A bit later on...

Well its done, I now own build number 1 of the HSV VXR8 UK spec R8 Clubsport.
Im glad I had the first off the production line, though I didnt find out until I was checking things out in more detail after the purchase.

Interestingly it seems to have been the press hack and the gearbox was very sad, noisy, loose and hard to shift into some gears. Anyway a few visits to Picadors near Southampton and a new gearbox was fitted. Its Nickel silver the same as below.

As was suggested below the plan is for more power, but in an efficient manner. Given superchargers can eat 150bhp just through mechanical losses due to the pump, let alone increased intake temps etc I decided to stay Naturally Aspirated. The BSFC (fuel used per bhp) is around 30% more than a naturally aspirated engine. Sure total output is increased, but you sure pay for it.

Therefore I have started collecting the required components. Of course efilive will work fine and Ive sucked out the tune and done some logging and minor bits and pieces. But its basically the stock tune at present. Which actually works quite well. Id suggest guys with earlier LS2 maps check out the spark timing for the E Series R8 as it seems pretty good to me, roughly around 2* additional timing across the range.

Anyway the list of mods will be something like this;

• GMM Rip Shifter (In hand)
• Russo OTRCAI (In hand)
• DiFilippo 1-7/8 into dual 3" stainless exhaust + 700cfm cats (In progress)
• Darton 427 Sleeved LS2 block with LS7 top end (In progress)
• LS7 Clutch, or possibly twin disk Ram clutch or equiv (Still researching)

Expected output will be around 650fwhp or say 520rwhp.. but who knows as yet.

Pics of the Russo being fitted will probably be next up.