What is the difference between a t series chassis and.....

[MPETT]

the Griff/Chimaera chassis???

I've got the TVR history book by haynes, and that says the t series is an evolution of the Cerbera (shorter) but it doesn't say what the Cerbera is an evolution of. I'm presuming Griff/Chim?

Cheers for the info help!

Martin

[JR]

Yes, each model is an evolution of the previous model with the exception of the S which was a budget car to get the company out of a financial fix.

[MPETT]

So my project where I want to build a new TVR using a Tuscan 2 bodyshell as a start point. The body would fit onto an old griff/chim chassis then?

[JR]

MPETT said:

So my project where I want to build a new TVR using a Tuscan 2 bodyshell as a start point. The body would fit onto an old griff/chim chassis then?

Think of Darwin's theory where apes became men. Your tailor made suit ouwldn't fit an earlier generation.

[MPETT]

I hear what u are saying, however I'm doing a slightly odd project. I have rhe 'occupant' section of a tuscan 2. From this i want to make the Sonitus Concept (do a search in google). I suppose the key info I'm after is is the backbone a consistent shape and is the overall width of the chassis over the years consistent. Clearly the overall length has changed! For example the t series is a shorter cerbera chassis.
Has anyone ever modelled the chassis in a CAD package?

[JR]

MPETT said:

I hear what u are saying, however I'm doing a slightly odd project. I have rhe 'occupant' section of a tuscan 2. From this i want to make the Sonitus Concept (do a search in google). I suppose the key info I'm after is is the backbone a consistent shape and is the overall width of the chassis over the years consistent. Clearly the overall length has changed! For example the t series is a shorter cerbera chassis.

No. The body will not fit and the T chassis is not simply a shorter Cerb one. However fibreglass is a wonderfull material for your type of project since it can be cut and shut without loss of strength. If necessary you can cut it in all three planes so that it can be made to fit any chassis. In a project on the scale that you are proposing this will not be your major obstacle. I'd be concentrating more on the finished design: what is the Sonitus wheelbase compared to the Griff and how will the design proportions look if this has to be altered? Is there a copyright on the Sonitus shape? (I saw it at the Moorside, thank you.) Have you thought of speaking to Nick (ex TVR designer) or the plasticman? I'd also be looking to incorporate a proper roll cage at the design stage. It sounds like an interesting project, good luck.

[MPETT]

JR said:

No. The body will not fit and the T chassis is not simply a shorter Cerb one. However fibreglass is a wonderfull material for your type of project since it can be cut and shut without loss of strength. If necessary you can cut it in all three planes so that it can be made to fit any chassis. In a project on the scale that you are proposing this will not be your major obstacle. I'd be concentrating more on the finished design: what is the Sonitus wheelbase compared to the Griff and how will the design proportions look if this has to be altered? Is there a copyright on the Sonitus shape? (I saw it at the Moorside, thank you.) Have you thought of speaking to Nick (ex TVR designer) or the plasticman? I'd also be looking to incorporate a proper roll cage at the design stage. It sounds like an interesting project, good luck.

Hi JR,
Mark, the designer of the SONITUS was at ROAR. I approached him at his degree show in 2009 and he is on board with the project.


We've compared the wheelbase to the Tuscan's and all looks good for the T series chassis to be used as the donor.



However you can buy new chassis from aftermarket sources like Sportmotive, hence the question.
I have been chatting to plastic man. I went down to his place a few months ago and he has kindly offered his advice to the project. Do you know Nick's user name? I'd like to have a chat with him if possible. As for the roll cage, I agree, and it is in the plan. I'm also going to join up the hinges and the door catch with the roll cage to provide a proper safety cell.

For those of you reading this who don't know the project:

[JR]

MPETT said:

I have been chatting to plastic man. I went down to his place a few months ago and he has kindly offered his advice to the project. Do you know Nick's user name? I'd like to have a chat with him if possible. As for the roll cage, I agree, and it is in the plan. I'm also going to join up the hinges and the door catch with the roll cage to provide a proper safety cell.

Hi, the T-series sounds like the best choice, the Cerb being the only other sensible alternative really; all depending on engine choice but I assume that you'll be going for 300+bhp. I'm assuming that you don't have the finances to develop a whole car so the Sagaris supension from pick up points to arms would most likely be your best starting point, adjusting spring rates and damper settings to suit. I'd bolt the roll cage on Cerbera style so that you can remove the body if necessary. Have you studied the wedge design? Passed USA crash tests and includes a proper hinge, door and catch design albeit heavy. Nick's user name is:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...