I sold my bimmer and got a Pontiac G8 GXP A6 3 weeks ago. Saturday I took it out to Sebring, even though my NT05 track tires & rims I ordered didn't fit over my Brembo brakes I still managed some fun on the street tires. Although the other problem I had was Hot Oil light came on after about 15 mins.
Here is some video, sorry it's bumpy in a few places.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXwmEtypri8
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9272&pictureid=22516
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9272&pictureid=22517
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9272&pictureid=22518

Sounds like fun, I especially like the 1st pic. Guess the G8 needs a good oil cooler for track days.

Yes oil cooler and trans cooler on going on before next event in May.
Here is some video footage, a little bumpy in places.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXwmEtypri8

Hey good stuff...I was getting into it. I have heard that there is a dealer-installed "track package" that includes both an engine and tranny oil cooler. Anyone know anything about that ? Mbuono, what are you going to do about a cooler ? I'm gonna probably need one here in AZ.

Sweet!

Thanks for tapping it!

Hey good stuff...I was getting into it. I have heard that there is a dealer-installed "track package" that includes both an engine and tranny oil cooler. Anyone know anything about that ? Mbuono, what are you going to do about a cooler ? I'm gonna probably need one here in AZ.
I thought the GXP M6 comes with trans cooler. I'm putting an oil and trans cooler on next week.

I thought the GXP M6 comes with trans cooler. I'm putting an oil and trans cooler on next week.

What kind ? How much ? Doin it yourself ? .....etc ?

Thanks

Oh...and how did your tires hold up at Sebring ? What pressures ?

TIA

jb

What size NT05's did you buy?

What size NT05's did you buy?
I bought 245/40/19 & 275/35/19, but the problem were the rims didn't fit over the brembo brakes. Hopefully the 09' CTS-V rims I ordered will fit.

Oh...and how did your tires hold up at Sebring ? What pressures ?

TIA

jb
I only ran about 3 laps in each session before Oil Light came on, so tires were not the issue.

Still researching the coolers so not sure on detail yet, but will keep you posted.

how was the car on the track?

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm102/zosoboogie/CHINSEBRINGApr18-192009DL-1094Mediu.jpg

I had the same problem oil temperature light came on as well and that G8 GXP is really fast!!

I only ran about 3 laps in each session before Oil Light came on, so tires were not the issue.

Still researching the coolers so not sure on detail yet, but will keep you posted.

I am getting the Hayden Transaver Plus cooler, 24000 GVW

that G8 GXP is really fast!!That's all the Driver!!:thumbsup:

So zosoboogie are you hooked on the road course driving?
There is another event May 23 & 24 with another club I instruct with and they only charge $350 for 2 days. If your interested you can check it out http://www.motorsportreg.com/index.cfm/event/event.advert/uidEvent/3CBF89FA-DC97-A34F-4F2CCCE268EDB2BF

I am getting the Hayden Transaver Plus cooler, 24000 GVW

Will you have to add trans fluid if you add a cooler? I've never known the answer to this. I suppose so.... Same for an oil cooler?

That's all the Driver!!:thumbsup:

So zosoboogie are you hooked on the road course driving?
There is another event May 23 & 24 with another club I instruct with and they only charge $350 for 2 days. If your interested you can check it out http://www.motorsportreg.com/index.cfm/event/event.advert/uidEvent/3CBF89FA-DC97-A34F-4F2CCCE268EDB2BF

Let me know all the clubs you work with I am interested and hook no more like addicted!!

Will you have to add trans fluid if you add a cooler? I've never known the answer to this. I suppose so.... Same for an oil cooler?

I have no idea

With the addition of a transmission cooler you indeed will have to add extra transmission fluid. Otherwise you will be filling that extra empty space with the existing trans fluid which will in turn make the fluid level in the trans pan low. Just make sure you add the extra amount proportional to the extra you are introducing with the new trans cooler and any new lines going to it.

Hi Mike, I'm an instructor as well and have been interested to get opinions on how these 4000 pound cars do at road courses. I currently run an E36 325 IS. Had an E30 325 and 5.0 Mustang as well. One of my new car requirements is that it must be able to survive the HPDE environment with 2 drivers, instructor and intermediate run groups. Yea, I'm one of the lucky ones whose wife likes to get on the loud peddle as much as I do... The BMW has been bullet proof at the track, all we do is keep putting fuel in it and maybe rotate tires Saturday night.

Any issues besides the oil temps? Did you add any brake ducting? I know Sebring is brutal on brakes.

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike, I'm an instructor as well and have been interested to get opinions on how these 4000 pound cars do at road courses. I currently run an E36 325 IS. Had an E30 325 and 5.0 Mustang as well. One of my new car requirements is that it must be able to survive the HPDE environment with 2 drivers, instructor and intermediate run groups. Yea, I'm one of the lucky ones whose wife likes to get on the loud peddle as much as I do... The BMW has been bullet proof at the track, all we do is keep putting fuel in it and maybe rotate tires Saturday night.

Any issues besides the oil temps? Did you add any brake ducting? I know Sebring is brutal on brakes.

Thanks,
Mike
Had brakes all stock. I did finally find track pads at Porterfield Racing, so I will have those on and oil and trans cooler when I go again in at the end of the this month.
The 50/50 weight made it feel very predictable, like my old 330ci. The extra power is what makes it more fun.
I keep you posted if anything else gives me trouble, reminds me of when I had my SN95 Cobra and something would go wrong every time at the track. Then I got the bimmer and changed pads and tires, like you said bullet proof.

So does your wife let you instruct her driving?

Yea, my Mustang was the same way. Always screwing around with something at the track. I drove 1 event with the stock brakes, they lasted 7 minutes at Rockingham even with brake ducting. The A-Sedan kit from Baer Racing took care of that issue, but rotors were still cracking every other event. The stock cooling system wasn't up to the job either. Griffen to the rescue there.

I felt the difference between the E30 and E36 and that was only about 300 pounds. I'm trying to get my head around a vehicle that's nearly 1000 pounds heavier. I'm picturing a very short life span for tires and brakes.

I've instructed my wife a couple times, but she's had other instructors as well. I certainly don't know it all, so it's good for students to have different instructors. That frees me up to take some pictures..http://www.creative-pixels.com/gallery/roebling/0b5f2386.htm

Had brakes all stock. I did finally find track pads at Porterfield Racing, so I will have those on and oil and trans cooler when I go again in at the end of the this month.
The 50/50 weight made it feel very predictable, like my old 330ci. The extra power is what makes it more fun.
I keep you posted if anything else gives me trouble, reminds me of when I had my SN95 Cobra and something would go wrong every time at the track. Then I got the bimmer and changed pads and tires, like you said bullet proof.

So does your wife let you instruct her driving?

what oil and trans cooler are you getting? Let me know because I need one too!!

I'm going to use cooler kits from LPE like they use on vettes. Pretty pricey but I going to need the something effective.

I'm going to use cooler kits from LPE like they use on vettes. Pretty pricey but I going to need the something effective.

would you have a model number for both coolers?

I'm going to use cooler kits from LPE like they use on vettes. Pretty pricey but I going to need the something effective.
+1, you do not want to go the cheap route when adding an oil cooler and lines. More points of failure have been added to the system. The last thing you want is to have a line blow off and lay down a bunch of oil for your rear tires (and anyone that might be behind you) to run through.

I admit I don't know the GM performance parts catalog at all, but I'll toss this idea out just in case they do make something similar since it worked great on my Mustang.. To deal with oil temp issues, Ford SVO had an oil to water cooler that was a sandwich adapter that sat between the block and the oil filter. This adapter has 2 fittings for water hoses and is spliced into the water cooling system with 2 preformed hoses. It was a component of the police/towing packages as well.

This arrangement has several advantages over the usual fin type oil cooler.
1. It's simple. 1 more oil seal added. 4 extra water hose connections added. No extra oil lines.
2. No need to find a spot for the fin type cooler that has good air flow.
3. 1 less thing debris can puncture at the front of the car(where the good air flow is).
4. Gets oil up to temp faster from cold starts.
5. Works while the car is not moving.
6. Doesn't need a thermostat to regulate flow through the cooler on cold starts or during cold weather.
7. Still works in really hot weather.
8. Weighs less.

The draw back of this option is that the water cooling system now has additional load on it, so if it's marginal to begin with, adding this will make the overheating problems worse. This was a not a problem for me since I was running a 3" thick 2 core radiator. Water temps rarely got over 210 on track even at Summit Point in July.

Mike

would you have a model number for both coolers?I don't have the part numbers handy, but you could ask Mike @ Norris Motorsports he's installing them for me.

Mike

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm102/zosoboogie/CHINSEBRINGApr18-192009DL-1094Mediu.jpg

I had the same problem oil temperature light came on as well and that G8 GXP is really fast!!

ah ha!!! I KNEW the Stig was a Holden guy!!!!! :P yea, Sebring is a lovely track, though. I did a shootout there through skip barber. it was mega fun. turn 17 is absolutely terrifying when you do it right. 130mph and sideways going into it. :eek:





Joseph.

I don't have the part numbers handy, but you could ask Mike @ Norris Motorsports he's installing them for me.

Mike

ok thanks