My VZ Monaro CV8-Z!!

[paul09]

Hey guys,
Long story short, finally getting off p plate and have saved my ass off, being a tight bastard, sitting at home playing warcraft while the GF goes clubbing, working night shifts, etc etc...was a huge effort as a full time uni student living out of home!! (i don't like the idea of financing a second hand car so wanted to pay cash)

Saved a lot and bought myself a 2005 CV8-Z monaro, devil yellow with 6 speed manual, december '05 build date :)

Bought interstate, have it in getting roadworthy for VIC now, needed a new windscreen, 2xrear shocks and an engine mount (damn. didn't see that coming, apparently one is split)

I absolutely love it!!! First v8, coming from a huge ford fanboy(still driving my p plate 152rwkw manual-converted ford fairmont 1993 as a daily, LPG is cheap!)...I wanted a v8 - have driven a fair few jap turbos and aussie v8's, much prefer the v8 note and low down torque - and didn't want just a sedan, so the monaro seemed the only option without looking at super expensive euros...very happy with it so far, so fun to drive!! Gets heaps of looks too...

Plans for mods

1. will need new tyres within the next year so will have to start saving for some decent ones
2. mechanic said front shocks will need replacing in around 10,000kms too. So will start saving and try do a full suspension+tyre job at once, to get the handling nice! pretty unfortunate i need rear shocks for roady, since i'll probably get rid of em later...got pedders sports ryders, can't afford more right now!
3. full exhaust headers back to unleash the v8 roar
4. OTRCAI + tune
5. cam + retune and/or brakes depending which i think is more necessary first

I plan to do these mods properly, buying the best (within reason e.g. no full titanium exhaust) parts for each mod..

not sure yet whether i'll want to go further than that :P GF only let me buy this on the idea that when we want to buy a house together (currently renting) i would sell this to raise funds for deposit. i don't plan to, don't tell her that lol

Ordered some vic plates too, came in the mail today...

CVZ-000, white text on black slimline plates, hopefully looks good on the yellow monaro! Will chuck up some pics when I get it back from mechanic :)

[Stewge]

Sounds like a good car mate. Keen to see pics.

Good to see another out of uni into a v8. I was in a similar boat, uni 3.5 years driving an old '91 VN that was falling to bits and saving like it was going out of fashion to get my clubby :p

Don't know how you managed to save that kind of money through uni with a missus though, kept a firm grip on the credit card I take it? :rofl:

[dgp]

Good on ya mate, it sounds as though you have got your head screwed on pretty straight.
welcome to the forum, there is a wealth of information here for you to discover.
Just a few things to think about,
1. Your CV8Z came from the factory with a decent set of brakes standard, unless you are going to be doing a lot of track work
2.The standard exhaust should be 3" from the manifolds to the cat back so a cat back upgrade might do the trick for you instead of replacing the whole system
3. Once you start to undertake modifications, it's pretty hard to stop
4. Get a Rip Shift it will make your gearbox move into a whole new level
:goodjob:

[Groboz]

Welcome to the Monaro clan.:)

I've pretty much done all of the mods you're planning to do on my VZ Monaro. Take a look at it below if you want. Can't wait to see your pics.

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=129048

[paul09]

Good on ya mate, it sounds as though you have got your head screwed on pretty straight.
welcome to the forum, there is a wealth of information here for you to discover.
Just a few things to think about,
1. Your CV8Z came from the factory with a decent set of brakes standard, unless you are going to be doing a lot of track work
2.The standard exhaust should be 3" from the manifolds to the cat back so a cat back upgrade might do the trick for you instead of replacing the whole system
3. Once you start to undertake modifications, it's pretty hard to stop
4. Get a Rip Shift it will make your gearbox move into a whole new level
:goodjob:

I'm still in uni...5 year course, chemical engineering+masters at melb uni...starting 3rd year soon! (i'm just about to turn 21)

1. Ah ok, yeah I read they were upgraded on the VZ, however my uncle owns a s3 and says the brake upgrade he did made a huge difference (he spent around $4k, not sure what exactly they were though)
2. Oh really? The standard cv8z headers are alright then? I just remember removing the fairmont headers and being amazing at how horribly restrictive they looked :P Might just go catback first and then do the rest later when funds permit...
3. I know. I bought my fairmont for $500 as a stock auto shitter to last me through p plates cheaply. Ended up 152rwkw with 5speed lol.
4. It actually already has a ripshift! Only mod done by the previous owner. However my dad+the mechanic reckoned there's something wrong with it(mechanic said he'd check it out further when/if I get clutch done), the gear lever is fairly hard to move (gotta shove it to change gears), or is this normal for a ripshift?

Roadworthy is done, got it booked in with vicroads for next tuesday to put plates on+transfer rego...I'll hold off on photos till then cos I'm hoping the plates will set it off :)

Mechanic told me the clutch is also on its way out :( He quote $1020 for standard replacement fitted or $1260 for heavy duty with lightened flywheel. Plus $250 to get slave changed at the same time. I have no idea about LS1 pricing, I paid $500 for my entire manual conversion including labour on the fairmont! Are his quotes decent? He was a real nice bloke so I'd be inclined to use him again if they are!

[dgp]

2. Oh really? The standard cv8z headers are alright then?

There is nothing special about the headers themselves but the pipes from the headers to the cat back are already 3" so a cat back upgrade would do pretty well.
I have been reading a lot about the short 4>1 headers that Sureflow (a sponsor on here) do and they sound pretty good and would marry up to your system nicely (i don't have personal experience with them though). Give them a call when you are ready and suss them out.
Regarding the brakes, i am pretty sure that the series III did not have the same upgraded brakes as the CV8Z from factory.
Sounds like your rip shift might need adjusting or as you have pointed out, your clutch is shagged. Prices seem ok as well, but as always, ring a few sponsors from the site and get some quotes.

[monaro327]

the CV8Z got factory upgraded brakes nothing to write home about but a welcome upgrade. 320mm front rotors vs stock 298mm and same size rear rotors but the CV8Z got vented discs where as stock were solid.

as for the shifting the VZ monaros got the m12 box from the HSVs which is alot better then the MM6 but can still have shifting issues dumping the fluid and fill it with transmax z seems to help alot with shifting issues. i'd say the shifting issues are the box not the ripshift as the stop bolts on the ripshift either let it go into gear or don't really.

[hotbox]

need pics Warcraft dude

[paul09]

h t t p: //i.imgur.com/jJVmL.jpg
h t t p ://imgur.com/1SSPq

initial phone pics! I'll borrow my girlfriends dslr and do a proper photo shoot soon, about to go away for a week (car will remain in parents garage, and they are still home ;) )

i am now stupidly broke, had to borrow money off mum to pay stamp duty on rego :( clutch+tyres+shocks will be first priority THEN i'll get into the real mods such as exhaust :) also, going from 6cyl LPG to this means I'm getting raped by fuel costs haha, so i'm still driving poor old ford to uni/work!

[charlie15]

id continue driving the ford to uni mate. nice cars get raped at uni. my monaro has never seen the uni car park, that's what my mx5 is for!

[chev]

Sounds like a nice ride Paul. Love all the Monaro's. Well deserved mate and welcome to the forum.

Chev:)

[paul09]

Sounds like a nice ride Paul. Love all the Monaro's. Well deserved mate and welcome to the forum.

Chev:)

cheers chev i'm hoping my car will make it into your shop in the coming months :)

The other day I had a 3" catback exhaust fitted with 5" tips, looks awesome and sounds so much better! Couldn't resist.....but now really gotta hold off on mods until i sort out the more important stuff:bawl:

[ssv 427]

keen to actually see the car mate

[Groboz]

:worthless:

[TAKEITEZ]

sounds like a nice ride mate :)
one of my dream cars!!

[J_VZUTE]

Sounds like you got yourself a nice Monaro... my mate would be very very jelous of you right now especially because its yellow and manual - good luck with the build

[paul09]

having trouble with pics cos of post count!
h t t p :// img156.imageshack.us/i/19444010150194316434428.jpg/

phone pic of the new exhaust :)

[Stewge]

Either there's some perspective problems, or those tips are HUGE! Looks like they could launch rockets out the back or something :rofl:

Seriously tough looking machine there :goodjob:

[WPN-383]

agreed looks tuff as good work

[ssv 427]

i cant see a dam thing:confused:

[[TWIGGA]]

Lovely car! Well done on saving hard and paying cash! :goodjob:

Tips look nuts too!

[Dawdle]

looks good
http://img156.imageshack.us/i/19444010150194316434428.jpg/

[STod.]

Mate those tips look absolutely massive!!!!!!

Good luck with the car. I was in the exact same position as you 2 years ago, Just finished 3 out of my 5 years at uni and bought a silver CV8Z. Then the hail storm in perth wrote it off and upgraded to a VZ GTO, cant beat the shape of the monaros.

[jaykay]

" i see frog people " .........

[paul09]

h tt p://i54.tinypic.com/j5l0s2.jpg

Mate took this the other day, still with old plates.

I have slightly changed plans for this car. Fuel costs have been raping me (I drive around 600km/week) and also I don't have a garage at me+gf house. SO I have started parking the monaro in my parents garage and using it as a weekender :) I plan to use the old ford for daily duties (going to uni/work) since being on LPG it's very cheap, it's very reliable and is still semi-fun to drive being a manual with a bit of power (but nothing compared to the monaro...) for a 6...also i live near flemington and often worry about car getting pwned by drunk idiots when festivals are on...(also live near commission housing for that matter) whereas parents live in a very safe area. AND i don't like parking at uni cos too many morons who can't park, but i don't care if the ford gets dinged :P

The ford is approacing 400,000km's though so not sure what I'll do when it dies, I'm tempted to actually have the engine rebuilt to keep it as a reliable daily, mainly because it's a fairmont spec with manual (fairmonts never came factory manual) and has a $3k stereo, a $700 train horn, LPG etc so would cost me a lot to get a daily comparable! Decisions decisions. Well here's hoping it lasts a lot longer so I have more cash to throw at the monaro, I would like to have it ready for hitting some track days by early next year :)

For the track days I want it to at least have
Exhaust (done)
extractors+cats
OTRCAI + tune
better brakes or at least pads
some decent coilovers
new clutch
perhaps new tyres

Then i reckon it should be ready for a casual track day :) Any advice on that?

And then on the wishlist is a big cam heh

[jaykay]

http://i54.tinypic.com/j5l0s2.jpg :goodjob:

You are keen leaving it so close to a cricket match !!!

[xxDutchyxx]

Exhaust (done)
extractors+cats (done)
OTRCAI + tune (done)
better brakes or at least pads (did the pads)
some decent coilovers (done)
new clutch
perhaps new tyres (done)

If you're in Melbourne shop around. Some excellent shops in Melbourne for exhaust and suspension, and tuning, everyone has their favourite store and tuner. Can't post pics of my own yet either.

I like the fact that you are in melbourne, bought a car with NSW plates and your mates who's location is Perth posted the pic. The criket ground does look familiar though, and those exhaust tips could hold footballs, enjoy the car mate.

[paul09]

Finally got the money and time to get more done :D

Had a duspeed OTR plus dyno tune at Chev's

As well as a detail at Final Inspection

Car made 207rwkw with just the exhaust. Then 229rwkw with OTR+tune...but the biggest difference is torque...you can feel a huge difference when driving :)

Dyno chart:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/28379910150391105744428.jpg/

Haven't got pictures of the detail but needless to say it looks amazing, Final Inspection sure do live up to their reputation :D

Now, next on the agenda is suspension...and headers/cats :xmas: Anyone have a recommendation for springs/shocks? I don't mind a very hard ride but I don't like being low. It would be purely for handling purposes are preferably not lower at all if possible haha. What kind of costs am I looking at for a decent setup? Pedders xtreme coilovers any good?

I have a bit(lot) more money to play with now as my girlfriend turned into a typical female and suddenly 'stopped loving me' for no reason, so I have moved back in with my parents. I'm still a student so am not rich but no longer broke either :D

[PC12]

Just out of Uni and into a CV8Z. Well done. Cant beet the devil yellow Monaro .
Took me until 39 and lots of begging to get one.

[super coach]

Never thought I would own one or if i did it wouldnt be till i was in my 30's but.... POW 25 and into my first V8 and its the one i always wanted from the get go, guess the hard yards does pay off and you enjoy that sweet sweet ending a little bit more. I too purchased my car in NSW and bought it back to SA with me. found the price to be alot better over in the eastern states. As for me no mods at all factory is perfect for me but good to see another young bloke enjoying a car that was aimed at the younger market who have abit of taste in cars :goodjob:

[KrisR]

Welcome to the devil yellow CV8Z club! :goodjob:

I've done a shitload of mods to mine, I tend to call my car a pringle - once you pop (or mod in this case) you can't stop...

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=134828

[paul09]

Welcome to the devil yellow CV8Z club! :goodjob:

I've done a shitload of mods to mine, I tend to call my car a pringle - once you pop (or mod in this case) you can't stop...

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=134828

Thanks, had a read, sounds like the pedders extreme XA are good then, now I just gotta save up a bit more money :D

[V28VX37]

Thanks, had a read, sounds like the pedders extreme XA are good then, now I just gotta save up a bit more money :D

If you have a chance to go for a ride in a car with these coilovers definitely do that first. Only saying this since suspension preferences are highly subjective and it is difficult to judge what's best for you just based on what you read online.

I've had the following setup on my CV8 for years and still very happy with it:
- Koni yellows with King springs
- Bigger swaybars
- Strut brace
- Front castor bush kit

It's heaps and bounds better than the stock FE2.

Nice ride btw!

[paul09]

Spent a bit more money...the more I spend the more I love this car!!

Headers and cats fitted...best ever. Puts a huuuuge smile on my face whenever I give it some gas :D:D also got a new battery today and Bridgestone RE002 tyres (battery and tyres were both gone so didn't have a choice!)

Now I'm broke so will probably hold on till next service (5000k's away) and then look at suspension :)

[xxDutchyxx]

My local Pedders is excellent, had them re do the entire suspension on the GTO, could not believe the difference in the car . The Extreme XA are excellent, but even the standard "Sports Rider" kit will make a difference, but if you have that bit extra.....
Everyone has a differing opinion on shocks, springs etc as there are some excellent packages available, perhaps King may be worth a look.
One thing I will agree with is the smile once the new exhaust goes on, Pacemaker headers, high flow cats, and XForce CAT back, just replaced the tips as the xforce ones just didn't look right. The twin system sounds great, it just makes you want to waste petrol driving around with the sound system turned off.

[RobboSSV]

My local Pedders at Slacks Creek is also fantastic. I would describe Rob as having the perfect Pedders mentality..."NO BULL"
Discussing the Pedders Extreme shocks for the wagon - just have to sell the Hilux first.