Thanks for the info. To clarify, all the issues listed above are for the Hurst shifter correct? I don't plan to change the shifter out for some time, but now I know that if I do, I should avoid the Hurst! Good to know.

I honestly don't feel the need for more power now, but I certainly wouldn't complain about better economy. I am registered on GTOforums.com but will check out ls1gto.com as well.

I LOVE the way these cars look. Dayum. :party:

Yah my buddy says the MGW and GMM are the ones considered to be the best, and the Hurst is the only one I know of with the issues I was talking about.

Also dont lock your steering wheel when you park, It can lead to accelerated wear in the lock cylinder housing. The cars have a problem with wear on the housing, that causes the key to just not turn one day, many times without warning. 2 wears and causes 1 to bind.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1370237022

GMpartshouse sells an updated part, notice the change in shape of the area marked 2 on the 1st pic.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1370237022

After seeing the hassle this caused both friends I would install updated parts as preventative maintenance.

When my friend had his 1st fail he got a GM at the dealer (not updated part) and it failed again 2 weeks later. He ended up doing it 3 or 4 times before modifying a new one to look like the updated part (we didnt know about the updated part at the time.)

Also start preparing to replace the suspension bushings. They are pretty much all trash, along with the front struts. Check for strut rub to.

Once you get one sorted they are awesome cars though.

No.

Why not? I like the thunder theme cuz of the noise but don't want to name him thunder... Might end up doing it anyway but whatever.

Well "Heavy Pig" is already taken :giggle:

Haha! Indeed, and its still like 1000 pounds lighter and will soon be producing roughly the same HP. Damn.

Hmm... I could go African theme... Rhino? They're fat but tough... Hippo isn't very flattering and elephant is way too long... Dumbo?

One of my old friends had a GTO and all he could talk about was the GTO TAX on every damn part he needed. He would laugh at the markup there was on anything labeled for the GTO versus the stock LS part.

Oh he thinks that's bad?

I should tell him about the CORVETTE TAX ;)

Ugh, don't even get me started.

Because you cannot reasonably name a stock-powered GTO after the head of the Greek pantheon or the Norse god of storms and strength.

If you insist on using one of those, please use Zeus and leave the Æsir out of it. The Marvel character is bad enough.

Donk fits all the bills: it's Australian slang, it references the engine (which is one of the best features of the car), and in America it could be a reference to a fat ass - usually in a positive light.

Lots of activity here. We're all excited about your new car!!

Wholeheartedly agree with getting on the type-specific forums. I've had surprising issues with the G8 (like, complete cam and lifter replacement under warranty!!). Being on the forums means I was alert to what the issues were and prepared when making warranty claims.

Someone also mentioned tune and headers. True enough. If you keep the mods light, you can just buy an inexpensive "canned" tune, like a Diablosport or Cortex. I see them all the time on Craigslist (make sure they are unlocked -- favorite theft item). Once you go long tube headers, you'll be looking at a custom tune. Worth it either way. You will gain MPG with the tune. On G8's, the intake is particularly poor. Not sure if it's the same with the GTO.

You really should reconsider Donk. It's what you're going to do to Mustangs after all. Would make a great license plate, and NOBODY messes with a toothless Rugby player named Donk, not even Zeus.

Here's one for you . . . which car is heavier?

2009 Pontiac G8 GT with 6.0:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1370219562

1966 Plymouth Sport Fury Convertible with "Super Commando" 383:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1370279126

Corvette's are at least made in the US. He was always bitching about parts coming from Australia and shit. Really I just ignored him for the most part because the car was just MEH to me.

CGM is Cyclone Grey Metallic

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1370295528

Mine was an 06. Bought in 09, sold in '12. The car was absolutely perfect, still smelled new inside. Came with the 18" wheels, picked up a set of 17" during ownership. Only mods were shifter, Magnaflow catback, and Kenwood stereo. I kept all the original parts and sold them along with the car, including a spare front bumper I purchased (originally planning on keeping the car forever, thought with such a limited production, better stock up on potential consumable parts). Sold the car with everything included for $18k.

For shifters, I always read Billet Pro was #1, followed by the GMM Ripper Shifters. Mind blowingly expensive compared to anything Miata, but dear god does it help the car.

Trunk is tiny because of US crash regulations and GM had to move the gas tank further into the car. If you remove the back wall carpet you will see a removable metal brace that shields the gas tank (the gas tank is in between the rear seats and the trunk space).

The Holden had the gas tank down below where the spare tire is on the car, giving an enormous amount of trunk space. You'll notice in pictures the gas cap location difference between the GTO and he Holden.

Here's something I cannot stop thinking about ever since this thread:

how difficult and expensive is it to drop the weight on these bad boys a few hundred lbs? with their curb weight, surely many have attempted some weight redux mods.

I'm curious about this as well. I had a friend with one that was cammed with a 150 shot that ran 10's. The thing was a fucking pig to drive, and was slow as shit off the bottle (read 1.6 stock motor turbo miata is faster).

Was a sick drag car though.

It boggles my mind how heavy new cars are.

There are air bags in every nook and cranny.

Lots of structure behind the bumpers and in the doors for side-impact. Some of that may have stiffness benefit though.

G8 has a double-pane windshield. GTO too?

Etc.

Corvette is also much heavier than it should be.

Fury, as big as it is and including the ragtop triple-frame, is still about 200#'s lighter than the G8.

Makes me doubt we could actually put a man on the moon anymore. Too risk averse/pansified.

Yeah the vettes are porkers at 3300lb and having gone over the whole car the only thing I can see contributing much to the weight is the frame, engine, brakes, and trans. Everything else is actually either plastic or fiberglass and very light.

But 3700......wow
And don't get me started on the 4200 camaros, challengers, 300c's, etc. I don't even comprehend

The other day I typed up a full response here on my cell phone (most of my posts are done on my phone) and the damn thing deleted it so I was pissed and didn't try again for a few days.

I freaking love those 18" stock wheels.

Karter your car was gorgeous. And at 18k it was a bargain with all the mods you had. I only paid $11k for this car though, and even though it's not perfect, that was the absolute most I could afford and ohhh I love driving it.

They weighed it for some reason for the safety inspection today and the total came out to just under 3900 lbs with 3/4 tank of fuel... and a case of bottled water and a gallon of distilled water in the trunk, hehe. That's just... unacceptable.

So my first goal with the car (besides the bit of reconditioning from sun damage) will be weight reduction. I'll do the things that cost less first, and go from there.

Couple things: There's an x-brace behind the gas tank. Many say it's not important, and weighs like 35 pounds. There's also some other brace (v-brace, y brace, something like that) that supposedly weighs another 15. I need to research this more because I want to make sure I'm not significantly hampering the structural rigidity... but assuming I'm not, that's 50 pounds.

Beyond that, I'll just have to look and see. I don't how how difficult the carpet is to get up and remove some of the sound deadening. I'll research how heavy the muffler is.

The stock wheels are friggin' 26 lbs apiece :facepalm:.

I wish I could buy some 6ULs for this thing. Would save up and do it, no question. Since I can't, I'll be searching for new wheels. Will want to stay with 17x8 or 17x9. On a tight budget, so nothing exotic. This purchase will be a year ahead, at least, so I have plenty of time for research. Assuming I can get a 16 pound wheel, that's another 40 pounds and it's unsprung weight! Hoping I could save 20 pounds off the muffler/exhaust, I'm at 110 pounds saved with that stuff.

Found these on TireRack and I kinda like them but I think I'd want to step up to 17x9... I would like them to fit a little more flush with the fenders. I suppose that could also be accomplished with a spacer or different offset though. Dunno. 18.6 pounds, $142 apiece. I actually really like the Drag DR-37s from Discount Tire, but they are 21.5 lbs apiece. Bleh.

Taking the case of water out the back would help. Tee hee. :party:

the harmonic damper on my vette weighs a ton - there's another opportunity since yours is the same..just a thought

Too dumb to understand if this is a joke or if you're being serious. :noob: