jpmondalek
Junior Member
- Messages
- 376
Hello all,
I just got back from spending Easter break with my parents in Dubai and naturally I indulged in driving my toy
Here are some notes from my upgrade experience and hopefully can encourage some suggestions / advice to rectify some of my issues. My car currently has about 26k miles and was built in July 2006.
Larini Sports Centre Section:
After meeting with Conaero and Loz at the Ace Cafe, they got me thinking about making more upgrades to my car's exhaust system. First step was to consider a replacement for the factory X-pipe. David at Larini said their Sports Centre Section (aka H-pipe) had a superior design to their own X-pipe and if it were his car he'd go with the H-pipe everytime. The H-pipe is also supposed to tone down the sound for cars with aftermarket mufflers and de-cats. So, after giving it some thought, I decided to go with the H-pipe.
Naturally, I was anxious to hear the car's new setup with the addition of the Larini H-pipe. I could immediately tell that the car had lost its frequent tendency to crackle and pop upon backing off the gas pedal. Also, the tone was less high pitched. In exchange, the sound seems to be deeper with the occasional burp/fart, but absolutely no crackling. Not surprisingly, my mother prefers this setup and says she would sometimes feel embarrassed with the previous setup (although she did admit she would get amused by how people would turn 180 to see what was coming down the road!). It sounds more refined, something I would expect in a British V8 sports car. So, my initial reaction was of disappointment.
The factory X-pipe is being held at the garage, and I am debating whether to hang on to it and switch back. I am speaking with Buster67 about selling him one of the units to upgrade from his 4200's muffled centre resonator. I will not go to the Larini valved mufflers unless I relocate back to Dubai, so for now I will most likely keep it in its current configuration.
This is what it sounds like now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtffM3x_BKw&feature=youtube_gdata
I need to spend more time with Conaero and Loz to decide if I want to go all the way (de-cats, Larini H-pipe, and mufflers). In which case it is probably wise to keep the H-pipe, otherwise the Larini muffler combo it will be OTT with an X-pipe (factory or Larinii)!
This was my previous setup w/ de-cats + factory X-pipe and stock mufflers (I liked it alot): http://picasaweb.google.com/jpmondalek/DeCats?authkey=Gv1sRgCPKw6p6d2Nis-QE&feat=directlink
Becker Grand Prix 7990:
http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/52-Becker-Grand-Prix?highlight=becker
Per Conaero's suggestion, I upgraded my OEM Becker head unit to the Grand Prix 7990 unit, which has Bluetooth, MP3, and i-pod functionality. Since I love my music and wanted a hands-free telephone setup, this upgrade was worth every penny. If you don't need Bluetooth, but want to bypass the **** sound quality of the CD changer, just get the Becker i-pod connection (this will take place of your CD changer). If you're still in the stone ages, the removable face plate conceals a single CD drive, and also reads MP3s.
Car Cover
http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/511-Specialised-Covers-product-review
I think it is important to have a quality car cover that fits snuggly, and will help avoid scratches (just remember to only cover when absolutely clean and dry, latter is less of an issue in Dubai frankly).
C-Tek Battery Charger:
This is the same unit that Ferrari/Maserati sell for 2x the price.
http://www.ctek.com/EN-GB/Default.aspx
Don't leave home without one. Purchased from http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk/defaultuk.asp
BMC Air Filter:
So far so good, and no fitment issues to report of. I thought this was a worthwhile upgrade, because of the dusty conditions and the need to change air filters more frequently than typically required. These are re-usable units. Just clean and re-oil. Purchased from Formula Dynamics.
Denso Iridium Spark Plugs:
Given car was nearing 4 years in age, it was time to swap the spark plugs and upgrade to Iridium ones. Hard to tell the difference, but car seems to be more responsive. Purchased from Formula Dynamics.
Observed issues:
- On board computer frequently suggests that outside temperature is freezing, while it is hot and sunny. This prevents A/C from blowing cold air. Faulty sensor? Anybody experienced this before?
- A/C knobs are starting to get sticky...this will be a future project for http://www.stickynomore.com/ in the future
- I occasionally get a squealing sound at low speeds (I noticed this after washing my car)....not sure if this is brake related or the infamous spigot bearing? I have already ordered this part for my upcoming clutch change in the summer/fall.
- Rear upper panels warped where they sit under rear glass and vinyl wrap is beginning to peel. Ordered both left and right units for £300 from Eurospares
- Leather driver seat bolster beginning to wear, sent leather sample to http://www.leatherique.com/ and will have the seats professionally re-dyed.
- Rear-view mirrors don't dip any more but have power (Conaero suggested I manually dip them when in reverse and it will be re-memorised...this will have to wait till when I am back).
- Despite my FD DBW upgrade, in stop-n-go situations my revs will occasionally go up to 2-2.5k before clutch drops...signs that clutch is on its way out? I have already ordered clutch, bearings, and flywheel as a precautionary measure, given the mileage of the car (still on original parts).
- On hard acceleration, up-shifts cause a nasty "shunt". I have read about these "shunts"; are they fixable or is this a character trait of the Cambio Corsa transmission?
- Now that I am getting more confident with driving the car at high speeds, I can feel the laughable body roll on sweeping turns and on heavy braking. FD springs are now on my "To Do" list - again, if/when I relocate
- "Ball polished" wheels are curbed - can we say with certainty that they are painted, in which case they are repairable?
- Every other time I start up the car it does it without vigour. I believe this is related to the MAF sensor and asked the garage to clean it with a MAF spray. I just learned from them that they did not do this, as they were not able to source the MAF cleaner spray...will keep you posted on this, but please let me know if you have experienced this. Clearly it is not weather related in my case.
I just got back from spending Easter break with my parents in Dubai and naturally I indulged in driving my toy
Here are some notes from my upgrade experience and hopefully can encourage some suggestions / advice to rectify some of my issues. My car currently has about 26k miles and was built in July 2006.
Larini Sports Centre Section:
After meeting with Conaero and Loz at the Ace Cafe, they got me thinking about making more upgrades to my car's exhaust system. First step was to consider a replacement for the factory X-pipe. David at Larini said their Sports Centre Section (aka H-pipe) had a superior design to their own X-pipe and if it were his car he'd go with the H-pipe everytime. The H-pipe is also supposed to tone down the sound for cars with aftermarket mufflers and de-cats. So, after giving it some thought, I decided to go with the H-pipe.
Naturally, I was anxious to hear the car's new setup with the addition of the Larini H-pipe. I could immediately tell that the car had lost its frequent tendency to crackle and pop upon backing off the gas pedal. Also, the tone was less high pitched. In exchange, the sound seems to be deeper with the occasional burp/fart, but absolutely no crackling. Not surprisingly, my mother prefers this setup and says she would sometimes feel embarrassed with the previous setup (although she did admit she would get amused by how people would turn 180 to see what was coming down the road!). It sounds more refined, something I would expect in a British V8 sports car. So, my initial reaction was of disappointment.
The factory X-pipe is being held at the garage, and I am debating whether to hang on to it and switch back. I am speaking with Buster67 about selling him one of the units to upgrade from his 4200's muffled centre resonator. I will not go to the Larini valved mufflers unless I relocate back to Dubai, so for now I will most likely keep it in its current configuration.
This is what it sounds like now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtffM3x_BKw&feature=youtube_gdata
I need to spend more time with Conaero and Loz to decide if I want to go all the way (de-cats, Larini H-pipe, and mufflers). In which case it is probably wise to keep the H-pipe, otherwise the Larini muffler combo it will be OTT with an X-pipe (factory or Larinii)!
This was my previous setup w/ de-cats + factory X-pipe and stock mufflers (I liked it alot): http://picasaweb.google.com/jpmondalek/DeCats?authkey=Gv1sRgCPKw6p6d2Nis-QE&feat=directlink
Becker Grand Prix 7990:
http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/52-Becker-Grand-Prix?highlight=becker
Per Conaero's suggestion, I upgraded my OEM Becker head unit to the Grand Prix 7990 unit, which has Bluetooth, MP3, and i-pod functionality. Since I love my music and wanted a hands-free telephone setup, this upgrade was worth every penny. If you don't need Bluetooth, but want to bypass the **** sound quality of the CD changer, just get the Becker i-pod connection (this will take place of your CD changer). If you're still in the stone ages, the removable face plate conceals a single CD drive, and also reads MP3s.
Car Cover
http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/511-Specialised-Covers-product-review
I think it is important to have a quality car cover that fits snuggly, and will help avoid scratches (just remember to only cover when absolutely clean and dry, latter is less of an issue in Dubai frankly).
C-Tek Battery Charger:
This is the same unit that Ferrari/Maserati sell for 2x the price.
http://www.ctek.com/EN-GB/Default.aspx
Don't leave home without one. Purchased from http://www.mdsbattery.co.uk/defaultuk.asp
BMC Air Filter:
So far so good, and no fitment issues to report of. I thought this was a worthwhile upgrade, because of the dusty conditions and the need to change air filters more frequently than typically required. These are re-usable units. Just clean and re-oil. Purchased from Formula Dynamics.
Denso Iridium Spark Plugs:
Given car was nearing 4 years in age, it was time to swap the spark plugs and upgrade to Iridium ones. Hard to tell the difference, but car seems to be more responsive. Purchased from Formula Dynamics.
Observed issues:
- On board computer frequently suggests that outside temperature is freezing, while it is hot and sunny. This prevents A/C from blowing cold air. Faulty sensor? Anybody experienced this before?
- A/C knobs are starting to get sticky...this will be a future project for http://www.stickynomore.com/ in the future
- I occasionally get a squealing sound at low speeds (I noticed this after washing my car)....not sure if this is brake related or the infamous spigot bearing? I have already ordered this part for my upcoming clutch change in the summer/fall.
- Rear upper panels warped where they sit under rear glass and vinyl wrap is beginning to peel. Ordered both left and right units for £300 from Eurospares
- Leather driver seat bolster beginning to wear, sent leather sample to http://www.leatherique.com/ and will have the seats professionally re-dyed.
- Rear-view mirrors don't dip any more but have power (Conaero suggested I manually dip them when in reverse and it will be re-memorised...this will have to wait till when I am back).
- Despite my FD DBW upgrade, in stop-n-go situations my revs will occasionally go up to 2-2.5k before clutch drops...signs that clutch is on its way out? I have already ordered clutch, bearings, and flywheel as a precautionary measure, given the mileage of the car (still on original parts).
- On hard acceleration, up-shifts cause a nasty "shunt". I have read about these "shunts"; are they fixable or is this a character trait of the Cambio Corsa transmission?
- Now that I am getting more confident with driving the car at high speeds, I can feel the laughable body roll on sweeping turns and on heavy braking. FD springs are now on my "To Do" list - again, if/when I relocate
- "Ball polished" wheels are curbed - can we say with certainty that they are painted, in which case they are repairable?
- Every other time I start up the car it does it without vigour. I believe this is related to the MAF sensor and asked the garage to clean it with a MAF spray. I just learned from them that they did not do this, as they were not able to source the MAF cleaner spray...will keep you posted on this, but please let me know if you have experienced this. Clearly it is not weather related in my case.
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