'65 GTO Tripower 4-speed build

[MGCslugger33]

Well the motor is coming out tonight so I figured I'd get a build thread going with some before shots. The main goal of this build is to farm out as little work as possible and learn as much as I can along the way. I plan to keep the factory drivetrain and overall look but update the suspension so that it'll be fun to drive.

This was the last time she was all together when I brought her home.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/008-1.jpg

This is how she sits right now
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/GTOapart-1.jpg

[CruizinKev]

cool project! good luck with it :twothumbs

[MGCslugger33]

Got the old Motor out.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/GTO1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/GTO2-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/GTO3-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/gto5-1.jpg

[NJSPEEDER]

Very cool build. How much resto and how much modern are you shooting for?

-Tim

[LeighP]

So, I'm guessing not a numbers matching engine...appears to be a late November 1963 casting from what I can see.
Are you planning on staying with the 389, or going to a later 400 / 455?
Should be a great project, I love 65 models. Check out Iris Mist, if you're looking for a colour...fairly rare 65 model only colour...looks great.

[coolwelder62]

Very cool,I would love to have a 65 GTO or a 66 chevelle for my next build.

[Yelcamino]

Nice project. It kinda looks like my El Camino did when I started!

[MGCslugger33]

So, I'm guessing not a numbers matching engine...appears to be a late November 1963 casting from what I can see.
Are you planning on staying with the 389, or going to a later 400 / 455?
Should be a great project, I love 65 models. Check out Iris Mist, if you're looking for a colour...fairly rare 65 model only colour...looks great.

Correct. That is a 64 motor. When I bought the car It came with a rebuilt '76 400 that has a tripower set up that came out of a GTO that was wrecked less than 1000 miles after the restoration was completed. I don't know much else about the motor, other than the seller said it ran strong in the other gto. Im going to rebuild the tripower set up and redetail the motor and give it a shot. If its a dog, I'll rebuild the 64 389. The '76 motor is in my signature.

As far as the color I am pretty well decided on black and the plan is to paint it myself. I like Iris Mist, just scared I wouldnt be able to make it look good.

[MGCslugger33]

Very cool build. How much resto and how much modern are you shooting for?

-Tim

I want to keep the car looking stock visually as much as possible with the exception of the tires,wheels, and brakes. I want to get a good suspension set up on it and want a protouring style 18 inch wheel. I plan to keep the Manual steering and brakes. For the drivetrain Ill use the rebuilt '76 motor I got with the car, and the factory M20. The goal is for it to look and sound like a period correct '65 gto, but have it handle like a new car. Thats the goal anyway.

[1red68]

sounds like a great project. I always like the GTO's. are you sure you want to stay with the manual stearing and (drum?) brakes?

[gearbanger]

I would not keep drum brakes for simple safety reasons. Drum brakes suck! and with 18s it will make it worse even if you stay with the stock diameter tire. The inersia of a large diameter wheel tire combo is quite a bit more than that of say the 14" setup that it came with. That alone will make the car harder to stop. That being said, you wont keep the stock diameter cause it looks terrible and in no way will look "pro touring" so basically your brakes will be worse than factory.

Also, the stock GTO had a one piston master cylinder which is a pretty bad setup. It just doesnt lend itself to stopping power. I'd get away from stock brakes.

[MGCslugger33]

sounds like a great project. I always like the GTO's. are you sure you want to stay with the manual stearing and (drum?) brakes?


I would not keep drum brakes for simple safety reasons. Drum brakes suck! and with 18s it will make it worse even if you stay with the stock diameter tire. The inersia of a large diameter wheel tire combo is quite a bit more than that of say the 14" setup that it came with. That alone will make the car harder to stop. That being said, you wont keep the stock diameter cause it looks terrible and in no way will look "pro touring" so basically your brakes will be worse than factory.

Also, the stock GTO had a one piston master cylinder which is a pretty bad setup. It just doesnt lend itself to stopping power. I'd get away from stock brakes.

Yeah I think I was misunderstood, I never said I was keeping drums. I am going to keep manual brakes but they will be disc. I do want to keep the manual steering though.

[NJSPEEDER]

I want to keep the car looking stock visually as much as possible with the exception of the tires,wheels, and brakes. I want to get a good suspension set up on it and want a protouring style 18 inch wheel. I plan to keep the Manual steering and brakes. For the drivetrain Ill use the rebuilt '76 motor I got with the car, and the factory M20. The goal is for it to look and sound like a period correct '65 gto, but have it handle like a new car. Thats the goal anyway.


Sounds like it will be a fun car to drive.

Manual brakes with updated master cyl can be a lot of fun. Some people bag on manual brakes because you can generate so much clamping force with so little effort from power but manual brakes have the advantage of being very linear. Once you get the feel for them you can get as far into any corner and use the brakes better to rotate the car.

What made you decide to keep the manual steering? Any manual steering set up I have ever heard of was a long way from lock to lock or so heavy it was ridiculous. Could make for some exciting moments in spirited drives.

Good luck with the build. I'm looking forward to your updates.

-Tim

[gearbanger]

Yeah I think I was misunderstood, I never said I was keeping drums. I am going to keep manual brakes but they will be disc. I do want to keep the manual steering though.

Gotcha.

You know, after I typed that I thought to myself, "He never said anything about drum brakes..."

The manual brakes and steering will definitely give you a clean look under the hood.

[MGCslugger33]

What made you decide to keep the manual steering? Any manual steering set up I have ever heard of was a long way from lock to lock or so heavy it was ridiculous. Could make for some exciting moments in spirited drives.

Good luck with the build. I'm looking forward to your updates.

-Tim


Gotcha.

You know, after I typed that I thought to myself, "He never said anything about drum brakes..."

The manual brakes and steering will definitely give you a clean look under the hood.

Part of the reason for leaving the manual steering is that the engine bay will look cleaner, but the main reason is that I just want to experience the manual steering for myself. Ive had a '71 442 and a '72 skylark and both were power steering. So, Im really just curious to see what it will drive like. If I get done and its a pain, Im not against putting a power unit in it.

[gearbanger]

I have had both on my gto and personally I think manual steering is pretty bad. Even with the big ole wheel they come with from the factory the steering is hard to operate when not moving and with a smaller wheel and much wider tires, it would be h3ll.

I recently switched my car to a CPP steering box and that made a world of difference. The steering is much stiffer now and you really feel like you are steering the car now istead of that super easy steering like the factory components.

[MGCslugger33]

Just a quick update. I have just been stripping everything off of the body. Got the doors out of the way, windshield is out. Most of the dash is out, still need to get a few things out of there.

After mulling it over, we are going to pull the body off of the frame and blast it. I think the finished product will benefit from this even though it will take extra time.

Ive pretty much decided on the rightstuff manual disc conversion and the hotchkis tvs set up. If anyone knows of any other options that are good values let me know.

STILL LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT WHEEL, so suggestions would be appreciated. I want an 18 that is similar to this wheel, but not sure if I can get the backspacing to work.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/wheel8-1.jpg

I hope to have everything stripped off the body by the weekend and Ill get some good pics before we pull the body.

[solarguy09]

Hello.i just joined this site, and i am doing steering and suspension and brakes and more... i recommend a new style power steering box, also those wheels you showed look like the Jason Rushforth Night train's...

With Rushforth's , backspacing won't be a problem....very pricey but sweet...

When i bought my 71 Z/28 back in 1983, i was looking for power brakes and manual steering because i wanted to feel the steering and i wanted to be able to stop....

Now days the steering boxes are way different, and the brakes are crazy sweet now...

Good luck on your build.i am up to my eyeballs in mine right now.....

Camaro freak, but i love the goat's....

[gearbanger]

The hotchkis rear bars are really nice and simple. I would go with adjustable uppers and put rubber bushings in the top of you rear axle. It actually does make a noticeable difference over the poly ones.

The front end really, really needs some kind of tall spindle treatment. I would either change it to the tall ball joint setup, or do the B-body spindle swap on it. It will make the biggest difference in handling that you can do to it.

[MGCslugger33]

Everything seems to be on schedule to get the body pulled this weekend. I got everything pulled off of the Dash and firewall tonight. You wouldnt believe the amount of dust and dirt that was collected in all the nook and crannies. Haven't run in to any surprises yet. The car seems very solid.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/GTO7-1.jpg

[solarguy09]

Wow.. Keep at it...Always loved the early GTO's.... I will be following your progress... In resto, slow and steady , wins the race.....then , it will be time to Race...go man go

[MGCslugger33]

I have been trying to figure out a wheel that wont kill me. I could do the snowflake wheels in a 17x9 all the way around with the recesses painted black. I'd prefer 18, but 17s do look good on this body style. What do you think?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/gtosnowflakesredlines1-1.jpg

[MGCslugger33]

Got the body cart built tonight. Body coming off tomorrow night.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/Bodycart-1.jpg

[LeighP]

Check the new Year One 17" Rally II wheels, available soon (they're taking orders)...they look great!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/Blue71610-1.jpg

[MGCslugger33]

well got the body up on the stand today. Plan to pressure wash the frame tomorrow and start breaking it down.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/10/GTo10-1.jpg

[Bryce]

good luck with your project!

[Torquedork]

Good luck with the project but boy, if you go with big wheels and fat tires, you need power steering!

I'd go with the 17 inch rallys (not 18's) and say a 12.7:1 quick ratio box. Modern, yet vintage.

[gearbanger]

IMO you need a bigger wheel on the back to look the best. Like 17 and 18s or 18s and 19s or even 18s and 20s.

There is just something about having 28-29" tall tire on the back that just looks good on the big a-body cars. The fronts look fine at 26-27" tall.

[MGCslugger33]

No update lately, but ive just been breaking the frame down. Will hopefully have it done tonight and I will take a few pictures. I have decided to go with the BMR Level two suspension, the Right Stuff Manual disc conversion with Slotted and Drilled rotors, and the Steering Linkage kit from PST.
BMR Level 2 Suspension Kit (http://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=products&productid=77)

4 Wheel Manual Disc Conversion (http://www.getdiscbrakes.com/RSeCommerce/ProductDetails.aspx?mName=AFXSD41CSX&source=List)

PST Steering Linkage Kit (http://www.p-s-t.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1152/.f?sc=12)

[MGCslugger33]

Made some progress tonight. The Frame is stripped and ready for cleaning and sand blasting. Itll be next weekend before I'll have time to paint the frame. After that itll be time to spend some $$$$$$.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/gto11-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/gto12-1.jpg

[rohrt]

Its funny how it only takes a few days to tear down a car and 10 years to build it back up.

Hope your project goes together faster then mine did. I'm enjoying the build. Good look.

[MGCslugger33]

Hopefully it wont take that long. Im shooting for having it done this time next year.

RIght now Im debating on the HPI frame bracing kit. I just wish there was more research about the kit to quantify how much it helps. Anyone have an opinion?

[MGCslugger33]

Got the frame blasted and painted this weekend.

Blasted
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/IMG_0783-1.jpg

Chassis Saver
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/IMG_0782-1.jpg

Painted
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/11/IMG_0787-1.jpg

[LeighP]

Nice...looks better than new!

[CruizinKev]

oh nice!!! now bolting on all the new parts on a fresh repainted frame starts the real fun! :twothumbs

[MGCslugger33]

PARTS ARE ORDERED!
BMR Level 2 suspension kit
Right Stuff Detailing 4 wheel disc conversion
PST steering linkage kit.

Ready to get parts on this thing.

[brut4s]

Updates?

[MGCslugger33]

Very slow going. Built a new house and the car is at the old one. Just got the rear end rebuilt. Need to blast it and paint it and i can get the fram rolling again. Got the Front end put together. Going to try to make some time for it the next few weeks. Cant believe its been over a year since i updated.

[Torquedork]

Just keep plugging away.

Friend of mine has a '65 GTO Tri Power with updated chassis components, lowered and has a quick ratio WS6 steering box.

Drives nice.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/01/24_zps6d525ab6-1.jpg

[65_LS1_T56]

Just keep plugging away.

Friend of mine has a '65 GTO Tri Power with updated chassis components, lowered and has a quick ratio WS6 steering box.

Drives nice.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/01/24_zps6d525ab6-1.jpg

Nice goat! That sit's right.