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GTP to G8?

A

awui2014

New member
Getting into a G8 in a couple weeks. 2009 GT model.

Anyone else made the jump from a GP to a G8? Anything to expect or look out for?

Pros: Newer, more reliable, V8, last year of Pontiac
Cons: No supercharger, sedan (my GP is a coupe), no HUD

P.S. I'll share pics soon!
 


Th L76 engine is good but the AFM/DoD system can be trouble some. Most end up deleting it with a cam swap.

The 6L80e is a great transmission but can suffer from a 2-3 or 3-4 shift flare sometimes. Mainly a early problem and not so much of any issue on 2010+ vehicles. A tune can fix that pretty easy if the transmission itself is healthy.

Prepare yourself to change the lower control/ball joints somewhat often if you drive a ton of miles. They are prone to failure even with brand new GM parts.
 
Fivefingerdeathpunch said:
Th L76 engine is good but the AFM/DoD system can be trouble some. Most end up deleting it with a cam swap.

The 6L80e is a great transmission but can suffer from a 2-3 or 3-4 shift flare sometimes. Mainly a early problem and not so much of any issue on 2010+ vehicles. A tune can fix that pretty easy if the transmission itself is healthy.

Prepare yourself to change the lower control/ball joints somewhat often if you drive a ton of miles. They are prone to failure even with brand new GM parts.
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Thanks so much! Have read up on AFM. We'll see what that's like. Potentially delete + tune for 93 (or something mild) in the future. Any issues with AFM from short trips around town? I actually don't drive too much... (~8K the last two years)
 
I picked up an 09 GT last summer as a retirement present for myself. I was leaning towards a well kept GP-GXP until my friend suggested the G8-GT. It was a one owner with 195 Km on it. Always garaged except for one winter and had all service records back to 2011. As far as DoD issues there have been none and the car actually gets great mileage when driven sensibly on long trips. However, when in town the mileage suffers using the "Fun Shift" a.k.a. Manual mode 1-2-3! It's like I'm a teenager all over again. I really missed the fun of having a RWD for over 30+ yrs, but boy did it come back fast. Showing off to my son-in-laws how a car that pushes from the rear can go side-ways down the street (they all drive FrWd's) and the way a big 6.0 ltr engine can push you into the seat feels. I'm not going to do any major mods to the car as it will be my summer time daily driver and the old 04 GP has now been relegated as the winter transport. So far I'm loving mine, hope you love your new toy too. Here's the old and the new together after a good wash.

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BANDIT said:
I picked up an 09 GT last summer as a retirement present for myself. I was leaning towards a well kept GP-GXP until my friend suggested the G8-GT. It was a one owner with 195 Km on it. Always garaged except for one winter and had all service records back to 2011. As far as DoD issues there have been none and the car actually gets great mileage when driven sensibly on long trips. However, when in town the mileage suffers using the "Fun Shift" a.k.a. Manual mode 1-2-3! It's like I'm a teenager all over again. I really missed the fun of having a RWD for over 30+ yrs, but boy did it come back fast. Showing off to my son-in-laws how a car that pushes from the rear can go side-ways down the street (they all drive FrWd's) and the way a big 6.0 ltr engine can push you into the seat feels. I'm not going to do any major mods to the car as it will be my summer time daily driver and the old 04 GP has now been relegated as the winter transport. So far I'm loving mine, hope you love your new toy too. Here's the old and the new together after a good wash.

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Awesome post. Love the pic. Unfortunately, I won't be keeping the GP. :(

KM's? Canada? Mine is originally a Canadian model. Bought it up in Buffalo, NY
 
The distance is Kilometres as it's Canadian, so using a converter it's got about 121000 miles. There is a G8 forum out there, but I don't think I'm allowed to put in a link to it on this site, just like I don't think they allow linking to other forums on their site. If someone chimes in and says ok then I'll post it.
I'm lucky that I can park the GP for the summer in the driveway and use it as the winter car for a couple of reasons, it saves putting the G8 on the road through the winter in Ontario as they salt the S**T out of the roads. The GP is a great car for traction in the snow as I already have dedicated snows on the spare rims. The cost of rims and winter tires for the G8 would probably set me back almost as much as a winter car too and I remember what it's like driving a RWD with a big motor in the snow, doable, but not much fun for daily winter driving.
Looking forward to seeing pics of the new car when you get it, you will really like it. the power difference between the GP and the G8 is a rush!
 
I have both. G8's do have their fair share of issues...

1. DoD/AFM - Get rid of this ASAP. Unless you want to swap another engine in it.
2. Exhaust - What a pain in the butt. Yoou have headers that fit factory exhaust and vice versa. I had Manzo headers and Magnaflow cat back at one point. Now I have the OBX system with J-Piped magnaflow axlebacks
3. Strut mounts - trash
4. Lower control arms - Replace with PPV LCA's
5. Front brakes - TRASH! Upgrade to AT LEAST CTS-V Gen 1 brakes
6. Camaro wheels - Yes they fit. LOL

PM me if you have any more questions
 
jaydubb71 said:
I have both. G8's do have their fair share of issues...

1. DoD/AFM - Get rid of this ASAP. Unless you want to swap another engine in it.
2. Exhaust - What a pain in the butt. Yoou have headers that fit factory exhaust and vice versa. I had Manzo headers and Magnaflow cat back at one point. Now I have the OBX system with J-Piped magnaflow axlebacks
3. Strut mounts - trash
4. Lower control arms - Replace with PPV LCA's
5. Front brakes - TRASH! Upgrade to AT LEAST CTS-V Gen 1 brakes
6. Camaro wheels - Yes they fit. LOL

PM me if you have any more questions
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This is really useful - a good watchlist.
I'm at 51K miles. Anything coming soon to watch out for?

Planning to keep it stock for the next 10-20k miles other than AFM (recommendation on a package/tune there?) and the wheels. I have the base 18 GT wheels. Even the v6's wheels look better imo.
 


Just tune the AFM/DoD so it's off all the time. The less it works the less chance at failure. At low miles I wouldn't consider it a concern for a while.
 
In your next picture show an empty parking spot with two strips of rubber instead! Nice looking car, enjoy it with every turn of the key.
 
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