Had A Good Ol' Chat With Nik At VF

[ozmunky]

Folks

Got a call today from Nik at VF and for those who havent spoken to him, you couldnt speak to a nicer guy -- upfront and straight which I like.

We spend about 30 mins or so chin wagging about super chargers, R8s and Bodhii's adventures etc...

Have to say, the VF option is looking better everyday.

With the over engineered V8 and drive train it certainly looks like the blower isnt going to harm the V8 very much if at all.

For those in the UK, Nik was saying they are close to getting something ready for the UK and price looks to be midway to upgrading to the V10.

Have to admit, I like my current car and am reconsidering my slot on the spyder.

Certainly appears to be a winner with a 4 more R8s (I think) having it fitted now. So much so I am thinking of being in the first UK batch here early in the new year.

The dyno figures on the web site with the different gas octane grades are useful and informative -- the torque curves look really interesting.

From my chat, the major concerns I have about the product have been addressed and its now an extremely attractive viable option.

I recommend any one in the UK having a chat with Nik as he lived here for 15 years and is familiar with things on this side of the pond.

Cheers & Bananas

-- Munky

[AnOutsider]

Good info Munky (*tosses banana*).

I'm still holding out for more TT info, but yes, should I go SC, it's looking like VF. No other company seems to have done as many installs nor be so active in the community as these guys have been.

[SDR8]

The nice thing about VF's SC is that very little is really changed. It still uses the original computer, fuel pump, injectors, hoses, wire harness, exhaust, air box, etc. The new intake just fits right where the original one sat. All the lines and stuff line right up. The quality of the products and the attention to detail really does show when you see the system in person. The brackets for the pulleys is well designed. The waterlines and intercooler look like they belong there. Nice package over all.

Their performance gains are well within the physical limits of most of the original equipment items. Therefore you do not need all the aftermarket items that can cause problems. You will not get the error messages on the DIS because all the original functions are still working in the computer. The original fuel pump is still in the tank, so you do not get the poor fuel pick up of out of tank systems while you are in hard turns. The power is readily available & predictable and will not come on real strong when you are not expecting it (like in a turn) which turbos tend to do. The multiple programs that are loaded are just simply switched with their plug-in device you get with the system. It just points to the appropriate program when you switch from different performance levels (91 oct or 100 oct, etc.).

It is definitely a product I am considering.

[R84ME]

We've mentioned EPA and California CARB approval before and this is still a concern for those residing in a smog inspection state/city/county/area. Unless I am mistaken, for cars >1996 with OBDII, the smog inspection simply consists of reading the OBD for errors, a check engine light and a visual inspection. It has also been suggested that the average smog tech would not recognize a VF installed supercharger. Probably true but it's always possible you get the "smart" tech that identified it as non-OEM.

If VF is selling so many superchargers, and clearly they are for other models besides the R8, my thought is that they should go through the certification process so it removes this element of anxiety from the purchase.

[SDR8]

We've mentioned EPA and California CARB approval before and this is still a concern for those residing in a smog inspection state/city/county/area. Unless I am mistaken, for cars >1996 with OBDII, the smog inspection simply consists of reading the OBD for errors, a check engine light and a visual inspection. It has also been suggested that the average smog tech would not recognize a VF installed supercharger. Probably true but it's always possible you get the "smart" tech that identified it as non-OEM.

If VF is selling so many superchargers, and clearly they are for other models besides the R8, my thought is that they should go through the certification process so it removes this element of anxiety from the purchase.

When I visited VF, Nik said they are looking into it. They had tried to get other kits for different cars to pass, but they had several modifications and it was not looking good for those or would require a lot more work. For the R8, since it still uses all the original items, it looks pretty promising.

[Monkey boy UK]

Folks

Got a call today from Nik at VF and for those who havent spoken to him, you couldnt speak to a nicer guy -- upfront and straight which I like.

We spend about 30 mins or so chin wagging about super chargers, R8s and Bodhii's adventures etc...

Have to say, the VF option is looking better everyday.

With the over engineered V8 and drive train it certainly looks like the blower isnt going to harm the V8 very much if at all.

For those in the UK, Nik was saying they are close to getting something ready for the UK and price looks to be midway to upgrading to the V10.

Have to admit, I like my current car and am reconsidering my slot on the spyder.

Certainly appears to be a winner with a 4 more R8s (I think) having it fitted now. So much so I am thinking of being in the first UK batch here early in the new year.

The dyno figures on the web site with the different gas octane grades are useful and informative -- the torque curves look really interesting.

From my chat, the major concerns I have about the product have been addressed and its now an extremely attractive viable option.

I recommend any one in the UK having a chat with Nik as he lived here for 15 years and is familiar with things on this side of the pond.

Cheers & Bananas

-- Munky

Munky, the serious stuff aside, how you get your handle? Monkey boy UK!

Smiles Munky & Monkey style, hoo hoo !

[smoothy]

We've mentioned EPA and California CARB approval before and this is still a concern for those residing in a smog inspection state/city/county/area. Unless I am mistaken, for cars >1996 with OBDII, the smog inspection simply consists of reading the OBD for errors, a check engine light and a visual inspection. It has also been suggested that the average smog tech would not recognize a VF installed supercharger. Probably true but it's always possible you get the "smart" tech that identified it as non-OEM.

If VF is selling so many superchargers, and clearly they are for other models besides the R8, my thought is that they should go through the certification process so it removes this element of anxiety from the purchase.

Up here they do the sensor in the tailpipe starting at 5 yrs old, or if you transfer title on a vehicle older than current MY.

[harrison]

Cali. emissions require an all wheel drive testing facility. The test can be a lenghthy process.

[desperado]

Nik told me the VF SC would pass the computer test and the sniffer, so the only issue is the visual appearance. Nik, correct me if I'm wrong...

[R84ME]

Nik told me the VF SC would pass the computer test and the sniffer, so the only issue is the visual appearance. Nik, correct me if I'm wrong...

This sounds right, Bill. Absolutely no reason it shouldn't pass a tailpipe sniff test too.