1997 TVR Chimaera 450
Discussion
Having read a few of the Chimaera threads in here I though I should probably start my own.
Its been an itch i've wanted to scratch for some time, and lock down has given me a bit of time to do my research and look at a few cars. I tried a 400, 450 and 500 and PAS / Non-PAS, decided that the 400 was a little tame, 500 a bit much and although my preference was for PAS it wasnt going to be a deal breaker (i'd be happy to retrofit if i want it at a later date). This privately advertised 450 ticked pretty much all the boxes, had the right history and a good deal was struck.
I've done 150 miles in it over the weekend on a mix of roads and its been brilliant, such an involving drive and entertaining at all speeds.
The only thing it's really in need of is a manifold repair or gasket as its blowing slightly, it was only serviced at Str8six about 300 miles ago so hopefully no surprises. I will try to post my experiences in here, which will hopefully be.limited to nice pictures of drives out in it rather than pictures of it in pieces!
Its been an itch i've wanted to scratch for some time, and lock down has given me a bit of time to do my research and look at a few cars. I tried a 400, 450 and 500 and PAS / Non-PAS, decided that the 400 was a little tame, 500 a bit much and although my preference was for PAS it wasnt going to be a deal breaker (i'd be happy to retrofit if i want it at a later date). This privately advertised 450 ticked pretty much all the boxes, had the right history and a good deal was struck.
I've done 150 miles in it over the weekend on a mix of roads and its been brilliant, such an involving drive and entertaining at all speeds.
The only thing it's really in need of is a manifold repair or gasket as its blowing slightly, it was only serviced at Str8six about 300 miles ago so hopefully no surprises. I will try to post my experiences in here, which will hopefully be.limited to nice pictures of drives out in it rather than pictures of it in pieces!
dunc69 said:
Love these!
I had a 1995 4L HC (c.275 bhp) for three years 2003-2006. Still miss it.
The 450 is a sweet spot. Enjoy it and keep the photos and updates coming!
I actually set out looking with a 400HC in the back of my mind but didn't see one that I fancied. I'd be interested to see what the character of the 400hc engine is like compared to the 450.I had a 1995 4L HC (c.275 bhp) for three years 2003-2006. Still miss it.
The 450 is a sweet spot. Enjoy it and keep the photos and updates coming!
TR4man said:
Lovely colour. They are very addictive, I’m sure you’ll love it.
I owned a 450 Mk3 until two years ago when I traded it in for a Tuscan. Every now and then, I find myself looking at 450s in the classifieds.
I do love the colour, its the main thing that drew me to the car. The paint isn't immaculate with a few scratches, scrapes and stone chips, but isnt peeling off all over the place and is completely original.I owned a 450 Mk3 until two years ago when I traded it in for a Tuscan. Every now and then, I find myself looking at 450s in the classifieds.
I cant quite work out whether I like the mk3 front end, it looks good on its own but I currently think the mk2 front suits the character of the car a bit better. We'll see how that develops though!
Well 400miles later and I love it! No real issues, if anything it seems to be running and riding better than when I bought it, obviously suffered a bit for lack of use. I'm really undecided on the PAS conversion, the steering feel on smooth a-roads is a joy but the undamped shudder through the wheel on rougher roads can be a bit unnerving. I'll give it the rest of the summer and see how I feel.
My 90 mile round commute across the Cotswolds has never been such a pleasure!
My 90 mile round commute across the Cotswolds has never been such a pleasure!
Decided to look into the exhaust blow this weekend and it all got a bit out of hand.
A bit of investigation showed that the manifold gaskets are intact, backed up by a reciept for their replacement about 2500 miles ago. It looks like when they were done the Y-piece wasnt fitted with too much care, leading to 3 leaky joints. I took it all apart, cleaned up all the joints, cleaned and painted the corroded exhaust pipes with black VHT paint and reassembled using the 'ratchet strap trick'. I also took the opportunity to clean up and paint the undertray.
After carefully installing the v-band clamps with a bit of grease and care it would appear to be sealed.
While I was in the region I discovered that the steering rack gaiters were pretty shot along with one of the track rods and track rod end (the other looks recently replaced). I whipped off the rack and gave it a clean up, theres a small amount of play in the ns end bearing but nothing major. I've ordered a new pair of track rod ends & rack gaiters and will fit the track rods I'd intended to fit to the Subaru rack over the winter.
The droplinks have also seen better days so they've come off to be replaced with modern ball-jointed versions from TVR Parts. The ARBs had corroded into the bushes to the point where they were barely able to move so they came off for a clean up and a lick of paint, bushes were in pretty good nick so reassembled with a bit of red rubber grease.
Also had a good bolt check as I found both inboard bolts and the damper bolt on the ns front lwr wishbone loose!
Hoping to have it back together for the good weather later in the week.
A bit of investigation showed that the manifold gaskets are intact, backed up by a reciept for their replacement about 2500 miles ago. It looks like when they were done the Y-piece wasnt fitted with too much care, leading to 3 leaky joints. I took it all apart, cleaned up all the joints, cleaned and painted the corroded exhaust pipes with black VHT paint and reassembled using the 'ratchet strap trick'. I also took the opportunity to clean up and paint the undertray.
After carefully installing the v-band clamps with a bit of grease and care it would appear to be sealed.
While I was in the region I discovered that the steering rack gaiters were pretty shot along with one of the track rods and track rod end (the other looks recently replaced). I whipped off the rack and gave it a clean up, theres a small amount of play in the ns end bearing but nothing major. I've ordered a new pair of track rod ends & rack gaiters and will fit the track rods I'd intended to fit to the Subaru rack over the winter.
The droplinks have also seen better days so they've come off to be replaced with modern ball-jointed versions from TVR Parts. The ARBs had corroded into the bushes to the point where they were barely able to move so they came off for a clean up and a lick of paint, bushes were in pretty good nick so reassembled with a bit of red rubber grease.
Also had a good bolt check as I found both inboard bolts and the damper bolt on the ns front lwr wishbone loose!
Hoping to have it back together for the good weather later in the week.
Got the TVR Parts droplinks fitted yesterday, nice quality kit actually. Took it for a trip out and the suspension has quietened down somewhat.
When refitting the front ARB I found that the angles on the droplink holes are slightly biased in one direction, meaning if fitted the wrong way up its a pain to fit the droplinks. I dont know if this is a design feature or manufacturing tolerance, but its a pain to fit so worth checking first!
When refitting the front ARB I found that the angles on the droplink holes are slightly biased in one direction, meaning if fitted the wrong way up its a pain to fit the droplinks. I dont know if this is a design feature or manufacturing tolerance, but its a pain to fit so worth checking first!
Had a great weekend touring Wales along with two mates, one in a 996 Carrera 2 and the other in an M2. With the weather as it was i'm not sure there was a better choice of car for the job! It was surprisingly well matched in a straight line and on the more 'point and squirt' sections, but a very physical drive trying to keep up on the twistier bits and high speed corners with no PAS! Wind it back to 80% and it becomes extremely enjoyable and still covers ground at some rate.
We were joined for some of the journey by a Tamora and T350 we met at the A4069 view point, it was great to blat through mid wales with a selection of TVRs!
750 miles (making it 1600 total in a month!) and no issues, the only niggle being a sticky inertia reel that requires you to belt up on the flat.
A few pics from the trip...
We were joined for some of the journey by a Tamora and T350 we met at the A4069 view point, it was great to blat through mid wales with a selection of TVRs!
750 miles (making it 1600 total in a month!) and no issues, the only niggle being a sticky inertia reel that requires you to belt up on the flat.
A few pics from the trip...
pvn said:
Nice looking car and a good thread - thanks for posting. I've had my 450 for 14 years now and it never fails to put a smile on my face every time I go out. It's just passed it's 15th consecutive clean sheet M.O.T. too. It's never let me down either and this includes doing continental runs to Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. Great car and one I have never regretted buying.
Thanks! Always nice to hear from people who have hung onto their cars, having done a few miles in it I can really see why.One thing I have found quite surprising is that I averaged 25mpg over the trip despite most of it being enthusiastic A and B road driving, I was anticipating much worse!
ollyh1988 said:
I think I saw you driving through Betws-y-coed, we were the red Tuscan parked up near the petrol station.
I heard the 911 coming then saw yours following.
Great weekend for a trip - we did about 400 miles in ours, also North Wales.
Quite likely, we passed through Betws-y-coed a couple of times on Sunday. Missed yours but did see a blue T350 around. It was definitely a great weekend for it!I heard the 911 coming then saw yours following.
Great weekend for a trip - we did about 400 miles in ours, also North Wales.
Having enjoyed the car all summer the MOT ran out last week so time to start the winter jobs.
I finally got round to sikaflexing the windscreen to roof seal back on. Someone had decided to try doing it with silicon bath sealant previously and made a bit of a mess, so it took a bit of cleaning up.
Next job was the one I had been dreading.... exhaust manifold removal. Luckily all the bolts were nice and free so it actually only took about 20 minutes per side. It was quickly evident that a couple of the gaskets had been blowing even though they were only replaced a few thousand miles ago. It looks like poor quality gaskets were used and the flanges are bit worse for wear....
I'll check them for cracks and get the flanges skimmed before reassembly. Luckily no damage has been done to the cylinder heads so I've cleaned them up nicely.
I finally got round to sikaflexing the windscreen to roof seal back on. Someone had decided to try doing it with silicon bath sealant previously and made a bit of a mess, so it took a bit of cleaning up.
Next job was the one I had been dreading.... exhaust manifold removal. Luckily all the bolts were nice and free so it actually only took about 20 minutes per side. It was quickly evident that a couple of the gaskets had been blowing even though they were only replaced a few thousand miles ago. It looks like poor quality gaskets were used and the flanges are bit worse for wear....
I'll check them for cracks and get the flanges skimmed before reassembly. Luckily no damage has been done to the cylinder heads so I've cleaned them up nicely.
I had a bit of time this weekend so decided to draw some clamps for the impreza steering rack. For better or worse, I want to keep the rack in the same position so the bump steer isn't effected and also solid mount it. I 3d printed them to test the rack position which seems to be fine, will get them machined in ali. I've also turned down the pinion ready to machine the hex on for the fiesta UJ.
Well the power steering conversion is now complete and the car passed its MOT on Tuesday. The first experience is that it is in general an improvement and is perfectly acceptable but could do with a bit more self centring, so ideally a bit more caster. As the caster adjustment is already maxed out this will mean modifying the wishbones, but this isn't a massive job. Maybe one for later in the summer.
Unfortunately the rack brackets haven't arrived (the supplier cant give me a delivery date due to covid delays), but I managed to use the Subaru brackets and some formed steel plates to mount the rack in the same place. I'll swap these out for the proper brackets when they arrive.
I made a bracket to mount an 80amp fuel alongside the alternator fuse and wired the astra pump control signal to the alternator light, which all seems to work perfectly. The pump starts up when the engine starts and stops if it stalls.
I flattened off the manifold faces, fitted new gaskets and resealed the Y piece to the manifolds, and also removed and resealed the sump by removing the cork gasket, cleaning up the faces and using locitite 5980 gasket sealer. The result is an exhaust that doesn't blow and no drips! Its also received a full 12000mile service including fuel filter (what a b
d of a job that is!) and Castrol 10w60 oil.
Waiting for its MOT:
I also decided to have a go at the passenger side window which had all but ground to a halt. Getting the door card off is fairly straightforward if you have pipe-cleaner arms like mine, but I can see why some struggle! A realignment of the window in the runners and a bit of red rubber grease and its (almost) as good as new.
Back in the garage waiting for some good weather!
Unfortunately the rack brackets haven't arrived (the supplier cant give me a delivery date due to covid delays), but I managed to use the Subaru brackets and some formed steel plates to mount the rack in the same place. I'll swap these out for the proper brackets when they arrive.
I made a bracket to mount an 80amp fuel alongside the alternator fuse and wired the astra pump control signal to the alternator light, which all seems to work perfectly. The pump starts up when the engine starts and stops if it stalls.
I flattened off the manifold faces, fitted new gaskets and resealed the Y piece to the manifolds, and also removed and resealed the sump by removing the cork gasket, cleaning up the faces and using locitite 5980 gasket sealer. The result is an exhaust that doesn't blow and no drips! Its also received a full 12000mile service including fuel filter (what a b
d of a job that is!) and Castrol 10w60 oil.Waiting for its MOT:
I also decided to have a go at the passenger side window which had all but ground to a halt. Getting the door card off is fairly straightforward if you have pipe-cleaner arms like mine, but I can see why some struggle! A realignment of the window in the runners and a bit of red rubber grease and its (almost) as good as new.
Back in the garage waiting for some good weather!
B'stard Child said:
Hi Adam - Were you following the footsteps of others or is this something you worked out?
Very much in the footsteps of others! There's a massive thread on subaru steering rack conversions in the Chimaera section, you have to pick through the useful information and red-herrings but overall its pretty straightforward. Obviously being a complete reconfiguration of the steering system its not a novice job, but perfectly doable by the 'home engineer'.pits said:
On my list as next car, planning to buy an earlier one which needs work, then spend the money getting chassis sorted and any other work, I would rather a fully sorted early one than spending my full budget on one and then trying to save up to fix it.
Just trying to find the right one, must not have the later wings as they look crap imho, and trying to find one that hasn't got hearing aid beige or clown soul grey interior
I took a similar approach, although I was after a facelifted one in a dark colour. I went and looked at a couple of 15-16k cars that, although shinier and with PAS, were otherwise in the same condition as this one. The money saved will pay for a full chassis refurb, respray and re-carpet at some point!Just trying to find the right one, must not have the later wings as they look crap imho, and trying to find one that hasn't got hearing aid beige or clown soul grey interior
PrinceRupert said:
Lovely colour and good thread :thumbsup: Watching with interest.
Thanks!B'stard Child said:
Adam205 said:
B'stard Child said:
Hi Adam - Were you following the footsteps of others or is this something you worked out?
Very much in the footsteps of others! There's a massive thread on subaru steering rack conversions in the Chimaera section, you have to pick through the useful information and red-herrings but overall its pretty straightforward. Obviously being a complete reconfiguration of the steering system its not a novice job, but perfectly doable by the 'home engineer'.Good to see you are enjoying the car
Are you still competing in the 7?
Was that Gaydon in 2008? I'd only had a license for a few months at that point! A years insurance on that was more than I pay for all three cars now....
If you want to see what the steering conversion feels like and you happen to be a long way west you're more then welcome to take it for a spin. Its a tad slower than the standard TVR power steering which I think is a good thing.
Took it for a proper run out this evening as the weather was nice and the steering has definitely changed the character of the car. In some ways I miss the event of wrestling it around roundabouts with two hands and feeling every cats-eye and manhole cover, but its gained the ability to be a comfortable summer cruiser.
And i've missed that noise!
If you want to see what the steering conversion feels like and you happen to be a long way west you're more then welcome to take it for a spin. Its a tad slower than the standard TVR power steering which I think is a good thing.
Took it for a proper run out this evening as the weather was nice and the steering has definitely changed the character of the car. In some ways I miss the event of wrestling it around roundabouts with two hands and feeling every cats-eye and manhole cover, but its gained the ability to be a comfortable summer cruiser.
And i've missed that noise!
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