~~ TTSaleen's 2008 Pontiac G8 GT project! ~~

[TTSaleen]

I figured I would post my build thread here.


Sunday, May 10th, I purchased a 2008 Pontiac G8 GT.
This car is Liquid Red and has the Premium & Sport package installed.
That package includes the 19" wheels, leather seats, and FE2 suspension.

I bought this off a 60 year old lady in Greer, SC. She had no idea that it was modded. LOL! She only owned it a few months after helping her son to buy it. Long story short, he left and she was stuck with this car.
I got a killer deal on it! Only 87k miles showing and a CLEAN carfax.

Here's what I found it has done to it so far -
Magnaflow mufflers with X-pipe
Roto-Fab cold air induction kit
H&R Lowering springs
Debadged (only 1 Pontiac emblem on trunk)
GXP rear diffuser
Shark fin antenna mounted on roof
Tinted windows
All LED lighting on the inside
Billet Oil catch can

I plan to install stock springs and new struts soon. It is too low for my tastes. Looks good, but gotta raise it up some.

I plan to research the L76 engine and put together some killer mods to get as much naturally aspirated power I can out of it.
Next will be changing the rear gears from the factory 2.92 to something a bit more aggressive.

I wanted this car back in 2010 and almost bought one, but I ended up buying my 2008 GT500 instead.
I just sold my 2003 Mach 1 a week prior, so the timing was perfect to get into this car.

Here's some pics for the start of the project!

Ryan

Day I picked it up.












Monday, May 11th update -

93 Octane fill up!






Synthetic oil change -




Clay bar time!

[TTSaleen]

May 15th update -

I corrected the paint on it today!
Wash/dry
Clay bar (using a Nanoskin pad on my FLEX 3401)
Yellow CCS pad and FG400 compound
Quick application of Sealer until I can complete the other correction steps.

However it looks fantastic so far! I LOVE red! Ha!














Got my custom painted engine cover in today.

Check it out -

BEFORE




AFTER

[TTSaleen]

June 4th, 2015 Update -

Couple updates.

So I contacted a well-known G8 guru that happens to live in our area, Rick Crawford and visited to purchase his upper intake kit which consists of his version of a modified stock intake and ported/polished throttle body.

I also ordered the SLP underdrive pulley kit, a set of 10.4mm spark plug wires from Taylor, NGK TR6 spark plugs, and a set of Autozone Dayco serpentine belts.

Finally I won an Ebay auction for a new 2012 Camaro differential with the limited slip and 3.45 gears.

I had to address some suspension issues which are common to the G8. The lower control arms (front) and strut mount bushings were in bad shape. Under hard braking, the steering wheel would shudder.
I got a new set of lower arms and strut mounts and installed them.
Car is much tighter and handles great with no shudder when applying the brakes.

Still need to install the new Camaro differential and get it tuned.
































Also got my Rotofab radiator cover. Had it powder coated in gloss black by Elite Custom Coatings in Garner.

[TTSaleen]

A few updates -

Removed my H+R lowering springs and installed stock springs.
Removed my factory struts/shocks and installed FE3 parts.
Removed factory toe/trailing arms and installed BMR replacements.
Removed my factory strut bushings and installed new replacements.

Here's 2 pics with the H&R springs still installed before mods.






The H&R springs had a 45mm drop according to the website.
These came on my car when I purchased it.
It was a little too low for my tastes, so I took them off and replaced with stock ones.








I found that my passenger side strut was blown out after removal.
That explains the clunk noise I couldn't diagnose previously!!!!
These new FE3 parts are awesome! With the stock springs, it rides great!

[TTSaleen]

I think my Cabin filter was original!! LOL.





New vs. Old Cabin Filter!

I believe it was due.................................. :lol:

[TTSaleen]

June 26, 2015 Update -

OK update time!
Felt froggy so I decided to start my exhaust swap last night!

Got home from work, changed clothes, and immediately put the car up on jackstands.
I started by removing the rear mufflers and pipes. NOTE - My car had some sort of aftermarket system in place with some poor welds and crushed-bent pipes.
Plus I had some annoying exhaust leaks......see if you can find them! LOL!

Check it out













New OBX system ready to go in!!!




Stocker vs. new OBX long tube!

[TTSaleen]

Quick Iphone 6 video with just the headers/x-pipe installed.

Gotta swap the rear differential in before I finish connecting the rear exhaust pipes and mufflers! Haha!!

[TTSaleen]

June 27th update -

Got home today and between dodging the helluva rain storms, I got the new Camaro SS 3.45 differential installed and setup!
Sadly no drive tests yet.
My mufflers got delayed shipping, and should be here sometime next week.
I got the HOOKER MAXFLOWS going on it.

[LDM]

Looks like you've already done a lot to it. That old exhaust was in rough shape.

[-Ray-]

Good to see some work going on here. Welcome to the forum.