Chimaera 500 - facts?
Discussion
Hi all,
Firstly - I am now a proud owner of a Formula Red Pearl Chimaera 500!! See my profile for a pic of my new toy!
Secondly, I am finding that everyone seems really interested in my new car. Even many of my work colleagues who normally show no interest in cars are asking loads of questions about her. I have always loved TVRs but I am starting to see just how wide the appeal is!
Anyway, I want to get some more accurate answers to some of their questions. For example - how powerful is a stock Chimaera 500???? The owners handbook says 340 Bhp but most other websites say 320 Bhp. So which is it? (And yes, I know some of the horses may have bolted since it left the factory!)
Can anyone tell me other interesting details about the Chimaera 500? How many were built? How many still exist? How many Formula Red Chim500s are there likely to be? etc etc.
Cheers,
FreeLitres
Firstly - I am now a proud owner of a Formula Red Pearl Chimaera 500!! See my profile for a pic of my new toy!
Secondly, I am finding that everyone seems really interested in my new car. Even many of my work colleagues who normally show no interest in cars are asking loads of questions about her. I have always loved TVRs but I am starting to see just how wide the appeal is!
Anyway, I want to get some more accurate answers to some of their questions. For example - how powerful is a stock Chimaera 500???? The owners handbook says 340 Bhp but most other websites say 320 Bhp. So which is it? (And yes, I know some of the horses may have bolted since it left the factory!)
Can anyone tell me other interesting details about the Chimaera 500? How many were built? How many still exist? How many Formula Red Chim500s are there likely to be? etc etc.
Cheers,
FreeLitres
I understand the bhp difference to be related to the catalytic converter. 340 pre cat, 320 with cat.
some additional Chim info here
http://www.chimaerapages.com/
some additional Chim info here
http://www.chimaerapages.com/
If it left the factory with 280bhp, I'd be surprised.
Vixpy1 (of Surrey Rolling Road) will be able to give a better idea of what a standard car puts out.
The story about Ned (Peter Wheeler's dog) taking a bit out of the indicator recess was a joke between PW and Ben Samuelson to see if the press would print it... (well, that's my understanding).
Worry less, and enjoy it.
Vixpy1 (of Surrey Rolling Road) will be able to give a better idea of what a standard car puts out.
The story about Ned (Peter Wheeler's dog) taking a bit out of the indicator recess was a joke between PW and Ben Samuelson to see if the press would print it... (well, that's my understanding).
Worry less, and enjoy it.
LivingTheDream said:
I understand the bhp difference to be related to the catalytic converter. 340 pre cat, 320 with cat.
some additional Chim info here
http://www.chimaerapages.com/
Nooooooooooooosome additional Chim info here
http://www.chimaerapages.com/
Chimps are essentially all cat cars as they are post the change in 92/93.
The spec change came in 97 when the 5 litre spec suddenly dropped 20 bhp due to a different ECU chip which quote improved the low speed shunting.
See pages 34-35 in the bible.
The reality is very different in that there was no real change in the power.
So don't pay a premium for a genuine 340 bhp spec 5 litre car...
shpub said:
The spec change came in 97 when the 5 litre spec suddenly dropped 20 bhp due to a different ECU chip which quote improved the low speed shunting.
Not sure it's just the ECU Steve, when I'd only previously seen early BV heads I was quite surprised to see humongous (look like std Rover) valve guides fouling the ports in later 500 heads? The change may have been part of an overall upgrade for reliability, better manners.. I guess Dom knows?Many moons ago I had an early 4.3 Chim from new and looked to replace it with a 500 straight after they came out. The 500 was simply not as quick as my 4.3. When I asked the salesman about this he gave me a TVR printed postcard type thing that said that the Chim 500 was available in two states of tune - 320bhp (HC) and 280bhp. Salesman told me that the demonstrator was the 280 version.
I have never seen any reference to the 280bhp 5 litre chim anywhere since....
I was also told that the 340bhp version of the 5 litre engine was being retained for use solely by the Griff
In my loft somewhere I still have that card though
I have never seen any reference to the 280bhp 5 litre chim anywhere since....
I was also told that the 340bhp version of the 5 litre engine was being retained for use solely by the Griff
In my loft somewhere I still have that card though
Edited by andymadmak on Friday 25th June 12:57
shpub said:
LivingTheDream said:
I understand the bhp difference to be related to the catalytic converter. 340 pre cat, 320 with cat.
some additional Chim info here
http://www.chimaerapages.com/
Nooooooooooooosome additional Chim info here
http://www.chimaerapages.com/
Chimps are essentially all cat cars as they are post the change in 92/93.
The spec change came in 97 when the 5 litre spec suddenly dropped 20 bhp due to a different ECU chip which quote improved the low speed shunting.
See pages 34-35 in the bible.
The reality is very different in that there was no real change in the power.
So don't pay a premium for a genuine 340 bhp spec 5 litre car...
andymadmak said:
FreeLitres said:
Ozmira said:
How many Formula Red Chim500s are there likely to be? That's the question I'd like a quess about.
Could I have the only one in the county?How many chim500s were built? Not many, 120? Say 10% red that's 12. Could well be 12 shades of red so yours may well be the only Formula Red one.
andymadmak said:
FreeLitres said:
Ozmira said:
How many Formula Red Chim500s are there likely to be? That's the question I'd like a quess about.
Could I have the only one in the county?
Hi Freelitres,
From your profile the car looks to be the one that I had from 2004 to 2008 before I changed it at HHC for a T2 Convertible. I beleive it left the County for North of the Border until last month. Never saw very many in Formula Red Pearl.
Glad it's back in the North East. It still looks great.
From your profile the car looks to be the one that I had from 2004 to 2008 before I changed it at HHC for a T2 Convertible. I beleive it left the County for North of the Border until last month. Never saw very many in Formula Red Pearl.
Glad it's back in the North East. It still looks great.
andymadmak said:
Many moons ago I had an early 4.3 Chim from new and looked to replace it with a 500 straight after they came out. The 500 was simply not as quick as my 4.3. When I asked the salesman about this he gave me a TVR printed postcard type thing that said that the Chim 500 was available in two states of tune - 320bhp (HC) and 280bhp. Salesman told me that the demonstrator was the 280 version.
I have never seen any reference to the 280bhp 5 litre chim anywhere since....
I was also told that the 340bhp version of the 5 litre engine was being retained for use solely by the Griff
In my loft somewhere I still have that card though
A very early press demo/development 500 (featured in Autocar and Performance Car IIRC?) was quoted to have 290 bhp/5,000 rpm and 352 lbs/ft at 3500. I have never seen any reference to the 280bhp 5 litre chim anywhere since....
I was also told that the 340bhp version of the 5 litre engine was being retained for use solely by the Griff
In my loft somewhere I still have that card though
Edited by andymadmak on Friday 25th June 12:57
Your very early 4.3 wasn't K14 MRA by any chance?
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