Recommended mods for a VX Clubsport R8?

[shoobert]

I own now a 3 year-old VX Clubsport R8 (premium brakes) and am interested in mods, having now just replaced the motor under warranty due to excess oil consumption (it took quite some time to prove what is a known fault with these engines!).

My issue is that most mods referred to, in general, go into SS's etc, rather than HSV’s, and i'm concerned that i may be replacing parts / spending money without merit.

Can anybody reliably tell me what i should replace, given a budget of say $1,000-3,000 that will make for a noticeable improvement in the performance of the car.

Steve

[markone2]

Steve..Edit and diff gears is what you are after...what mods do you have have in the HSV that SS owners are replacing....I think you may find the two cars very similar in the engine department...identical some might say.

[Plan B]

My R8 weighs 1780kg's with me in it. Without touching anything on the car, tune only it ran 13.0 @ 107.5mph at WSID twice. I later changed the diff ratio and it still runs about the same maybe a little quicker as the car has run a couple of 12.8's.

So my advice based on experience would be to get it tuned first and see what you think. I wouldn't get carried away with the bolt on's if your on a tight budget.

[shoobert]

markone2, thanks for your reply, the changes i'm referring to and am uncertain will have an impact include (i) exhaust mods; (ii) airflow meters; and (ii) chips / edit.

[markone2]

Edit will have a major impact on your cars performance over and above the standard Holden / HSV tune..This applies to your cat back exhuast system also although I belive the stock HSV to be a bit better than the SS system.
Current thinking with the Maf meter is either ditch it alltogether (mafless tune) or retain it in its original configuration for a maf tune.The fore-mentioned mafless tune has the potential to release the most horse's from your engine.

[keen]

Hey there mate ,nice car you have there, an exhaust will set you back between $2000-$3000 it will make a difference but get someone experienced with gen3 to do it ,your in Sydney try sureflow they are in the sponsers area, usually good for around 20kw , If you do an edit that will take care of the air flow meter as the tune to go is maffless ie they piss it off ,an edit will make the single biggest improvement of all.Diff gears is another excellent improvement but edit must be done after. If you did all3 youd be stoked.if you could only afford 1 go the edit. Dont fool yoursef though no one only does one mod.

[tazzza]

dont know where you get 2000 to 3000 for a exhaust ????? :bash: :bash:

[keen]

Sorry Ill clarify that ,I got a quote for a GTS coated headers and custom exhaust useing the HSV cats, top of the range so to speak $3000.Complete system extractors AND exhaust.

[markone2]

:eek: Options for an Exhaust upgrade are wide open from a $3000 gold plated system with Diamond encrusted name plate for the manufactures signature or a highly efficient
Off the shelf cat-back twin 2 & ½” system which would relieve your wallet of a far more Christian $600 fitted.

[tazzza]

nice wording
that what i was getting at lol :)

[markone2]

nice wording
that what i was getting at lol :)

I thought so too.but it obvisouly hit a raw nerve to the goose that black marked me...........from a distance :kapow:

[Ricko]

AS the others have said, the single biggest, and best BFYB mod will be the edit. As Markone2 said your exhaust is better (a little) than the stock exhaust of the same model SS, but benefits can still be had there.

A custom Sureflo cat back can be made in mild steel with tips for less than $800. A better MAF/Intake pipe will give a better throttle response and up to 5rwkw as well. Just do a search to see if MAFLESS or MAFED tune is for you.

[RedR8]

Can anybody reliably tell me what i should replace, given a budget of say $1,000-3,000 that will make for a noticeable improvement in the performance of the car.

Steve,

With that budget, I would consider the following:

1. Cat back exhaust. Twin 2.5". Hi flow mufflers. No resonator. About $750 depending where ya go.
2. Airbox to throttle body pipe (aka MAF pipe) that is 4". Cost from $10 to $200 depending on what you want it to look like.
3. Open up 2nd hole in air filter to CAI box. Cost $0. Although if your R8 is an auto, I believe this isn't a good idea. Anyone confirm this???
4. If you are keen, swap your diff ratio. $1000 mark.
5. LS1 Edit. Budget $1000 to $1500 depending where you go and if you want MAF or MAF'less. But I am not entering that debate.

That's in the high $2k range for a potent package. All I can recommend is doing the edit last after all your other mods.

If you have a bit left over, consider upgrading the extractors. Std HSV items are better than factory fit Holdne items, but aren't as good as aftermarket items available. Budget about $600 - $900 for these.

Hope that helps some.


Regards,
Lachy

[mgygto]

Talk to Sam. Frankly the biggest bang for buck from your current setup will be the edit. Do it first , then see if you really need anymore.

[V8BRUTE]

3. Open up 2nd hole in air filter to CAI box. Cost $0. Although if your R8 is an auto, I believe this isn't a good idea. Anyone confirm this???
I had a HSV CAI in my VU with the 2 holes plumbed and the auto was fine, power was what killed it eventually ;)

Go talk to Sam about a tune, if after his quote you still have some readies left maybe look at a catback, the second hole in the airbox to CAI is mandatory, also is throwing the big tube inside the lower part of the airbox that goes out towards the headlight, bring on the induction roar :cool:

[Ako]

Doesn't the HSV Clubby already have twin 2 1/2 inch from cat back (or should I shut my mouth and :hide: ). I have a VXII and am wondering the same questions. I don't want to remove the factory exhaust system and headers if the different is going to be minimal. Although I am sick of the pathetic sound the factory system whispers out.

Also does the HSV air box have the second hole? Or do I (we) have to buy the MCAI?

I want to get the MAF pipe, exhaust and CAI all sorted before I head in for my edit. Then also maybe talk about getting different gear ratios.

[Criso]

I own now a 3 year-old VX Clubsport R8 (premium brakes) and am interested in mods, having now just replaced the motor under warranty due to excess oil consumption (it took quite some time to prove what is a known fault with these engines!).

My issue is that most mods referred to, in general, go into SS's etc, rather than HSV’s, and i'm concerned that i may be replacing parts / spending money without merit.

Can anybody reliably tell me what i should replace, given a budget of say $1,000-3,000 that will make for a noticeable improvement in the performance of the car.

Steve

Steve give Sam or Tom a ring at Sams Performance and they will help you out...For your budget you should get some good power.
Cheers criso

[Craig]

Doesn't the HSV Clubby already have twin 2 1/2 inch from cat back Twin 2 1/4 pretty sure.

[V8BRUTE]

Doesn't the HSV Clubby already have twin 2 1/2 inch from cat back ?
Also does the HSV air box have the second hole? Or do I (we) have to buy the MCAI? You will have at best a dual 2.25" system, fitting a good twin 2.5" catback only with decent mufflers that flow better will give more power and noise ;)
Don't replace any of the CAI as the HSV setup is better than the Munro one, take the lid off the airbox, take the filter out and look inside, it should look like this after the top pipe has been plumbed in :D

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/rohanjohnstone/pics/CAI.JPG

[Jphdg]

I picked up an R8 a few months back now with 220 rwkws and was fairly impressed with it. I got it with CAI with the secondary opening plumbed down to the front fender, polished large TB with coolent bypass mod, GTS pipe and tune with maf in place. I decided I was going to take off the back resi but then decided on a cat back despite the HSV duel system on it already. (2.25 inch) With the airbox, I thought the secondary hole was closed in stock HSV's but could be knocked out. I am not positive about that as this mod was already done when I got my car second hand. I do know the pipe runing down to the front fender is for sure not stock. :)

I got a custom 2.5" duel cat back with special designed mufflers for LS1's for $1K leaving the HSV headers and already larger cats in place. Now sounding like a beafy V8 it sounds awesome and makes a very noticable difference in the seat when the ped is mashed to the floor. I am yet to try it on the dyno to study the gains made and do a run down the quater.

Getting these LS1's to breath properly is one of the best things to do as well as getting them tuned right. From what I have read, yes some full length headers do have a slight edge over the HSV headers but not much more to make me justify a further $900 or so. The HSV short headers I find seem to flow fairly well in the VX R8 with a non opened N/A engine as I guess 220 rwkws was not a bad effort for a few bolt on's and a tune when the stock duel HSV system was on.

Oh, if you keep the maf, carefully remove the mesh that is inside of it. It looks rather restrictive to me and the only benefit as far as I know is for a more steady smooth idle. Removed it and found it idled just as good and never looked back.

Yes if you got the money spare, a good set of ratio's for the diff will further make for more excitement. There is heaps of info on this forum and some threads just on the diff topic alone. Diff ratio has been a topic of hot debate for some time now but depending on what you want the car to do, there is a few good options available to us with ratio selection.

Good luck.

:burnout:

[steffche]

Where does one get a $10 MAF pipe??? I just spent 2 hours going from plumbing suppliers to HIS hose and none of them seemed to have what I was looking for.....especially in the $10 bracket!