Upgrades for my new Monaro
Discussion
I am a V8 virgin, well I was until a week ago now I am the nervous owner of a Monaro 2004 LS1, unmodified, delivery mileage.As I also have a Caterham7 with a cosworth box, I find the Monaro gear change unusual. I am thinking of upgrading with Wortec at Greens of Rainham with the Essential Pac (Re-map) and a Ripshifter. Any comments eg noticeable improvements in torque/power fuel economy would be much appreciated.
That makes 2 of us. Bought my 04 CV8 in January from Vauxhall City, who are Monaro accredited yet still couldn't believe themselves how bad the gearbox is. There's plenty of advice on here, but in summary this is what I've figured out:
1/ The Ripshifter makes a fantastic difference to the change action. I've tried the one that PCV8 has put in his 05 CV8 and it transforms the thing. But is doesn't help the cold morning problems.
2/ The advice I've had from Monkfish is that a good quality gearbox oil really helps the cold starts
3/ As for the Essential pack - probably a personal preference about whether you get the re-map and exhaust or just re-map. Wortec seems to be a tried and trusted route - my insurers liked the idea that you could buy the products via Vuaxhall dealers. I certainly think the exhaust needs sorting on the 04 models - all the people who have looked at the car say "go on - start it up" - but then can't hide their disappointment when its sounds more Cadillac than Chimera. So I'm just sorting out a date to go and have some magic worked.
1/ The Ripshifter makes a fantastic difference to the change action. I've tried the one that PCV8 has put in his 05 CV8 and it transforms the thing. But is doesn't help the cold morning problems.
2/ The advice I've had from Monkfish is that a good quality gearbox oil really helps the cold starts
3/ As for the Essential pack - probably a personal preference about whether you get the re-map and exhaust or just re-map. Wortec seems to be a tried and trusted route - my insurers liked the idea that you could buy the products via Vuaxhall dealers. I certainly think the exhaust needs sorting on the 04 models - all the people who have looked at the car say "go on - start it up" - but then can't hide their disappointment when its sounds more Cadillac than Chimera. So I'm just sorting out a date to go and have some magic worked.
Hmmmmmm.... well an assortment of Halfords style chrome add ons, under car blue bling lights, WRC style dustbin lid sized 10million candle power fogs (x6), 24inch Chrome wheels (rear only, drug dealer blackouts, a rear wing big enough to sit 6 around for Xmas lunch.....oh and some new bits for the engine.
As you can guess looks s**t but goes well!
As you can guess looks s**t but goes well!
Re-map and cat-back exhaust a MINIMUM requirement! 
Thoroughly recommend Wortec, and I'd go for their Sport Pac to start with. The only downside to all this upgrading is that once you start.... 
I too was tentative at first, and just went for the remap, and although the improvement was impressive the sound was still just wrong for a V8. I ended up going directly to the Performance Pac without passing "go", as by I knew that if I upgraded to "Sport Pac" it would not be long before I wanted more power, more torque and more noise
When I started upgrading, the AP brake upgrade wasn't available - if you go down the 400+bhp route I'd seriously consider doing the brakes first. They're certainly next on my list.
The gearbox is pretty good, it's the linkage that lets it down, that's what the Ripper addresses. To be honest though it's only really a problem for low-mileage cars; after 30k miles in 2 years mine has loosened up a lot, and you do get used to it.
Thoroughly recommend Wortec, and I'd go for their Sport Pac to start with. The only downside to all this upgrading is that once you start.... I too was tentative at first, and just went for the remap, and although the improvement was impressive the sound was still just wrong for a V8. I ended up going directly to the Performance Pac without passing "go", as by I knew that if I upgraded to "Sport Pac" it would not be long before I wanted more power, more torque and more noise
When I started upgrading, the AP brake upgrade wasn't available - if you go down the 400+bhp route I'd seriously consider doing the brakes first. They're certainly next on my list.
The gearbox is pretty good, it's the linkage that lets it down, that's what the Ripper addresses. To be honest though it's only really a problem for low-mileage cars; after 30k miles in 2 years mine has loosened up a lot, and you do get used to it.
Agreed, trans is only annoying cold and when you require reverse.
Definately recommend at least a cat back. You wont gain much with headers of peak power, but you will gain in average power, they also help with sound. Tune is mandatory.
Best headers stock are 1.5/8 and 1.3/4 for cams etc. If you are considering roller rockers, dont, they are easy to fit, but a cam is cheaper costwise (though fitting and gaskets etc will add up) and will give you a huge increase compared to rockers.
You can even tune the car yourself if you are keen.
Definately recommend at least a cat back. You wont gain much with headers of peak power, but you will gain in average power, they also help with sound. Tune is mandatory.
Best headers stock are 1.5/8 and 1.3/4 for cams etc. If you are considering roller rockers, dont, they are easy to fit, but a cam is cheaper costwise (though fitting and gaskets etc will add up) and will give you a huge increase compared to rockers.
You can even tune the car yourself if you are keen.
ringram said:
. If you are considering roller rockers, dont, they are easy to fit, but a cam is cheaper costwise (though fitting and gaskets etc will add up) and will give you a huge increase compared to rockers.
Thing with the roller rockers is that the heads may need fettling just a smidgen as occassionally a rocker makes contact. Also, I never could see the point in using a higher rocker ratio as it changes the valvetrain geometry. Sure, it'll get you quicker valve events and more power but a cam change is my preferred option albeit it more labour intensive. I know a few tricks though
The rocker change is the cheaper way to power though. I have some to sell if anybody wants them. Yella Terras, still in the box.
Boosted.
P47ThBolt said:
Hmmmmmm.... well an assortment of Halfords style chrome add ons, under car blue bling lights, WRC style dustbin lid sized 10million candle power fogs (x6), 24inch Chrome wheels (rear only, drug dealer blackouts, a rear wing big enough to sit 6 around for Xmas lunch.....oh and some new bits for the engine.
As you can guess looks s**t but goes well!
I'd like to see a picture of THAT car
ringram said:
Definately recommend at least a cat back. You wont gain much with headers of peak power, but you will gain in average power, they also help with sound. Tune is mandatory.
I disagree slightly there ringram, IMO headers are the biggest gainers in terms of a bolt-on modification (i.e. not cams, superchargers etc.) as you say across the range but most people are gaining 20+ hp from them and we gained 30hp peak which is very respectable for a bolt-on - some smaller cams will only make about that. I agree that roller rockers are a waste of time as they limit what size cam you can go for and can also have other problems with valve height etc. A cat-back is very good on 04 cars especially because the 04 exhaust is soooo restrictive and sounds frankly awful and coupled with a tune will make a nice driveable, fast car. However add all the other bits (CAI, Headers, 85MM MAF) and it becomes something of a monster with a good base for the next round of mods be it supercharger, H/C or whatever.
Cheers..DaveSupercharger is apesh*t! Loads of power, but loads of cost. You need new injectors, new fuel pump (generally), new intake etc, etc.
Dan_S V8, did you have a tuned engine to compare before and after with the headers? Headers may lean out the mixture which in a stock PCM is too rich and give the extra power that you saw. Really unless you have a tuned stock engine and exhaust vs one with headers you wont know.
Check out this link to see what I mean. www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=29529
Dan_S V8, did you have a tuned engine to compare before and after with the headers? Headers may lean out the mixture which in a stock PCM is too rich and give the extra power that you saw. Really unless you have a tuned stock engine and exhaust vs one with headers you wont know.
Check out this link to see what I mean. www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=29529
Big Guns, If you ever need convincing on a Wortec,you can listen to mine - I only live around the coner from you (Wellingborough). The removable silencer parts were never fitted, I opted for the nearly straight-throughs. I had the re-map done at the same time and think it now sounds like the car always should have. My wife, however, thinks I've spoilt it. She never had any taste anyway.....
ringram said:
Supercharger is apesh*t! Loads of power, but loads of cost. You need new injectors, new fuel pump (generally), new intake etc, etc.
Dan_S V8, did you have a tuned engine to compare before and after with the headers? Headers may lean out the mixture which in a stock PCM is too rich and give the extra power that you saw. Really unless you have a tuned stock engine and exhaust vs one with headers you wont know.
Check out this link to see what I mean. www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=29529
A supercharger is great fun and not to much cost really.
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