NorCal GOATs Mod Day

The JBA Shorty Headers have been installed! It was a long day of working on the car, but I’m generally pleased with the results.

On Sunday the NorCal GOATs had a Mod Day… it was really great to see everyone get together and wrench on cars! There was a constant stream of cars being works on… from header installs (3), fender grinding/rolling (3), ignition cylinder replacements, front splitter modifications, spark plug/wires, etc. There were over a dozen people working on things at various times. There was also a TV with football games and a great lunch.

On the way to the Mod Day a few of us met up at Stoneridge Mall and made the drive to Tracy via Patterson Pass. The road was great (as always) and made for lots of fun before a long day of work.

I got the G8 up in the air (I’m glad I had the experience from installing the Corsa Exhaust) and started removing the stock manifolds. The engine compartment of the G8 is a bit tight, so I’m really grateful there were some people with smaller hands to get into the tight spaces. After removing the stock manifold on the driver’s side we tried to install the new Shorty Header… unfortunately, there was a problem.

The header was not connecting up to the stock mid-pipe/catalytic converter… the bolts were not going into the flange on the header. We had to remove the mid-pipe, where we discovered that the header had not been properly machined. The holes the bolts go into were not elongated the same on both headers… so out came the dremel! After a little grinding everything fit right and we continued on the install.

Since installing the header to the mid-pipe was easier outside the car, we also removed the passenger’s side mid/cat (while others were grinding on the header). This side was machined properly so went very smoothly. Unfortunately, the driver’s side header/mid-pipe could not be installed as a single piece… this resulted in an exhaust leak when we first fired-up the engine. The leak was quite clear, but it took several different tries at fitting in different orders to get everything right. We even had to drop the exhaust on both sides to get things in right… but this resulted in an opportunity to hear what the G8 would sound like with no exhaust (it was nice)!

Once everything was back together and checked-out I put the car back on the ground and took her out for a test drive. The drive was a short one though, as after a few minutes the engine was acting really rough and threw a Check Engine Light (CEL). I also noticed a noise when turning the car to the right (much more on this in the future). Fortunately, someone at the Mod Day had a DashHawk and was able to check and clear the CEL… turns out there was a “cylinder 2 misfire” caused by a loose spark plug wire. Once it was plugged back in I took the G8 out for a serious test drive.

I don’t know if there was any ‘seat of the pants’ difference with the headers installed, but there is definitely an audible one. The G8 is actually QUIETER now. The sound is much more even… very refined. The car is mild at idle and low RPMs, but still screams at WOT… just what I wanted! I think the ECU tune, that was designed for running the headers, was not at homeostasis with only the exhaust installed, resulting in the louder sounds.

Once my car was wrapped-up I had some more time to talk with some of the other people at the meet. It was really great, lots of information about all sorts of stuff from smog checks to photography. The night wrapped-up and I headed home (and actually made it without any major issues).

Huge thanks go out to those who helped wrench on the G8… I would have never been able to do this by myself!

Corsa Exhaust

Last night was a late one, but the Corsa exhaust is on the G8 GT! The installation was straightforward and there were very few problems. Not as easy as the CAI, since you have to have the car up in the air, but definitely something you can do at home if you have a jack, stands, and some basic tools.

Removal of the system was the most difficult part, as we didn’t have a 15mm deep (thin wall) socket. A quick trip to Home Depot solved that problem! The bolts holding the flanges to the cats were quite difficult to remove (I’m glad I’m a strong person… as even hitting the wrench with a mallet wasn’t doing anything to break them loose). Once those bolts were out the rest of the system just breaks down and comes out of the hangers.

The install was just as easy as the removal. The stock exhaust is basically one piece from the cats to the mufflers, while the Corsa system consists of three sections. While it made it easier to install (smaller pieces to lift into place and maneuver around jack stands), the clamps that hold the pieces together require some serious torque (45ft-lbs). Trying to crank down on them was quite a task (and needed to be done for all 6 of them) when you are under a car.

I’m really happy with the installed Corsa. The sound is something obvious, but not obnoxious. When you are at low RPMs driving around it’s a little louder than stock, but not obtrusive in the cabin. But once you get your foot into the throttle it really opens-up… something that the stock exhaust just doesn’t do.

The sound at start-up and idle is really nice… I can actually hear the V8 (rather than the air conditioner):

When the engine is revved a little you can hear that there is something more waiting to get out:

And while the sound coming from the back is louder, the sound inside the cabin is not anything over the top. Also, at lower RPMs there is very little drone:

I’m sure the Corsa is a bit louder than what some people would like, and I guess this is why the stock exhaust is just so quiet… but this is just how the G8 GT should be. Now when I’m driving I can enjoy the experience with ears, as much as I have been with the seat of my pants!

Volant CAI

The Volant CAI has been installed. It only took a couple of hours and wasn’t very difficult. This was my first ever engine mod and I had zero issues, I would highly recommend something like this for someone who is looking to get into mods (just beware of the Mod Bug). I was really shocked to see how much ‘extra stuff’ makes-up the factory intake… the Volant CAI is much more streamlined (that is sure to help with power). I’m really happy with the look under the hood, and think the dry filter will work out nicely. I can’t wait to get the exhaust and headers installed and the VMS tune flashed into the ECU/TCM.

The Mod Bug has Bitten!

I was not going to do any performance mods to the G8, but that didn’t last long! I’ve really wanted to get the exhaust note of the G8 GT sounding more aggressive… and it has snowballed a bit.

So I decided to get a Corsa cat-back exhaust system after taking a ride in a G8 GT that had them. I’ve heard the car at idle and with the throttle revving, but I wanted to hear what things sounded like from inside… at various speeds. The last thing that I want is an exhaust that makes lots of noise (drone) when doing casual driving around town or on the freeway. The Corsa system sounded really great at all speeds and is just what I am looking for!

Once I was going to do the exhaust system, I figured that I’d do some JBA shorty headers as well. The car that I rode in also had these headers and it sounded perfect. I could have gone with a long-tube header, but it relocates (or deletes) the catalytic converters… leading to issues with law enforcement and/or smog… this is just not something that I want to get into.

Now that the G8 will be exhaling better, it needs to breath better. This leads to a cold air intake. I decided to go with the Volant system because of the enclosed filter box… the other ones have open tops and use the hood to seal, and I’d rather it just always be closed-off from the hot engine gasses. Also, the Volant uses a dry filter so I shouldn’t have to worry about getting filter oil on the MAS or other engine electronics (which dealers supposedly look for when it comes to voiding a warranty).

And because it really wakes-up the G8 GT, especially with the aforementioned mods, I’m going to get a custom tune for the ECU. This tune will allow me to optimize the fuel system for 91 octane. I should also be able to have various transmission settings for ‘Drive’ and ‘Sport’ modes. And my main goal is to keep the car from wanting to stay in 6th gear all the time… and shifting first to 5th and then to 4th when you put your foot down. As it stands now I can’t get onto a freeway without getting mad that the car wants to jump to 6th gear all the time (which is why I now just use ‘manual’ mode).

All in all, this should give the G8 GT a great sounding exhaust note… fix the downshifting issues… and a bit of a performance gain. Now I just have to get it all installed, which should be fun in itself!

Radar Detector Dilemma

I finally broke down today and ordered a radar detector. I’ve been considering the idea of getting a radar detector for quite a while, but have been concerned with the idea that if you have a radar detector you are planning on speeding. It’s kinda like being guilty without even doing anything…

Will I be speeding? Yes, I can guarantee that… but I would like to think that I’m different than most speeders (even if no one believes me). When I picture most speeders/radar detector users, I see someone who wants to constantly drive over the speed limit and use the radar detector to stop them from getting a ticket. I’m talking about the people driving 90mph on the freeway (in a 65mph zone). This is FAR from who I am.

I have actually found myself driving slower for the vast majority of the time behind the wheel of the G8 than I was in my previous cars. It is probably because of the large digital speedo (that I’m always looking at), but I’m sure it’s also because I know that I CAN go fast… therefore don’t HAVE to go fast. Maybe I’m the only one that makes sense to, but whatever!

I want to drive above the speed limit (technically speeding) while I’m on my ‘spirited’ drives. Often times I find myself driving over the speed limit in the twisty stuff. Some roads (Mines Rd. comes to mind) have a speed limit posted above the speed you could actually drive the road safely (Mines Rd is a 45mph speed limit the whole length, including the single lane super curvy parts). Then there are other roads (Redwood for example) that are 25mph… despite the ability to drive 45mph through all the corners…

I want a little insurance that while I’m out in the middle of nowhere, with no one else on the road, I can enjoy the twisty stuff… regardless of the posted speed limits.

After reading many reviews about radar detectors I kept coming back to the Valentine One. Yes, it was a bit pricey… but so is a speeding ticket. The V1 also has several really great features that other detectors on the market do not.

The first feature is a set of arrows that display the direction in which the radar is being transmitted from. So, if there is a LEO (law enforcement officer) ahead of you… the forward arrow will light, if they are behind you … the rear will light.

The second feature is a display that shows the number of bogeys (radar signals) that it detects. This is very helpful in determining if the alert is a LEO or just some other radar signal (like an automatic door opener at a shopping center). This, in combination with the directional arrows, will alert you to a LEO in front of you and one behind you… something that other detector would just ‘Beep’ at (no different then a single bogey).

I will be hard wiring in the V1 to the rear view mirror (well, the power that goes to the rear view mirror) using an invisacord. With the detector mounted above the rear view mirror, and no cords hanging all over the place, it should result in a semi-hidden install.

I am a little concerned about using suction cups to mount the V1, as it’s illegal in California to have anything stuck to your windshield (other than your rear view mirror or a FasTrak). Where it is going I don’t think it would be a big deal (it doesn’t obstruct my view, which is the basis of the law), but I’m sure people have been ticketed for it in the past. Worst case I could get something like a BlendMount to have the V1 mount under the rear view mirror.

I’m new to this stuff, so I’m sure I’ll be posting more about the V1 as I learn to use it.

All finished!

The interior mods are finally complete! It was a fun process [Day 1] [Day 2]… even when I needed to take a drill to the trunk. Today I spend most of my time putting things back together. I’m really happy with the final product.

Well on the way…

After a few days of tinkering on the G8 GT, I’m starting to put things back together. The GPS is installed and so is the front smoker’s kit. I am really happy with the way things are turning out… it looks so clean compared to the alternatives (dash mount, etc.)

What have I done!?!

I started my In-Dash GPS install today. In the end, I got the GPS installed. I still have to install the “smoker’s kit” that was delivered today. I’ll have a full write-up on this once is finished. While the process is quite invasive, it’s really not too bad (once you find all the screws).

Upgrades on the Way

It didn’t take too long… less than one month… and I’ve ordered my first upgrade for the G8 GT. One of the first things I read about the G8 was the ability to integrate audio/video into the in-dash stereo/monitor. In the process, I learned about the ability to have a back-up camera that activates when you put the car in reverse. Given that the G8 GT lives in a parking garage that is a bit tight for maneuvering, this would be something I’d use every day. Well, today I pulled the trigger and purchased the required parts (Video in Motion/Back-up Camera Kit) from JHP Vehicle Enhancements. In addition to the back-up camera, this will allow me (with a few more adapters) to plug my iPod into the car’s stereo/monitor.

I had originally planned on waiting for my trial XM subscription to expire before getting the VIM/Back-up Camera, as I have found a few stations that get me by without my hardwired iPod, but I couldn’t wait after seeing JHP’s new (so new it’s not even out) In-Dash GPS Kit:

This totally factory kit allows for the mounting of a 4.3″ GPS (like many of the Garmin Nuvi units) in the dash. I had read about a GPS install lower on the center console (next to the cig. lighter) in front of the shifter… but it’s not very functional. Also, given I have a 2009 G8 GT… without the ‘Atari Gauges’… it removes the (stupid) little shelf over the center air vents that has no real function. This kit will require pulling the dash apart, but it will be great fun!

I’m for sure going to be taking some before, during, and after photos… and writing up a report on the installs once all the parts arrive. I can hardly wait!