TCorzett
07-28-2012, 04:28 PM
Some have refereed to my car as “The Million Dollar G8″. I’ve never been a fan of that title, but I think I’m going to go along with it now…
In April my engine got the flu (http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?t=31013) and went under the knife.
http://unitonestudios.com/G8/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/20120515_10018.jpg
As the engine was being dismantled I kept thinking to myself: “Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the technology. We can make it better than it was before… Stronger… FASTER!”
After nearly 4 months, and just under six million dollars, my G8 returns to the road!
http://unitonestudios.com/G8/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/20120728_10004.jpg
Previously I added a TVS1900 supercharger and did a few other mods (http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?t=23017), but didn’t open the engine to change any if the internals. Since the top half of the engine was now open to fix the broken part(s), I took advantage of it to make the engine better fit my performance goals.
Mods:
The first step was to remove the DOD hardware and install a non-DOD cam (223/231 0.610" 117LSA). Since the heads needed to be removed to access the lifters (the suspected failed part), it made sense to send them out to West Coast Racing for some TLC (Stage 2 P&P w/upgraded components).
For the longest time I had the goal of keeping my car “CARB friendly”. I ran shorty headers with HF cats, but was really hampering my car’s performance (especially on the top-end). Due to some unfortunate circumstances, I obtained a set of Kooks 1-7/8″ Long Tube headers. I’ve held-off installing them for such a long time, but with all the internal engine mods now was the right time. A custom connection pipe (w/HF Cats) was made to bolt the LT’s to my Corsa exhaust.
The stock pulley on the Magnacharger (3.3″) was producing ~6psi of boost with the shorty headers. With increased exhaust flow, in order to not loose boost with the LT’s, a 3.0″ pulley was installed… producing just under 9psi at WOT.
To feed the engine I called Andy at Squash Performance (http://www.squashperformance.com/) and ordered one of his dual-pump units with dual 255LPH Walbros. The pumps are connected to a Hobbs Switch, which uses the boost from the supercharger to turn-on the second fuel pump when extra fuel is needed. A new fuel pressure regulator and 80lbs injectors were also installed to make sure the engine has a consistent flow of fuel.
Results:
http://unitonestudios.com/G8/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Dyno_Excel_v2.jpg
I’ve never been too concerned with the numbers, but I was pleasantly surprised when I heard my car is putting 537hp and 505tq to the rear wheels (an increase of 21%)!
I have always loved the “sleeper” nature of my G8, so I didn’t want to install a cam that would be too obvious while at idle. Many people like the old-school muscle car sound of a really lopey cam, but I’d rather no one know anything is different (until I blow past them at WOT). The sound at idle is a little more aggressive than before, but is still very reasonable (everything else considering).
With the long tubes the G8 is definitely louder, but at normal amounts of throttle it’s not too bad. What I love is just how raw the car sounds when I jump on the gas! The first time (windows down, radio off, next to sound walls) I even scared myself a little. It will be interesting to see if I keep under Laguna Seca’s 92dB sound limit…
Drivability of the car is still very good. I’m having to get use to being in the G8 again (I’ve been in an SUV for the past 4 months), but nothing seems unpleasant. The idle is a bit rougher than before and there is more noise, but nothing crazy. Cruising on the freeway or being stuck in stop-and-go traffic is all handled smoothly. The added power is great, and the car feels MUCH stronger at the top-end than before.
Like always, I really have to thank the guys at Synergy Motorsports (http://synergymotorsports.net) for putting together such a perfect package.
http://unitonestudios.com/G8/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/synergy4.jpg
I still have a few more mods to install, but this is enough for now. I need to get some seat time in to shake-out everything before my annual pilgrimage to the National G8 Meet (http://g8gone.com)!
-Todd...
In April my engine got the flu (http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?t=31013) and went under the knife.
http://unitonestudios.com/G8/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/20120515_10018.jpg
As the engine was being dismantled I kept thinking to myself: “Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the technology. We can make it better than it was before… Stronger… FASTER!”
After nearly 4 months, and just under six million dollars, my G8 returns to the road!
http://unitonestudios.com/G8/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/20120728_10004.jpg
Previously I added a TVS1900 supercharger and did a few other mods (http://forum.grrrr8.net/showthread.php?t=23017), but didn’t open the engine to change any if the internals. Since the top half of the engine was now open to fix the broken part(s), I took advantage of it to make the engine better fit my performance goals.
Mods:
The first step was to remove the DOD hardware and install a non-DOD cam (223/231 0.610" 117LSA). Since the heads needed to be removed to access the lifters (the suspected failed part), it made sense to send them out to West Coast Racing for some TLC (Stage 2 P&P w/upgraded components).
For the longest time I had the goal of keeping my car “CARB friendly”. I ran shorty headers with HF cats, but was really hampering my car’s performance (especially on the top-end). Due to some unfortunate circumstances, I obtained a set of Kooks 1-7/8″ Long Tube headers. I’ve held-off installing them for such a long time, but with all the internal engine mods now was the right time. A custom connection pipe (w/HF Cats) was made to bolt the LT’s to my Corsa exhaust.
The stock pulley on the Magnacharger (3.3″) was producing ~6psi of boost with the shorty headers. With increased exhaust flow, in order to not loose boost with the LT’s, a 3.0″ pulley was installed… producing just under 9psi at WOT.
To feed the engine I called Andy at Squash Performance (http://www.squashperformance.com/) and ordered one of his dual-pump units with dual 255LPH Walbros. The pumps are connected to a Hobbs Switch, which uses the boost from the supercharger to turn-on the second fuel pump when extra fuel is needed. A new fuel pressure regulator and 80lbs injectors were also installed to make sure the engine has a consistent flow of fuel.
Results:
http://unitonestudios.com/G8/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Dyno_Excel_v2.jpg
I’ve never been too concerned with the numbers, but I was pleasantly surprised when I heard my car is putting 537hp and 505tq to the rear wheels (an increase of 21%)!
I have always loved the “sleeper” nature of my G8, so I didn’t want to install a cam that would be too obvious while at idle. Many people like the old-school muscle car sound of a really lopey cam, but I’d rather no one know anything is different (until I blow past them at WOT). The sound at idle is a little more aggressive than before, but is still very reasonable (everything else considering).
With the long tubes the G8 is definitely louder, but at normal amounts of throttle it’s not too bad. What I love is just how raw the car sounds when I jump on the gas! The first time (windows down, radio off, next to sound walls) I even scared myself a little. It will be interesting to see if I keep under Laguna Seca’s 92dB sound limit…
Drivability of the car is still very good. I’m having to get use to being in the G8 again (I’ve been in an SUV for the past 4 months), but nothing seems unpleasant. The idle is a bit rougher than before and there is more noise, but nothing crazy. Cruising on the freeway or being stuck in stop-and-go traffic is all handled smoothly. The added power is great, and the car feels MUCH stronger at the top-end than before.
Like always, I really have to thank the guys at Synergy Motorsports (http://synergymotorsports.net) for putting together such a perfect package.
http://unitonestudios.com/G8/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/synergy4.jpg
I still have a few more mods to install, but this is enough for now. I need to get some seat time in to shake-out everything before my annual pilgrimage to the National G8 Meet (http://g8gone.com)!
-Todd...