[calidave]

So I've had my CTS-V since about June of '08, and I absolutely love it. Naturally, however, there are a few things that bug me about it, and so I've started the mods..

First, for me, was audio.. The free-air 10" in the rear deck just wasn't doing it for me. I put in 2 RE Audio SE12s in a ported box with a US Amps MD1D (1200w RMS @1ohm) and an MTX RE-Q5 summing device. I haven't replaced the factory door speakers yet, but that will probably happen some time this year. It sounds great, but there's some rattle I need to get rid of. I weather-stripped the whole rear light assembly; now I need to Dynamat the trunk.

Today I ordered a Katech shifter, the UUC bushings and the front license plate bracket (damn California) from Luke, and vanity plates (VETILAC -- I figure if I'm going to put on front plates, it might as well be vanity plates).

I may go with clear fogs and side markers, but I doubt I'll black out the rear. I bought the V used and it already had that limo tint on it. I like the look but it's a real pain to see out of.

Next in line is exhaust (Corsa, probably).. Mod Hell, here I come.

 

[814V]

dude your trunk is gonna go BOOM!!

dont do the front plate!!!!!!! i would just run it until you get busted

 

[Bueller]

Welcome.

You're doomed.

Enjoy.

 

[rand49er]

Welcome!

Your wallet may be in MH, but with all due respect, you've only glimpsed it so far. There's A LOT more of MH to visit.

Nice car, btw! :thumbsup: Mileage? Where's it from? Was previous owner on here?

 

[lollygagger8]

:yeah:

:welcome:

 

[calidave]

Thanks, all.

I don't want to do the front plate, but I'd rather not wait until I have to. That said, I've gone nearly a year without it.. *knock on wood*

Mileage is just under 50k (I bought it at about 42k), and I don't think the previous owner was here. It was originally purchased from a local dealer here in Central CA.

I do know I'm just getting my feet wet as far as mods go -- but I'm looking forward to it, although my wallet probably isn't.

 

[VforMe]

Dude, is that a pool stick? or are you carrying a sniper rifle around with you?:shhh:

 

[ahahnu]

dont do the front plate!!!!!!! i would just run it until you get busted

Just fold the plate and hook it up to the lower grill

 

[calidave]

Dude, is that a pool stick? or are you carrying a sniper rifle around with you?:shhh:

It's actually three pool sticks. I play a lot, so I spend a fair bit of time at bars, which is the main reason I'm putting on the front plate.. Not that I drive drunk, I just don't want the cops to have a free reason to pull me over.

 

[tweeter81]

Nice car.

But...I feel like I have to give you my two cents (unwarranted) :suspense:

1) That extra 50 lbs in the trunk isn't going to do anything to help your V's performance (these cars are already heavy pigs). This is an ultra-high performace sedan, remember...

2) If it was me, I would keep the front plate off and that alone would be a great reason to not drive after you have had any alcohol. OK, now I will get down off my soapbox. :highfive:

At any rate, have fun with your new ride.

 

[liqidvenom]

50lbs in a nearly 4k lb car isnt going to keep his motor from being respinsive. plus after a few mods he will be quicker and prob lighter still then stock. even with those subs.

welcome. i'm trying not to go nuts with this car.

 

[UnsafeAtAnySpd]

As everyone else said, don't run the front plate. With my first V, the previous owner and myself went 4 years with no issues not having it.

Where in Central Cali?

 

[calidave]

Nice car.

But...I feel like I have to give you my two cents (unwarranted) :suspense:

1) That extra 50 lbs in the trunk isn't going to do anything to help your V's performance (these cars are already heavy pigs). This is an ultra-high performace sedan, remember...

2) If it was me, I would keep the front plate off and that alone would be a great reason to not drive after you have had any alcohol. OK, now I will get down off my soapbox. :highfive:

At any rate, have fun with your new ride.

Yeah, I -really- don't want to run the front plate.. and I'm not worried about getting a deuce, I just don't want the hassle of getting pulled over after I leave the bar.

As for the weight in the back.. first, it's not really that much weight, and second, it'll help keep the ass end down. The sound is worth it.

Where in Central Cali?

Small town called Lemoore, about an hour south of Fresno.

 

[perfect]

Nice call on the Resonant Engineering subs. I used to run a pair of 18 XXX's in my old suburban. You should think about cutting a flush-mounting board so that you can't see any gaps on the side/top of the sub box in the trunk. I can show you pics of mine if you want to see what I'm talking about.

 

[calidave]

Nice call on the Resonant Engineering subs. I used to run a pair of 18 XXX's in my old suburban. You should think about cutting a flush-mounting board so that you can't see any gaps on the side/top of the sub box in the trunk. I can show you pics of mine if you want to see what I'm talking about.

I looked at the XXX series and the air space requirements for those are huge. I did want to keep a little bit of my trunk, at least

As for the flush-mount board, a couple other folks have also suggested that to me. If I were to do that, I'd probably turn the box around or use a box with a side/rear facing port so I don't suffocate the amp. Somebody suggested I take out the stock Bose 10" in the deck lid to help get sound inside (not that it really needs any help). I'm wondering if this will help with trunk lid rattle, but I'm concerned it might let more road noise seep into the cabin (when the volume is off or low, obviously).

Thoughts?

 

[calidave]

Welp, the Katech is in along with the UUC bushings, and I LOVE it. Amazing difference. Requires a little more force to switch gears, but I like it that way. Also tossed in the CAGS eliminator since I had the car up. Next in line is a Corsa..

No pics, since you all know what it looks like.

Anybody need a stock stalk?

EDIT: Thanks to Berzerker for the great directions on installing from the top. Between that thread and the Katech directions it wasn't too bad. The hardest part was removing and installing the bolt that connects the stalk to the shift rod.

 

[zie]

Yeah I know how you feel. I wanna get.... Performance plugs and wires
A better differential, hopefully the custom ones here work out.
Kooks headers and zoomers exhaust.
Then I want to figure out how to put the vette ls6 vortech charger in it.
Then I'll do the intake.
....
woo! A lot of money.

 

[Mystical_Ice]

good for you using resonant engineering subs. those, as well as adire audio subs, are the most underrated in the world. or at least they were. i was big on the car audio scene a few years ago. lasted many years, and i won many a competition with their subs.

 

[calidave]

good for you using resonant engineering subs. those, as well as adire audio subs, are the most underrated in the world. or at least they were. i was big on the car audio scene a few years ago. lasted many years, and i won many a competition with their subs.

I've heard nothing but good things about them, and I will say that I am immensely pleased with the result.

 

[Mystical_Ice]

yeah man i remember back in the day, people would be amazed that two 10" brahmas (adire audio) or two 10" RE XXXs would 'outperform' $15,000 worth of "quality equipment".

RE and Adire were awesome. good to see they're still in the game