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

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!

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

Mmmmmmmmeat!

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking good, Knox! Car's coming along really well.

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

That's the idea! haha

I'm thinking the 3200 stall will help me out of the hole better than these lightweight arms on the rear.

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

You don't need help, you have the Auto V8! You just mash the pedal! I am jealous, very jealous.

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

Just took the car out for a quick joy ride with the new arms installed. I can definitely notice a difference. Not so much when cruising, but when the tires break loose there is a lot less wheel hop and more grip to the road.

Very impressed thus far and I've only installed a small fraction in the big scheme of all the suspension upgrades on the way.

This is true for the most part, but I plan on brake stalling my torque converter up to around 2500-3000 rpm before the green light strikes

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

UPDATE:

With the Pedders XA coilovers and Bushings arriving next week, I wanted to prepare the car. I'm assuming with 285 tires on the rear that the drop could have me rubbing badly.

So I got my fenders rolled this morning, and I'm pretty impressed with how they came out. Naturally the fenders bulge out a little bit more, but its quite smooth and well done where I don't feel its noticeable.

Can't wait to drop this car and install the missing parts!


http://i.imgur.com/MAd8m9lh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qRFtDXWh.jpg

Drag Radial installed
http://i.imgur.com/XOZzCj3h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/X5y7XoWh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Kr73Vosh.jpg

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

Finished product
http://i.imgur.com/cpFBxJBh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jHDSUxZh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bxWQjsCh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/SKBogVah.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/vU1SB82h.jpg

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

Snag a pic from the back down low. Looks like it sits really nice with those 285s. What size did you have before? Nitto's generally run thin but those look pretty well filled.

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

I ran 285 tires previously as well. I'm just thinking with the drop that I would rub without having this roll.

I tried to take some pictures of the back like you requested:
http://i.imgur.com/ENNjQqth.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/MjhlEdgh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/w7z2lcoh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZTc7tlYh.jpg

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

Should back it out the garage and retake :)

You ain't got nothing better to do working from home anyway lol.

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

http://i.imgur.com/kfjH69lh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GOWBgqUh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gWTa2Zwh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rQmexfXh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Aje3ljYh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EOlciZth.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1bm45qIh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/iKMdvUah.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mG1ArHFh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EOfOjcrh.jpg

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

Do you drive it in the winter? If so, how horrible is it?

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

I do not drive this in the winter. I have a 00 Tahoe that I use for winter.

I once had to drive the car through snow when I was stranded at Murlo's house. Pre-cam/ heads / stall with stock all season tires it was one of the worst drives possible.

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

I can vouch, I thought we were dead and it wasn't even that much snow. The car could barely get going. He did have all season that weren't ideal but still that car sucks in snow.

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

My dad drives his 2004 GTO all year round and has had no issues with snow tires mounted during the winter. The car has well over 100k miles on it and he's been DD'ing it since new.

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

You know the local G8 community says all the time that it handles like a boss in the snow with proper snow tires. I just never wanted to test it out personally.

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

I've driven his car a few times in the snow and it really was very stable and planted. The traction control helps keep excessive wheel spin in check too, but snow tires have no trouble hooking when you're easy on the gas.

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

They say that but compared to what? I will take my AWD kizashi with all seasons any day over a big ass v8 rwd car with snow tires.

Snow tires are great and all but there is a reason car makers went to FWD.

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

Car makers did not go FWD for snow reasons... lol Cheaper to produce a transmission that is one unit than have a rear diff, driveline, etc.

RWD in the winter is fine, just have to be prepared for it. My old M3 with snows did just fine.

Anyway back on topic, car looks really nice!

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

Easier to pull then to push.

I am not saying they went to it solely for that but it was a reason. A RWD car with snow tires vs a FWD with snow tires, the FWD will work better.

Agreed, car is looking awesome :)

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

I drove my 05 gto in the snow with blizzaks, got around just fine. All in the tire.

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

Agreed, but the rwd will be more fun :)

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

AWD or 4x4 with good all-seasons will best RWD w/snows, but I'd take RWD w/snows over FWD w/A-S's any day. I've driven pretty much every configuration you can think of in the winter and, when equipped with the proper tires, RWD really isn't as much of a problem and you're led to believe.

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

Yeah, I love my Tahoe in the snow, but tires make all the difference, look at all the BMW's running around with winter tires, they get around pretty well.

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

UPDATE:

I picked up most of my Pedders XA kit yesterday. I have the entire kit minus a couple bushings.

The coilovers looks awesome and I can't wait to get them installed. The bushings are a lot bigger than I imagined. Pictures don't do justice.

XA Coilovers:
http://i.imgur.com/uCrb6Ath.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/N3yXN08h.jpg

Front Radios Rod Bushings
http://i.imgur.com/XhoMJDAh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EHY4AKgh.jpg

Diff Bushings
http://i.imgur.com/L8rTX4ch.jpg

Drilling first two holes for strut mount brace
http://i.imgur.com/OtmLw5nh.jpg

Drilled all 3 wholes:
http://i.imgur.com/EP9Hy0ih.jpg

Test fit plate:
http://i.imgur.com/7mCdwalh.jpg

Not sure when I'll complete the install but I'll try to keep you all updated with updates and pictures along the way.

This G8 needs a drop!

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

Where you going to get it aligned?

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

My buddy Andy who has been working at Hoover wheel alignment for the last 20 years. He is also the one who pulled the engine last summer.

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

Nice! Parts look pretty top notch man.

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

I thought we pulled the engine? I mean, we did all the hard work, they just shot shotguns at squirrels.

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

Well Pedders is slow getting me the remaining parts so the install is pretty much on hold at this point. Pedders was supposed to have all the parts dropped shipped last week at MAP based on the ETA I was given, but that never happened.

The weather here is absolute crap lately as most of you already know. Snowing the last couple days and today is freezing rain falling. I figured I would try to do something productive in the meantime.

Performed an Oil Change on the G8 in preparation for the never arriving spring.

http://i.imgur.com/U4KRrk2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/uCPzhJx.jpg

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

This car makes me tingle inside. I LOVE Australian V8 Supercars, and your reminds me of the white Commodore HRT runs. Ever thought about doing the Holden badges and stuff?

http://media.speedcafe.com/wp-conten...2/03/white.jpg
http://media.speedcafe.com/wp-conten...white-rear.jpg