Canuck Caprice

[Mooseman]

Well, since I'm the one that suggested this section, figured it's about time I posted the beginning of my build.

My 2011 was a test vehicle that was bought by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for testing as a possible patrol vehicle replacement for the departing Crown Vics. They quickly abandoned that idea when they saw the price tag. Besides, they wouldn't have been able to buy any because the United Auto Workers Union basically told GM that they will not sell that car in Canada. It went up for sale on the government auction website, put in my bid and won it. These were sealed bids so nobody could see what anybody was bidding. I paid $8513.22CAD. I stole it!

It's totally unmolested. No equipment, lights, spotlight or anything were ever installed and had only 87k km. It's not exactly mint with underbody and exposed areas rusty but mechanically perfect.

So now I'm just looking at what mods to do. Here's my initial list:
- exhaust (headers, full exhaust and mufflers for a G8 with extended tips)
- AFM/DOD delete and throw in a better cam
- send the radio to Chris (doing that this winter while it's in storage)
- maybe a diff swap to 3.42 gears
- wheels (already working on that below)
- G8 center console and maybe seats
- remove intake resonator (done)
- Brembo brakes

So I've already eliminated the resonator by using silicone turbo hoses from China. Looks good but this engine is quieter than the 5.3 in my Saab 9-7x. I don't believe in CAI's but I do eliminate resonators for esthetics and sound.

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Over the weekend, I picked up a set of wheels and winter tires. They're 19" BMW M6 repros that were used on a Camaro. Wheels are pitted and peeling clear coat but I'll be getting them powder coated. I test fitted them but the tires are a little taller and only left a couple of millimeters of clearance with the front coil spring perch. They're 265 55R19. Also looking at getting center caps. Will be selling the winters which should make the wheels cost almost nothing.

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Well, that's the beginning of my build. It will be going in storage after I rip the radio out to send it to Chris so I won't have down time.

[paul54]

Very cool purchase! Good luck with your plans! Are you able get parts locally since it is so rare?

[Gerome]

Nice looking forward to the rest of your build .

[xcidmigs]

whats the plan on the underbody rust you describe?

[Mooseman]

Very cool purchase! Good luck with your plans! Are you able get parts locally since it is so rare?

What parts? It hasn't really needed anything so far. Anything I may need from the dealer they have to order from the US. Took a week for the dealer to get recall parts for the seat belts and shifter. They absolutely hated this car!

whats the plan on the underbody rust you describe?

Not sure yet. Mostly bare metal suspension and some painted parts that have rust on them. I can see some rust staining on the trunk lid from under the chrome strip. I'll probably start under the hood and work my way back. Rust is one thing this baby won't have to worry about anymore.

[bluethunder]

can you please provide me some info to order the silicone hoses? That is all I need also, want to use the stock air box with a high flow filter. thanks....Chris

[Mooseman]

45º hose:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Pivot-E ... 0.0.vAaEDJ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

90º hose:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Pivot-4 ... 0.0.vAaEDJ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Used 4" shop vacuum plastic hose connector, cut to fit and drilled a hole to add a plastic barb (JB Welded) for the vent hose, like this one:
http://www.rockler.com/4-dia-dust-colle ... -connector" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bluethunder]

Thanks very much for posting the intake parts. Ordering them this weekend!!

[Mooseman]

Small update. Just installed the wheels I picked up last year after having them powder coated (pictured in first post). They're wrapped in Goodyear Eagle LS-2 RunOnFlat 245/40/19. Tires I picked up used but when the refinisher went to install them, one had a puncture (easy patch fix) and the other had a bad sidewall bulge . I bought a new one, which cost me $370 .

It actually doesn't ride any harsher than before with the stock RSA's however I can break the rear much easier, probably because of the harder rubber compound.

The Oz center caps are just a shout out to the car's Australian heritage. These are not OZ Racing wheels. They are BMW repros for a Camaro. With this size tire, it keeps the almost same diameter therefore speedo is still pretty accurate. Wheels were refinished by Wheel Surgeon of Ottawa.

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Now I have to do the calipers!

After this will be Maximizer headers and JBA exhaust. Just waiting on JBA to be delivered to Ogdensburgh NY so I can go pick them up.

PS: When doing the TPMS relearn, lower a window. Had to make a call to CAA to come unlock the car after locking BOTH sets of keys because, as you know, one you use to turn the ignition and the other you use to push the lock and unlock buttons simultaneously. Hard to do that with just one key. When I hit the buttons, the doors locked and you can guess the rest...

[CrashTestDummy]

Yes, and nice.

I wonder what the weight difference is between run flats, and a regular tires and a spare??