rkupon1

iTrader: (3)

So I ve always like these cars. Now that I have a baby, its even more practical than ever. And totally justifiable as I had to have it kinda thing. I jus recently bought this 2007 cts-V. It was recently for sale in texas on CL. Its got 23k miles and really great condition. I luv it!

rkupon1

iTrader: (3)

It struck me as odd how easy it is to wash n wax these cars, but maybe just because I like it so much! I'm in the middle of building a bad *** pro touring turbo ed ls2 nova. I'm real close to gettn it road ready. Meanwhile, the mods are gunna commence on the V.


My Nova...anyways that's a whole other build thread...

rkupon1

iTrader: (3)

So far the car has a dual 3" magnaflo exhaust, CAI, and a Hurst short throw shifter. Brand new set of Michelins, which I'm super happy about because these are prolly the same and first mods I would have started with.
I'm already very aware that the rear diff is defly the weak link. This one seems fine, with 23k I'm hopn so. If I'm gunna mod it, I mite aswell start there. I'm pretty sure I just scored a decent deal(ls1tech classifieds) on the Creative Steel 8.8" bracket and axles kit. I'm probably buying his new built aluminum 8.8" with trutrac and 4:10 gears too.

Ultimate goal is to probably do a 427 lsx twin 72mm turbo swap this winter.....Lol, j/k. More than likely I ll jus work the 243 heads with a mild cam, and a full induction set up. Hopn for around 430rwhp...450rwhp would be better if we can lean on it a little. Never running it at the track, never gunna put a set of drag radials on it, has to go thru emissions, etc. Just want a reliable lil family street car I can cruise anywhere in and beat on when I need to. Caught some dumb suckas at a few red lights already that thought they were gunna get me.......nope!!!
Well, an audi s8 handed me my business, and I couldn't catch a new m3 on the highway, but he had a commanding head start n was tooling by before I merged into the passing lane to run him down. Anyways that's the story

rkupon1

iTrader: (3)

So I have some questions as most of everything I ve read were in older threads. Maybe stuffs changed, maybe it hasn't.

As far as the rear set up goes:

-Should I upgrade the outer axles to use with the DSS 31 splines in the Creative Steel kit?
-Driveshaft(s)? saw my options, read tons of threads, very confused and my brain still hurts. Should I upgrade while I'm at it out back so to speak? I can afford it if its a worth while mod. Which one? I read the threads about the DSS carbon fiber shaft with 2 CV s
-4:10 gears in <475rwhp V1? I would have prolly stuck with the 3:73s if ordering new, but this deal I mite grab has new 4:10s and a trutrac already installed in a fresh aluminum 8.8" I do mostly city and light to light driving. There are highways we travel. Not as often nor for very long.

Any and all advice would be appreciated guys for the 8.8' swap for now. Down the road alil ways, if I'm not consumed with finishing my nova, I ll ask about my other plans
Which include:
-SBE LS2(he mentioned possibly fly cutting the pistons, but I forget which conversation and plan that pertained to)
-Ported and polished 243s+ cam and other goodies my builder chooses
-Fast 92mm intake(ported) and ported LS2 TB
-Kooks LT headers with an X-pipe and high flo cats(emissions compliance here in nj)
-LS7 clutch
-Ati dampner
-Tuning

Lemme know what you all think...Id be really happy with 430-450rwhp on 93 octane

sparky1_2007

Looks good!

jmilz28

iTrader: (13)

Make sure your engine mounts, tranny mount, and diff bushing are all tip top. Only reason to mess with the driveshaft is if your carrier bearing/bushing is shot, which it may be only due to age. If it's flaccid, send the whole shaft into voodoochikin. If it's pretty tight, run it. Consider a Monster clutch over the LS7, wish I had. I would either run the OEM rear and axles or replace them all at once. You'd be surprised how long the later gen rears will go if you're not drag racing all the time. If you plan on doing that, save up for the rear and axles and change the ratio then.

rkupon1

iTrader: (3)

Already gettn ready to buy complete CS 8.8" swap. Only real issue is its just the inner axles with cv (600hp rated). I would of splurged for the whole 1k rated set up. But already gettn a pretty good deal on the kit, including aluminum housing, truetrac, and 4:10 gears. All new, never run.
Gunna do the 8.8" swap n get it over with b4 the motor work.
Hopn i can recoupe some good money from selling my low mileage diff and axles...

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

You're clearly at a more advanced level than most new V1 owners, so you've got that experience going for you. A 23k 2007 car probably doesn't need an 8.8 diff, especially if it's not being taken to the drag strip. But it doesn't hurt if you've got the coin to throw at an essentially bulletproof rear. The axle CVs seem to be the next weakest point. As far as gearing, you'll probably just use 1st a lot less with the 4.10. There's been debate as to which is better, but it's usually an even split between 3.55 and 4.10--hence the factory choice of 3.73 which makes sense.

If you're going to use this as a daily, you'll probably want to keep the stock mounts as long as you can. These cars get noisy pretty quickly with poly. The stock clutch will also hold up pretty well for your desired power levels. I wouldn't bother replacing that until it starts showing any issues. A lot of the stock pieces will last 100k. The LS7 has proven to introduce enough vibrations in this application to warrant complaints. The dual mass flywheel, while very overweight, does have its benefits in comfort.

Since you bought a low mileage car, you're probably best off taking advantage of the parts that are in good shape.

rkupon1

iTrader: (3)

Excellent, thank you for the reply.

rkupon1

iTrader: (3)

Anyone know where to buy ARH long tubes for the V1? All my research turns up 09+
My engine builder tells me a set of ARH headers, x-pipe, fast 92mm intake, and a decent clutch should make the car very fun n very reliable.

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

I think ARH is a 2nd gen thing. I don't think they offered a set for the V1. However, it's recently been discovered that the V2 headers fit the V1, but they do come much closer to the motor mounts. Heat is a motor mount's enemy, so if properly shielded from the primary they could potentially work. You would need to have some connector pipes fabbed to fit up to the cat back though. Otherwise, Kooks makes the V1 bolt-on setup with connector pipes already fabbed. I have the OBX knockoff of Kooks and have been happy with them.

BaMaDuDe87

I know ARH used to make the V1 headers for TPiS. Not sure if they still do or not, but you could ask.

jmilz28

iTrader: (13)

ARH did and might still, if you called and offered your CC#. An email inquiry will get you no joy. Kooks is the way to go if you have the coin, OBX is a good second choice especially for the money.

PLA TME

iTrader: (1)

that is a correct statement. I have a set that I got nib second hand a few years ago. When I called them to see if they had catted connectors instead of off road pipes it sounded like they has 1 or 2 sets of headers remaining. But this was years ago. They seem to fit great they are wearing well and they did make a noticeable difference.

mine will eventually (this winter )be for sale when I get the 2" v2 kooks and new motor installed

rkupon1

iTrader: (3)

Ok. Im still interested in the arh, who should i contact for them? I was confused about that part and the cc.

PLA TME

iTrader: (1)

Start with calling tpis.

good luck.

rkupon1

iTrader: (3)

Thanx, I will monday morning. In the meanwhile, Creative Steel 8.8" swap on its way. Id like to thank both DSS n CS for talkn me outta a bunch of stuff i dont need. Gunna stick with stock driveahaft for awhile and just swap over my outer CV s onto the DSS axles that come with the swap. Also scored an aluminum 8.8" with brand new Eaton Tru Trac and new ford racing 4:10 gears all installed. Should be an entire swap over. Hopn to get some money back when i sell my low mileage rear diff and axles(07' w/24k miles).

rkupon1

iTrader: (3)

Where s the best place to order Kooks lt headers. Also need xpipe and whatever else to connect to my existing magna flo catback...hi flow cats too

Any and all suggestions would be helpful. Aiming for head n cam 450whp

BaMaDuDe87

I can't recommend a place to buy them but I can say with 100% confidence if you want to get them in your hands in the year 2017 do NOT buy from Maryland Speed.

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

Looks like Summit has them as a drop-ship item from Kooks.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/k...s/?prefilter=1