[Guest]

There been a few threads about engine problems, intake robbing power, is anyone regretting modifying their car? specifically which mods?

It sounds like most people have had success and enjoy the car even more. I am on the fence about mods right now and looking for the other side of the story.

 

[baabootoo]

No, not one bit. I can't wait for the weather to break so I can do more (since I do my work in the driveway).

 

[Ross L]

To be honest I do. The car was plenty fast stock, even better with a handheld and modified airbox(although I didnt take it to the track so who knows if was "faster"). Then i got the isolator rattle and decided to replace it with solid piece(things are still good). Well, since I'm in there might as well put on a smaller pulley(beginning to go downhill). Next, 160 thermostat(no problem with that). Now I realized all along I was going to depend on the handheld for tunes(closest dyno 3 hours away, wifes car, ect...). The car still drives perfect, starts perfect, makes nice sounds, shifts good, and so on. But, been fighting timing/knock retard every since the pulley install. There was zero(0) knock according to the SCT tuner on both stock tune and "max perf" tune before the pulley install. Now I get 3-5degree's of "knock" according to the SCT at WOT in 3rd and 4th gear. I've been told this "isn't knock" but the computer anticipating knock and pulling timing. Either way, I'm affraid to go WOT anymore(imagine that in a V). Long story, short. I wish I had left it stock.

 

[King335i]

I've only got a KPE intake and a corsa cat-back exhaust. I want to replace the mid-pipe with a catless x-pipe setup, and I was considering headers but I may want to avoid them so I don't have to tune out the CEL. Aside from those mods, I don't have a desire to do anything else at the moment because I know (from experience) that I will end up regretting it.

What is this about intakes robbing power??

 

[chopmeat]

NO!!!
Love they way I feel the power at even low speeds!
Love everything else I did, totally worth it.
And, I just blew away a porsche...hehehe.

 

[whytediamond]

Have a cat back exhaust and a partial CAI with stock air box mod and no regrets. Having some backfire with my exhaust but hoping that will be tuned out with my pulley install/dyno tune. Always the need for more power but I would like to stay in a "safe" range. Hopefully that exists!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[EVIL_C5]

having had several cars that have gotten carried away, I can say that as long as you stop before it gets out of hand, there are no regrets.

my 1st LSx car was a 2001 trans am, started off with a few bolt on's and a 100 shot of nitrous...was happy with it. then I made the mistake of adding more. heads, cam, 9 inch, th400, cage, etc....no fun anymore and it just continued to suck my wallet dry. moved onto a 04 vette, started off with some wheels and bling mods, then along came a set of headers I couldnt pass up, then gears, tq converter, intake, electric water pump, etc....almost talked myself into a cam on it, but glad i never did. even with the few bolt on's, the car was reliable and fast.

got my V, and decided to go with the LPE package, probably more money for the same power as other places, but the dealer I got the car from installed it and I had piece of mind that its all correct.

I hope I can keep myself at this point and not desire to add more to it, but its a sickness im afraid....

 

[Razorecko]

so far so good. Full blown modded the only problem is i'm a fuel upgrade away from really pushing the stock block to its limit.

 

[musclesbmf]

To be honest I do. The car was plenty fast stock, even better with a handheld and modified airbox(although I didnt take it to the track so who knows if was "faster"). Then i got the isolator rattle and decided to replace it with solid piece(things are still good). Well, since I'm in there might as well put on a smaller pulley(beginning to go downhill). Next, 160 thermostat(no problem with that). Now I realized all along I was going to depend on the handheld for tunes(closest dyno 3 hours away, wifes car, ect...). The car still drives perfect, starts perfect, makes nice sounds, shifts good, and so on. But, been fighting timing/knock retard every since the pulley install. There was zero(0) knock according to the SCT tuner on both stock tune and "max perf" tune before the pulley install. Now I get 3-5degree's of "knock" according to the SCT at WOT in 3rd and 4th gear. I've been told this "isn't knock" but the computer anticipating knock and pulling timing. Either way, I'm affraid to go WOT anymore(imagine that in a V). Long story, short. I wish I had left it stock.

You need a dyno tune to sort those issues out. The your car will run like a scalded dog.
Make a day trip out of it and drive the 3 hours to get the car dialed in. Every car responds differently, and I would never rely on an email tune when you up the boost from stock.

Mark

 

[aj660]

There been a few threads about engine problems, intake robbing power, is anyone regretting modifying their car? specifically which mods?

It sounds like most people have had success and enjoy the car even more. I am on the fence about mods right now and looking for the other side of the story.

I love my mods.. I also live on Long Island. You're more than welcome to stop by and feel the difference between your stock car and mine with 600rwhp. Mine drives like stock until you hit-it...

 

[gnxs]

No regrets. Car was modded the 6th day I owned it and I'd do the same thing all over again.

 

[mrl859]

To be honest I do. The car was plenty fast stock, even better with a handheld and modified airbox(although I didnt take it to the track so who knows if was "faster"). Then i got the isolator rattle and decided to replace it with solid piece(things are still good). Well, since I'm in there might as well put on a smaller pulley(beginning to go downhill). Next, 160 thermostat(no problem with that). Now I realized all along I was going to depend on the handheld for tunes(closest dyno 3 hours away, wifes car, ect...). The car still drives perfect, starts perfect, makes nice sounds, shifts good, and so on. But, been fighting timing/knock retard every since the pulley install. There was zero(0) knock according to the SCT tuner on both stock tune and "max perf" tune before the pulley install. Now I get 3-5degree's of "knock" according to the SCT at WOT in 3rd and 4th gear. I've been told this "isn't knock" but the computer anticipating knock and pulling timing. Either way, I'm affraid to go WOT anymore(imagine that in a V). Long story, short. I wish I had left it stock.

Which SCT tuner do you use? They don't show one for our application.

 

[aj660]

To be honest I do. The car was plenty fast stock, even better with a handheld and modified airbox(although I didnt take it to the track so who knows if was "faster"). Then i got the isolator rattle and decided to replace it with solid piece(things are still good). Well, since I'm in there might as well put on a smaller pulley(beginning to go downhill). Next, 160 thermostat(no problem with that). Now I realized all along I was going to depend on the handheld for tunes(closest dyno 3 hours away, wifes car, ect...). The car still drives perfect, starts perfect, makes nice sounds, shifts good, and so on. But, been fighting timing/knock retard every since the pulley install. There was zero(0) knock according to the SCT tuner on both stock tune and "max perf" tune before the pulley install. Now I get 3-5degree's of "knock" according to the SCT at WOT in 3rd and 4th gear. I've been told this "isn't knock" but the computer anticipating knock and pulling timing. Either way, I'm affraid to go WOT anymore(imagine that in a V). Long story, short. I wish I had left it stock.

Sounds to me like it might be worth the 3 hour drive to get the car tuned on a dyno. Many experienced tuners believe that a dyno tune is necessary for certain mods especially pulley's etc...

 

[Ross L]

Yea, I know. I hope to take it to premier autosports here in the next month or so. Josh offered a lot of good advise already. I just drive it easy. I know that would make all the difference. Just added D3 intake( told stock tube could be collapsing), no change. No codes, though and it drives perfect. Btw, search Sct, plenty of info here.
Ross

 

[njdevilz1]

I just got my 2009 V 5 days ago and am in the same situation as the OP.

To make a long story short , I worked my ass off to get into my car. I just got my 2009 5 days ago after about 2 years of hard work and saving to finally get my dream car.

I LOVE the car as it is and am more than happy with it as it is currently.
HOWEVER I always will have the inner little voice telling me how much more fun the car would be if I were to add some mods , and am constantly looking at videos of other V's that have had some mod work like pulley / tune / intake etc. and would love to do the same. I definitely have the mod itch.

The only thing is that in my personal situation , this car is my daily driver and do not , nor cannot afford to void my warranty or really be able to afford it if I encounter any major problems by modding my car.

It is really hard to judge if modding is worth the risk on an individual to individual basis as what may work perfectly fine on one car could potentially cause issues on another. I am by no means even close to an expert on these cars and how mods could effect them , but I feel simple mods like a CAI ( AIRAID with a dry filter or one that would not require a tune) / exhaust would not cause any warranty issues nor could hurt anything.

The things that scares me is when you get into pulley swaps , tunes , inter- cooler , and beyond. I am sure if you were to add these things correctly AND had a knowledgeable person tuning and making sure things were installed correctly and dialed in , it would not be an issue. However , the small risk that you run by doing this , coupled with the fact that warranty would be tossed out the window , makes this a very hard choice for me to make.

If money wasn't an issue and I could handle the $$$$ it MAY cost me if I were to run into any issues , my car would be in the shop right now getting it all done and not stopping until I was at 600 rwhp

For now , I am sticking to the very basic and "safe" mods , waiting until my warranty runs out and saving money in the meantime. In 2 years or so , then I will be able to go crazy , knowing I have the $ to fix/ tweek things if need be.

I try to reason with myself and resist the mod bug by asking myself
" Self , is the 25 (50/75/100) HP worth the potential risk of breaking down or not running right and voiding my warranty"?
Right now , it is not , in 1 1/2 - two years...... most definately

 

[kirbyCTSV]

I just got my 2009 V 5 days ago and am in the same situation as the OP.

I try to reason with myself and resist the mod bug by asking myself
" Self , is the 25 (50/75/100) HP worth the potential risk of breaking down or not running right and voiding my warranty"?
Right now , it is not , in 1 1/2 - two years...... most definately

I agree with that...but on a nice empty country road im still going to push my car...knowing if i cop catches me the speeding tix probably isnt worth it but ill do it anyway.

 

[thebigjimsho]

No regrets here. I originally just wanted headers with the stock exhaust to add some spice to the note. But, I figured since I needed a tune, I'd add an LPE intake tube and 10% overdrive HB pulley and package it together. Find a good tuner(Behe Performance in my case) and keep the mods mild and you'll be fine.

Also, use this place to do your homework...

 

[PremierJosh]

Its a sin not to add at least 100hp to these cars. Caddy left us extra blower for a reason If you want to keep it super safe just do a 2.55" upper, intake elbow, modded air box, heat exchanger, and great tune. Keeping the temps down along with a proper tune will allow us to run the extra 90/100 hp without any issue. Only time will really tell if the trans will go 200,000 miles but again with it tuned correctly it will go a long time for sure.

 

[thebigjimsho]

I didn't even bother with a heat exchanger. The stocker is fine...

 

[gnxs]

Its a sin not to add at least 100hp to these cars. Caddy left us extra blower for a reason If you want to keep it super safe just do a 2.55" upper, intake elbow, modded air box, heat exchanger, and great tune. Keeping the temps down along with a proper tune will allow us to run the extra 90/100 hp without any issue. Only time will really tell if the trans will go 200,000 miles but again with it tuned correctly it will go a long time for sure.

+1 :thumbsup: