The Enforcer - 1970 Pontiac GTO

[orbital1970goat]

Well I figured it was about time to start a thread. My project is a 1970 Pontiac GTO I've had nearly 20 years. The project began as a restoration of a 1970 GTO as a Judge tribute. Over time it is slowly evolving into the direction of pro-touring. I hope to get it to some competitive events next year.

I have just completed equiping the car with a full front Hotchkis suspension package as well as d52 wilwood brakes. I'm still running the stock 14" rally II wheels but plan to upgrade soon. A brake upgrade will follow. As for motor the car currently has an ls5 454 but I plan to change that. Not sure if I want to build up a Pontiac motor or go the ls route. I am also replacing the m20 4 speed with a lgt700 5 speed. I'll try to get some pictures added.

[andrewb70]

Well I figured it was about time to start a thread. My project is a 1970 Pontiac GTO I've had nearly 20 years. The project began as a restoration of a 1970 GTO as a Judge tribute. Over time it is slowly evolving into the direction of pro-touring. I hope to get it to some competitive events next year.

I have just completed equiping the car with a full front Hotchkis suspension package as well as d52 wilwood brakes. I'm still running the stock 14" rally II wheels but plan to upgrade soon. A brake upgrade will follow. As for motor the car currently has an ls5 454 but I plan to change that. Not sure if I want to build up a Pontiac motor or go the ls route. I am also replacing the m20 4 speed with a lgt700 5 speed. I'll try to get some pictures added.

Pictures...we need pictures....

As someone that has build a GTO with a BBC, and then swapped to LS power, I think you can guess what my recommendation might be.

Andrew

[Zoomin]

I started looking into what it would take to build up a Pontiac motor and it got ridiculous real quick. And besides, it's not like Pontiacs never left the factory with LS motors.

You'll like getting rid of all that weight over the front wheels.

[raustinss]

I started looking into what it would take to build up a Pontiac motor and it got ridiculous real quick. And besides, it's not like Pontiacs never left the factory with LS motors.

You'll like getting rid of all that weight over the front wheels.

Please see the Pontiac G8 and last generation GTO

[Nicks67GTO]

I'm neutral on the LS swap vs Pontiac mill. I'm staying Pontiac for my GTO but the LS swaps don't hurt my feels and I get it.

The thing is that the Pontiac after market has come alive in the last 10 years. You don't have to run all the hard to find factory performance stuff and power is just as easily made out of a cheap 400 block and a forged 4.25" stroke crank. The nice thing is you get a stupid amount of TQ to go. The sacrifice is MPG and some weight on the nose vs the LS. If you want 468ci, 550hp/600ft/lbs under 6K RPM, 14" of vacuum and an 800 RPM idle, you're looking at $9-10K for good Pontiac mill built by someone that knows exactly what they're doing. That seems to be the going rate for the forged rotating assembly 400 stroker, SD ported Kauffman heads/intake and Old Faithful Hydraulic roller. If youre going to go that direction I would suggest heading over to the Performance Years forum. That's the place to learn about Pontiac specific stuff.

[Zoomin]

And Firebirds.

[72BBSwinger]

Go Butler aluminum BB Poncho if pedigree is better than a thick wallet lol!

[Nicks67GTO]

Go Butler aluminum BB Poncho if pedigree is better than a thick wallet lol!

I bet an aluminum block Pontiac and an LSA are similar in cost and weight in the end

[andrewb70]

I bet an aluminum block Pontiac and an LSA are similar in cost and weight in the end

Block alone is $4700...No way man.

Andrew

[mikes2nd]

Block alone is $4700...No way man.

Andrew

Nick is high... heck I got my ls3 long block for 3600$...

I find it amusing the Pontiac snobs simply can't handle a GM engine in a GM vehicle..

My 70 GTO has a FORD rear end, and I am not talking a 9 inch, im talking 2014 Ford GT500 rear axle from Roush! and a corvette front suspension!!!

[Nicks67GTO]

Nick is high... heck I got my ls3 long block for 3600$...

I find it amusing the Pontiac snobs simply can't handle a GM engine in a GM vehicle..

My 70 GTO has a FORD rear end, and I am not talking a 9 inch, im talking 2014 Ford GT500 rear axle from Roush! and a corvette front suspension!!!

No you just have poor reading skills. You missed the part where he said LSA...not LS3. You also must have missed where I clearly stated above that I'm neutral on the whole thing and fully understand why guys LS swap.

[Interceptor5588]

My 70 GTO has a FORD rear end, and I am not talking a 9 inch, im talking 2014 Ford GT500 rear axle from Roush! and a corvette front suspension!!!

Where's the build thread on this one? You holding out on us?

[Nicks67GTO]

Block alone is $4700...No way man.

Andrew

He's talking going with an LSA crate engine. They're 11,500 bucks by themselves. Then you have to get EVERYTHING else. I bet it's pretty close in the end.

[orbital1970goat]

Here are some more pictures. Some before and after of brakes, engine shot, new ultra street avenger carb, sweet stock control arm i replaced with Hotchkis, and the yet to be installed unicorn. Also known as the elusive keisler ss700 aka lgt700.

[orbital1970goat]

As to all the motor talk i will likely go with an lsa crate engine. I previously owned a 2012 zl1 and all that power is addictive. It's also a very smooth running engine. So when the numbers in my finances make sense that is probably the path i will take.

[Interceptor5588]

As to all the motor talk i will likely go with an lsa crate engine. I previously owned a 2012 zl1 and all that power is addictive. It's also a very smooth running engine. So when the numbers in my finances make sense that is probably the path i will take.

Agreed that is the best direction, and the one I will take when the Pontiac 400 novelty wears off. Paint it blue if you want.

[ekmxryda]

Looks like a clean car, good place to start changing things for the better.
Will be interested to watch the progress.

[twosaturns]

a Butler aluminum only shares the design of a Pontiac engine, it's not made by Pontiac. why is that more 'authentic' than an LS? at least the LS is GM. and that's how people need to view them; the LS is NOT a 'chevy' engine, it's a GM mill.

and why do people fuss over the engine but not the other stuff? "oh, you ruined it by replacing all the Pontiac suspension!"

btw, I love the '70 GTO, best looking year IMO.

[orbital1970goat]

Well after some downtime i'm moving forward with my project. After much deliberation I have decided an ls motor is a better fit for my goals.

I have been slowly accumulating parts for a budget lsa build. So far i have, radiator, heat exchanger, zl1 lsa supercharger, zl1 injectors, zl1 harmonic balancer, ls7 throttle body, and zl1 intercooler pump. I'm debating whether to use a set of cnc 243 heads i have with an adapter plate or lsa heads. I'm also between using a vrx5 camshaft I have or an ls9 cam. Hopefully i'll be adding more progress soon.

[orbital1970goat]

New Griffin aluminum radiator with spal electric fans.