Johns cerbera rebuild and upgrade

[Engineer1949]

So it begins have finally sourced a car and very nice it is to picking it up tomorrow morning hope you guys give me plenty of feedback as the lot over on the chimaera forum did during the chim rebuild in truth will probably be after christmas when i really get stuck in i am taking on another workshop for the bodywork to keep the ironfighting seperate to the body etc.


John

[Engineer1949]

Just got back from picking up the cerb very pleased pics will follow once ive had a bite to eat.


John

[Engineer1949]

sorry pics took so long been busy dredging, as to the car it is green with 30 thousand miles and good history, it will have a body of restoration every last nut bolt washer, chassis overhauled strengthened particularly around the diff and rear end,, body is getting arches for wider bigger wheels new interior with full cage chassis modded to take the loadings of the cage, engine will be a gm variant possibly ls3 with twin blowers using a moteq ecu which has very advanced knock sensors to allow the standard compression ratio to be used ,but also looking at building up an lq9 block forged internals cathedral heads again twin blowers with an emerald ecu, six speed box stronger diff with lower ratio, air dam up front and a devise to impart downforce to the rear the proper name escapes at the moment, pics give some idea probably missed some elements but pics bellow.

john

[Engineer1949]

The simple answer as i see it is it is entirely in keeping with tvr ethos a natural progression if your system held sway the wheel would not have invented let alone a car so i do not see it as sacrilage simply improvement im my eyes at least.

John

[Engineer1949]

Replacing the whole tub would be far to time and money consuming even if a set of moulds where available but boot bonnet possibly door skins is doable but time will tell plus i feel it dosent want to get to much lighter .


John

[Engineer1949]

Cheers for the offer all info and pics much appreciated.


John

[Engineer1949]

no not started yet had to equip a new workshop which involved knocking walls down etc. but took the car to the snetterton track day saturday got some good footage so buyers of the engine etc. can see it performs well, i will be starting slowly this very week got a maroon chim to finish as well that will then be up for sale, funds for the cerb.

john

[Engineer1949]

no not started yet had to equip a new workshop which involved knocking walls down etc. but took the car to the snetterton track day saturday got some good footage so buyers of the engine etc. can see it performs well, i will be starting slowly this very week got a maroon chim to finish as well that will then be up for sale, funds for the cerb.

john

[Engineer1949]

well here we go, made a small start today after completing the workshop still the new lathe and mill to install but weather conditions not allowing me to collect them, but bonnet off and engine exposed few bits undone but start tomorrow in earnest.


john

[Engineer1949]

another good day i had forgotten what a plumbing nightmare the cooling system is but all out exhaust off, arbs off, rad out, aircon heat exchanger out, supprising how blocked the matrix is considering only 30000 miles, all the engine loom is disconnected and the gearbox and engine mounts undone, all the fluids drained just the remote oil filter to remove support the engine remove the engine mount brackets and out she comes.

john

[Engineer1949]

another good spell on the cerb engine is now out plus all the other bits and bobs just the ecu to untangle from the rest of it new engine should be here this coming week so all going along nicely i also picked up the trailer which will take one of the cars to track days santa pod etc. so i can still have my van with all its stuff on hand.

john

Edited by Engineer1949 on Sunday 23 February 14:39

[Engineer1949]

Well the van is abit different engines been breathed on runs about 135hp great for towing plus i love outdraging audi a3s etc.

John

[Engineer1949]

Very nice you cant beat ifor williams.


John

[Engineer1949]

the end of a couple of good days sees the body of and a new cradle built to accept the body, so much easier to shift about everything went fairly well not to many seized bolts so can't wait to get the chassis stripped and shot blasted should also have the new engine and box on tuesday.


john

[Engineer1949]

chassis is in remarkably good condition at least on first inspection, got all the interior stowed away in the store room, just as an aside if anyone is interested in the interior it all has to go as will not be being used it is all in good condition, but then got the body mounted on its new cradle and the chassis up on stands to start the complete strip out.

john

[Engineer1949]

You are quite right lots more vision without the sunvisor moulding.


John

[Engineer1949]

been busy again today got the front suspensions all stripped out and the rack plus associated pipework, the shocks with suitable springs are now on the project maroon chim but the big news is the power plant has arrived all now uncrated checked and ready to start the implant into the now bare chassis,i also took delivery of my new engine crane so much better than the old ex raf one.

john

[Engineer1949]

The box is specced for 600ftlbs on a 2.5 tonne car plus the ratios suit the engine probably could get more ultimate top speed with another cog but whats the point not many tracks where it will reach theoretical top speed as is.


John

[Engineer1949]

I a word cost but other considerations are parts availablity long term plus should we want a 700 hp monster its easily doable not so with th ajp its not we dont like the ajp it is a grand engine just dosent suit this particular project.


John

[Engineer1949]

fraid not just commercial marine big and small, but a small update just to let you know been side tracked by a chassis replacement to a griff but did get the chassis away for shot blasting ready for when the griff goes i can get stuck back in to getting the engine mountings done prior to its trip to emerald to go on the dyno.

john