Chimaera Parts - Where to buy?

[Johnny 89]

I'm currently weighing up the feasibility of completing a restoration on my '94 Chimaera 400.

Does anyone have suggestions on where is best to buy specific parts? Everything from chassis pieces, mechanicals, interior and trim? I am based in ireland so will need the parts shipped.

Is there a "go to place" for value or is it a case of sourcing parts from different suppliers depending on what's required to get the best value?

I've looked at RT Racing and it seems like there are some good parts there. Does anyone have any advise?

At the moment I'm not even sure if I'll go ahead with it so need to weigh the options up.

[nawarne]

Hi Johnny,
Brake calipers/rotors/pads are all Ford sourced. You should be able to get them from your local factors quite easily.

Engine parts are all Land-Rover V8, so again, probably easily sourced in Ireland...the cam is a TVR bespoke item as are the manifolds. Check out the Chimaera forum....I'd consider going for an aftermarket ecu if you have the cash. The ignition/HT components (dizzy cap/rotor/plugs and lead extenders) are tricky as the market is flooded with poor quality copies. A new ecu would dispense with some of those items as well as the 'old' Lucas 14 CUX ecu and make the car a smoother drive.

I believe the cabin switch gear and column ass'y and electrics are Vauxhall sourced.

Suspension wishbones and bushes along with road springs are TVR specific...but all the parts suppliers will likely have them off the shelf.

Suppliers are: TVR Parts, Powers Performance, Racetech Direct and RT Racing.

My sister lives close to Kinsale, Co.Cork. Haven't been over this year - for obvious reasons! There's been a guy, (Willy) form Kildare who's just got an S3 and has posted on the TVR Club forum. He seems keen to re-invigorate the ROI club Region. Joining the club gets you some discounts from service and parts suppliers.

Nick

[Johnny 89]

Thanks a lot, very helpful info. and the ECU upgrade is definitely something worth considering. Do you know where I could source one if I go that route?

I must join the ROI members club. I actually only e-mailed them this morning. I have met some of the lads previously.

Thanks again for the tips. Wish me luck, this refurb could grow legs if I let it!

If you are ever down Kinsale direction let me know and I might have roadworthy Chim sorted by then! I'm not too far away in Waterford.

Edited by Johnny 89 on Friday 25th September 14:01

[indigochim]

Some useful info here on the Chimaera Parts List not sure if you have to be a club member to view.

Edited by indigochim on Tuesday 29th September 19:40

[nawarne]

Thanks a lot, very helpful info. and the ECU upgrade is definitely something worth considering. Do you know where I could source one if I go that route?

Johnny, Powers Performance will sell you a drive-in/drive-out replacement...but it ain't cheap! Very bespoke and professional, but expensive.
I'd speak to Jools at "Kits & Classics" (in Chesterfield UK) and a gentleman through and through. His aftermarket stuff for the Rover V8 is 'Emerald', and he's done quite a few. Worth a 'phone call to see what's involved in a DIY install? Car would have to be fine adjusted on a rolling road...but Jools might know of a suitable place in Ireland? I'm sure he'd help with parts sourcing as well - he's worked with all the TVR models.

Jools post regularly on PH - his forum name is spitfire..something.

Nick

[QBee]

nawarne said:

Thanks a lot, very helpful info. and the ECU upgrade is definitely something worth considering. Do you know where I could source one if I go that route?

Johnny, Powers Performance will sell you a drive-in/drive-out replacement...but it ain't cheap! Very bespoke and professional, but expensive.
I'd speak to Jools at "Kits & Classics" (in Chesterfield UK) and a gentleman through and through. His aftermarket stuff for the Rover V8 is 'Emerald', and he's done quite a few. Worth a 'phone call to see what's involved in a DIY install? Car would have to be fine adjusted on a rolling road...but Jools might know of a suitable place in Ireland? I'm sure he'd help with parts sourcing as well - he's worked with all the TVR models.

Jools post regularly on PH - his forum name is spitfire..something.

Nick

Jools is Spitfire4V8 and he is a top guy. You are better contacting him through his website by email or text - he doesn't work particularly long hours, and will not answer the phone when he is working on the rolling road mapping a car.
If you are competent with modern ECUs and mapping, you can buy Megasquirt and Emerald ECUs and looms and fit them yourself. You will also need a kit of parts, like a trigger wheel, coil packs, leads that are the right length for the coil packs and a load of other bits, so speak to Jools first.
Mat Smith (Mat Smith Sports Cars Limited 01366 386004) does answer the phone and can supply and fit Emerald, or can supply you with a kit of parts. With all these aftermarket systems, you need a rolling road for the mapping and a guy who knows what he is doing. If you take it to Jools, for example, he will want the car for about three weeks, as he will need to install it and then map it and set up the cold start, which is something you can only work on once a day - when the engine is cold.

By the way, TVR Parts Limited give a 7.5% discount for TVRCC members, so if you are going to spend more than £700 with them that will leave you in profit and get you all the benefits of membership. I believe that Halfords also give discounts to TVRCC members, and there will be others.

[spitfire4v8]

Yup I've already done a chimaera from Ireland but that car came over to me because the owner was struggling finding anyone to take the install on over there, despite there being several emerald mappers to choose from none of them wanted to do the installation.

[Johnny 89]

Lots to think about there folks, thanks.
The first job up, if I do decide to go down the full refurb route is the chassis. I'm waiting on an estimate to get that sorted, being body off, blast, repair and coat.

[QBee]

Best time to replace all the brake and fuel pipes. There are a number of restoration threads on here you might find useful.

[blitzracing]

Do you have any specific driving issues with the current ECU? It's a big expense and a lot of faffing about ( as has been hinted above) just to swap out your whole fuel injection just because someone says you should. It won't magically add 5 mpg, or 30 bhp if the original ECU is running as it should be.

[900T-R]

blitzracing said:

Do you have any specific driving issues with the current ECU? It's a big expense and a lot of faffing about ( as has been hinted above) just to swap out your whole fuel injection just because someone says you should. It won't magically add 5 mpg, or 30 bhp if the original ECU is running as it should be.

This, with bells on. The aftermarket ECUs are no more sophisticated than a late 80s/early 90s OEM system and you lose the stuff that the OEMs (in this case Land Rover) spent 1000s of hours on getting them right in any condition you are likely to encounter with your car - cold and hot starting/running, adaptation strategies etc. Personally I don't like the fact that most seem to run on manifold absolute pressure rather than an air mass meter on a road car that will meet a far wider bandwidth of road, ambient and engine conditions than something maily used to tear down racetracks.

Also if you´re planning going on big road trips, the ability to have your ECU interrogated by any Land Rover dealer/specialist and pretty much any independent garage can prove a life saver.

The main thing worth having from aftermarket systems is a) mapped ignition and b) the ability to support engine configurations wildly different from OE standard, i.e. forced induction, alternative fuels, auxiliary injectors/fuel rails, water/methanol injection etc.

Also, if your original system keeps throwing up faults and irregularities pointing to issues that require digging deep in the vagaries of a 25 year old engine loom, it might be a good idea at some point to start from scratch with all new stuff, as it might turn out cheaper in the long run...

As for mapped ignition, adding a 123ignition 123tune (usb mappable) 'distributor' will give you full mapping capability, and a brand new, very nicely built unit to replace your old distributor, nicely sidestepping the aftermarket parts quality issue on the ignition front. The other 'hot' issue on CUX14 concerning component quality is the idling control stepper motor and I believe Racetech Direct has had a high quality replacement unit made as the general aftermarket replacement parts (including the ones that come in a Lucas box) is variable to say the least.

[Johnny 89]

Thanks all,

I had no running / ECU issues when the car was last running around three years ago. I will see how it is running now to confirm best approach.