2009 Pontiac G8 GT - Tyr Fryr

These impressive flow numbers were taken advantage of by a Bullet Racing blower cam rated at 228/237-degrees duration at 0.050 and 0.620/0.620-inch lift on a 114-degree lobe separation angle. The car was converted over to a three-bolt cam sprocket from an '05 Corvette, along with LS2 hydraulic lifters, guide trays, and valley cover to fully eliminate the DOD. Further modifications to the valvetrain include Trick Flow 7.525-inch hardened pushrods and Yella Terra 1.7:1 LS3 roller-rocker arms.

Outside the engine, a Roto-Fab cold-air intake inhales air as a Magnuson TVS 1900 liquid-intercooled supercharger digests it with a 9-psi pulley. The increased fuel demands are met by a pair of Walboro GSS342 in-tank pumps, custom designed and fabricated by Phillip Watson at Complete Custom Wheel (CCW) in Daytona Beach. A Race Pumps 5030 Returnless EFI fuel-pressure regulator controls the fuel as it's fed into a set of flow-matched Racetronix Siemens Deka 60-lb/hr fuel injectors. NGK TR6 plugs and MSD wires handle spark, and the stock MAF and throttle body were retained.

For the exhaust, Chris didn't skimp there, either. He went with Kooks stainless 1 3/4-inch long-tube headers with a 3-inch X-type pipe that uses high-flow catalytic converters. This feeds into a Kooks axle-back muffler system that delivers a throaty exhaust note.

Engine temperatures are kept in check by a 160-degree thermostat, and the electric fans were adjusted by Alan Futral, who also dyno-tuned the G8 GT. It put down 572 hp/500 lb-ft to the wheels.

The power is sent through a stock 6L80-E six-speed automatic transmission with a B&M cooler and a Precision Industries Vigilante 2,800-stall converter. To handle the new power and help the GT around the corners, a Pedders Track II suspension package was installed. It includes GSR shocks and struts, radius-rod bushings, strut-mount bushings, control-arm bushings, eXtreme subframe connectors, and eXtreme adjustable sway bars.

The final touch was a set of CCW SP500 wheels measuring 19x9 up front and 19x10.5 rear. They wear Nitto Invo tires, 255/35R19 front and 285/35R19 rear.

Modifications made inside include the installation of a JHP Vehicle Enhancements Dual Center Gauge Pod fitted with an Auto Meter Comp II fuel pressure gauge and pyrometer. An Intense Motorsports Center Cubby Gauge Pod is home to a PLX Devices DM-100 OBD Multifunction Display. The factory stereo was given a kick with Focal 5 1/4-inch door speakers front and rear.

Back On The Road
With all the new ponies under the hood, Chris was expecting a pretty big sacrifice in driveability, fuel economy, and street manners. Much to his surprise, there wasn't one. "I recently took a trip down to Daytona with my oldest daughter and drove from our home in Belle Rose, Louisiana. I managed to get 23 mpg through the trip and I didn't have a single issue. That's outstanding for a vehicle making this kind of power. I honestly couldn't be happier about getting this performance from a Pontiac that I use to pick up the kids from school."

While he was down in Daytona, HPP met up with Chris and we were granted access to CCW's new warehouse. With permission from the owner, Chris left a tattoo on the floor, as he wasted his Nitto Invo tires in a giant cloud of smoke for our cameras. After everything was packed up, he drove the car back home to Louisiana.

At his home track, he recorded a personal best of 11.6 at 121 mph on the 19-inch Nittos with 34 psi. "I was surprised at how well the car hooked on the large wheels. I footbraked it, launched at 2,600 rpm, and blasted to a 1.7 60-ft. We data-logged the run and found the converter was slipping a bit, since engine rpm was increasing differently than vehicle speed. I plan to send the converter back to Precision and have them tighten it up, and then head back to the track."

As Pontiac becomes a memory, it's hard for us to feel anything other than sadness. But seeing the potential of these G8 GTs should cheer many of us up. The last great Pontiac is in fact a great car. View the extra doors as an added bonus. Chris loves his G8 GT, and it can hold it's own with some of the top performers on the road. We've only seen the beginning of what these Pontiacs can do.