New Kid On The Block
Discussion
Hi guys and girls,
I'm new to TVR ownership and this Forum as well...I purchased a Chimaera 450 3 weeks ago and am just getting used to it! A track day at Brands last week proved educational, especially on 10-year old T1Rs with 2.5mm tread on the back! Still...I learned a lot.
Having devoured a lot of the content on this Forum over the last couple of weeks, I have since fitted Yoko AD08Rs all round but have had to compromise a bit on the sizes simply because of what's available:
F: 205/50/R15 (86V)
R: 225/50/R16 (92V)
The shockers are Gaz Gold all round so I guess there is some adjustment of ride height possible but I'd be grateful for any replies that tell me what I can expect from fitting these sizes (handling? ride? speedo reading? etc). If I'm honest, the front looks a bit under-tyred now, both in terms of width and sidewall height, but I have so far only driven back from the tyre fitters so yet to experience it on a run.
Thanks,
Colin
I'm new to TVR ownership and this Forum as well...I purchased a Chimaera 450 3 weeks ago and am just getting used to it! A track day at Brands last week proved educational, especially on 10-year old T1Rs with 2.5mm tread on the back! Still...I learned a lot.
Having devoured a lot of the content on this Forum over the last couple of weeks, I have since fitted Yoko AD08Rs all round but have had to compromise a bit on the sizes simply because of what's available:
F: 205/50/R15 (86V)
R: 225/50/R16 (92V)
The shockers are Gaz Gold all round so I guess there is some adjustment of ride height possible but I'd be grateful for any replies that tell me what I can expect from fitting these sizes (handling? ride? speedo reading? etc). If I'm honest, the front looks a bit under-tyred now, both in terms of width and sidewall height, but I have so far only driven back from the tyre fitters so yet to experience it on a run.
Thanks,
Colin
Edited by Colin Newbold on Friday 11th October 14:37
My thanks to everyone who has contributed responses to my original thread...much appreciated. Here are some responses:
Firstly to Classic Chim: Ha! We'll see about that...I'm booked in to the AC Owners Club Annual Sprint at Goodwood, Sat 2nd Nov! Any spectators are most welcome...you don't need tickets and it's completely free.
To Dougal9887: Really appreciate the feedback and reassurance. I've no idea what springs I'm running (probably whatever was supplied in the standard Gaz Gold kit). Think I'll do the Sprint as is and see how I go. TBH I've got my eye on the Bilstein set-up that Ben Lang sells specifically for the Chimaera.
To indigochim: Mine was supplied new by Redhill Ltd (tvr-redhill.co.uk) on 10.10.98...is that local to Christopher Neal? I guess so.
To Macbags: Yes, I bought this from Giles Cooper. For a bit of background...when I was 20 (1971) I worked as a salesman for John Britten Garages in Arkley (Barnet), Herts. I was there for two years. I used to buy and sell new TVRs, among other things (I have many a tale I can tell about those days!!!). My boss was Chris Alford who at one time campaigned a TVR M on racetracks. He and I are still friends today. I would even earn extra dosh by helping to build Vixen kit cars in a nearby lock-up so the customers could avoid Car Tax! I sometimes went up to the factory and collected new cars on the customers' behalf, which is how I met Martin Lilley. As you may know, Giles went on to set up the TVR Centre on the same site in Arkley. Despite the fact that he and I even went to some of the same clubs and pubs in those days, we never actually met until now (I think he's got a couple of years on me!). Spooky! Maybe it was meant to be! I have to say the car is pretty spot on in every respect with possibly the fullest service history I have seen on ANY car and Giles' behaviour has been that of a gentleman throughout. I would highly recommend him. Looks like you got what you wanted in the end though, very smart!
And to Andav469: They'll definitley see you coming in that!! Given that the factory chose the 15 F/ 16 R combination, do you think there was a huge amount of strategic planning in that combo (or did they just get offered a job lot of wheels, do you think!)? If so, doesn't a choice of 16s all round give it's own problems?
Once again, grateful for your welcoming me to the tribe with such a plethora of information. I feel I'm among friends already
.
Firstly to Classic Chim: Ha! We'll see about that...I'm booked in to the AC Owners Club Annual Sprint at Goodwood, Sat 2nd Nov! Any spectators are most welcome...you don't need tickets and it's completely free.
To Dougal9887: Really appreciate the feedback and reassurance. I've no idea what springs I'm running (probably whatever was supplied in the standard Gaz Gold kit). Think I'll do the Sprint as is and see how I go. TBH I've got my eye on the Bilstein set-up that Ben Lang sells specifically for the Chimaera.
To indigochim: Mine was supplied new by Redhill Ltd (tvr-redhill.co.uk) on 10.10.98...is that local to Christopher Neal? I guess so.
To Macbags: Yes, I bought this from Giles Cooper. For a bit of background...when I was 20 (1971) I worked as a salesman for John Britten Garages in Arkley (Barnet), Herts. I was there for two years. I used to buy and sell new TVRs, among other things (I have many a tale I can tell about those days!!!). My boss was Chris Alford who at one time campaigned a TVR M on racetracks. He and I are still friends today. I would even earn extra dosh by helping to build Vixen kit cars in a nearby lock-up so the customers could avoid Car Tax! I sometimes went up to the factory and collected new cars on the customers' behalf, which is how I met Martin Lilley. As you may know, Giles went on to set up the TVR Centre on the same site in Arkley. Despite the fact that he and I even went to some of the same clubs and pubs in those days, we never actually met until now (I think he's got a couple of years on me!). Spooky! Maybe it was meant to be! I have to say the car is pretty spot on in every respect with possibly the fullest service history I have seen on ANY car and Giles' behaviour has been that of a gentleman throughout. I would highly recommend him. Looks like you got what you wanted in the end though, very smart!
And to Andav469: They'll definitley see you coming in that!! Given that the factory chose the 15 F/ 16 R combination, do you think there was a huge amount of strategic planning in that combo (or did they just get offered a job lot of wheels, do you think!)? If so, doesn't a choice of 16s all round give it's own problems?
Once again, grateful for your welcoming me to the tribe with such a plethora of information. I feel I'm among friends already
.Edited by Colin Newbold on Monday 14th October 14:50
This is all fantastic stuff guys, much appreciated. Who was it that wrote "we'll soon get you dipping into your wallet"!!!
One other car club I'm involved with has set up a Wiki page, with different folders depending on what info you need. Maybe we could consider doing something similar:
One other car club I'm involved with has set up a Wiki page, with different folders depending on what info you need. Maybe we could consider doing something similar:
To Classic Chim: Am I allowed to ask your first name (or does that break a rule)? What tyre pressures are you running? And what wheels did you buy? Car looks terrific BTW!
Same questions to Dougal9887 (although I'm guessing you're Dougal!). Do you alter tyre pressures for track (wet and dry conditions...what pressures have you found best)? And are those Estoril wheels, in which case are they different widths/offsets to the Chimaera ones?
So many questions....
Thanks,
Colin
Same questions to Dougal9887 (although I'm guessing you're Dougal!). Do you alter tyre pressures for track (wet and dry conditions...what pressures have you found best)? And are those Estoril wheels, in which case are they different widths/offsets to the Chimaera ones?
So many questions....
Thanks,
Colin
Edited by Colin Newbold on Tuesday 15th October 15:37
Fantastic Alun, a huge amount of detail there. Thank you.
Thanks also to Dougal and good luck at Croft! One of my fave circuits. BTW...I aim for 30psi all round on track once heat's got in...I also have a little infra-red gun that measures temp across each tread...I'm looking for consistency there.
Finally...to Tim: Chris called me last night...he never raced a Westfield 11 but remembers selling 4 over the years, one with a dry sump. It was red he thinks. That your car? Anyway he's happy for you to call him. I should probably do that via Private Message, anyone know how I do that?
Cheers,
Colin
Thanks also to Dougal and good luck at Croft! One of my fave circuits. BTW...I aim for 30psi all round on track once heat's got in...I also have a little infra-red gun that measures temp across each tread...I'm looking for consistency there.
Finally...to Tim: Chris called me last night...he never raced a Westfield 11 but remembers selling 4 over the years, one with a dry sump. It was red he thinks. That your car? Anyway he's happy for you to call him. I should probably do that via Private Message, anyone know how I do that?
Cheers,
Colin
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff