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No DIC issues, aside from no TCS. It just would display that it was off. For the tune, that was handled by Adam Cooper. I’m not a tuner, but it looked like he took my car’s tune and removed the trans along with a few other unknown adjustments.

@@g8autox Thanks! Do you happen to have any contact info for Adam? The "contact" page on his website doesn't seem to be working.

No, sorry. The tuning was handled by Adam Cooper (Ace Performance). I believe he just used my car’s original tune and modified it to not have the auto trans, along with a few other unknown adjustments.

I recapped it in the previous video, but somewhere around $5k-$6k?

Not entirely sure about the bumper sensors. If they’re driven off the tail lights, then they should. If not, you’ll have to get power to them when the tail lights come on.

Your best bet is to find an Australian VE Commodore V8 manual harness. From what I understand, it’s pretty much plug and play. Short of that, a V8 G8 harness will work.

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They bolt on as they come. They don’t use the typical strut mount bushing. It’s a metal on metal fitment. Seems weird, but it works.

I'm running the Shockworks premium coilovers (9k front / 12k rear), BMR rear cradle bushing kit, and BMR front and rear sway bars. The Shockworks were an absolute gamechanger.

Thanks! I’ve always been interested in making these cars handle better. I just picked up my 3rd g8. Thanks for the videos, I think you’re the only one on here auto crossing in a g8.

At the time, I think they were Federal 595 RS tires. Most recently, I ran the Bridgestone RE71RS in the same size: 275/35/19. The wheels are Konig Oversteers (19x9.5, +35 offset) and they will be for sale soon. 🙂

Oh man, that's a tough one because it actually telescopes a bit. I know Dorman had a replacement for the stock auto driveshaft and they listed it as 59.4 inches.

I’m assuming you mean the clutch safety. We didn’t connect it, so I don’t have any insight for you, there. If you’re able to get the manual Commodore wiring harness, i believe its all included.

Nope, not at all! I still have my stock cam and DOD. Although it has been tuned out for years now. You will need a new tune to make the engine run smoothly with the manual, though.

The GXP tr6060 crossmember is still available brand new. That’s what I used. With a Camaro tr6060, I’ve heard of people cutting the stock auto one or using an aftermarket one for a TH400 and modifying it to work.

It's funny you say that. I've been super curious about how far off it is in terms of corner balancing. Part of me really wants to do it. But the other part doesn't know if I'm a good enough driver to really benefit from it. One of these days, I'll probably get it over to one of the local shops and get it done.

Ugly car, shit rear wheel clearance

Nah

Howdy! Definitely not dumb questions! Since we didn’t do either one of those, I’m not 100% sure. But, I can say I’ve seen people talking about it on old forum posts. I want to say I remember seeing someone post about a TH400 swap and keeping the stock TCM on or in the car somehow. But, I’m not sure on how much functionality it provided. For the BCM, I forgot to mention that in the video. There’s lots of talk about having the BCM reprogrammed. However, two people I spoke with said they never reprogrammed the BCM and everything was fine. I think that is mostly dependent on your wiring and the tune you’re running. As well as what defines “fine”. Either way, if you want to dig into that further, Chris White (www.whiteautoandmedia.com/product/g8-custom-manual-trans-conversion-bcm/) offers a service to reprogram the BCM. Just note, his website does mention that you need to have the wiring and tuning in order.

@@g8autox I did the swap several years ago. Since then the car was sold to my high school buddy and I moved on to C7s. Yes, I sent my BCM to Chris White. Not sure if he still does this because it is probably very rare that he is asked anymore. My swap used 100% new GM parts for the GXP. Including the real manual engine harness (last one in the USA), real TR6060 trans, etc, etc. It was a fun project but the car turned out to be a hard core muscle car that simply wasn't too fun to drive anymore. I much prefer my manual trans Corvette C7s with rev match, etc. If I get another G8 or Caprice, I'd instead do a high stall converter and keep the auto.

Great video. I'm actually going to pick up a full GXP swap tonight. Everything from the trim piece to the driveshaft and harness. It's a low mileage take out and I scored on the price big time. I was wondering if I needed the BCM reprogrammed as you didn't mention it. I guess I'll see what my tuner says as I believe he has tuned a couple swaps local to me over the years. From what I know even with the whole harness I'm getting it still needed to be done. But seeing as you didn't I'm curious if I need to. I'm also picking up a Magnuson TVS 2300 tonight from the same guy 😮. So my tuner is gonna be pretty busy on my car in the next few months. Thanks for the video man much appreciated.

Hey John! It sounds like you've already looked into it, but are you sure you have the preload set up properly? I've heard that is an issue if it's not right on these. And I actually have mine set a little higher than what I had with my old H&R's (maybe .5 inch?). I haven't tested how much lower I can go. Either way, good luck on getting them dialed in!

@@g8autox well it is my first time setting preload but I watched a million videos on UA-cam, so I have to be an expert lol. I set the preload off the car when I assembled the CO’s. On the comfort with the standard springs, it’s 10mm front and 20 mm rear. I used a tape measure and a caliper tool. Made sure the springs were equal length when I found “0” preload and adjusted from there using the caliper tool. Not sure what I did wrong lol but I hate the ride on the comforts lol.

At least once a month. She does well, all things considered.

Hey Jeff! I'm running 19x9.5 Konig Oversteers with a +35 offset. For tires, I'm running 275/35/19's squared - currently BFG Rival 1.5's, but I'm about to change up to the new Bridgestone RE71RS's. For camber, its around -1.8 front and rear - depending on the machine doing the measuring. It's maxed out on the front with camber bolts. Due to the camber, I have to run a 10mm hub centric spacer on the front with longer wheels studs. But with about a two finger's wide gap between tire and fender, I don't have any rub.

@@g8autox Thank you!

I can't give you a really good answer unfortunately because our cars are pretty different in terms of power. I've only got headers, a "hot air intake", 3.45 gears, and a tune. I can say that on the occasional launch on the street, there's only minimal slippage of the tire - a hazing, if anything, in first gear. But those are the same 275 Rival 1.5's I autox with and they're pretty sticky. I could go 4 clicks softer on the rear if I wanted but I don't know how much that would change things. Beyond that, I'll tell you that your best bet will be to reach out to Chris O'Brien with Shockworks through FB messenger or Joe Labruzza with G8 Only. Chris knows his product very well and will be able to give you definitive answers. Joe probably can, too. Hope that helps!

I actually just sold them, lol. They were great, but I ended up going with Shockworks coilovers, which are a game changer.

@@g8autox I just bought some for the rear. What do you recommend for the best adjustment?

I thought the same thing lol…it’s like a loud humming almost like a lifted truck!

If you end up doing it, one thing you may notice is the 1LE LCA's cradle bushing is a little smaller in diameter than the G8 one. I was a little concerned that this would lead to binding or other issues. But, I can proudly say, after two years and roughly 24 or so autocrosses, everything is still kosher with the 1LE LCA's. Still no rubs, and no other issues whatsoever.

Tim Dingle aka Jack Sparrow Oh yeah, I’m well aware of its Aussie birth. I have to explain it to everyone that asks, “What car is that!?” Its funny how many Americans don’t even know what a G8 is, let alone a Holden Commodore. Personally, I think Pontiac should have kept the Commodore name. I like it much more than G8.

Every G8 video has to have the "acktually it's Australian" guy

APACHE G8 Do it!! You’ll probably be surprised how well balanced our cars are, even with a stock suspension and tires. Mine is pretty basic: H&R springs, Koni yellows, BMR rear sway bar, and BMR front endlinks. I also run 275 wide, 200 treadwear tires front and rear. Alignment makes a big difference too, IMO.

Marlon Ostil Depends on where you’re at. On a local level, its not terrible. Its up to you to decide if 1 second is worth about $1,000 in tire upgrade.

jcues03 I did use a company out of Miami, at first - Universal Tire International. Ask for Jose Aloyo. I ended up using FattiMotorworks the second time. They’re in Central Florida and the owner is a fellow autocrosser.

Thanks!