1966 GTO new project

[Maverick6103]

Hello,

I am starting on a 1966 GTO with my dad. Paint/bodywork and interior/wiring is complete and was done by a local shop.

I have started ordering parts for drivetrain, suspension, brakes etc to take the rest of the car apart over the winter months. The plan for the car is to be able to get in a drive anywhere, it will take some abuse if we did want to track the car one day etc. It will get an LS (not sure which exact motor yet). Unsure if we will buy a pulled motor and throw a cam in it or buy a crate with a warranty. Prior to this I have only done basic maintenance/repairs work on cars and trucks, but I am looking forward to tearing into the project and learning as I go.

I have ordered

Hydroboost conversion w/wilwood master cylinder, proportioning valve (1 1/8" bore) with line kit, necessary brackets
Forged narrow superlite 6R front brake kit, with lines
Full Ridetech coilover kit
Strange S60, 3.73, helical posi upgrade, narrowed .28" per side from factory, with Wilwood 12" disc brakes installed.
Full LS swap Tremec TKX kit from Silver Sport Transmission including bellhousing, mcleod super street clutch, .81 OD gear, full hydraulic clutch kit, flywheel etc


The plan for the car is 500 horse, maybe a little more. Can anyone tell me what I am missing or should be considering?

[andrewb70]

Hello,

I am starting on a 1966 GTO with my dad. Paint/bodywork and interior/wiring is complete and was done by a local shop.

I have started ordering parts for drivetrain, suspension, brakes etc to take the rest of the car apart over the winter months. The plan for the car is to be able to get in a drive anywhere, it will take some abuse if we did want to track the car one day etc. It will get an LS (not sure which exact motor yet). Unsure if we will buy a pulled motor and throw a cam in it or buy a crate with a warranty. Prior to this I have only done basic maintenance/repairs work on cars and trucks, but I am looking forward to tearing into the project and learning as I go.

I have ordered

Hydroboost conversion w/wilwood master cylinder, proportioning valve (1 1/8" bore) with line kit, necessary brackets
Forged narrow superlite 6R front brake kit, with lines
Full Ridetech coilover kit
Strange S60, 3.73, helical posi upgrade, narrowed .28" per side from factory, with Wilwood 12" disc brakes installed.
Full LS swap Tremec TKX kit from Silver Sport Transmission including bellhousing, mcleod super street clutch, .81 OD gear, full hydraulic clutch kit, flywheel etc


The plan for the car is 500 horse, maybe a little more. Can anyone tell me what I am missing or should be considering?

Sounds like a solid plan. Are you going with Holley EFI?

Are you in love with the manual transmission idea? The new hotness is the ZF8HP...

Andrew

[Maverick6103]

Thanks! I think the holley will be the plan, read a lot of good things. Anything else I should consider?

[ponchoblue]

don't forget the emergency brake setup

[andrewb70]

Thanks! I think the holley will be the plan, read a lot of good things. Anything else I should consider?

I tune Holley EFI for a living, so I have a biased opinion. If you need assistance with planning the EFI, please email me: projectgattago at gmail dot com

Andrew

[Jk918]

What steering box are you using and there are several choices for motor/transmission mounts to consider.

[matthimself456]

Sounds like a solid plan. Are you going with Holley EFI?

Are you in love with the manual transmission idea? The new hotness is the ZF8HP...

Andrew

Don't want to derail the start of a great build thread but I have to ask: Andrew, do you know if the 8HP would fit in the stock trans tunnel on a 64-66 A-body?

[Maverick6103]

Thanks! From what I understand the e brake components will be included with the installed wilwood brakes on the rear end from strange. I probably do need to order new cable and hardware though.

[Maverick6103]

I ordered the Borgeson street performance quick ratio 12.7:1 steering box

[Turbobuick]

I have a pro-touring 66 Buick Skylark project I am working on looking forward to seeing your progress.

FYI I have a pro-touring 86 Buick Ttype I have tracked a few times. It still runs the factory powermaster which at time makes me nervous as they can be temperamental. I considered a hydroboost but I do not like the steering feedback when braking and it is just as dangerous as the PM if you toss a belt or lose the motor you still lose the power assist for your brakes. Manual is still the simplest and best set up IMO.

I have Holley Dominator on my 87 GN and a MS3Pro on my Ttype. If doing a LS build I would look at the Haltech Rebel. It gives you a lot for what it cost. It has a small built in PDM for powering fans, fuel pump etc. It is only for LS based engines or I would have put one on my Ttype. Holley is definitely one of the best systems out there but their customer service is atrocious. I have a full Holley/Racepak system in my GN and if starting over I would not have spent that kind of money again due to the ****ty customer service.