My CV8

[Aitch 'H']

After 16 months of ownership I've finally got it looking/sitting, sounding and performing how I want it so I thought I'd post a few pictures of the car and a quick description of what I've had done. When I bought it from the last owner it was fairly unloved needing various jobs done (brakes & exhaust etc) just to get it running/driving properly, so after a quick Google search I found this forum and after asking a few questions got recommended to go and see Neil (NWJ). First off the headers were replaced with some stainless AAS ones and new link pipes made up from the headers to the sport cats as the rest of the system was already stainless steel, next the brakes were replaced with new AP discs and pads and I ran it like that for a while. Next on the list was some wheels and a set of VXR 19" wheels were sourced (thanks Vince) and fitted and it was run like that for another couple of months. By now I was hankering after more power so a call was made to Monkfish and the cam pack max extra was purchased along with the magic cam 2 (go big or go home!) and another trip to NWJ was booked. The cam pack was fitted and Paul from Wortec mapped it but the clutch was fd so an LS7 clutch was bolted in and a trip to SRR booked. The car performed well on the rollers and produced 396.8Bhp at the wheels (gutted as I was aiming for 400Bhp at the wheels) but it also pulled 441Lb ft torque so not too shabby.

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By now I wanted the car to look more like 'mine' if you know what I mean so another set of wheels and some suspension were ordered and another trip to NWJ was on the cards. I went with Pedders super low on the front as I wanted the wheels tucked up into the arches and Pedders low on the back as I like the raked forward stance, it's now sitting on DRC 18" DRM wheels in gun metal grey. Next on the list was to get rid of the Vauxhall badges so a set of Holden ones were purchased from the 'fish and a 3/4 sized front plate fitted into the recess on the bumper. On the inside it's pretty much stock apart from a Momo steering wheel as I thought the original was a bit on the big side.
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Thanks for reading my little bit of self indulgence, hopefully the photos worked as computers aren't my forte!

[Aitch 'H']

Thanks ArnieVXR, I didn't think it looked 'Max Power' but to be honest hadn't even thought about it! Glad it worked
Throwyourbike: Cheers, yeah it does sound good. I'm running AAS headers, as I said, and a custom made full stainless system with sports cats, mid boxes and no back box so it's loud but It's a deep rumble more than a raspy noise like the other systems I've heard, so sounds more like an American muscle car but to be fair it's got an ancient American muscle car designed engine powering it so no surprise there, and on your last point............yeah man maths played a large part In my justification. you can't take it with you can you?!?!

[Aitch 'H']

Thanks everyone. Mud & Mr CV8 you obviously have impeccable taste too. Unfortunately the VXR wheels are gone but I've got various bits and pieces decorating my rooms at home now!

[Aitch 'H']

That's 'cause it's usually got your grubby little hands on it, it's spent more time at your garage than outside my house! Anyway it's a 'go car' not a 'show car' it's my daily driver. It'll be down at yours again next week for an MOT and clutch adjustment

[Aitch 'H']

wormus said:

Glad to see "Marrow" is back

Never even occurred to me that the 'plate spelt "Marrow" always read it as M**ARO. Yeah it's been about a bit through various owners on this forum, it's been a bit of a slag in the past but now "Marrow" is back and has been rescued, rebuilt and loved again (when I can be bothered to have the Kosovons wash it eh Neil!!)

[Aitch 'H']

MedwayMonaro said:

Nice one bet you're well happy

Thanks Vince I am. I had my fuel pipe replaced the other day too as a precaution after what happened to your old one, and I haven't forgotten that I owe you a drink for the strut brace, I'll see you at the next meet at 007's pub

[Aitch 'H']

[quote=throwyourbike]Lovely car, bet it sounds awesome too

A quick vid of tickover when warm after a Sunday thrashing
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[Aitch 'H']

Thanks for the comments. It drives absolutely fine with the cam pack, it can lurch a bit when trying to drive too slowly but as long as I'm driving normally it's fairly smooth up to 4000rpm then it goes fing mental round to 7000rpm and I can keep the wheels spinning into 3rd ( no point building an engine which revs to 7000rpm to drive it like an old lady) Thanks for the comment on the wheels, they were quite easy to find once I knew what to look for (thanks Gurmeet) any wheels that fit an E46 3 series BMW will fit, all I had to do was have the centre bore machined out to fit the Monaro hub, you just have to be careful with the offset as too much and it will rub the inner wheel arch

[Aitch 'H']

I'm still on the standard diff, I did consider changing it, does it make a big difference?

[Aitch 'H']

Cheers Boycie, it came already fitted to the car but somewhere down the line I've spoken to a former owner who told me what it was. I'll check through old posts when I get a chance and I'll let you know

[Aitch 'H']

And I might even spell your name right when I get back to you! Just looked through some old threads from 2015, a former owner had it imported from Australia and all he could remember was it was a JHP V1. Sorry cant help with anymore as that's all I know

Edited by Aitch 'H' on Wednesday 27th July 13:54