G8 Suspension and Handling Upgrades (Pedders, Pfadt, Nitto)

[Knoxville]

I pulled the trigger on some suspension and handling upgrades. I figured my car makes pretty decent power, now its time to do my due diligence by purchasing parts to manage and handle that power more effectively.

I ended up purchasing the following upgrades to improve handling and performance:



Pedders Street XA Package
Pfadt Rear Control Arms (Trailing Arms & Toe Rods)
Nitto NT05r 285 18 inch Drag Radials



G8 ready for surgery...
http://i.imgur.com/f07jRAOh.jpg
Pfadt arms ready for bushings:
http://i.imgur.com/8sQcGTyh.jpg
Drag Radials ready to be mounted:
http://i.imgur.com/aWXUkXNh.jpg
Nothing like brand new rubbers!
http://i.imgur.com/Bz8wS3ih.jpg

The Pedders Street XA kit has not arrived yet, but I'll be expecting that early next week. I plan on installing the Pfadt arms tonight in the garage, and meanwhile the Tires are already at Discount Tire getting mounted on my stock 18 inch OEM wheels.

Very excited to see how this boat handles after these much needed upgrades!

[Tachyon]

Mmmmmmmmeat!

[Kracka]

Good call on upgrading the suspension. A G8 on the Three Sisters cruise I participated in this past weekend in the Texas Hill Country plowed straight into a rock wall on a tight corner.

[Knoxville]

I got the tires all finished up and mounted from Discount tire. They came out looking pretty decent on the stock 18 inch wheels. I can't wait to see how these wheels will do at the drag strip!
http://i.imgur.com/HEpYE9Dh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3R1Mwtdh.jpg

I also got the Pfadt trailing arms installed on the G8 tonight. I'm going to save the toe rods for a different night.
http://i.imgur.com/ZtEX29ih.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hdCrY4Th.jpg
Trailing arm without the metal sleeve installed
http://i.imgur.com/sKEoS8dh.jpg
Stock vs Pfadt
http://i.imgur.com/YmDZwL8h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kJjdVcyh.jpg
Stock Trailing Arms
http://i.imgur.com/AMi84Qlh.jpg

Trailing Arm removed:
http://i.imgur.com/KwUDfuZh.jpg

The toughest part of the install was removing the OEM bushings in the rear knuckle that connect the lower part of the trailing arm.

Pfadt recommends using their custom bushing removal kit that is $30 dollars, but I ended up renting a ball joint press for O'reileys and it worked great to remove the bushings.
http://i.imgur.com/o3CJq3Bh.jpg

[Murlo26]

At a kid! Good work sir, I'll try to stop by Wednesday to see if you need help still, was dead today after gym. New meat looks good, I am jealous.

[goodhart]

Nice work man, this new mods (other than the tires) should mean better traction at the track as well right?

[Knoxville]

Yes, I'm hoping for increased traction and less wheel hop with this setup. With the coilovers at the drag strip I plan to make the front coils as soft as possible. This way the front end can lift easier putting more weight / traction on the rears.

[Kracka]

You'd want to make the rears as soft as possible to aid in weight transfer.

[Knoxville]

You'd want to make the rears as soft as possible to aid in weight transfer.

Interesting... I was told front to help lift front end

[Tachyon]

Koni adjustables...
Gonna save us about 2 pounds...
And they're gonna give us better traction for the hole shot...