I read through this whole thread today for the first time and really enjoyed seeing everything you've done to and with your car. Were I in any position to do so, I'd probably follow in your footsteps.
Thanks for posting and I look forward to more great pictures and info (on both cars; would love to have a G8 GT/GXP as well)!
So down here in Charlotte - there is the Food Lion Autofair car show that occurred this weekend.
I got the car back from the body shop about 2 weeks ago and got the new rear tires mounted.
So I spend the last week getting the car all cleaned up - wash/wax/full detail/etc.
I wanted to make the car stand out - so I ended up making a display for it.
After shopping around on the internet - I wasn't going to sped 200 bucks for a flimsy piece of crap plastic unit that wouldn't fit my needs.
I wanted something that I could mount my 10" Motorola Xoom tablet too. I created a video with some of the screen caps of my build - and some of the videos that I've shot with the GoPro over the last couple of years.
So after some thought an design - I tracked down some diamond plate sheet @ Lowe's.
I picked up a jig saw, some metal cutting blades, some aluminum c-channel, and some cap screws and got to work:
Not shown in the pics is the 2x4 that I mounted in the middle of the back of the display to reinforce it.
Sad thing is that I took so much time cleaning up the car and taking pictures of other peoples cars - that I never got a picture of it @ the show this weekend!
Heres the link to the rest of my pics, and a select few chosen pics:
I've traveled to Chicago, I just got back from the Hot Rod Power Tour - and life/work has been crazy.
A few weeks back I started on an upgrade project on the Vette - and boy did that snowball.
Every time I get into the Vette - it really pissed me off that I didn't have steering wheel controls - I have them on the G8 - and I use them daily.
So I've been shopping around for steering wheels for awhile now, and found a user selling a 2008 C6 Z06 steering wheel for $100 shipped - so I bought it.
Next I was looking around for the proper airbag- and I have seen some sell on ebay for like 400 plus - I refused to pay that. I found one of the vendors selling new airbags from GM for $180 shipped - so I bought one of those.
Now the airbag and 2007+ steering wheel bolt right to my 05, just I needed to swap out the steering wheel clock spring - and the steering column harness with units out of a newer Corvette.
I again shopped around - and bought both the clock spring and the harness from GM for the best price I found them.
Everything is plug and play with this swap - except for the radio control signals themselves. I pulled the 3 wires out of the steering column to firewall connector and put in a new connector so the steering column harness can still be removed like stock. I chose a weatherpack connector for this, so I had to buy a crimper and wire kit - I actually found a good deal on ebay. Then I ran some 18 gauge wire through the dashboard and over into the radio bay.
2 of the connectors go into the back of the radio, and the other line goes to a dash indicator line - I tied into the hazard switch which is right above the radio - so the steering wheel controls glow at night.
I put everything back together and went for a test drive - and you'd think I'd be done at this point - but no.
The steering wheels controlled the radio just fine, and even light up... the problem was that I was hearing a binding/grinding noise when I turned the wheel.
At this point I think its the clock spring - so I tore everything apart (again) and find the clock spring is sitting just fine - I position it a bit differently and put everything back together, go for a test drive - and still binding!
So I tear it apart again - to discover that the plastic shroud that goes between the steering wheel and the dash board - it surrounds the turn signal stalk and what not, was not perfectly circular - it was kind of oval shaped. I end up hitting it a few times with angry fists, put the wheel back on, and everything else back together - and what do you know, it works!
So I take it for a test drive and everything is fine and dandy - then I notice that the Nav system is not getting a GPS signal, I'm like WTF. I am out in the middle of the road - no trees/tall buildings/mountain valleys to block the signal.
So I tear the center console, the arm rest, and then the radio out - and find out I didn't push the GPS connector in the back of radio all the way in - damnit!
I put it all back together and everything works - luckily I got everything fixed up and working the weekend before I left on the HRPT.
Here are some pics - I didn't take many as I was diagnosing the stupid grinding noise. I have wayyy too many hours into this project then I want to admit that I have in it...
As I mentioned that I was on the HRPT - I did not long haul this one. There is no way in hell I am driving back from Texas to NC - and then go back to work on Monday. So I did the Detroit, Muskegon, and Champaign IL stops. Since I was only 3 hrs from my parents house - I drove up to Chicago and spent the night and saw the family.
Here is my video from the Milford Road Course where they tested out the ZL1 - sorry there is no sound GoPro didn't record any (damnit):
The front brakes have been squeaking on the G8 for awhile now - and I know the pads are shot, and the front rotors are bedded in pretty deeply.
I have been mulling over what to do about these for a few weeks - I priced out upgrading the pads, and getting some DBA rotors - vs getting some upgraded GM rotors.
The pads are about the same cost - but the GM rotors are cheaper.
Now this is where this brake job cost jumps:
This is a Brembo 2009+ CTS-V 6 piston front brake caliper.
I already have the V-wheels on the car so I know that they will fit. I said to hell with it - I found everything on line and saved myself $400 over what I had priced out earlier this year.
So I'll be upgrading the G8 to these:
2009+ CTS-V Brembo 6 piston calipers
2009+ CTS-V dual cast 15" front rotors
Hawk HPS pads
So I got that project to finish up in a few weeks.
Just wanted to get your thoughts on the Milford Road Course. I had worked at Milford in 2001. I was at the Heavy Truck Garage right at GM road and Hickory Ridge Rd. I had no idea the exit would be on the Road course. I too have shots from Warren. I used to work next to the 8 story tower at the Tech Center. The tower is called the VEC Tower and the building I was in was the VEC Podium. VEC= Vehicle Engineering Center. I was born 1 mile away from the Tech Center. 3rd Generation of the family to work in the same building at the Tech Center. I grew up 9 miles north of the Tech center.
The Road course didnt exsist back in 2001. It was called the Truck Loop. What did you think of the high-bank Loop after the North South Straight away? Had I known you would be there I would have looked you up and said Hello.
BY The Way...Love the Vette and the G8. A friend of mine is a Clay Sculptor at GM Design Staff and took his 1965 Malibu SS from Detroit to Champaign. He also has a C-5 with the Wheel To Wheel TigerShark Body Package.
Anyway. Great work; keep it up. I always look forward to your updates. In case you were wondering I was with a group of cars that featured Cauley Performance Automotive decals..... 2008 Shelby GT 500, 2010 Group 6 C6, 2011 Camaro SS with updated ZL1 fascia, FIREBREATHER 2010 Camaro converted to T/A for upcoming movie JINN and last but not least the car I rode in ...1970 GTO 455 painted 1996 Corvette Grandsport Blue.
Being as I flew in for the tour my car (1987 Caprice Classic due to get some P/T upgrades) stayed home in Ocala, FL.
Todd - cool background story there. My aunt actually works at Milford as well working on adaptive cruise control technology - at least thats what I've understood from talking with her. Thats actually where I spent the night up in MI - it sure beats a hotel.
As for the truck loop aka Bob Lutz Ring - It's pretty cool.
I havent taken that that high banked oval at top speed -its been limited both times I've been on that circuit.
Only thing I can compare it to is the 30+* corners around Charlotte Motor Speedway which I have taken at top speeds - the car plants itself and sticks and allows you to gain speed through it.
I did see a black Cauley Camaro on the Chassis dyno @ Champaign as we had arrived a bit early.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
Hybrid Mode
