69 GTO Build

[Wacker7977]

Bought this GTO a couple months back. Towed her home and instantly pulled the drivetrain and the rest of the car apart. I have a 72 Lemans that is being pulled apart to build this one.

- 468 Stroker (500/550)

- TH-400

- Quick Performance 9 inch

- SC&C Suspension

- Dakota digitals

- Vintage Air

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[Mr Nick]

instantly pulled the drivetrain

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171800]

Yes! Thank you!

[ekmxryda]

Looks like a good solid car to start with, I will be following

[Wacker7977]

It's the reason I bought it. The body was done really nice and great shape. Pulling all the mechanics out of the 72 Lemans because that body is a basket case. The wife didn't like me dumping money into that car. She wanted looks I wanted fun so we compromised and bought a beautiful car.
Looks like a good solid car to start with, I will be following

[anguilla1980]

Awesome man, that's a great mod list to start!

[Wacker7977]

Got the engine dropped in today.172732172733

[Wacker7977]

I love getting new parts. Pypes 2.5" exhaust system with race pro mufflers.173814

[jetmech442]

Heck yeah man! I love my LS swap for so many reasons, but man do I miss the Big Olds sometimes, that torque made it feel like a blower was bolted on and the sound of it barely hanging on to a 1000rpm idle...mmmmm lol.

you've got a lot of great systems going into this car it looks like-especially the SC&C arms and the TrueTrac.

What do you plan to do with it?

[Wacker7977]

The plan was mainly a cruiser that I can get in and go have some fun but I really like the classic styles with modern touches. Like suspension, ac, brakes and other things but keep the spirit of a muscle car. The SC&C kit gives me the flexibility to go to the strip, autox, and street and have fun with a car that will run well in each event.

[Wacker7977]

More parts coming in today. Getting rid of my junk headers and the headache they bring with Pontiac engines. 174495174496

[Wacker7977]

Got the manifolds installed today. Had to wrap them due to the poly motor mounts and the manufacturer recommends wrap or heat shield to prevent deterioration from the heat.175456175457

[anguilla1980]

I plan on sending my exhaust off to this place for their system: https://headershield.com

I'm running headers tho.

[Wacker7977]

If you happen to be running butlers poly mounts they recomend it for both headers and manifolds. I will likely send them off to get coated down the road but for now I just want to drive the damn thing.

[Wacker7977]

Interior is coming back together.175472175473

[andrewb70]

Nice progress!

Andrew

[Bad66gto]

Looking good! You picked up this goat up in Lubbock didn't you? I remember seeing a post on Protouring Texas FB about it. Nice score! I run with some mutual suspects you know. Blake, Kameran, Bryan and Jay. Little brothers '72 TA next to my '66. Here we were at GG back in '18.175869

[Wacker7977]

Yeah, Justin Godown went and looked at it with me and he's been working on it on the side and I get up to Gainesville to help when I can. Jay's trans am looks way better since he put the snowflakes on it.

Some of those cars look really familiar. Hoping to make Goodguys this fall.
Looking good! You picked up this goat up in Lubbock didn't you? I remember seeing a post on Protouring Texas FB about it. Nice score! I run with some mutual suspects you know. Blake, Kameran, Bryan and Jay. Little brothers '72 TA next to my '66. Here we were at GG back in '18.175869

[Wacker7977]

Should have opened the box but they're 6 piston 12.88" rotors 177909

[Wacker7977]

Got my new wheels today 18x8 for the front and 18x10 for the rear. 178046178047178048

[Wacker7977]

New rubber showed up yesterday! 178596

[Wacker7977]

Cleaned up and painted the rear end.178700

[Wacker7977]

Mocked up the tires last night for brake clearance then mounted the rubber today.

18x8s up front with 245/40s
18x10s out back with 295/35s.182187182188182189182190182191182192

[andrewb70]

Making progress!

Andrew

[Wacker7977]

Back on the ground. Need to bring the front up a bit but overall loving the stance! The rear will drop with the settling of the springs and a tank of gas so the gap will disappear

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[Hemi8]

That will cost more than 4 sets of headers (custom header shield company mentioned earlier), header wrap is easy, cheap and it works. I tried Swain White Lightning coating, what a waste of money.
Nice build and thank you for not putting an LS1 in it, those old Pontiac engines sound glorious.

Mike

[Alponcho]

I had a set of headers made for my 70 Firebird...builder did a good job keeping everything away from the engine mounts so hopefully I won’t have to wrap them.

[Wacker7977]

Headers on Pontiac engine are just overall a pain in the ass. Took the ones off that came with the original car went with the manifolds and won't be going back to headers.
I had a set of headers made for my 70 Firebird...builder did a good job keeping everything away from the engine mounts so hopefully I won’t have to wrap them.

[Alponcho]

Headers on Pontiac engine are just overall a pain in the ass. Took the ones off that came with the original car went with the manifolds and won't be going back to headers.

Agree. But I’m running an IA2, and the last time I tried, RA manifolds wouldn’t fit (interfere with freeze plug area IIRC).

[Wacker7977]

More progress and got her fired up tonight. Sounds rowdy with no mufflers or exhaust. 189383

[Wacker7977]

She's driving now and got the fenders hung just need to button some things up and hopefully driving this weekend!193196

[andrewb70]

Always an exciting time! Looking good.

[Wacker7977]

Was surprised with it running and driving this weekend. 193634193635193636

[Wacker7977]

Got her all washed up today.193648193649193650193651

[ekmxryda]

Lookin good, hope to be driving mine soon too!

[Wacker7977]

Went out for a small cruise last night. Definitely need to bring the front up a little bit.193920193921