My build thread CV8
Discussion
I dont usually do these but i thought id make some effort, and im not sure if anyone else does build threads on here?
I recently sold my track/drift/do it all car that I built earlier this year,
It was awesome to drive, loved taking it to work and driving on the road as alot of people didnt understand what it was, it had a 4.0 V8 from a 540, one of the first to do it properly in the uk. A full cage to front turrets etc and a diff that meant its top speed was 130mph. Rust was starting to get to it and it really needed stripping back and starting again, to do that properly i needed to upgrade the car as a whole including the engine.
I always wanted an LS motor, and I decided that id sell and start again.
So once I sold the e30 i bought this, you all know it as 'that cheap blue one'
This is a photo of it I found on the internet, as I cant remember taking a picture myself!
I went for the CV8 purely as I think id destroy all value of a Vxr as i want to change the car up a bit.
The year went fairly slowly with the car, I drove it on and off purely making a list of the things it needed doing, I got caught up finishing up a couple of the cars,
Renault 8 Gordini rep, with built 1300cc and gordini running gear
A datsun 260z with a 302 sb ford
The Cv8 isnt to bad, I went for this one as it had a few good bits to start with like a 3.7 diff, vxr brakes, rip shifter, wortec system and a few other bits. The car needs work, things like bushes all need doing and a general tidy up paint wise, other than that its a good car, pulls strong for the weedy 5.7
I started by replacing the rear lights, I get this wont be everyone's cup of tea but i like the change its made.
I also removed the spoiler, the third brake light had snapped a mounting and had been gumbo'd back on by a previous owner. Iv seen a few lip spoilers that look good I may fit.
Next was the exhaust, the wortec system fitted was ok, no centre boxes, cats removed and the rear box had been cut to pieces with the baffles removed. The box had also cracked, was rattling and sounded horrid. I really didnt like the oval tip either
I had a new box fitted with a single downturn tailpipe (im going to be replacing the whole exhaust at some point) im not convinced on it as it needs trimming as it is slighty to long. Difference between it being tacked in place and full weld, but it is growing on me.
It sounds alot better now, still rasps on overrun which is awful, but I have a set of shorty headers i picked up from Vince and also need to have x or h pipe fitted, which should also improve power slightly.
I was just about to order some Bc Racing coilovers but i found in the states some unused (chap sold his car) Maverick coilovers, these are essentially from what i can see the bc racing coilovers in a different colour! The quality and ride is great and I had them shipped over here for atleast half the cost of the bcs.
Fitting them was another matter, Im no mechanic genius but i can turn a set of spanners.
Every signal bolt of this car was siezed, even the rear shocks to two feet to budge. I think bolts on the Titanic have less corrosion.
First tool to die
The shock to hub bolts took 24 hours soaking in penetration oil, brakes off to get better access and my jack lever
Excuse the mess, I was to frustrated to care about being neat and tidy
Still, all fitted
Testing ride height, before i start fiddling with it, im running it on soft +10 and letting it settle
The wheels are my 'kids think there cool' 18 x 9.5 et25/ 18 x 10.5 et 25, I have another set of wheels I use for track
I havent pulled the arches and so far no rubbing.
As im building the car as a do it all machine (and I cant get comfortable) im swapping the seats out for a set of recaro pole positions i have laying around, it also means i can still get my 3 year old daughter in the car as she loves the car.
This month all my new bushes will arrive for the car and I can get it up on a ramp and fully clean and seal the underside.
Hopefully, if the wife doesnt demand anything, this year I can order a new cam from the states, whilst im at it fit a new timing chain gear and oil pump also. The cam im looking at should work well with a charger aswell which is future plans
Numberplates are next to arrive...
I recently sold my track/drift/do it all car that I built earlier this year,
It was awesome to drive, loved taking it to work and driving on the road as alot of people didnt understand what it was, it had a 4.0 V8 from a 540, one of the first to do it properly in the uk. A full cage to front turrets etc and a diff that meant its top speed was 130mph. Rust was starting to get to it and it really needed stripping back and starting again, to do that properly i needed to upgrade the car as a whole including the engine.
I always wanted an LS motor, and I decided that id sell and start again.
So once I sold the e30 i bought this, you all know it as 'that cheap blue one'
This is a photo of it I found on the internet, as I cant remember taking a picture myself!
I went for the CV8 purely as I think id destroy all value of a Vxr as i want to change the car up a bit.
The year went fairly slowly with the car, I drove it on and off purely making a list of the things it needed doing, I got caught up finishing up a couple of the cars,
Renault 8 Gordini rep, with built 1300cc and gordini running gear
A datsun 260z with a 302 sb ford
The Cv8 isnt to bad, I went for this one as it had a few good bits to start with like a 3.7 diff, vxr brakes, rip shifter, wortec system and a few other bits. The car needs work, things like bushes all need doing and a general tidy up paint wise, other than that its a good car, pulls strong for the weedy 5.7
I started by replacing the rear lights, I get this wont be everyone's cup of tea but i like the change its made.
I also removed the spoiler, the third brake light had snapped a mounting and had been gumbo'd back on by a previous owner. Iv seen a few lip spoilers that look good I may fit.
Next was the exhaust, the wortec system fitted was ok, no centre boxes, cats removed and the rear box had been cut to pieces with the baffles removed. The box had also cracked, was rattling and sounded horrid. I really didnt like the oval tip either
I had a new box fitted with a single downturn tailpipe (im going to be replacing the whole exhaust at some point) im not convinced on it as it needs trimming as it is slighty to long. Difference between it being tacked in place and full weld, but it is growing on me.
It sounds alot better now, still rasps on overrun which is awful, but I have a set of shorty headers i picked up from Vince and also need to have x or h pipe fitted, which should also improve power slightly.
I was just about to order some Bc Racing coilovers but i found in the states some unused (chap sold his car) Maverick coilovers, these are essentially from what i can see the bc racing coilovers in a different colour! The quality and ride is great and I had them shipped over here for atleast half the cost of the bcs.
Fitting them was another matter, Im no mechanic genius but i can turn a set of spanners.
Every signal bolt of this car was siezed, even the rear shocks to two feet to budge. I think bolts on the Titanic have less corrosion.
First tool to die
The shock to hub bolts took 24 hours soaking in penetration oil, brakes off to get better access and my jack lever
Excuse the mess, I was to frustrated to care about being neat and tidy
Still, all fitted
Testing ride height, before i start fiddling with it, im running it on soft +10 and letting it settle
The wheels are my 'kids think there cool' 18 x 9.5 et25/ 18 x 10.5 et 25, I have another set of wheels I use for track
I havent pulled the arches and so far no rubbing.
As im building the car as a do it all machine (and I cant get comfortable) im swapping the seats out for a set of recaro pole positions i have laying around, it also means i can still get my 3 year old daughter in the car as she loves the car.
This month all my new bushes will arrive for the car and I can get it up on a ramp and fully clean and seal the underside.
Hopefully, if the wife doesnt demand anything, this year I can order a new cam from the states, whilst im at it fit a new timing chain gear and oil pump also. The cam im looking at should work well with a charger aswell which is future plans
Numberplates are next to arrive...
Edited by Phillphill on Wednesday 24th June 16:32
Edited by Phillphill on Wednesday 24th June 16:34
KMud said:
Nice to see something different...I'm also molesting a CV8 
I'm about to make up some dummy loads for my seat airbags - if you want I'll send you out some (although you may be the guinea pig if you beat me to the punch!)
Yes please, that would be great! Be interesting if you can do anything with the steering wheel too? Assuming that throws a faultI'm about to make up some dummy loads for my seat airbags - if you want I'll send you out some (although you may be the guinea pig if you beat me to the punch!)
VinceM said:
Nice one Phil. Glad it's all going well. When I did the suspension on my car I had same as you with the rust etc so had to use plenty of spray and comma frost bite. Even then some nuts and bolts didn't budge so used a bit of gentle persuasion. Would be much easier on a ramp!!!
Tell me about it, would have given my left nut to get on the ramp and some big air tools!I was getting impatient with it looking like a 4 x 4!!
MyM8V8 said:
You would! ( 
)
Great build thread, of which the forum is bereft of ATM, so well done for that OP.
However, those Jap type "stance" wheels with stretched rubber on a Ro are definitely a bit Bogan for me.
Lack of proper sidewall action can't help severe cornering................ can it?
(Love the Gordini - Class - except for the wheels maybe)
I like dividing opinion, in all honesty im still warming up to the wheels, im not entirely sure on the gold as it is a little subaru but, as you will notice with me, I got these for a bit of bargain. The stretch isnt too bad, agreed it needs to go up a tyre size in width but whilst it takes time to get a car sitting properly these tyres will give me less of a headache at the moment!)Great build thread, of which the forum is bereft of ATM, so well done for that OP.
However, those Jap type "stance" wheels with stretched rubber on a Ro are definitely a bit Bogan for me.
Lack of proper sidewall action can't help severe cornering................ can it?
(Love the Gordini - Class - except for the wheels maybe)
I find these wheels dont photograph that well, they are copies of the ccw wheels (im not paying 2k for a set of wheels on my current salary!), the only thing that really gives them away is the stupid double pcd centres. I have had lots of fake wheels, my old car was sponsored by a supplier of wheels and I really rate the quality of these wheels
I have had alot of cars with stretched rubber, quite a few track days and alot of drift events and a few demos and to be honest never had an issue, im not out setting lap times, but on my other set of track wheels i do have some 'proper' tyres!! (
)The gordini is awesome fun to drive, its actually my fathers and I have been doing most of the leg work on it currently, the wheels are proper 3 piece madin wheels, as the r8 runs silly offset as oe, the stock wheels really dont do it much justice!
MyM8V8 said:
My humble opinion only.
(But you wouldn't get me in a car with stretched rubber. Compliance will be compromised and they will let go earlier than when fitted to the recommended rim width.)
Sorry was only explaining what they were compared to the fake junk on mine!!(But you wouldn't get me in a car with stretched rubber. Compliance will be compromised and they will let go earlier than when fitted to the recommended rim width.)
The tyres are not too stretched, I have seen some where people take the piss, but as said once I have the car set up and at a good ride hieght I'll start upping the tyre size,
I don't want to have to muller the arches on this, the e30 had the arches cut and fender flares so I could fit rubber that would actually give some traction but It was a pain to live with keeping the rust out.
Likewise with this car, bolt on parts that I can return it to relative standard is fine, like the lights, wheels etc
I'm rambling now.....
I also did clean the turd this evening as I popped by my sisters house,
It came out quite well,
After seeing a few people use these, I picked up one, it's a clay mitt, i find that clay'ing a car is great but I can't be bothered with the hassle
The amount of crap it took off the car was amazing, and also how quick and easy it was too! Highly recommend it
It came out quite well,
After seeing a few people use these, I picked up one, it's a clay mitt, i find that clay'ing a car is great but I can't be bothered with the hassle
The amount of crap it took off the car was amazing, and also how quick and easy it was too! Highly recommend it
I also did clean the turd this evening as I popped by my sisters house,
It came out quite well,
After seeing a few people use these, I picked up one, it's a clay mitt, i find that clay'ing a car is great but I can't be bothered with the hassle
The amount of crap it took off the car was amazing, and also how quick and easy it was too! Highly recommend it
It came out quite well,
After seeing a few people use these, I picked up one, it's a clay mitt, i find that clay'ing a car is great but I can't be bothered with the hassle
The amount of crap it took off the car was amazing, and also how quick and easy it was too! Highly recommend it
S800VXR said:
10.5" rear wheels without tubbing! That will upset some peoples here. LOL
I really like what your doing, it's the route il go down for a daily when they drop low enough to justify buying.
There is quite alot of space in the rear arches, before I fitted the rear shocks and springs I popped the wheel on and jack the suspension through its full movement, I couldnt get the wheel/tyre to rub as it does move on a arc and tucks the further it moves up. I really like what your doing, it's the route il go down for a daily when they drop low enough to justify buying.
Unfortunatly I learnt the hard way from trying to get proper rubber on the e30, so with any car doing this kind of thing you really have to fine tune the wheel et, and to be fair its all about a bit of trial and error
A very bad tyre delam at a drift day taking a guy out who was thinking of doing the same engine conversion left me with this, blew off the bumper, fuel cap and took the arch extender clean off (granted the monaro will never have treatment this harsh!!!)
From driving the monaro on stock suspension with these wheels there is so much space you must be able to fit a pretty substantial tyre in there with a less aggressive ET, granted I am running a 35 profile.
I did manage to find a set of 265/35/18s that I have arriving next week to try also
Edited by Phillphill on Friday 26th June 12:12
KMud said:
mikeyb1987 said:
Give me a shout if you're thinking of ordering some wheels, as I'd be interested in getting some myself- VXR8 rear wheels are so heavy!!
I've got team dynamics pro races, just in standard CV8 size, 18x8. They do an 18x9 (and offset to your spec), but that may not be enough to bother changing for. Still...Light wheels make a massive difference, do it!
e: actually, can get bigger sizes of the pro race 1.3s...hmm.
Note I'm not actively trying to derail this thread, this is the problem with doing something interesting...sorry!
Edited by KMud on Friday 26th June 20:31
The oe wheels that I had were mega heavy for 18s, what do the pro race cost these days?
KMud said:
Sturdy has been there and done that, I'm just piggybacking on his efforts...you'll want one of these by the sound of it
Yep, so just ordered one of the steering wheel adapters, not the cheapest of things I will say!Ill have to drop it off to the machine shop as annoyingly the wheel I will use on the car is 74mm pcd instead of their 70mm, i did email Gforce1320 but they wouldnt change the pcd for me.
Also have started mocking up the seat and how it will sit, I like to sit low in a car but quite close to the wheel, im fairly tall and at the moment my head jams on the roof.
I was amazed at how every the stock seat is, I fell on my arse lifting it out.
A new set of rear top mounts arrived from Monkfish today so I need to sling them on to the car.
Luckily a friend of mine has a workshop/garage opening up within the next week or so, so one of the next jobs to do will be completely clean and seal the underside of the car.
After the trouble of getting the hub bolts out i think I will remove everything for the suspension again but clean it all up whilst im working on the underside of the car as at least it will make my life a little easier next time around
A quick update with some terrible photos that I will replace
Removed the shifter
Some t
t had glued it on, after an hour bashing and cutting bits it came off
I fitted the new knob and suede boot, the knob has about an inch more to seat down, however I didn't want to start bashing things outside my house at 10pm!
Pretty much all the centre console was misaligned and loose so I feel a bit better seating that down properly now.
Removed the shifter
Some t
t had glued it on, after an hour bashing and cutting bits it came offI fitted the new knob and suede boot, the knob has about an inch more to seat down, however I didn't want to start bashing things outside my house at 10pm!
Pretty much all the centre console was misaligned and loose so I feel a bit better seating that down properly now.
A couple of updates on this,
I havent done an awful lot to the car as I have been trying to move house for the past few months!
A couple of things I ordered turned up
After weeks of waiting I finally got my steering wheel adapter from G-Force 1320
It took so long as customs really ballsed up and managed to affix my paperwork to another persons package full of shoes and books!
Time to search for a suitable steering wheel now.
The current wheels are going, I just cant get the car to sit right on 18s and I find the rear of the car looks too big. Im not a fan of the gold either as i think the car looks a little too soft.
Finally got round to ordering a few bits and pieces so soon enough ill fit the headers and x pipe so hopefully the car will sound a little better!
I havent done an awful lot to the car as I have been trying to move house for the past few months!
A couple of things I ordered turned up
After weeks of waiting I finally got my steering wheel adapter from G-Force 1320
It took so long as customs really ballsed up and managed to affix my paperwork to another persons package full of shoes and books!
Time to search for a suitable steering wheel now.
The current wheels are going, I just cant get the car to sit right on 18s and I find the rear of the car looks too big. Im not a fan of the gold either as i think the car looks a little too soft.
Finally got round to ordering a few bits and pieces so soon enough ill fit the headers and x pipe so hopefully the car will sound a little better!
I have been a little relaxed on updating this thread
I had some parts arrive from all over the place this past month.
I ordered up a few bits from MF, their shipping is mega quick!
I have a friend working out in Sydney so he shipped out a whole set of bushes for the car, quite a saving as I managed to get the shipping costs down.
My brother in law also went out to las vegas for a conferance so, short notice to him, I shipped a whole cam set up for Street Industries to his hotel
A pretty big saving having someone bring it back!
I went for a Comp Cam 231/237, quite aggressive but I dont mind that. Alot of friends run the cam with good results and drivabiltiy.
Also picked up a SLP oil pump, Pac valve springs, pushrods and all the gubbins that go with it.
Pointed out by another member i totally overlooked the crank pulley so I shall order one asap!
Also to be fitted are the HSV/VXR headers and a cross pipe too. I could justify picking up some longtubes but the wife couldnt, so for the moment they will be a nice improvement over the stock CV8 items.
Finally also got round to sorting the interior out, most of the retaining nuts and screws for the centre console had been lost by the previous owner so at least the car now feels alot more together and pleasent to sit in.
Lots of work to do over the winter!
I had some parts arrive from all over the place this past month.
I ordered up a few bits from MF, their shipping is mega quick!
I have a friend working out in Sydney so he shipped out a whole set of bushes for the car, quite a saving as I managed to get the shipping costs down.
My brother in law also went out to las vegas for a conferance so, short notice to him, I shipped a whole cam set up for Street Industries to his hotel
A pretty big saving having someone bring it back!
I went for a Comp Cam 231/237, quite aggressive but I dont mind that. Alot of friends run the cam with good results and drivabiltiy.
Also picked up a SLP oil pump, Pac valve springs, pushrods and all the gubbins that go with it.
Pointed out by another member i totally overlooked the crank pulley so I shall order one asap!
Also to be fitted are the HSV/VXR headers and a cross pipe too. I could justify picking up some longtubes but the wife couldnt, so for the moment they will be a nice improvement over the stock CV8 items.
Finally also got round to sorting the interior out, most of the retaining nuts and screws for the centre console had been lost by the previous owner so at least the car now feels alot more together and pleasent to sit in.
Lots of work to do over the winter!
Edited by Phillphill on Monday 12th October 17:01
A small update, I finally got round to taking a day off and working on the car.
There is still alot to do to the car on the outside, like new plates that sit in the correct place and sorting the exhaust tip
But it is slowly starting to look presentable
Luckily a friend has just opened up his garage so I managed to pinch his ramp and his head mechanic for a day.
There are worse places to work in!
First off I fitted the headers I bought a while ago, these are the 4-1 short HSV headers which will be a good improvement over the stock CV8 manifolds without spending a fortune!
I was really happy to also be able to remove the two broken exhaust bolts in the head, with some tight mole grips they were undone nicely.
I soaked the other bolts every day for 2 weeks with WD40 which helped massively when removing!
I also wrapped the exhaust with heat wrap, now im not the best person at doing this!
I also had to buy the 02 extenders from Monkfish, which just stretch enough to fit. I also bought two new 02 sensors and fitted those.
The exhaust which is a wortec system has now got to be shortened to work with the new headers aswell as a x pipe fitted which i managed to buy from another wortec exhaust.
I ditched the 18' gold wheels.
The chap who bought them lent me his 19" Lms for the car to sit on, so if anyone was wondering what a Monaro looks like on them...
Awful photos
I really struggled with wheel choices for the monaro, as said with moving house and things I have to keep certain items on budget ie wheels
They have a staggered dish which helps, but i find the monaro is so bulky at the back its quite hard to find a wheel that suits nicely
So i went with these..
They are 19 x 8.5/9.5 and will hopefully make the car look a little tougher. I can also get a bigger tyre on there so I have a set of Dunlops to go on aswell. The rear is going to be a little tight and the front ideally needs spacing a little.
Underneath the car I also fitted new bushes all round on the front. I went for the Polytuff bushes from Oz and i have to say they are great, really good pricing. Great instructions for the castor adjustment and fit perfectly.
Again i had a work out getting everything removed on the suspension, It is almost like nothing has ever been replaced on this car. Atleast now I know everything is new!
Tracking next which i think it going to require replacing the steering arms, so another thing to order!
There is still alot to do to the car on the outside, like new plates that sit in the correct place and sorting the exhaust tip
But it is slowly starting to look presentable
Luckily a friend has just opened up his garage so I managed to pinch his ramp and his head mechanic for a day.
There are worse places to work in!
First off I fitted the headers I bought a while ago, these are the 4-1 short HSV headers which will be a good improvement over the stock CV8 manifolds without spending a fortune!
I was really happy to also be able to remove the two broken exhaust bolts in the head, with some tight mole grips they were undone nicely.
I soaked the other bolts every day for 2 weeks with WD40 which helped massively when removing!
I also wrapped the exhaust with heat wrap, now im not the best person at doing this!
I also had to buy the 02 extenders from Monkfish, which just stretch enough to fit. I also bought two new 02 sensors and fitted those.
The exhaust which is a wortec system has now got to be shortened to work with the new headers aswell as a x pipe fitted which i managed to buy from another wortec exhaust.
I ditched the 18' gold wheels.
The chap who bought them lent me his 19" Lms for the car to sit on, so if anyone was wondering what a Monaro looks like on them...
Awful photos
I really struggled with wheel choices for the monaro, as said with moving house and things I have to keep certain items on budget ie wheels
They have a staggered dish which helps, but i find the monaro is so bulky at the back its quite hard to find a wheel that suits nicely
So i went with these..
They are 19 x 8.5/9.5 and will hopefully make the car look a little tougher. I can also get a bigger tyre on there so I have a set of Dunlops to go on aswell. The rear is going to be a little tight and the front ideally needs spacing a little.
Underneath the car I also fitted new bushes all round on the front. I went for the Polytuff bushes from Oz and i have to say they are great, really good pricing. Great instructions for the castor adjustment and fit perfectly.
Again i had a work out getting everything removed on the suspension, It is almost like nothing has ever been replaced on this car. Atleast now I know everything is new!
Tracking next which i think it going to require replacing the steering arms, so another thing to order!
Edited by Phillphill on Thursday 26th November 10:59
Edited by Phillphill on Thursday 26th November 11:02
SturdyHSV said:
Great thread, nice seeing some different wheel options, the Ro is very hard to find suitable wheels for so it's good to see some different ones!
Thanks, finding wheels for under £1k is mega hard, although there are a few styles that can suit i find none or either staggered or have really weedy widths.Id love a set of CCW or HRE....
Hopefully i may drag it out to a meet soon
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