[froderick]

Hey everyone, I’m looking for some tasteful mods that I can implement that will improve my car’s performance. I’ve never modded a car but I have read up a fair amount about the different types that people regularly do.

I have a stock GXP. I live in a family neighborhood and it is a family car, so I would like to keep it on the quieter side.

The one mod that seems like a good first step would be CAI. Beyond that I know a lot of people go with headers and exhaust, but again I worry about the sound.

I’m obviously open to any suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[MGMGXP]

Twin turbos and a set of GT mufflers.

 

[buzzard302]

What is your budget and how far do you want to go? For beginner stuff, an intake and a tune would give you something noticeable. For bigger power, you are looking at full exhaust, cam, turbo or supercharger, etc. Depends on how much you want to do.

 

[Belo]

corsa catback is one of the quieter catbacks. Most intakes are good, I prefer an over the radiator (OTR) like vararram. Then a good plug and play tune like cortex and you'll have a lightly modded G8 that isn't over the top, but more awake than what it is from factory.

If it helps, those above are the only mods I've done for performance on my gt.

 

[hexagod]

CAI is usually a good starting point, after that you could do catback exhaust system. If you're crafty you might be able to make the ram air inlets functional with a CAI system but I would definitely research how to keep water from getting into any aftermarket intake. I've seen problems with water getting in them and ruining the motor. I bet you get decent power out of the CAI/catback since it seems like the stock muffler/intake is pretty restrictive (mine is really quiet). You can do catback without making a ton of noise, just preview them online. Light tunes can be easy (for a pro) as-well and give you probably 5-10 HP for reduced mileage. Drilled slotted rotors are pretty easy as-well and I hear these things have bad heat fade so might be a good beginner mod. Z rated tires are a pretty easy mod (if your weather is warm year round). Another option is a colder T-Stat + CAI + remove CAT + catback + light tune and you might see 20HP from those combined.

LSA superchargers are a fun and relatively easy mod if you don't mind exploding your motor and ripping up the drivetrain lol... I'd keep the tires stock to avoid destroying things.

 

[froderick]

What is your budget and how far do you want to go? For beginner stuff, an intake and a tune would give you something noticeable. For bigger power, you are looking at full exhaust, cam, turbo or supercharger, etc. Depends on how much you want to do.

For now it's probably < $2000. I realize that that is a bit restrictive, but I want to ease into things before going crazy only to change my mind the next month/week/day.

 

[hexagod]

Twin turbos and a set of GT mufflers.

Because routing 3" exhaust and intake piping through a modern engine bay is such a cakewalk.. not to mention routing the inter-cooler lines and mounting...

 

[hexagod]

If you've got less than two grand I would do some combination of:

CAI
Catback system
180-160 tstat (if you're in a warmer climate)
Re-tune, performance and for colder tstat
Mild Cam
drilled slotted rotors
replace the stock radiator with all aluminum
Polish throttle body
Port and polish heads?

 

[Steve R]

I went with a CAI immediately on my GXP and it was worth it . I ended up with Kooks LT with Kooks cattless x . I started with Magnaflows but they where to dronish for me ,ended up going back to my GXP mufflers ,they're very streetable and sound off under hard acceleration. I chose the Orssom CAI,a bit pricey but looks good and no tilting the radiator back.

 

[MGMGXP]

Because routing 3" exhaust and intake piping through a modern engine bay is such a cakewalk.. not to mention routing the inter-cooler lines and mounting...

3" exhaust isn't needed, but a good idea since you're under there already. Intake piping is less work than a cam swap.

 

[froderick]

corsa catback is one of the quieter catbacks. Most intakes are good, I prefer an over the radiator (OTR) like vararram. Then a good plug and play tune like cortex and you'll have a lightly modded G8 that isn't over the top, but more awake than what it is from factory.

If it helps, those above are the only mods I've done for performance on my gt.

Thanks for the tip on the Vararam intake. I've been looking into it more and it definitely seems like something that is affordable and that I can actually do on my own to help me get my feet wet.

I noticed that they claim ~35hp gain, is that accurate/credible?

 

[MGMGXP]

I noticed that they claim ~35hp gain, is that accurate/credible?

No. VCM > Vararam. I don't have personal experience with the Orssom.

 

[buzzard302]

Agreed, VCM is the best readily available. Quality and fitment like OEM.

If I was on your budget, I would do Kooks mid length headers with cats, a VCM intake, and a tune. Would be a good gain in power and come in right around $2k or less. Also, it is a simple bolt on approach. Just my opinion.

 

[[email protected]]

As others have mentioned a cai is really a great place to start. We also recommend doing a colder thermostat as well.

This is a mail-order package we offer that includes our Mycalibrator device which will deliver great performance!
https://www.livernoismotorsports.com/product/LPP661110
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[hexagod]

Thanks for the tip on the Vararam intake. I've been looking into it more and it definitely seems like something that is affordable and that I can actually do on my own to help me get my feet wet.

I noticed that they claim ~35hp gain, is that accurate/credible?

+35HP if you previously had a potato jammed into the TB

 

[froderick]

+35HP if you previously had a potato jammed into the TB

Wait, so you’re saying I shouldn’t be putting vegetables in there?

 

[hexagod]

Agreed, VCM is the best readily available. Quality and fitment like OEM.

If I was on your budget, I would do Kooks mid length headers with cats, a VCM intake, and a tune. Would be a good gain in power and come in right around $2k or less. Also, it is a simple bolt on approach. Just my opinion.

What's the point doing headers if you're on the stock mufflers? That's no fun :secret:


(jk)

 

[buzzard302]

What's the point doing headers if you're on the stock mufflers? That's no fun :secret:


(jk)

Ha, to each is own. As I have grown older I have gravitated toward quieter. No loss of power by keeping the stock GXP mufflers, and they still have a good growl when matched with headers and aftermarket cats up front. GXP mufflers are louder than you would expect once you add some modifications.

 

[MGMGXP]

I run stock manifolds and GT mufflers and it's plenty fun.

 

[hexagod]

Kinda off topic but since we're talking exhaust.. I had an 05 GSX-R 600 with a slip on shorty pipe and one day I went down on the bad boy .. after I rode it home, I took the muffler off completely (it was kind of falling off from going down) .. I rode that thing around for an hour or two with no muffler (yes... no backpressure = byebye 600) and DAYUM it sounded like a nascar, 15.5k RPM straight out of the header LOL. I wonder what the G8 would sound like with nothing past the headers =D