Click above for a gallery of the turbocharged APS HSV Commodore.
APS is in the business of making power and that's exactly what they've done for the new Pontiac G8 GT and its Aussie-spec sibling, the Holden Commodore HSV. The tuner's Stealth Intercooled turbocharger setup uses two water-cooled turbos mounted deep into the engine bay, just ahead of the transmission, to ensure underhood temps are kept in check – road debris be damned. According to APS, the system is a straightforward, bolt-in affair, utilizing a right-sized, aluminum, air-to-air intercooler, seven pounds of boost and a pair of TIAL 38mm external wastegates to bleed off exhaust gases and optimize throttle response. While APS hasn't installed the system on a Pontiac G8 GT yet, they've strapped its own blown HSV (with a three-inch cat-back exhaust) onto the rollers of a Dyno Dynamics dyno and produced 557 hp and 583 lb.-ft. of torque while running 93-octane. Pricing hasn't been announced yet, but considering how impressed we were with the standard G8 GT, this setup has the potential to redefine the bang-for-the-buck quotient in the segment.
[Source: APS via FreshTarmac]
GM shrinks Volt's gas tank, range drops from 600 to 360 miles
MINI dealers to sell Alfa Romeos in the U.S.
Honda to reveal OSM open-top concept in London
With crisis looming, GM may unveil Volt for 100th anniversary
Next BMW M5 will nix V10 in favor of twin-turbo V8
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Lincoln MKS
Track Test: 2008 Roush 427R Trak Pak Mustang
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Porsche Cayman S
First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Retractable Hard Top
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
rouse42 @ May 12th 2008 2:40PM
yeah this will only be like $15000
they build really nice stuff. go check out the kit for the 350Z
The Mac Junkie @ May 12th 2008 2:40PM
Impressive numbers! But the G8 still looks bland/boring... I rather have the HSV
Larico Brown @ May 12th 2008 3:13PM
No, the Vauxhall VXR8 Looks better. That's my opinion.
chris @ May 12th 2008 8:09PM
Larico Brownm, you do realise the VXR8 is simply a Clubsport R8 with different badges yes? It looks identical...
Yar @ May 12th 2008 2:42PM
APS has always done good work. They were one of the few tuners to support the GTO network during its inception and even to this day. Thats particularly good considering they're half a world away.
Josiah @ May 12th 2008 2:53PM
With 557 HP this puts the G8/HSV in the M5 category of performance (M5 has 500 hp for those too lazy to look it up)
Ooop there I go again, getting snookered into GM's clever marketing ploy.
pmiddle5 @ May 12th 2008 3:11PM
The m5 straight line would be obliterated by this....It has more then 200hp extra and 300ft/lb
Val @ May 12th 2008 5:16PM
Uh, how is 557 200 more "then" 500? Something doesn't add up.
pmiddle5 @ May 12th 2008 5:58PM
lets say 20% drive train loss cause its easy and generally accepted.
557x0.2=110(estimate)----> 557+110=667hp
667hp(g8)-500hp(m5)= 167hp. Sorry!
bakka @ May 12th 2008 2:55PM
BBRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTT
BBBBBBLLLLLLLLLAAAAATATTTTTTTAATATATA
RRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAA
I just outran a Bug!
I want one of these kits for my G8.
nashchevy @ Jun 11th 2008 4:57PM
I don't think this kit could be for the GT, perhaps the GTP. The HSV Commodore has an ls3 v8 with no cylinder deactivation. The G8 GT has "active fuel management". I haven't seen anyone do any forced induction with these motors.
Paul @ May 12th 2008 2:58PM
not bad, fairly impressive
Garythepowers @ May 12th 2008 3:11PM
Imagine a kit like this on the G8 GXP. Hello, 600hp Pontiac!
jcar302 @ May 12th 2008 3:12PM
I like the G8, but i'm really not all that impressed with the power output with twins on it.
03/04 cobras with twin turbos would make short work of that.
spdracerut @ May 12th 2008 3:42PM
I just checked their website. The turbos they're using are rated at 50lbs/min @18psi of boost, each.
That dyno chart is the system only pushing 7psi, and probably about 30lbs/min of airflow per turbo. There's a LOT more power to be had. It'd probably be advisable to build the motor though :)
Guenther @ May 12th 2008 3:52PM
Squeezing every last pony from an engine may be for some, but certainly not everyone. Drivability and using pump gas is important too.
Nick @ May 12th 2008 3:23PM
This wouldn't be the GT, it would be the GXP. Either way, it would be a hell of a lot of fun.
Carlos @ May 12th 2008 3:25PM
I'd like to see APS come out with a twin turbo system for the V6 powered G8. I'd be more interested in that.
danms6 @ May 12th 2008 3:37PM
Honestly, you'd probably be the only person interested in that. The GT V8 puts out 100+ hp over the V6 for a couple grand extra and is a much better engine overall. Anyone who plans on building up a G8 on this scale is going to start with the V8 in the first place.
why not the LS2LS7? @ May 12th 2008 3:42PM
7 lbs of boost? Call me when it hits 10. They'll have to lower the compression a bit to do so, but that's okay.