matts88yj

GM already shot themselves in the foot with their plans of the SS being a halo car. They already have the Corvette as their halo car. Price point will more than likely be too high and demand will be low, or lower than what they were anticipating which will spiral down with GM not seeing the demand and not producing it for long at all.

LS3 is nice solid motor for the base engine. I will be curious to see how many ditch their current G8's for one of these. That's okay with me, I'll be scooping up the aftermarket NIB parts that were never installed on the G8 they just traded in.

Awesome photos John! I only need to think about shoveling or snow blowing when we get 3' or more

What are you getting next?

Read post #3.

John, sad to see it go and I was lucky enough to go for a ride in it over to Colony Grill in Fairfield, CT for some AMAZING hot oil pizza. Looked great, sounded great, and well, was just great! Now don't go too hog wild on the truck.....

WHOOPS!!! Already did!

Happy woman happy life!!!

Yeah, yeah, yeah....

Those floors look AMAZING!!! Well, everything does but man it's almost like you could swim in that place! Should be a good time for sure.

Hey let's all go to the track together???

I'm totally game for this!

 

Matt goes where I go so count us in!

Wow nothing like sounding like I have a leash on me and I'm a lost little puppy...

EDIT: I saved the number of the beast just for YOU!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

The shop that specializes in Jeep's was EVB (Extreme Vehicle Builders). They were available to do the work, but the reviews on them we not great.

 

Maybe I should give Clayton Offroad a call since they are pretty close to me.

I believe some of them are headed out to Cali for the race but some of the staff should still be there. If they can't do it themselves, I'm sure they will be able to point you in the right direction. I know they could do the lift and re-gearing without any issues and they more than likely have a connection for tire mounting and balancing. The other items shouldn't be an issue either.

Clayton is up at the RCRocs series at Rausch Creek Offroad Park (where I go to wheel) and they are a sponsor on Pirate4x4 as well. In case you need to do some name dropping, you can even reference my handle on here as well (same as all of the other forums). I purchased a set of PRP seats for my Jeep from them a few years ago and spoke with Clayton directly. Clayton, Adam and Alex are good people.

Or maybe I'll just have Matt do it in PA!

Oh man how did I get roped into the install!?

I know of a shop down this way that's only 10 minutes from me but that's one heck of a hike for you. If you don't mind me asking, who is the company that mainly does Jeeps up in your area? Clayton Offroad?

Some shops may have people going out to the King of the Hammers race in Cali right now since they are driving out. I know a few teams left yesterday for the race and this is basically the super bowl of the rock racing world.

I just wish they sold them here Matt...

They do but that's a different discussion for a different thread.

That is good looking too. I just looked at the MagnaChargers and I was stunned with the amount it would cost to do one. I think I would be happy with a top end kit and the Edelbrock intake like I was talking about.

They aren't cheap that's for sure but the power is unreal and the sound is intoxicating.

Looks good Randy! Looks like you'll have decent belt wrap around everything with the way that new setup is sitting. You wont see much power difference stock for stock with the truck intake against the car style intakes, but, if you can get a car style one it wouldn't hurt. Don't think of it as a priority if you want to get this bad bird up and running since that's an easy swap later on. If you're like me tho, I'd just do it so I didn't have to touch it again and drive the snot out of it.

You'll love the driveability of this new setup that's for sure. If you are hurting for power and don't want to go with the bottle, look into a Harrop HTV2300 FDFI. Best looking blower that looks like it belongs there from the factory. This is in a G8 engine bay but I'm sure it gives you an idea of what it would look like. You have a bit more room in your engine bay tho height wise so you could easily get away with a Maggie if you wanted to.

Just running the numbers quickly, if you stick with a 33" tire a 3.73 gear ratio will put you at 200 RPM higher than what you're doing now from the factory (1431 vs 1654). Now, if you went with 35's with the same 3.73 gears that would only have you roughly 100 RPM higher than factory, BUT, you will also be dealing with a heavier wheel and tire combo and the bump to 4.10's would be needed. With more gearing in the transmission, you can have an easier time with the axle gears. If you really want to take things to the next level, run a Detroit TruTrac at the very least out back. It's a helical gear limited slip with no special fluid additives to run. Will help out a lot in the snowy conditions I know this thing will be in.

GOOD LAWD! That's some serious ish right there. I haven't seen that one before. Thanks for that, I'll go thru it and see what I win....I mean have to spend!

 

I'm almost tempted to jump up to 4.56 gears just in case I decide to throw 35's on later. But we will see.

LMAO!! Hey, I may not know much but what I do know I don't mess around with! Also, if you are planning on any decent power mods, just remember that you can get away with a lesser of a gear, BUT, I would still gear accordingly to your stock engine and planned tire size. Anything from here on up (excluding you putting a nasty big block in it with a Whipple) you will be fine with

I know this is comparing apples to elephants but with my setup in the Jeep, she pulls and pulls hard no matter what RPM, cruises right at 2000 rpm at 70mph and just begs for more when cruising. That's with 35's and 4.56's with a 4L60E trans. Gotta love that deep overdrive gear! Only thing on the motor really is shorty headers, home made intake and a slight tune. Oh and the trans is fully built to the hilt (HD sunshell, 5 gear planetary, chromoly D-R pistons, TransGo shift kit and more) so when I do put a small cam in it, it will handle it without any issues.

There are so many head spinning charts and calculators for gears with tires sizes. I've been told 4.10's amongst others. Then comes the need for a tune as well.

I have used this chart with MUCH success in comparing gear ratios between my transmission swaps, gear swaps and tire size changes. If you don't see your trans on there, input the gear ratios and go from there! Should be pretty easy to figure out.

You can also see what RPM you'll be at at certain speeds and everything at the bottom. It's really handy for dialing it right in perfect for what you intend to use the truck for. If you have any questions let me know.

Gear Ratio Calculator

Chome don't get ya home!!

Haha sorry just had to throw that one in there I say you made the right decision on the wheels. You must be buzzing around up there in anticipation of this new setup!

I would have commented on this earlier but it seems that my fuel pump relay and ignition switch connector for some reason decided they wanted to crap the bed on me yesterday morning. Nothing like playing mechanic in 5 degree temps!

I've had good success on convertible windows with Revive Polish on a Blue Hex Applicator, even SHR on an Orange Hex Grip Applicator when it's bad. Jay from Purifoy showed me this on Adam's GTO that sold last Barrett Jackson in 2012.

 

Mook

X2. That's the process I use on my Jeep's soft top windows. I also cleaned a few Jeeps for a giveaway and photo shoot and used the same process on them. Both turned out beautifully.

yeah its in Dripping Springs. my family and I go there around July 4th every year, because my uncle lives in Dripping Springs.

 

best BBQ sauce in the world! luckily they sell it at local grocery stores around here.

I will be picking up a bottle or 20 that's for sure! I love a good BBQ sauce!

If you have some time when you are here the saltlick is some good BBQ. There is another saltlick in north Austin but nothing like the original. Round rock donuts are pretty good and not too far off 35. Mmmmm donuts haha. Both those places were on man vs food if you want to see the places beforehand.

once your in Austin, there are a few really good places to eat...

 

first i always recommend, The Salt Lick BBQ if you can make it out to Dripping Springs

second is always, Wild Bubba's Wild Game Grill - get the Antelope burger!

Thank you both for the suggestions! I just ate lunch and both of those places sound great! Is the original Salt Lick BBQ the one in Driftwood? I see that as the original location on their site. Now I want to drive straight thru just so we can eat at all of these places!

avoid 35 if you can even if it takes a couple more minutes longer. it'll be a hell of a lot less stressful

The last times I've been on 35 believe it or not have been my best experiences BY FAR. They are currently working on bridge construction between Waco and Austin so that is a crapshoot if they will have the freeway closed the night you are driving through, I think you can jump on the txdot website to see specifics of the work. It's not the same but when we came back down from Chicago we went through Memphis and hit up with I20.

 

As far as the track.. be very very prepared, they built the track quickly and the roads still have yet to be fully completed for the amount of people there. It's a good thing you have hotel room because I know it was nuts for those when it opened. People were getting calls at random from everyone going through the phone books asking for them to rent their house for the weekend for insane amounts. Enjoy the experience I wish I could go to it!

I'll check out the txdot site and see when the construction will be going on closer to the trip date. Hopefully it's smooth sailing the entire way!

Thank you for the tip about the track. I saw where they hardly had any of the parking lots paved and it was a super dust storm. And here I was going to put a few coats of QS to the test during this trip!

Hey Matt, speaking of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, have you ever tried the Mexican place (R&R Taqueria) in Elkridge? It's inside a Shell gas station but was on DD&D. I tried it and thought it was fantastic!

I haven't heard of that place but I will check it out! Any food recommendations along the way are greatly appreciated! Keep the suggestions coming!

I agree that dropping down to I-10 seems to be out of the way. Especially if it is for the sake of avoiding DFW traffic. In my experience with Texas traffic, it's only bad during rush hours. I honestly think you would be fine driving through DFW if its during the middle of the day.

Yeah it seems that the I-10 route may be getting the axe here soon but it's always good to have a backup just in case. My goals are to get a majority of the trip done in the first day and then see where we are at. I know I drove about 10 hours before just by myself and it wasn't too bad. I'm used to an hour daily commute one way to and from work and also a 5-6 hour commute to and from the better half. Plus with my friend going with me we can switch back and forth driving so that will help a ton too.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus and call it done. Yes they are more expensive but you get what you pay for with Michelins. Best friend has them on his G8 and he really likes them. If I were to run an all season, I'd be running those. I run the Pilot Super Sports in the summer and Pilot Alpin PA3's in the winter. Love them both.

Haha yeah it looks like all three routes are the way to go according to different sources. Good thing I have time to decide which way to go!

Monument Cafe in Georgetown is pretty good. Are y'all staying in Austin or out near the track? Wanted you to know the track is about 30-45min from Austin and there isn't much out by the track, mostly farmland.

We are sorta staying in between Austin and the track. Figured that would be best so we aren't right in downtown Austin and we can kick back a bit.

Yeah we are going to time it that we aren't around that area around any of the rush hours. Some of the traffic around here can sit for 30 minutes or more not going anywhere. Didn't want it getting to that point and then get frustrated. Haha!

Thanks for the info Jeff! Believe it or not it only said it was a 10 minute difference but I agree on it being out of the way. I'll jot those route numbers down to take to avoid all of the Dallas area stuff.

We are trying to stop at the Monument Cafe as well since it was on Diners, Drive In's and Dives and looked to be pretty awesome!

Hi all! I know it may seem crazy but my best friend and I are driving from the Abingdon, MD area to Austin, Texas for the V8 Supercar race in May. Of course I trust the GPS to get me there but I know it's a complete mess around Dallas/Ft. Worth and didn't want to be sitting there for hours in traffic. There are a few ways that Google has planned with that being mainly taking 81 to 40 across Tennessee, 81 to 59 which takes me down to 20 across the middle of Mississippi and northern Louisiana or 81 to 59 to 10 which drops me all the way down along the gulf coast and into Texas that way.

I know we have quite a few Adams members somewhat along the way and wanted to see if you have any places to totally avoid, one route better than another or anything of that nature. It is saying that right now it's right around a 24 hour drive and we won't be pushing the car too hard on the way down there. We are taking either my G8 or his but either way, it's a G8

Reason for driving is this is the first time the V8SC series will be on US soil and a lot of G8 and GTO guys are bringing their cars to have an informal meet and greet and cruise after the race. Should be an awesome time and it will be my first time in Texas! Also if anyone has any hotel recommendations along the way that would be great as well. Let me know what's good, bad and ugly!

Thank you in advance for all of your help!

Congratulations Adam and Melissa!!!

Why do I feel like there is a double soft onesie in the making...