TVR Chimaera

[Lady Elanore]

[boylers11]

Had a delivery at work the other day, which caused my colleagues much amusement...

[boylers11]

It's a decat Y piece made by Clive F, he specialises in custom pipe work and apparently his y pieces fit and sound better than the ACT version.

The welds are amazing!

Also splashed out on some ACT decat precat manifolds with a non-reversal cone. Should smarten up the engine bay a fair bit, release some ponies and improve the soundtrack.

Removing the manifolds will be done when it's a bit warmer as it's a pig of a job apparently, but while I'm at it, I'll do a few other jobs while the access is good (mainly cleaning and replacing perishables).

[B33fy]

Pipework looks good, car sounds great as well. Mine sounds like an uneven 4 cylinder from the sides, as it hasn't got a crossover pipe to give it that burble.. it sounds ok from a mile or so away though.. :)

[boylers11]

Well the strip down has begun.

Managed to loosen nearly all the manifold bolts last weekend bar 2 on the rear of the nearside. Access from the top is impossible and the exhaust blocks the way from underneath.

So, this weekend I've removed the Y piece, rear ARB and the whole exhaust. While it's off, it allows great access underneath for me to treat the chassis and any oily bits.

The chassis is in great nick and the outriggers are new, but can anyone recommend any rust killer and hardcoat for the original bits? POR15 seems to get good reviews still and I've used the topcoat before, but has anyone got a better product in mind?

Also, I need a good degreaser to get rid of road grime first, any suggestions?

[Wardy]

18 hours ago, boylers11 said:

The chassis is in great nick and the outriggers are new, but can anyone recommend any rust killer and hardcoat for the original bits? POR15 seems to get good reviews still and I've used the topcoat before, but has anyone got a better product in mind?

Also, I need a good degreaser to get rid of road grime first, any suggestions?

 

Bilt Hamber range for me. Hydrate-80 will convert the rust and also give basic protection. Then either Dynax or their Mastic for coating protection.

 

They're really helpful so I would drop them an email with what you're trying to achieve, and they'll advise on the best combination of products.

 

Also, for degreasing their Surfex product is excellent.

Edited 30 January, 2017 by Wardy

[TriggerFish]

I used bilt hamber stuff on my e30 too. Reviews were decent, as said. I'll only know if it's any good or not it several years (hopefully!), But the internet seemed impressed. 

[boylers11]

Thanks very much lads, I'll drop them a message now!

[boylers11]

Had a reply from Pete Hamber recommending the following:

-Surfex HD to clean/prep
-Hydrate 80 to treat and prime
-White epoxy mastic to coat

B.H prices don't seem bad at all, so that'll all be getting ordered in the next week or so once more strip down has occurred.

[Wardy]

Good stuff. I was on the right lines then

 

Surfex is a great general cleaner as well - around the house and for other car jobs.

[boylers11]

Great, thanks For the help Wardy.

 

It'll be a week or two until I'm at the cleaning stage, but I'll get plenty of before/after shots.

 

 

 

 

[Wardy]

Enjoy - I found it quite satisfying 

 

You get a good level of detail in the delivery, with each product as well - how to best apply etc etc

 

In pre-prep terms, I'd get a set of good paintbrushes in various sizes, and some tupperwear/plastic containers to use with stuff like the Hydrate-80.

[boylers11]

Finally managed to remove the manifolds today after quite a bit of swearing and cut knuckles.
I had to make use of my custom TVR specialist manifold bolt undo-er consisting of a tube, allen key and a long socket, which worked an absolute treat!

The engine bay looks quite sparse now, which means that access for removing surface rust and treating will be much better!

Edited 7 February, 2017 by boylers11

[boylers11]

Also, thanks to Wardy and TriggerFish (and Peter Hamber) I've received my BH products. Can't wait to try the cleaner out. I only went for small containers of the other two so I can see how they go before committing to a larger purchase.

 

[blueR36]

Great car and project , I would have kept the V8 badges, but Im sure anyone who didnt know soon does when it starts up!, load anather vid when new pipework is on, love the indicator stalks they look gorgeous and freshen the interiour

[boylers11]

It's been a rather busy week or two. What was going to be an under bonnet tidy up has ended up being a full front end refurb. The driver's side upper wishbone was completely knackered, so a new one was purchased and the rest were wire wheeled, treated with BH Hydrate 80, then painted with BH epoxy white:

Also treated both ARBs and all brackets then hung them up to dry:

Next ports of call - fit new bonnet heat reflector linings, flush coolant system and refill then reinstate the exhaust. ETA the first weekend of April, so gona have my work cut out.

Then some time during the summer, the rear wishbones will be removed and posset coated.

 

 

 

Edited 15 March, 2017 by boylers11

[Wardy]

Decent progress.

Looking forward to the 'posset coating'

[boylers11]

Thanks. Haha, that's code for powder coating...

 

 

 

 

...bloody auto correct!

[KenONeill]

14 hours ago, boylers11 said:

Thanks. Haha, that's code for powder coating...

 

 

 

 

...bloody auto correct!

YOU mean "auto second guess and get it wrong most of the time".

[boylers11]

Got quite a bit done recently.

Gave the aux belt heat shield a quick of paint:

Fitted the new inner wing heat shields to protect the fibreglass from exhaust temps. These are custom made and better quality than the originals. The originals were riveted on and rivets were supplied with them, but in going to see how the high temp glue/sealant holds up first, as it looks so much cleaner without rivet heads on show.
I also used a similar material to wrap the two chassis struts that run very close to the exhaust manifolds. These were secured with steel zip ties:

Finally I got the main exhaust back on, the manifolds tightened and the Y piece almost done. Just need a rachet strap now to hold it while I attach the final clamp:

Then, I just need to plug in the lambdas, refill the coolant system after flushing it, then it's start time!

[boylers11]

The front drop links were knackered, so I eventually sourced some adjustable ones which feel good quality, but time will tell.

Old:

New:

Old vs new:

Installed:

Also went to the local motor factors and picked up a new coolant temp sensor for £3, as it was old stock (they're normally £10+) - bonus!

Also installed a couple of new lambdas to help the engine management out.

Hoping to take her for a blast tomorrow and will try and get a vid or two!

My VRS was clean the other day too after a wheel refurb, so took a quick pic:

 

 

 

[Wardy]

All sounding good - and love those wheels! 

[boylers11]

Thanks Wardy. I'll get a vid of the TVR if the nice weather ever makes a return!

[boylers11]

Finally got a vid, albeit not a very good one of the new exhaust note. I did get a driving one on my go pro stuck to the boot, but it was in the waterproof case for safety, but it muted the sound, so I'll get another some other day.

The under bonnet temperatures are much lower and it feels a lot more responsive on the throttle too.

https://youtu.be/87GXzVrz_yM

[Wardy]

Sounds good to me!