keep it and buy a 5.0 to go with it
That's our current plan, but we want a Cerbie.
swisstoni said:
Or - do I stop being a berk and be thankful for what I have ?
The 4.0 is a well mannered, very fast, easy to drive, "economical"
car.. the 5.0 is a bit of a Monster.. (going from the ride I had in Johno's Griff 5.0) I know which one I'd rather be stuck in a traffic queue in thats for sure... and the rest of the time, well unless you're on a Track, you aren't going to use the extra power to its potential anyway, just pay for it at the petrol pump.
All IMO of course
Cheers,
Matt
i'd say it depends on what you do with it, if its on the road most of the time i think the 4 is great and the people you impress most, i.e the onlookers you pass wont know the difference its still a head turner wether its a 4 or a 5 and no matter what engine is in it it's still loud enough for them to hear from about a mile and thats what its all about really, then again ive got a 4l griff and the thought crosses my mind almost every day!
i definately wouldnt modify your 4.0 litre.it can only make it less reliable if your trying to get near 5.0 litre performance.id say now that youve had your car over 8 years,then you should know a good one when youre looking for a replacement.look at and drive as many as possible and youll find that special one your after.you cant predict reliability for the future,whats to say yours isnt going to start playing up tomorrow?theres no substitute for a 5 litre car imho
.go for it!
.go for it! The 500 isn't about impressing people as you drive by- it's about power! Even on the roads the difference is very obvious and addictive.
Instead of trying to convert a 400 into a 500 (inc. brakes etc.) have you thought about a rolling road tune with Mark Adams? Perhaps combine this with an ACT plenum and/or a new cam? It will make the most of your car and may even remove the desire for a 500 completely. Alternatively, concentrate on the handling and your driving as has already been suggested. Have fun!
Instead of trying to convert a 400 into a 500 (inc. brakes etc.) have you thought about a rolling road tune with Mark Adams? Perhaps combine this with an ACT plenum and/or a new cam? It will make the most of your car and may even remove the desire for a 500 completely. Alternatively, concentrate on the handling and your driving as has already been suggested. Have fun!
Been thinking about this for my 4.0HC as well. TVR Power do a 4 - 5 upgrade for £6.5k inc vat. They also do a 4 - 4.6 upgrage for about 1500 +vat. But compared to the HC the 4.6 will only produce 5bhp and 15lft of torque extra (their words not mine).
Has anyone ever compared the HC to the 4.6? is it a big improvement?
Also the other route is to buy a 5.0 from a scrapped TVR, and put that in. These go for about 2.5 -3K. The problem here is condition so you may have to budget extra for some work to the engine if its been damaged in the smash.
The next option is to slot the AJPv8 into it. Has anyone had a go at this? Is it even possable without having to replace the entire drive train? And will it fit into the hole?
The easy way is to sell and buy a 5.0 its also the cheapest way. I personaly am thinking towards the 4.6 to get abit more power (dont belive TVRs claims about the HC anyway) and maintian some level of driveablity in traffic.
Ive also spent alot of money getting this car just the way I want it and dont want to sell just to have to go through the same process and spend even more money on a different car.
It comes down to a judgement call and how much money you have to throw at it, and how much you like your current car.
One thing to bear in mind is that if you put a 4.6 or 5.0 in you current car it will always be a modified 4.0HC as far as insurance is concerned. Eventhough the car is exacltly the same as a 4.6 or 5.0 that left the factory (assuming you have the 500 chassis and brakes).
Has anyone ever compared the HC to the 4.6? is it a big improvement?
Also the other route is to buy a 5.0 from a scrapped TVR, and put that in. These go for about 2.5 -3K. The problem here is condition so you may have to budget extra for some work to the engine if its been damaged in the smash.
The next option is to slot the AJPv8 into it. Has anyone had a go at this? Is it even possable without having to replace the entire drive train? And will it fit into the hole?
The easy way is to sell and buy a 5.0 its also the cheapest way. I personaly am thinking towards the 4.6 to get abit more power (dont belive TVRs claims about the HC anyway) and maintian some level of driveablity in traffic.
Ive also spent alot of money getting this car just the way I want it and dont want to sell just to have to go through the same process and spend even more money on a different car.
It comes down to a judgement call and how much money you have to throw at it, and how much you like your current car.
One thing to bear in mind is that if you put a 4.6 or 5.0 in you current car it will always be a modified 4.0HC as far as insurance is concerned. Eventhough the car is exacltly the same as a 4.6 or 5.0 that left the factory (assuming you have the 500 chassis and brakes).
Same thought crossed my mind..Keep it or go for a 500.. But I don't use the car much, and didn;t want to lose a load of money on the car. So I've gone for the Mark Adams chip and the ACT kit.. Both can be removed when you come to sell the car which means you still have a standard car for re-sale.. The bhp and touque figures arn't a massive difference, but it gets the best out of what you have.. Makes the car more responsive and drive better.. There are many variations in Power for 4lite Chimearas and at least with a rolling road session you know what you've got and if needed how to get what you should have..If you know what I'm saying.
Hi Guys,
If you fancy a 5ltr there is always a half way house between secondhand(from scrapped car
)lump and new TVR upgrade. Why not contact Andy (07740 723673)about his rebuilt 5.0 Ltr lump. I spoke to him the other day about it and, although it is not what I was after(totally standard) it should , as a complete engine, just drop straight in to a Chimp. Look at the advantages, it's a serpentine engine(better oil system amoungst other benefits), rebuilt by someone who knows what he's doing, including re-balancing, and it is still a TVR engine just with more power. You should even get something back for your existing engine.
Whatever you decide DO NOT sell a TVR you know is fundamentally good for an unknown "upgrade".
All obviously IMHO
Kevin
If you fancy a 5ltr there is always a half way house between secondhand(from scrapped car
)lump and new TVR upgrade. Why not contact Andy (07740 723673)about his rebuilt 5.0 Ltr lump. I spoke to him the other day about it and, although it is not what I was after(totally standard) it should , as a complete engine, just drop straight in to a Chimp. Look at the advantages, it's a serpentine engine(better oil system amoungst other benefits), rebuilt by someone who knows what he's doing, including re-balancing, and it is still a TVR engine just with more power. You should even get something back for your existing engine. Whatever you decide DO NOT sell a TVR you know is fundamentally good for an unknown "upgrade".
All obviously IMHO
Kevin
kevin secker said:
Hi Guys,
If you fancy a 5ltr there is always a half way house between secondhand(from scrapped car
exactly what i was going to say - look in the classifieds and Andy at APM is flogging a 5 litre engine. and Roberts ya fathers brother.
14,000 miles? Crikey - you need to drive it some more. They get faster and better the more miles you put on them - honest!
Sounds like you'd be best keeping it std or just doing a few basics like a Mark Adams rechip as has been said. Makes the car much smoother and happier to rev. Also means it's not a b1tch for the first 2-3 mins on cold mornings.
Sounds like you'd be best keeping it std or just doing a few basics like a Mark Adams rechip as has been said. Makes the car much smoother and happier to rev. Also means it's not a b1tch for the first 2-3 mins on cold mornings.
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