Yeaaaa. Really excited by this considering my minimal mods and being at a disadvantage with an automatic. The lifetime warranty starter from Auto Zone is getting a workout for sure. The other disadvantage I have is my engine an trans are tired after 375,000 miles. The torque converter doesn't like to lock up at lower speeds, it takes some finesse. The engine burns oil like crazy, over 2 quarts during this tank of gas. Most all of it going past the rings. But it still runs like a champ and doesn't visibly smoke during normal driving. In true ecomodder fashion I keep the oil topped off with used synthetic out of the CTS-V, my parents Honda's, where ever I can get it. The car drinks it down. Consider that a 5000 mile oil change interval requires over 20 quarts of oil.
Mods. 1 heat range warmer plugs, WAI, lower grill block, 50 psi, (still running snow tires on the back
) mud flap delete, empty trunk.
The drive. I'm driving from a residential area into Philadelphia mostly. I catch many red lights but I EOC up to them and take off easy. PA is very hilly so I can get some long distance coasting in and build up a lot of speed to carry me part way up some of the hills. I set my own schedule for work so I go in around 11am and leave at 7-8pm(low traffic times). By low traffic I mean not full on bumper to bumper coming and going.
Next mods, I removed the antenna yesterday. I just made up aluminum brackets to fit rear fender skirts on. That is the next planned mod. Also last night while getting some exercise I found a large plastic mat at the curb for trash pick up. I brought it home and will make a front air dam from it.