My G8 GXP and me: Family car, tow rig, back-up track car, grocery getter, everything
07-12-2017, 12:31 PM
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My G8 GXP and me: Family car, tow rig, back-up track car, grocery getter, everything Bought it used in Jan 2013. Had only 16k miles. Automatic. I have a 5 speed in the Firebird.
My initial goal for the car was just to keep it stock and have a nice car to drive. But not as a daily. Plan on keeping the car forever. Love everything about the car.
My track car is the Firebird. G8 doubles as a family car too--massive back seats. But of course I've taken the G8 on the track and AutoX--is great fun for a stock vehicle.
My initial goal for the car was just to keep it stock and have a nice car to drive. But not as a daily. Plan on keeping the car forever. Love everything about the car.
My track car is the Firebird. G8 doubles as a family car too--massive back seats. But of course I've taken the G8 on the track and AutoX--is great fun for a stock vehicle.
Last edited by 68Firebird428wEFI; 07-12-2017 at 03:26 PM. Reason: Thread title
07-12-2017, 12:39 PM
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Did a little dyno comparison between the G8 and the Firebird. Both posting solid numbers on a mustang dyno. 335 rwhp (G8) and 398 rwhp (Firebird*).
*This was back when the Firebird had a 6 speed Richmond and 5th gear was the drive gear.
*This was back when the Firebird had a 6 speed Richmond and 5th gear was the drive gear.
07-12-2017, 12:52 PM
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Back in early 2016 took both the Firebird and the G8 to the track. FIRM in Starke FL. Let my bro drive the G8. He did pretty well seeing as it still had the 7 year old dried out run-flats!
07-12-2017, 01:05 PM
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After getting more serious taking the Firebird to the track it came time to look into trailering the Firebird to events. The youtube video in my sig was later in 2016 (April) at a NASA HPDE at Roebling Rd during a NASA weekend.
At that time I actually had added a hitch to the Firebird to pull tools and track wheels in. Worked great, and luckily didn't have any mechanical issues with the car--but when Track is involved it's inevitable issues will occur and it always nice to have the peace of mind to have reliable transportation on the road to get home.
Pics below are of the hitch build and from Roebling road NASA weekend.
At that time I actually had added a hitch to the Firebird to pull tools and track wheels in. Worked great, and luckily didn't have any mechanical issues with the car--but when Track is involved it's inevitable issues will occur and it always nice to have the peace of mind to have reliable transportation on the road to get home.
Pics below are of the hitch build and from Roebling road NASA weekend.
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07-12-2017, 01:16 PM
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The hitch on the Firebird was fun. But now that I need to trailer the Firebird, the search began for a flatbed and a tow vehicle.
Being that most of my play $$ was tied up in continued mods for the Firebird, I had enough of it for the flatbed but not a tow vehicle.
The G8 being awesome, big (4000+ lbs) and rated to tow it's own weight, it was a tempting option. Given I'd be above the rated towing capacity of the G8 by 1500 lbs or so, It'd be up to me to use extra caution while towing if I were to go that route.
Being that most of my play $$ was tied up in continued mods for the Firebird, I had enough of it for the flatbed but not a tow vehicle.
The G8 being awesome, big (4000+ lbs) and rated to tow it's own weight, it was a tempting option. Given I'd be above the rated towing capacity of the G8 by 1500 lbs or so, It'd be up to me to use extra caution while towing if I were to go that route.
07-12-2017, 01:22 PM
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Over holiday break of 2016-2017 I got a nice new Big Tex 70CH (7000 lbs gross, car hauler), and bought the metal to make a class III-IV hitch for the G8.
I looked into it, and they do make these for the Holdens, and the GXP model has a stamped area in the diffuser for a hitch to stick out, along with a place for it to mount to the frame. But the only prob was they don' t sell such a thing in the states. Others have fab'd their own--I saw one on the G8 boards but the wall thickness they used was overkill (0.25" wall 2"x3" and 2"x2" rect/square tubing) and thing weighed almost a hundred pounds. I used 0.125" wall 2"x3" rect tubing (to plug into frame rails) and 3/16" wall 2"x2" for the cross bar, along with 1/4 and 3/16 thick plate. Along with a receiver and safety chain loop by Curt.
I looked into it, and they do make these for the Holdens, and the GXP model has a stamped area in the diffuser for a hitch to stick out, along with a place for it to mount to the frame. But the only prob was they don' t sell such a thing in the states. Others have fab'd their own--I saw one on the G8 boards but the wall thickness they used was overkill (0.25" wall 2"x3" and 2"x2" rect/square tubing) and thing weighed almost a hundred pounds. I used 0.125" wall 2"x3" rect tubing (to plug into frame rails) and 3/16" wall 2"x2" for the cross bar, along with 1/4 and 3/16 thick plate. Along with a receiver and safety chain loop by Curt.
Last edited by 68Firebird428wEFI; 07-12-2017 at 03:30 PM.
07-12-2017, 01:36 PM
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I carefully place the Firebird so there is right around 7% tongue weight, ~400 lbs. This ensures any swaying is always dampend and the rear shocks of the G8 aren't overly compressed (it def squats some, but there's enough travel to spare).
On an open, flat interstate I cruise around 65 MPH. Trailer has brakes on both axles. In the rain or through construction etc. my cruising speed goes down accordingly. I've logged over 2000 miles so far and everything has gone great. Having the GXP model with upgraded, torque, cooling and brakes, allows it to perform very well.
The G8 is an amazing vehicle. Add tow rig to the list of things this car can do.
Last edited by 68Firebird428wEFI; 07-19-2017 at 06:25 PM.
07-12-2017, 09:08 PM
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Once I had the trailer and tow rig ready I had to prep for my big event of 2017--Optima USCA NOLA which occurred April 22-23 at NOLA Motorsports Park. Spent most of my free time in Jan-April getting the Firebird ready to compete in the GTV class.
07-12-2017, 09:08 PM
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To give you an idea, this was my to-do list:
To Do Spring 2017
Tues 4/18
done-backseat carpet
done-finish off trunk
done-reconnect muffler valve
Wed 4/19
done-computer switch sheilding
done-front toe adjustment (went from 1/8 toed out to 0 to -1/32 (negative = toed in))
done-weatherstripping
done-AC vents
done-passenger kick panel paint
done-check hubs
done-blinkers and lights
done-repaint front spoiler
done-passenger seat
Thurs 4/20
done-bleed brakes
done-G8 front brakes and
done-G8 oil change
done-interior lights
done-hood
done-rear spoiler
done-hood emblems and
done-hood pins
done-final tune-up
Before 4/18
done-G8 wiper blades
done-roll bar/cage
done-Raybestos front pads ST43,
done-Hans, gloves etc.
done-firesuit and helmet (320) and shoes
done-modify tunnel, driveshaft angle
done-floor pans
done-seat position (lower and back)
done-gas pedal position
done-paint and reinstall front sheet metal
done-spark plug wires
done-repair 6AN fuel return line
done-zip tie and loop all wires and hoses
done-exhaust heat insulation
done-front tires
done-sheet metal seal trunk floor,
done-replace all insulation between carpet, new carpet
done-5 point harness
done-front and rear tow loop
done-horn
done-CWL and gun
done-Tent and camping equip
done-reg and plate for Firebird
done-18"x10.5" c5 Z06 wheels, 315 Rivals in rear
done-DTC60 rear pads
done-two more wheels 400 and
done-315 Rivals up front
-modify wheel wells
-machine down spacers
done-remove AC box and heater
done-header and exhaust ground clearance
-tranny x-member mod
-torque arm x-member mod
done-20 gal fuel tank and fuel system, split out exhaust, re-do exhaust
done-new batt wires
done-fixed front fender gaps, removed front body biscuits
done-Hagerty
done-G8 tires(800)
done-Hitch for G8 and trailer
To Do Spring 2017
Tues 4/18
done-backseat carpet
done-finish off trunk
done-reconnect muffler valve
Wed 4/19
done-computer switch sheilding
done-front toe adjustment (went from 1/8 toed out to 0 to -1/32 (negative = toed in))
done-weatherstripping
done-AC vents
done-passenger kick panel paint
done-check hubs
done-blinkers and lights
done-repaint front spoiler
done-passenger seat
Thurs 4/20
done-bleed brakes
done-G8 front brakes and
done-G8 oil change
done-interior lights
done-hood
done-rear spoiler
done-hood emblems and
done-hood pins
done-final tune-up
Before 4/18
done-G8 wiper blades
done-roll bar/cage
done-Raybestos front pads ST43,
done-Hans, gloves etc.
done-firesuit and helmet (320) and shoes
done-modify tunnel, driveshaft angle
done-floor pans
done-seat position (lower and back)
done-gas pedal position
done-paint and reinstall front sheet metal
done-spark plug wires
done-repair 6AN fuel return line
done-zip tie and loop all wires and hoses
done-exhaust heat insulation
done-front tires
done-sheet metal seal trunk floor,
done-replace all insulation between carpet, new carpet
done-5 point harness
done-front and rear tow loop
done-horn
done-CWL and gun
done-Tent and camping equip
done-reg and plate for Firebird
done-18"x10.5" c5 Z06 wheels, 315 Rivals in rear
done-DTC60 rear pads
done-two more wheels 400 and
done-315 Rivals up front
-modify wheel wells
-machine down spacers
done-remove AC box and heater
done-header and exhaust ground clearance
-tranny x-member mod
-torque arm x-member mod
done-20 gal fuel tank and fuel system, split out exhaust, re-do exhaust
done-new batt wires
done-fixed front fender gaps, removed front body biscuits
done-Hagerty
done-G8 tires(800)
done-Hitch for G8 and trailer
