FuriousGXP

Been too long since I checked in here to see all the nice Pontiacs!  2009 G8 GXP

Original bolt pattern is 5x115 but you can also get 5x114.3 as it's close enough to fit.  Normal rims were 15" (2.4L SE) or 16" (V6 SE and GT); they never came with 17" from the factory and 18" is the largest you can safely go without worrying about rubbing.  I had 18" on my old GAGT and loved them but the ride was definitely a little smoother on the stock 16" rims.  

That's awesome.  I wish I was still in Germany, I'd have to make a road trip to meet you!  But I'm stuck in California now...

Not sure on the 4 cylinder.  I've got the V6 and the only way to drain it is to drop the pan on the bottom.  There's also no dipstick on the V6 (and I'm guessing the 4) so you'll have to empty it and then put in the recommended amount or you'll never know how much is actually in there.  

Firstly, no, the ram air hoods on the GAGTs don't actually duct air into the intake.  I opened the vents on mine about 7 years ago and the only difference is a dirtier engine bay.  As for where to buy one...you can search local junk yards but they are hard to find now.  Buying one will likely cost much more than $250 since it's too big for most 'cheap' shipping methods.  Best bet is to find a used one to purchase.  Keep checking Craigslist or one of the Grand Am specific forums although I haven't seen much available on them for a while...

Welcome! 

I think the article's claims that the GTO was the last Pontiac Muscle is completely forgetting the G8's existence.  I think it's written purely as an opinion though since he has very few facts to support his assertions and it's all his perception of the car.  Only good in a straight line?  I thought the new GTOs were praised for their drifting abilities?  

I feel like this is the opinion of a guy who never actually drove a GTO (or a G8) and is solely going off of what he read in other car magazines.  The same magazines who rarely have anything good to say about cars that don't hail from Japan or Europe.  (Disclaimer:  I've never been in a GTO either.)  

Yes, I would have liked to see the GTO in more of a retro styled body but if given the choice between a rebadged Monaro and a car that would cost too much to design/produce, I'll accept the GTO that we got.  In a time where Mustang ruled the muscle market during the Camaro's absence, the GTO made a pretty good "mullet car" for keeping the Mustang fans in check.

I'll throw my 2009 G8 GXP in the running this year.

I know a lot of the threads are about older pontiacs, but i have a 1999 pontiac grand am gt and its got quite a few mods and i was looking for advice on where i would be able to find a in car tuner or any tuner and if i need a chip too so i can get my car to how it should be running. Performance wise i just have a CAI and flowmaster/magnaflow custom exhaust. Any help will be aprreciated

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With only a CAI and exhaust, you'll find that the cost of tuning won't really gain much in hp.  I think Milzy still tunes GA's but I'm not sure.  There's very little aftermarket left for these cars and not much hp gain without some major engine/trans work.  Visit GrandAmGT.com for more GA specific info and some sponsor links to the few guys who still offer parts/tuning for GA's.

Great color too!  

I can't wait until I have the money to get my GXP over 500 hp.  Way to rep the GT though!

Welcome!  I'm just up the road from you in Plumas Lake.  Might see you around sometime!

Are you installing headers too or just the catback?  If it's just the catback, I say just get an adapter and keep the stock cat.  I have the SLP catback on my GAGT which is 2.5" and I've only ever had the stock cat on it and now a Cali carb replacement one.  I've had the SLP for about 8 years now with a stock sized cat and she still sounds wonderfully mean.  She sounds similar to a V8 and the GAGT actually purrs louder than my G8 GXP with Solo axlebacks for now. 

Dude, when I sold mine, the LIM gasket was going bad again, it needed ANOTHER cat, it was eating oil, my flowmaster rotted away, blower motor took a crap, an SES light that would not go away, rear defroster was toast...ugh. So much kept going wrong at once. It had to go. :/

I'm just picking on you anyway.  I know that some of the GA owners went through numerous headaches.  I had a few small ones myself but not all at once so it was easily fixed before the next issue.  I've been fortunate and I hope to keep her running smoothly for years to come.  Probably helps that I'm normally driving the G8 and the wife normally drives her T&C minivan.  The GAGT has only driven a few thousand miles in the past year or so...

Mine was an 03 GAGT sedan. It looked pretty, but was a FORDing heap.

So many things constantly went wrong with it.

I blame the owner. 

My '03 GAGT is still going strong and all she needs is a good paint job to make her look new again.  Wouldn't hurt to find a newer set of rims for her too (wish I had never sold those AT Italias's now that I was able to keep her.....)

Nope, never made it to Japan. Medical clearance for my oldest daughter was denied (even though she has absolutely nothing wrong with her) so we stayed in Cali. Had to buy a new house at the last minute since our other one was in escrow and I couldn't afford the fees if we tried to back out but we found a better house for our family in the end. God must have better plans for us in the states yet (and I got to keep both my Pontiacs!)

I said goodbye to both my Pontiacs for the next 6 months while I go play in the world's litter box. Hopefully my wife takes good care of them both until I get back.

I installed my small update to the G8. The pictures don't do it justice. In person it's a very nice looking brushed metal appearance for the text.

http://imgur.com/a/4Q3RG#0

I had forgotten all about that Grand Am simply because the builder got banned from the GA forum sites for being a total douche (at least that's what I heard since it happened before i joined any of those sites.) I love the mechanical work but the body kit, tail lights and spoiler are all AED stuff and I can't stand that "fast and furious" style stuff. GAGT's had a great style by themselves and even better with the SC/T concept car kit which I'd still love to add to mine.

I wonder what ever happened to that car and if someone with a sense of style could salvage it from that horrible kit and paint job?

That front end does not agree with me

The good news is that if he were to line up with you, you probably wouldn't get to see the front end.

Awesome work. I'd love to be able to do something so awesome with my GAGT just because it's such an unexpected platform for this sort of thing. Ah...if only I had the money to live these dreams...I'd probably just spend it on the G8 instead though...

I had my eye on a Charger before I learned about the existence of the G8 (I was in Germany from 05-11 so give me a break for being a bit behind on the domestic market...) I like muscular sedans and the Charger was one of the few cars that fit that bill and are feasible on my budget. Of course, once I learned of the G8 GXP, I quickly made that my affordable dream car and 2 years ago managed to find one. I still like the Chargers but I'd have to get at least an SRT-8 to make it worth buying one and that's only if I couldn't get another GXP.

As a fellow G8 and GA owner, great set of Pontiacs!

OR...he could donate the car to me as a Pontiac lover who would take excellent care of her!

Love it. I've been thinking about trying to get a set of those headlights for mine but this is the first time I've seen a good 10 ft distance picture of them. Most pics I've seen are so close you can't really see how they flow with the rest of the car. Gotta say, they look pretty decent and I might have to try to get a set someday...

Welcome to the forums!

That looks like my car only someone added a sunroof and cleaned her up nicely for this picture!