Hey guys

Been on the forum for a while checking out how you guys are going with the G8's over there. Have been really impressed with some of the mods you're doing and the amount of guys getting their cars out to the track.

I thought I might share a bit of information and some pics of my own car.

Name: Rory

Location: Adelaide, Australia

Age: 28

Car: 2010 Holden SS-V ute

Purchased: September 2010

KM's: not many

Eng/Gbox: 6 litre L98 / 6 speed manual (LS6 clutch is standard on 2010 models)

Colour: Phantom

Mods:

-Ramjet intake
-Hurricane 1 7/8" long tube headers with merge collectors
-Hurricane 2 x 3" high flow metal cats
-Hurricane dual 3" exhaust system
-XCal 3 tuned (3 tunes, 1: std, 2: optimised for 98 octane fuel, 3: optimised for E85 ethanol fuel)

-HSV clubsport 19" wheels
-AP racing 4 piston front calipers + 365mm slotted rotors
-AP racing 4 piston rear calipers + 355mm slotted rotors
-QFM A1RM street/track brake pads
-Goodridge braided lines
-Tein height and dampening adjustable coilovers

Pics not long after picking up the car. Only mods done in these pics are exhaust, Xcal3 tunes and ramjet.

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/7656/dsc00226rr.th.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/i/dsc00226rr.jpg/)

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/8858/dsc00227m.th.jpg (http://img809.imageshack.us/i/dsc00227m.jpg/)

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/903/dsc00228n.th.jpg (http://img809.imageshack.us/i/dsc00228n.jpg/)

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/6628/dsc00235ua.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/dsc00235ua.jpg/)

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/8830/dsc00236z.th.jpg (http://img812.imageshack.us/i/dsc00236z.jpg/)

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/9236/dsc00239z.th.jpg (http://img706.imageshack.us/i/dsc00239z.jpg/)

Some pics of the exhaust system and ramjet:

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/2234/29092010182.th.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/29092010182.jpg/)

http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/2875/29092010183.th.jpg (http://img441.imageshack.us/i/29092010183.jpg/)

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/1468/29092010186.th.jpg (http://img840.imageshack.us/i/29092010186.jpg/)

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7273/dsc00231s.th.jpg (http://img844.imageshack.us/i/dsc00231s.jpg/)

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5540/dsc00234wa.th.jpg (http://img72.imageshack.us/i/dsc00234wa.jpg/)

The results from dyno tuning. I'm not sure if you guys have E85 in the US but as you can see it's a pretty impressive fuel. It's supposed to be more environment friendly and as a result it's about 30% cheaper than premium unleaded! It's 85% ethanol mixed with 15% premium unleaded. I run my car on it all the time and love it! More power everywhere.

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5913/img011mf.th.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/img011mf.jpg/)

Less than 1000 km's on the clock at this point.

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6387/dsc00241b.th.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/dsc00241b.jpg/)

Exhaust sound video (decent quality):

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/973/m4h00266.mp4

New calipers and rotors after being powder coated gold:

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/2421/aprotors.th.jpg (http://img203.imageshack.us/i/aprotors.jpg/)

http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/6614/ap2n.th.jpg (http://img704.imageshack.us/i/ap2n.jpg/)

Painting new caliper bolts to match powder coating:

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/7570/dsc00292ya.th.jpg (http://img121.imageshack.us/i/dsc00292ya.jpg/)

New wheels (HSV clubsport 19's) and new number plates:

http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/5575/dsc00273b.th.jpg (http://img816.imageshack.us/i/dsc00273b.jpg/)

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/607/dsc00276kx.th.jpg (http://img198.imageshack.us/i/dsc00276kx.jpg/)

http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/6826/dsc00279z.th.jpg (http://img573.imageshack.us/i/dsc00279z.jpg/)

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/9105/dsc00283lh.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/i/dsc00283lh.jpg/)

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/1593/dsc00286.th.jpg (http://img607.imageshack.us/i/dsc00286.jpg/)

I know, I know it's way too high.... :slap:

One last look at standard (tractor) height and standard brakes:

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/8180/dsc00301ta.th.jpg (http://img7.imageshack.us/i/dsc00301ta.jpg/)

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1989/dsc00300vd.th.jpg (http://img255.imageshack.us/i/dsc00300vd.jpg/)

Wow! One heck of an introduction, and one sweet looking ride.

Welcome and enjoy your stay.

Old:

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/5071/brake1q.th.jpg (http://img713.imageshack.us/i/brake1q.jpg/)

New:

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/5785/brake2.th.jpg (http://img708.imageshack.us/i/brake2.jpg/)

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/707/dsc00302eb.th.jpg (http://img139.imageshack.us/i/dsc00302eb.jpg/)

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2673/dsc00304j.th.jpg (http://img230.imageshack.us/i/dsc00304j.jpg/)

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8843/dsc00306w0.th.jpg (http://img41.imageshack.us/i/dsc00306w0.jpg/)

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/2813/dsc00316v.th.jpg (http://img100.imageshack.us/i/dsc00316v.jpg/)

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7485/dsc00318fr.th.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/dsc00318fr.jpg/)

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/9065/dsc003220.th.jpg (http://img703.imageshack.us/i/dsc003220.jpg/)

http://img686.imageshack.us/img686/558/dsc00312dt.th.jpg (http://img686.imageshack.us/i/dsc00312dt.jpg/)

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/631/dsc00313s.th.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/dsc00313s.jpg/)

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/5638/dsc0032501.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/dsc0032501.jpg/)

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/631/dsc00313s.th.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/dsc00313s.jpg/)


Finally, an instrument cluster the way it should really look...all the way to 280KM/H.

In Canada we use KPH, But the car I imported from the states only reads to 180. I'm not 100% sure, but I suspect the Canadian spec cars also only read to 180.

So cool. Welcome

After driving the car with the coilovers + brakes for a short while I have to say that I'm pretty impressed with both.

I think a good way of describing the improvement is the observation that with the standard suspension and brakes the oem Potenza tires always felt more than up to the job when cornering or braking hard. Now however, the level of cornering and stopping performance the car is capable of has increased so much that it feels truly held back by street tyres. To get anywhere near this cars limits it has become pretty clear that I'm going to have to look at semi slicks and a trackday. Will hopefully be out at Mallala in the near future.

The teins are a bit stiffer than the standard suspension (as you would expect) but they are still fairly comfortable. They are currently set in the middle of the dampening adjustment range. I'll probably raise the rear a little bit once they settle in to stop the exhaust scraping on the entrance to my driveway and to give a little bit more travel. I might soften them up a couple clicks for street driving also. When I hit the track I'll probably go a little firmer than they are now along with semi's and maximum negative camber. Not sure if I should look at getting a second set of wheels for the semi's. It's not too expensive to swap them over tho plus I'll need to get a wheel alignment before and after anyway so I'll try to get by with the one set.

The brakes are excellent. I've always liked the way braided lines change the feel of the brakes. More consistant, firmer pedal and more initial bite. Looking at the difference in both caliper and rotor size alone from standard to now in the pics, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out there is going to be a massive difference in stopping power.

After bedding in the brakes I gave them a bit of a test. 100km/h, brake hard down to 20km/h then accelerate hard back to 100km/h. Did this five times or so and they were actually pulling me up quicker each time rather than starting to fade like standard brakes. There was also no smoke, no smell and even no dust on the wheels!! Like I said earlier tho, very hard to give them a good test on street rubber. Should be a lot of fun on semi's!!!

:pir_flag:

Wow! One heck of an introduction, and one sweet looking ride.

Welcome and enjoy your stay.

Thanks, I'm really happy with how the build has gone.

Finally, an instrument cluster the way it should really look...all the way to 280KM/H.

In Canada we use KPH, But the car I imported from the states only reads to 180. I'm not 100% sure, but I suspect the Canadian spec cars also only read to 180.

Oh, really? Is there a local law against displaying 200+?

With the limiter turned off (was done with the Xcal3 tune) I'd say it should get to 280km/h too. The 2006 VZ HSV maloo ute (before they started limiting them to 250km/h) holds the record for highest speed from a production ute/pickup. They got 277km/h out of it totally standard. I believe one of the Dodge Ram pickups held the record before that.

I actually had one of those ute's in '06. I'll post up a picture. Was a great car but the VE/G8 is definately a superior vehicle. Far better chassis, better traction, better handling.

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/9504/maloo.th.png (http://img843.imageshack.us/i/maloo.png/)

So cool. Welcome

Thanks mate! :)

love it. awesome truck

Oh, really? Is there a local law against displaying 200+?



Nope, it's just that the U.S. speedos read to 180 MPH & when I switch it to metric the needle calibration changes, but the analog gauge still only displays to 180. The digital portion will continue to climb past 180 until the car reaches its governed limit.

Since this car was imported from Australia to a major U.S. market and not much of a Canadian market, I am wondering if the Canadian cars got the same Instrument clusters, I really don't know the answer.

All other Canadian vehicle speedometers read higher than 180, depending on the vehicle & its capabilities.

P.S. I'm gonna start a thread in the Canadian section to find out what the GT speedos read up to.

love it. awesome truck

Thanks mate, your GXP is very tough. I actually looked into getting some camaro wheels widened and sent over to Australia but it just worked out too expensive with the shipping.

Nope, it's just that the U.S. speedos read to 180 MPH & when I switch it to metric the needle calibration changes, but the analog gauge still only displays to 180. The digital portion will continue to climb past 180 until the car reaches its governed limit.

Since this car was imported from Australia to a major U.S. market and not much of a Canadian market, I am wondering if the Canadian cars got the same Instrument clusters, I really don't know the answer.

All other Canadian vehicle speedometers read higher than 180, depending on the vehicle & its capabilities.

P.S. I'm gonna start a thread in the Canadian section to find out what the GT speedos read up to.

You should look into importing a HSV dash/cluster from Australia. Bit pricey but they look better again.

Nice. So why is this in the GXP section?

Nice. So why is this in the GXP section?

Actually it's in this section by mistake but I'm committed now....

:mullet:

I thought the half truck idea was just a concept. Showed me, thanks! Looks sweet


Nice. So why is this in the GXP section?

Everyone envys the GXP. Why do you think 1/2 of the GTers are always in here? Or maybe we are just the more entertaining bunch lol. <==(Joke)

Everyone envys the GXP. Why do you think 1/2 of the GTers are always in here?

Wow:nonono:

I always click on new posts and browse the forum that way. I never even notice what section of the board that the thread is started in. Maybe they can password protect the different sub forums that way the GXP guys don't get slammed with our inferior GT responses.:drink:

I always click on new posts and browse the forum that way. I never even notice what section of the board that the thread is started in. Maybe they can password protect the different sub forums that way the GXP guys don't get slammed with our inferior GT responses.

The majority of the guys I PM and ask questions to are GT guys lol so don't worry bro, it was only a joke.

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/5638/dsc0032501.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/dsc0032501.jpg/)

Nice pic of a nice car... er... truck! ;)

Finally, an instrument cluster the way it should really look...all the way to 280KM/H.

In Canada we use KPH, But the car I imported from the states only reads to 180. I'm not 100% sure, but I suspect the Canadian spec cars also only read to 180.

Does the digital speedo also stop at 180 KMH?

Wow:nonono:

I always click on new posts and browse the forum that way. I never even notice what section of the board that the thread is started in. Maybe they can password protect the different sub forums that way the GXP guys don't get slammed with our inferior GT responses.:drink:

I don't mind you GT guys, but if we could keep the SRT-8 boys out I'd be happy! ;)

I don't mind you GT guys, but if we could keep the SRT-8 boys out I'd be happy! ;)

Lol, then the Camero guys! Good house cleaning! Lol j/k

Totally jealous of you guys and your utes! Then you had to go and make it black and gold. Go Purdue! :)

The majority of the guys I PM and ask questions to are GT guys lol so don't worry bro, it was only a joke.

I know man, I'm just screwing around. There are too few G8's of any trim to not stand united against the SRT8/5.0 take overs :judge:

I don't mind you GT guys, but if we could keep the SRT-8 boys out I'd be happy! ;)

I like the srt8 guys coming over here. It lets me know that our cars are relevant in the muscle car wars.

I know man, I'm just screwing around. There are too few G8's of any trim to not stand united against the SRT8/5.0 take overs :judge:

Oh ok lol, I was just making sure. I don't want anyone mad at me over a missunderstanding lol.



I like the srt8 guys coming over here. It lets me know that our cars are relevant in the muscle car wars.

True. Our cars are faster than the SRT8s so they better recognize :)

I thought the half truck idea was just a concept. Showed me, thanks! Looks sweet

Every model of commodore (G8) and also it's local competitor (the Ford falcon) have been availiable as a ute for the last 20 years or so. The VE ute has been avaliable since 2007.

Totally jealous of you guys and your utes! Then you had to go and make it black and gold. Go Purdue! :)

There is talk that Holden might start importing commodores to the US again as a Chev. If that turns out to be true they may start selling the utes in the states.

If it goes well you might even end up with some of the HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) variants like these:

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/bncis/details.aspx?YearFromShort=1767&R=9772690&keywords=&trecs=130&__sid=12CD9F025821&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=true&__Nne=15&Cr=11&seot=1&__N=1216
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/bncis/details.aspx?YearFromShort=1767&R=9761424&keywords=&trecs=191&__sid=12CD9F025821&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&__Qpb=true&__Nne=15&Cr=2&seot=1&__N=1216

Ignore the prices, we pay heaps more for cars over here. They will be far cheaper in the US. The HSV's have more power, significant suspension and brake upgrades, better interiors, led tail lights, different body panels etc. as well as options like bi-modal exhausts and magnetic ride control.

Does the digital speedo also stop at 180 KMH?

Nope, the digital speedo is much like the energizer bunny. It keeps going, and going... ( or so I've heard ;) )

Great car and best intro yet!

Great car and best intro yet!


Thanks johnd!

Very nice ride. I have always wondered what e85 would do on a n/a car n now I know.

I am suffering from a major case of "Ute envy." I was really hoping back when I heard about the G8 GXP and the G8 ST, that someday we would see a combination of the two available here in US. I would love to have an LS3/M6 powered G8 GXP ST in my garage, preferrably in one of those wild Holden colors that we never got imported here.

How's that for tying in the thread to this forum, LOL!

Welcome aboard Rors! Nice ride!

Very jealous.

I got to see a G8 ST show truck in person...I am very jealous. I really wanted one [as well as the G8 estate had they made one].

Looks great & nice clean mods all around!

Not counting the cost of the car, does anyone know what it would cost to privately import a Ute?

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/5638/dsc0032501.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/dsc0032501.jpg/)
Rors:
A truly fine ride with an impressive set of mods. You have pegged the envy meter, especially since we can't buy one in the US. It would take a mediocre car salesman less than an hour to talk me into swapping my HEMI Ram for one of these.

The Holden site lists the weight of an M6 SS Ute at 3890 lbs. That's 150 lbs less than our M6 GXP's. I assume that weight came off the rear wheels. Our cars understeer from the factory. With your less weight and suspension mods, I assume you now have neutral or oversteer, yes? Big smoky burn outs and power slides are probably just a throttle tip away, true? Let us know how it handles in the corners.

Great car, thanks for the info.
RJP

Very nice ride. I have always wondered what e85 would do on a n/a car n now I know.

E85 (ethanol) is awesome. More power, it's cheaper, burns cleaner. It does take a little longer to fire on cold start than premium unleaded though. Maybe 3 secs on the key rather than 1 when starting for the first time in the morning.

I am suffering from a major case of "Ute envy." I was really hoping back when I heard about the G8 GXP and the G8 ST, that someday we would see a combination of the two available here in US. I would love to have an LS3/M6 powered G8 GXP ST in my garage, preferrably in one of those wild Holden colors that we never got imported here.

How's that for tying in the thread to this forum, LOL!

Welcome aboard Rors! Nice ride!

Thanks mate!

Not counting the cost of the car, does anyone know what it would cost to privately import a Ute?

I'm not sure they sell utes anywhere in LHD which would probably be an issue. Occasionaly people import new camaros and vette's to Australia but it's extremely expensive. They end up costing well over $100k once landed, complied, converted to RHD.

Rors:
A truly fine ride with an impressive set of mods. You have pegged the envy meter, especially since we can't buy one in the US. It would take a mediocre car salesman less than an hour to talk me into swapping my HEMI Ram for one of these.

The Holden site lists the weight of an M6 SS Ute at 3890 lbs. That's 150 lbs less than our M6 GXP's. I assume that weight came off the rear wheels. Our cars understeer from the factory. With your less weight and suspension mods, I assume you now have neutral or oversteer, yes? Big smoky burn outs and power slides are probably just a throttle tip away, true? Let us know how it handles in the corners.

Great car, thanks for the info.
RJP


The steering is fairly neutral, you have to be pretty heavy on the accelerator for it to break into oversteer. Understeer is minimal, it finds the apex quite sharply for a large vehicle. I'm impressed so far. I've only driven on the street with the oem tyres though. The real test will be out on the track with some semi slick tyres.

Was talking to the tuner the other day who said that he might have some 19" semi's from one of their race cars I can have cheap. If that works out I'll hopefully get out to a track day early this year. Have a few motorcycle track days to get out of the way first on the 15th and 26th of Jan tho... :)

Pics not long after picking up the car. Only mods done in these pics are exhaust, Xcal3 tunes and ramjet.

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/7656/dsc00226rr.th.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/i/dsc00226rr.jpg/)

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/8858/dsc00227m.th.jpg (http://img809.imageshack.us/i/dsc00227m.jpg/)

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/903/dsc00228n.th.jpg (http://img809.imageshack.us/i/dsc00228n.jpg/)

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/6628/dsc00235ua.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/i/dsc00235ua.jpg/)

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/8830/dsc00236z.th.jpg (http://img812.imageshack.us/i/dsc00236z.jpg/)

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/9236/dsc00239z.th.jpg (http://img706.imageshack.us/i/dsc00239z.jpg/)

Man that is one sweet car/truck!!!

Took my bike out to Phillip Island GP circuit for superbike school a couple weekends ago. The ute didn't skip a beat on the approx 2000km (1250 miles) round trip.

Here's a few pics:

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9163/rorzpi4.jpg (http://img5.imageshack.us/i/rorzpi4.jpg/)

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8205/rorzpi6.jpg (http://img151.imageshack.us/i/rorzpi6.jpg/)

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/1287/rorzpi7.jpg (http://img600.imageshack.us/i/rorzpi7.jpg/)

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/577/rorzpi5.jpg (http://img24.imageshack.us/i/rorzpi5.jpg/)


http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5938/rorzpi2.jpg (http://img259.imageshack.us/i/rorzpi2.jpg/)

http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/884/rorzpi3.jpg (http://img573.imageshack.us/i/rorzpi3.jpg/)

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/4857/rorzpi10.jpg (http://img543.imageshack.us/i/rorzpi10.jpg/)

Nice Ute! i think i might have seen it around, the plates look familiar. What suburb you from?

i was going to recommended a hard tonneau cover, but after that last post, it looks impossible!

The Holden site lists the weight of an M6 SS Ute at 3890 lbs. That's 150 lbs less than our M6 GXP's. I assume that weight came off the rear wheels. Our cars understeer from the factory. With your less weight and suspension mods, I assume you now have neutral or oversteer, yes? Big smoky burn outs and power slides are probably just a throttle tip away, true? Let us know how it handles in the corners.

The Ute also has a longer wheelbase (same as the Caprice)

I live in the Glenelg area. Had these plates for a while, you might have seen them on my old VZ maloo.


Have been thinking about getting a hardlid actually. They're fairly easy to remove for when I need to load the bike in. There are a few slimline designs which look a lot better than the oem hardlids. Could use the $$$ to purchase some track tyres (Hoosier R6 grooved slicks) tho which would be a lot more fun. They have car & bike track days out at Winton. Would be a bit of a laugh to cut some hotlaps on the bike then get the "tow car" out there as well.

yeah slim-line hard lid for sure, although one of the guys at work has the chrome roll-bars, with one of the larger lids and that looks awesome.... almost maloo-like.

I live in the Gawler area, but constantly travel to Noarlunga/McLaren Vale, so i do end up seeing most of the cars around Adelaide sometime!