Upgrade path for an early CV8?
Discussion
I have June 2004 CV8, one of the earlier models with a single exit exhaust (not the VZ). Around 330bhp I believe, depending where you look. It is almost standard, with the exception of a cold air intake and a 2.5" mild steel exhaust system (both sourced from LSV and fitted from new). The exhaust will need replacing shortly. The car has not been remapped.
What do people think? I've had a read of the Wortec options on the Monkfish website, but I don't want to just plump for something without being well informed, and I don't know whether particular options are well/badly suited to my model. I'm unlikely to track this car so I'd favour power upgrades over suspension/brake upgrades. I really fancy an adjustable exhaust system, but I've only seen these installed on later models so I don't know if it's possible.
I'm fortunate to live near to Monkfish, and the car will be going there for a service in a few weeks. I'm happy to spend £1000 or more, but I'll probably upgrade the car gradually over time rather than dump a SC in it straight away.
Sorry to ramble on - any input is welcome
What do people think? I've had a read of the Wortec options on the Monkfish website, but I don't want to just plump for something without being well informed, and I don't know whether particular options are well/badly suited to my model. I'm unlikely to track this car so I'd favour power upgrades over suspension/brake upgrades. I really fancy an adjustable exhaust system, but I've only seen these installed on later models so I don't know if it's possible.
I'm fortunate to live near to Monkfish, and the car will be going there for a service in a few weeks. I'm happy to spend £1000 or more, but I'll probably upgrade the car gradually over time rather than dump a SC in it straight away.
Sorry to ramble on - any input is welcome
Hmm - where do I start!
I would take a drive of the demo if you ae at Monkfish in a few weeks. Suspension is low (very) but handling is tight. Is also very loud.
The cheapest option is the road response pack and possibly the track day pack, transform the car (though with the latter am yet to know but the former was a revelation).
With the exhaust you need to decide whether you want quiet or loud, my own car is quite muted unless on song but quite a few have loud all the time with no orlittle silencers. The switchable is not available for the 'old' cv8's.
Why not come along to Santa Pod and have a look at a few examples and various mods?
I would take a drive of the demo if you ae at Monkfish in a few weeks. Suspension is low (very) but handling is tight. Is also very loud.
The cheapest option is the road response pack and possibly the track day pack, transform the car (though with the latter am yet to know but the former was a revelation).
With the exhaust you need to decide whether you want quiet or loud, my own car is quite muted unless on song but quite a few have loud all the time with no orlittle silencers. The switchable is not available for the 'old' cv8's.
Why not come along to Santa Pod and have a look at a few examples and various mods?
Edited by AM04ARO on Tuesday 27th May 06:48
I'd go down this route
brakes -> vxr brakes
bushes -> road response pack
Do these first then go for an exhaust and suitable remap. I've not had the RR pack fitted (yet) but if I end up keeping the car I will get that done.
Work on the handling upgrades, the vxr stoppers are a great upgrade path and from a few I know with the RR thats a great change too. If you are currently happy with the performance I'd stick with what you ahve and do those parts first. A remap and system again really work well on the cv8 as it releases a lot from the engine whilst still remaining well within tolerances.
brakes -> vxr brakes
bushes -> road response pack
Do these first then go for an exhaust and suitable remap. I've not had the RR pack fitted (yet) but if I end up keeping the car I will get that done.
Work on the handling upgrades, the vxr stoppers are a great upgrade path and from a few I know with the RR thats a great change too. If you are currently happy with the performance I'd stick with what you ahve and do those parts first. A remap and system again really work well on the cv8 as it releases a lot from the engine whilst still remaining well within tolerances.
I'd also recommend the ripshifter.......i've also got an 04 CV8 and I can't imagine going back to not having one. It almost changes the feel of the car.
I'd also go down the road response handling pack route, looking at getting it done to mine soon once I get my AP's (going to track day it)
I'd also go down the road response handling pack route, looking at getting it done to mine soon once I get my AP's (going to track day it)
Edited by redbarron84 on Tuesday 27th May 00:40
I'm on my second 04 CV8 now, and with my experience I'd probably do things differently. For a road car and without spending silly money (which I AM inclined to do) I would do the following in order.
1. Brakes (Standard CV8 brakes are woeful for the power/weight of the car)
2. Road Response pac (or similar)
3. Standard remap and exhaust (free the proper V8 burble and a useful lump of extra torque) your choice, quiet OR loud not both
4. Ripshifter
These four mods alone will utterly transform the car to the standard I believe it should have been from the factory. You will love it I'm sure, and as you are already aware there are many many further options available. And good luck!
1. Brakes (Standard CV8 brakes are woeful for the power/weight of the car)
2. Road Response pac (or similar)
3. Standard remap and exhaust (free the proper V8 burble and a useful lump of extra torque) your choice, quiet OR loud not both
4. Ripshifter
These four mods alone will utterly transform the car to the standard I believe it should have been from the factory. You will love it I'm sure, and as you are already aware there are many many further options available. And good luck!
Gas_Man said:
I'm on my second 04 CV8 now, and with my experience I'd probably do things differently. For a road car and without spending silly money (which I AM inclined to do) I would do the following in order.
1. Brakes (Standard CV8 brakes are woeful for the power/weight of the car)
2. Road Response pac (or similar)
3. Standard remap and exhaust (free the proper V8 burble and a useful lump of extra torque) your choice, quiet OR loud not both
4. Ripshifter
These four mods alone will utterly transform the car to the standard I believe it should have been from the factory. You will love it I'm sure, and as you are already aware there are many many further options available. And good luck!
1. Brakes (Standard CV8 brakes are woeful for the power/weight of the car)
2. Road Response pac (or similar)
3. Standard remap and exhaust (free the proper V8 burble and a useful lump of extra torque) your choice, quiet OR loud not both
4. Ripshifter
These four mods alone will utterly transform the car to the standard I believe it should have been from the factory. You will love it I'm sure, and as you are already aware there are many many further options available. And good luck!
X2. Spot on GM.
Thanks for the responses guys - very helpful. I was reluctant to go for brakes as the first upgrade for reasons stated in my original post, but it does seem to be a recurring theme. Does anyone know how much a VXR brake upgrade would cost? I can only see prices for the AP systems on the websites I know of.
I do hanker after a bit more straightline power though. My previous "fun" car (Maserati Quattroporte V8 TT) seemed to pull much harder, although admittedly the gearing in the CV8 can make it feel less powerful as progress through the gears is slower.
Regarding exhausts - my car is louder than stock due to the 2.5" system fitted, but I'm not sure how it would compare to a Wortec system on quiet/loud. Hopefully there will be some cars at Monkfish when I go, so I'll be able to have a listen and compare. From the videos I've seen on YouTube, I get the impression that even the "quiet" option would be louder than mine.
I do hanker after a bit more straightline power though. My previous "fun" car (Maserati Quattroporte V8 TT) seemed to pull much harder, although admittedly the gearing in the CV8 can make it feel less powerful as progress through the gears is slower.
Regarding exhausts - my car is louder than stock due to the 2.5" system fitted, but I'm not sure how it would compare to a Wortec system on quiet/loud. Hopefully there will be some cars at Monkfish when I go, so I'll be able to have a listen and compare. From the videos I've seen on YouTube, I get the impression that even the "quiet" option would be louder than mine.
Gas_Man said:
1. Brakes (Standard CV8 brakes are woeful for the power/weight of the car)
2. Road Response pac (or similar)
3. Standard remap and exhaust (free the proper V8 burble and a useful lump of extra torque) your choice, quiet OR loud not both
4. Ripshifter
My CV8 stops well, handles well, sounds lovely and accelerates well. I have had all four of those things done. The previous owner did it, and I'm very grateful because he saved me a few bob. I love the way the car drives, but I'm biased as I have never driven a standard Ro, and would love to see what the difference is.
I've only owned 5 cars, but I've driven a few, and I can honestly say I've never driven a car that was so easy to get used to straight away. I don't know whether these things helped, but I can say that if adding those things make the car feel like mine, then I would agree with this list.
From what I can tell, anything after that gets really expensive (blower/Headers etc), and I just don't have that sort of expendable income.
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