Well, after running 5 track days at Watkins Glen in 2010 with the GXP, I learned a whole lot about cars and what it takes to be fast. Early in 2010 I made some minor perfromance upgrades which included Kook Headers, Corsa exhaust, CAI, Livernois tune, OZ HLT 9" wide rims running 255 all the way around on Bridgestone Potenza RE11's. I also had Hawks HP Plus brake pads on front and HPS pads on the rear. Changed the brake fluid before each track weekend to make sure things were working clean with the brakes.

This is what I learned about my GXP running at Watkins Glen:
1) The GXP is a heavy car
2) Breaking is everything including when to brake and how hard.
3) Knowing the course and having a good instructor is key
4) The GXP is faster than 90% of the cars I was on the track with.
5) Even with the FE3 suspension, it has quite a lean in the corners.
6) It loved to run!!
7) I loved to drive her.

Improvements done late 2010 (got to run 1 track day with these upgrades):
Magnacharger Supercharger 2300
Stage 1 camshaft
Eibach springs front and rear
BMR sway bars front and rear
DBA 5000 series slotted rotors front and rear
Dyno tuned - 549 RWHP
- All above furnish and installed by Livernois -


Added Improvements I am now doing for April track weekend:
EBC Blue Stuff brake pads front
EBC Yellow Stuff brake pads rear
EBC race brake fluid
Braided SS brake lines
Hoosier R6 265 Tires front - 9.5"
Hoosier R6 295 Tires rear on new BE by Breton 9.5" wide Rims

As you can imagine, the GXP really moved around the track. I was going so fast (hit 151 through the back straight away after turn 4) that I exceeded the abilities of the Hawk pads and almost lost breaking. With the weight of the car (3900 lbs) and hitting speeds that I did, the brake pads could not handle it.

After hours and hours of research, phone calls and message board searches, I have built, what I feel, is a street car that should be pretty bad ass at the track. My goal is to learn how to drive and be the quickest I can without putting a wrinkle in her. Seat time is everything and I plan on 10 track days this year.

Your comments are appreciated and please feel free to add anything else I can do for speed.

Here is my car at Livernois on the Dyno in September 2010:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_fOTf1JCzs

Serious upgrades!

One question....do we have a stock baffled oil pan? If not, you WILL need one.

Curious what you best lap time is in that 'beast' of yours? Been to the Glen several times to pit crew with friend who runs in the fall 'ZIPPO' Vintage Grand Prix, a really great racing & fun event

Sounds like fun. I'm really interested in hearing your take on the Hoosier R6 and how the brake pads work out. What size wheels are you running? 18" or 19"? How do you like the OZ HLT?

-Todd...

TCorzett - I am running 19" wheels. The OZ racing rims are holding up very well and what I really like about them is they are so light, only 22lbs per rim.

Todasi - What is a "stock baffled oil pan"? Please describe or post on informational article link for all to read.

I am running 19" wheels. The OZ racing rims are holding up very well and what I really like about them is they are so light, only 22lbs per rim.
Yeah, I'm interested in them for their weight (and relitively low price). I want to run 18" wheels, but unfortunately the only OZ models I can find online (Tire Rack) go up to 9" wide... I'd like a 9.5" wheel to run a 265 or 275. Eventually, I'd like to get a set of Hoosiers... but not after working my way through a set of "street" tires.

-Todd...

Todasi - What is a "stock baffled oil pan"? Please describe or post on informational article link for all to read.

I was basically asking if our stock oil pan had baffles in it, and therefore could take the high 'g' loads of road racing without starving the engine of oil.

You are looking at running your G8 at a full fledged race track with race tires and are therefore gonna pull some major g's on the long corners, and hard braking zones. Without a baffled oil pan you can have all the oil (during cornering/braking) slosh all to one side of the oil pan, then the oil pick-up will suck air, your oil pressure drops to ZERO and you can quickly blow your engine. It's cheap insurance like getting an oil cooler or a trans cooler.

Here is one for the Camaro as an example only.
http://www.improvedracing.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_3&products_id=41&osCsid=f80a43df49fe688ae34cc08d02020be7

Eibach springs front and rear
BMR sway bars front and rear

Interested in your opinion on how the car felt both on and off the track with that set-up. I'm guessing you're still on the FE3 struts/shocks. I'm thinking of going a similar route. Was the car more planted? Was there a significant reduction in roll/increase in responsiveness?

Are your bushings upgraded as well (Radius Rod, Strut Mount, Subframe)?

My uncle has a slightly older porsche that he takes to the track days. its a 98 Carrera S, yellow. ring a bell?

Id love to go with him and join him in my G8, just dont have the cash flow right now.

"Without a baffled oil pan you can have all the oil (during cornering/braking) slosh all to one side of the oil pan, then the oil pick-up will suck air, your oil pressure drops to ZERO and you can quickly blow your engine. It's cheap insurance like getting an oil cooler or a trans cooler".

Todasi - Thank you for the above information. I am going to do some research and find out if a baffled oil pan is available for the GXP. I did'nt even think about this issue. I love this message board for all the good information!

Do you or any other members of this board know where I can get one?

TCorzet - The car rides stiffer on the road for sure but this is what you sacrifice for track handling. On the track, the handling was different but not dramatic. The reason I say this is I am still a "novice" driver and still have not fully understood the true potential of this car. Also, the two morning sessions rained so I did not really have a chance to push the car until the two afternoon sessions and I was caught in traffic (the GXP was by far the fastest car on the track) behind slower cars. When I did finally get some open track, I did notice the car holding the road better and not leaning so much. As far as bushings, I had all the work done at Livernois and new bushings were installed. I do not know if the other items you are asking were done.

DilligafDave - You should track at the Glen with Trackmasters. Take a look at there web site and sign up for the end of April session. It is a rookie session so it would be a gret time to track the car. I have signed up as well. Only $280.00 for a whole day at the track and classroom training.

I'm just wondering, how much track time do you think you got with Trackmasters? I went to the Glen with NASA last year and had a great time, planning on going again May 3rd.

OK, Update since my 1st post on 1-12-11:

Here is my final purchase from Tire Rack after spending many hours cruising the message board and talking to retailers. One thing I did find out, buying racing slicks for the GXP is very limited. Not much choice for 19" wheels and tires out there.

Front:
Wheels - BE by Breyton GTS-V 19x8.5 with 45 offset
Tires - Hoosier 19" 265R35 R6 competition track tires

Rear:
Wheels - BE by Breyton GTS-V 19x9.5 with 45 offset
Tires - Hoosier 19" 295R30 R6 competition track tires

After all the reading I have done, I have not seen any GXP set up exactly like this. All are shipping to me on 2/10/11 and hope to have feed back to the board a few days after. I suspect to fender roll the rear lip at a minimum