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97 TVR Chimaera, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Daniel777

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Found my black on black Chimaera in England, imported it.
Love it! It's pretty, it's a race car, and it gets the good kind of attention. Finally have a car with enough power to accelerate/drift around corners. Yeah, I'm 69, but I'm a big kid when it comes to fast cars.
Unfortunately, I'm told cams only last about 50,000 miles, and from what mine sounds like, I think I need a new cam, even though the last one was installed just a year ago apparently.
So, what brought me to this forum was the hope that someone had installed roller lifters/cam, And could give me the pluses and minuses of it. I'm thinking they would last longer, but I don't want to spoil any of the acceleration characteristics that I have. Also, I've heard of the wildcat heads, which includes rollers, and I'm rather interested in those, though they are a bit of money. But, like they say, when you have a good woman, you don't mind spending a little on her.
Greetings to all who read this, feel free to say hi.
My name is Daniel.
 
Welcome Daniel.
Don't know much about the TVR line.
What engine did the Chimaera come with?
I do know a little bit about Nova Scotia.
Spent a bit of time visiting Peggy's Cove many years ago.
Then I visited some friends from Montreal who had a summer house on Pictou Island.
I had to take a ferry from PEI to get there and when we left we flew by air taxi.
 
equiprx said:
Welcome Daniel.
Don't know much about the TVR line.
What engine did the Chimaera come with?
I do know a little bit about Nova Scotia.
Spent a bit of time visiting Peggy's Cove many years ago.
Then I visited some friends from Montreal who had a summer house on Pictou Island.
I had to take a ferry from PEI to get there and when we left we flew by air taxi.
Click to expand...
Well, next time you come this way, you're welcome to stop by here. Kentville.
The engine the TVR used in the Chimaeras has a history… Originally bought from Buick as an all aluminum 215, it was adopted by rover, and then further worked on by TVR. Mine is 4.5 L, about 300 hp in present form with a moderately fast can.
 
Welcome.
I would speak to Dom at Powers performance in the UK, as he knows a lot about what you need. The tappets where the issue with the original motor, not so much the cam.
If the cam was replaced recently, it should be good for longer than what you are describing.
 
Grantura_MKI said:
Welcome.
I would speak to Dom at Powers performance in the UK, as he knows a lot about what you need. The tappets where the issue with the original motor, not so much the cam.
If the cam was replaced recently, it should be good for longer than what you are describing.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip, Darth, i've recorded and might message him about it.
So you have that special little Grantura, MK 1. One of about 100 I understand. How do you like driving it? Does the four push it along pretty good? It was competitive in racing wasn't it?
Really love the black car on your page here. Gorgeous. There were several cars that looked somewhat similar. What is this one? It looks smaller than any of that style I've seen, Unless it's just the picture angle.
 
Yes, it’s a blast. Has a cross flow Ford fitted now, but have a 100e with a blower ready to go when I have time.
They did well in the right hands.
That is. Mercedes 500k special roadster that I recommissioned for the owner after standing for 20+ years.
I have friends in the UK that were TVR main dealers for years. Can ask them if you wish?
Best,
 
Ahh, Mercedes 500. Gorgeous. It would be fun to make one about a third of the weight, three times the horsepower, and about 5/6 of the size, streamlined, cleaned up, and modernized a little.. but I guess Morgan is already doing something like that, and I can't afford one of those, let alone building my own.
So reconditioned I take it means Making it roadworthy and useable again? Getting it sorted as the British say? A noble skill.
Thanks for your generous offer to ask your friends in the UK. I feel I should do some more of my own homework before troubling anyone with it. It would be hard to nail down without knowing a few parameters, like whether it's firing on all cylinders or what the compression is, etc. there is a British car mechanic with a stellar reputation who lives about an hour away. I think he would look at it if I trailered it down.
 
Right, Basil. Here's one.
 

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Have been reading about a firm named V8 Developments.
Take a look.
 
Thanks, Darth. I've noted that. I'll have a local fellow look at the car first to give me some direction, then educate myself on the options available to fix it, and possibly "build back better".
Better to apply that to my car than to an unsuspecting global populace.
 
I like the name Darth…I guess a proper name switch is in order!?
 
Grantura_MKI said:
Yes, it’s a blast. Has a cross flow Ford fitted now, but have a 100e with a blower ready to go when I have time.
They did well in the right hands.
That is. Mercedes 500k special roadster that I recommissioned for the owner after standing for 20+ years.
I have friends in the UK that were TVR main dealers for years. Can ask them if you wish?
Best,
Click to expand...
Darth. I've taken my car into a local shop and he has determined that the problem is upper valve train. Doesn't know if the camshaft is compromised or not without disassembling. So that gives me direction. Are you still willing to ask your UK friends about a solution? I'm looking long-term, so perhaps they might have advice on whether a roller cam set up would be practical… The pros and cons. My mechanic is also having trouble sourcing parts for it.
 
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