ragingfish - 2006 Pontiac G6 GT Coupe

[ragingfish]

Additional Photography: RagingPhotos2006 Pontiac G6 GT CoupeExterior: Electric Blue MetallicInterior: Ebony ClothStandard Features:3.5L 3500 V6 SFI (201 HP @ 5600 rpm, 222 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm)4 speed HydraMatic 4T45E electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift capability4 wheel disc brakes with antilock braking system and full traction controlSport suspensionFront driver and passenger dual-stage airbag systemPower outside rear view mirrorsExhaust, stainless with chrome tipFog lamps, front projector beamTilt/telescoping steering wheel8 speaker Monsoon premium audioRemote keyless entryFactory Options:17" ChromeTech wheelsAM/FM/CD with in-dash 6-disc changerSunroofOnStarXM satellite radioPower adjustable brake/accelerator pedalsRemote vehicle starter system3.29 axle ratioPerformance Upgrades:K&N drop-in high-performanceAppearance Enhancements:GrafxWerks Overlays: Front arrowhead, reflective blackGrafxWerks Overlays: Trunk deck lid arrowhead, reflective blackGrafxWerks Overlays: Wheel center cap arrowheads, reflective blackGrafxWerks Overlays: Trunk deck lid, "PONTIAC G6 GT", reflective blackAdditional graphics: "G6PERFORMANCE.COM" decalsUpgraded/replaced trunk nameplates with 2006+ raised letteringCustom painted body-colored interior accentsSafety Upgrades:"Deer Alert" dual-mode ultrasonic/audible electronic warning system"The Hornet" electronic deer warning systemCustom AS1-line windshield tintingHID H11 low-beam headlamp conversionUpgraded stock OnStar-only mirror to OnStar with Auto-dim/compass/temp Other Upgrades and Enhancements:Custom magnetic cell phone mountAXXESS factory radio iPod integrationApproved Projects / In progress or slated for completion:Installation of custom-made "RAGINGFISH" badge Seamless Bluetooth communication integrationCustom driver/passenger side electronic window heaters/defrostersRetrofitted factory steering wheel audio controlsPending HID projector headlight conversionPotential Projects / Desired, but not guaranteed to go forward:interior LED accent lightingflushmount GM Accessories spoiler

[scherry2]

very nice vi oops G6 the 2 door looks so much better that the 4 door,

[ArcsVibe]

Looks good Mike!

[AKLGT]

yes, i love the color. now, let the modding begin!

[northvibe]

yea car looks good, almost like a 350z from the back. isnt that 3500 v6 torquey? I always burn out from a stop in my moms malibu with a 3500.

[ragingfish]

thanks all...

[MrRich]

Sharp looking coupe Mike! It was a good choice from you, that you went with the two door not with the four. Because I see a lot sedans but just a few coupes.Oh, by the way! How is your paint? Because my Torrent's is the same as the Vibe was

[Toasted7]

Nice, nice, nice... need I say more?

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by MrRich »Sharp looking coupe Mike! It was a good choice from you, that you went with the two door not with the four. Because I see a lot sedans but just a few coupes.Oh, by the way! How is your paint? Because my Torrent's is the same as the Vibe was Paint is definitely lightyears better then the vibe's was...But it still has it's share of battle scars...

[ragingfish]

updated.

[AKLGT]

ok, so what's updated?

[ragingfish]

new pic, updated my mods list (i had none listed before the update) and more importantly, my long term planned mods list.

[Baltovibe]

Hmmm ... that scene looks familiar!

[keithvibe]

Hey Mike, Looking GOOD!If you could tell me a bit more about :# "Deer Alert" dual-mode ultrasonic/audible electronic warning system# "The Hornet" electronic deer warning systemSounds like a fancy do-dad that someone like me living in PA could really use? Got a web page addy for more info on this?Thanks

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »Hey Mike, Looking GOOD!If you could tell me a bit more about :# "Deer Alert" dual-mode ultrasonic/audible electronic warning system# "The Hornet" electronic deer warning systemSounds like a fancy do-dad that someone like me living in PA could really use? Got a web page addy for more info on this?ThanksThanks for your kind words. I take a lot of pride in making my car truly mine. Sadly, sometimes too much pride -- it's an expensive addiction.I'll do the best I can to explain my two repellent devices. ● Deer Alert - This was the first one I purchased. It ran about $29.99 + S&H from a catalog called AutoSport (http://www.autosportcatalog.com). It's made by Maxsa Innovations (http://www.maxsainnovations.com/). It's a bit of a chore to work with though. Installation is pretty easy. It has your traditional two-wire setup: +12 and ground. The manufacturer recommends simply wiring the device directly to both terminals of the battery. More on that in a second... The device has 2 modes. "Ultrasonic" and "audible." The ultrasonic mode allegedly pulses ultrasonic tones to make smaller animals (though I'm told not deer, but I can't say that for sure) in the vicinity aware of the presence of your car. Theoretically, that should scare them off. I say allegedly because ultrasonic sounds are not audible by human ears - so I have no real way of verifying that it does what it says. You can tell when ultrasonic mode is on (which is all the time) because you hear a clicking, similar to that of a relay. But that is the device (once again, allegedly) sending out ultrasonic pulses. The second mode, audible, is not automatic, and has to be engaged each time you want to use it. How it engages is what makes this device a bit of a nuisance. Built into the device is a circuit that detects changes in voltage. When you connect the device to the battery, this internal circuitry detects changes in the voltage in the electrical system when the car goes from off to on (a car that is off has a charge of approximately 11-12V in it's system. A car that is running can have a voltage range anywhere from 12-14V flowing). To activate audible mode, what you do is turn the car on once. The device makes a whistle noise that signals it is alive and running. When you hear that noise, you shut your engine off. The device makes a downward whistle that signals the voltage decreased. Then you immediately start the car AGAIN, and if you time it right, audible mode kicks in. Audible mode is simply a repeated upward chirping noise. I've linked to an audio MP3 file so you can hear the whole process, from start to audible mode activation. (CLICK FOR AUDIO)You'll note it took me two times in this file to get it into audible mode. Usually you can get it the first time. It's all about timing.Now I tried to be creative and design my own circuit where I could trick the device and create a voltage drop without driving my engine nuts with the on/off approach. I used a few parts from Radio Shack, one of which was a 7812 voltage regulator. It takes the approximately 14V input of a running engine and outputs a steady 12V. I had a SPDT momentary pushbutton, which when pressed, activated the regulated circuity, and when released, switched back to regular car power. The circuit was shoddy, but worked for a while, though it crapped out after only a month or so.Here's my circuit installed inside my dashboard:The schematic:Once the circuit crapped out, and I became sick and tired of the whole engine stop/restart procedure, I just connected the alert to +12 directly, and settled for using it only in ultrasonic mode.● The Hornet - After I got aggrevated with the first device, I decided to continue my quest for a proven, reliable deer repellent device. I stumbled upon a device called "The Hornet," made by a company called XP3 Corporation. (http://www.xp3hornet.com). I bought it from them directly via their website. This one looks, um, non-traditional. LOL! I call it my deer cannon:That's it installed under my car. This one was even easier to install than the first one because it's idiot proof. It comes prewired, with a weatherproof connector (looks just like a headphone jack and plug), as well as an inline fuse, and long enough wiring to run into the passenger cabin for wiring a switch (also included!) It could easily be installed in under 20 minutes. Of course, I did a bit of customization on that as well. This one has to be mounted in a specific manner. It must be installed at an angle of 45° to the road surface. The reason why is the Hornet relies on the road surface to reflect the sound waves and help carry the sound longer distances. It can be mounted behind a grille, but you need to make sure the grille is "open" enough to allow the sound to pass through unrestricted. If the grille slats are too close together, the sound will simply get refracted by the plastics and make the device ineffective. In that picture, I had it mounted under my bumper. However, after a few close calls with curbs while parking, I decided to move it at the ohio meet. It now resides next to my license plate. This device emits a steady tone that is audible by human ears. It sounds just like your typical off-the-shelf piezo buzzer, but it works from what I can tell. The idea behind it is not to scare deer off, but merely making them aware of your car's presence and stop before running into the road. Between the two of these, something seems to work. I rarely have deer darting in front of me anymore, and when I see them on the side of the road and slow down, instead of running into the road like they used to, they watch me very carefully. I usually pass by without them even moving.

[scherry2]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Between the two of these, something seems to work. I rarely have deer darting in front of me anymore, and when I see them on the side of the road and slow down, instead of running into the road like they used to, they watch me very carefully. I usually pass by without them even moving. Has the (ooo maybe i souldn't say anything)

[keithvibe]

thank you very much Mike for the detailed listing of both of the products. I could see the use to not only alert deer to my presents but tick off the neighbors I can't tell you just how many things have found their way into my path of travel in the years traveling the Pa back roads. I think I will invest in as you put it "deer cannon" in the not too distant future.

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

hey ragingfish... I have a question on the OEM remote start on your vehicle.They gave me a G6 when the Vibe was in the shop, but I couldnt get the stupid remote start to work. I even followed your link to the g6 forums and found that to use it I think you push the lock button and then the start. It only worked like twice. Frustrating as hell when you are used to having a starter, knowing the vehicle has one, and not getting it to work.Let me in on the secret please.. for no other reason but my sanity

[ragingfish]

pretty simplepush lockthen HOLD the start button until the engine starts. then let go.

[drunkenmaxx]

wow, your features are incredibly similar to those that are on my maxx! do you know if you have heated mirrors too?it took me a minute to figure out the remote start on mine, but i've got it now.i'm telling you man, add a catback to that wanted mods list, the 3.5 sounds like a beast when it's allowed to breathe!

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

ahh the push and hold... must not have done it quite right, I thought I had all the angles covered, but I must not have held it long enough.drove me nuts for a bit there.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by drunkenmaxx »wow, your features are incredibly similar to those that are on my maxx! do you know if you have heated mirrors too?The MAXX and G6 are the same platform (extended Epsilon). The base Malibu is different.We don't, however, even have the OPTION for heated mirrors. WTH is that about!Quote »i'm telling you man, add a catback to that wanted mods list, the 3.5 sounds like a beast when it's allowed to breathe!Hmm...I'll think about it...but I'm not big on mods that are so significant I can't roll them back...

[drunkenmaxx]

if you kept the stuff they cut off, you could probably return to stock, i'm not sure.yep, i was aware we shared platforms. the saab 9-3 has the same one too.also, i have a friend who has pretty much the exact g6 that you do and he loves it!

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by drunkenmaxx »if you kept the stuff they cut off, you could probably return to stock, i'm not sure.hmm...something to look into for the future. but at the rate i'm going finding a job, i don't need to worry yet, as i won't be able to even THINK about affording something that nice for a long time to come.

[jmf2]

Hey ragingfish,Here's a pic of the G6 my son and I rented in Kauai. Nice Car, wrong island for it, the top posted speed limit on the whole fricking island was 50mph, but I still got it up to 75 on the west side! Nice car, I liked some of the features better than my vibe.John

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[ragingfish]

ooooh, she look so sexy in black!

[GormalVibe]

very nice car

[Pablo1669]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »ooooh, she look so sexy in black! Yeah, that one pictured looks exactly like mine. I love my G6 so much, I think I'm going to buy a GTP version when my lease is up on my current GT. Its the first car I've owned that I don't have any significant complaints about. Other than my 4 speed trans, but that is upgraded to a 6 speed auto on the GTP32,100 =/- miles and the only problem I had was a weak battery.

[ragingfish]

thanks for popping this thread up, you reminded me to update my projects once again.

[ragingfish]

and yet another mod for the list! yay for the new onstar/auto dim/compass/temp mirror!

[MRCN RCE]

yeah i was lookin at the G6 GT & GTP when i was at the dealership givin my vibe a blood transfusion. they're nice, and i agree that the coupe looks a lot better than the sedan. nice car ragingfish , but i don't remember why you got rid of the vibe. u mind tellin me??