66 Ponitac Tempest LS1 Build

[66Tempest326]

I've been a troll here for some time, been learning from you guys. Figured it was about time I started a thread of my own. This has been a slow roller, about four years so far. A lot of good work done by Raymond's Paint and Body in North Augusta, SC, definitely an old school hot rod guy.

It all started with a black 66 Pontiac Tempest I found in the classifieds. I horribly overpaid for it, but I had to have it. It originally had a 75 400 and three speed auto in it, likely from a full size car, as the motor mounts were scabbed on ~ 2 inches forward, and hung off the cross member. The fuel gage didn't work, and luckily, it ran out of gas as I pulled into my driveway from the 30 mile drive after buying it.

As with many projects it has morphed many times. I planned for and purchased a 5.3 ls truck motor and 6l80e from a totaled 2011. After hemming and hawing, I realized I wanted a manual transmission and sourced a NOS LS1 circle track crate motor and Viper Borg Warner t56. After way too many adapters I just purchased a rebuilt Camaro t56 from Hawk's Third Gen (which fit wonderfully, and the first time, thank you Hawk's). I used PSI Conversions for the harness. Good quality harness, just a lot of wires (second time around MSD gets my vote).

I also realized I wanted super deep wheels in the back. Which don't fit the stock chassis. After hearting about the limitations of the stock suspension geometry (and the dinky 10-bolt I had) I opted to back half it. I couldn't near afford a whole new chassis, as much as I wanted it. I went to Art Morrison who sent me their triangulated four-link, ford 9-inch and Wilwood brakes. I had them narrow the frame as much as they could, so we went from stock down to 40 inches. Wheels are from CCW, front are 18x8 and rear are 18x12 with 6-inch backspace. Tires are 235/40 front and 335/30 rear.



And now, car porn:

[66Tempest326]

No real surprises: Foot wells rotted, package tray rotting, couple spots at front and rear wind shields. I knew we had some issues with the driver's door but we uncovered a big hit, filled with a couple inches of mud.

[66Tempest326]

Art Morrison back half; wheels and tires came it, time to start cutting and fitting. Picked up a set of deep, stamped inner wheel tubs.

[66Tempest326]

I got bored at home, after Raymond finished the chassis we brought it home so I could start mocking up motor, trans, rear end, suspension, brakes, brake lines, fuel injection harness.......and on and on.

[66Tempest326]

I started with stock upper and lower control arms. I took them to get powder coated and have new bushings pressed in. Well, they looked awful, new shocks didn't fit, drop spindles didn't line up. So I said F-it. Bought good spindles and coilovers from Chris Alston and went to CPP for tubular control arms, upper and lower. It all went together much better and way easier than trying to compress a spring with just that aluminum block for chassis weight.

[Godbolt]

More please! Really like the Tempest.

[Nicks67GTO]

Sweet! Looks like it's coming together well!

[windows]

Outstanding! Sixty-six is my favourite year for GTO's and Tempests. You are doing an excellent job of yours. Best of luck, going forward. Hope you post lots of photos.

[66Tempest326]

Smoothed the firewall and dash.

[66Tempest326]

So we dropped the body back on the chassis for the first time in what feels like forever. I would really like to say, the BRP Hot Rods mounts and swap headers fit awesome. Using Holley swap pan there were zero fitment issues, motor sits down and low, tons of clearance to firewall. Brake booster is tight but running a 13" was pushing it. Different valve covers are in order anyway, as is the intake manifold which should resolve the booster issue.

[66Tempest326]

Words to the wise, might save you some money:
1. Don't try to piece meal an LS swap. Save your money, buy it all at once. Connect and cruise package wound up being cheaper after all the little parts were sourced I didn't know I needed.
2. Get all your front accessories from the same place. Decide up front do you want air conditioning. Deciding after the fact was painful to the wallet.
3. For most of us, 5 speeds are just as good as 6. They cost less, take up less space and don't require an entire new trans tunnel. I would do TKO-600 all day long next time.
4. Automatic to manual conversions SUCK! So many little parts all have to work together in a space that wasn't designed for it. Is it worth it though, HELL YEAH!
5. Get the wheels you want first, then have the rear end fabbed. Rear end costs the same regardless, custom wheels make you take out another mortgage.
6. As cool as it sounds to say you have a Viper 6-speed, the turd takes at least 4 different adaptation to work. For an LS swap, its just not a good fit.

[robbie9999]

Great build I'm following it ..

Here is my build completed same car ...

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...ect-Hell-Beast

[TimMC]

Great start. Same car sitting in the drive waiting to get started on. Will be watching.

[Motown 454]

Nice project and great work. Wheels and tires look sweet on there. Can't miss them from the back!

[rohrt]

Subscribing.

Nice looking car.

[66Tempest326]

Sweet! Looks like it's coming together well!

Thanks yo! Been trolling your project for a while already!

[66Tempest326]

Not much going on at the moment, just fitting things back together again.

Got the brake booster in, next problem: aft most coil pack and booster don't like being in the same place at the same time. First try at a relocation bracket w/o buying a new wire - FAIL. Guess it has to go up and forward. I really don't want to buy a whole relocation " kit" or go fabbing more stuff, my pockets are sore from being emptied over and over again.

We did get the Ididit column in. Its a brushed finish. I am going to splurge on the Ring Bothers door handles and the mirror in the same finish.

[66Tempest326]

I forgot to mention, the color is Martinique Bronze (original color from the factory) with hotrod satin clear coat.

You can see the firewall has been cleared. The difference is pretty striking. If you look at window surrounds, those are painted but not cleared. The satin clear knocks the color down a few shades darker. It will look really good with charcoal grey on taillight panel, wheel centers and eventually the grill.

I have asked Raymond to make the grill for me. I have given him total creative freedom. Thumbs crossed I will love it.

[Mr. White]

Nice build! LOVE the FAT ass, looks awesome.

[Motown 454]

My buddy had a nice 67 GTO that color with a black vinyl top. Its looking good. Your moving a long.