69 GTO Build

[ekmxryda]

Hey sorry for the long delay in posting up progress shots.
Sadly I have been struggling with electrical issues.
Not sure if anyone else has some experience that would help me get the gremlins out. I have stumped my local tuner, and I figured that this would be the best place for help.
Here is my latest update on GTOs no run issues.
So I did the conversion, moved cam sensor to the front and replaced timing chain cover.
It has proper 1X cam gear, new cam sensor, I ran a separate shielded wire sub harness to avoid the extra connections with the extension.
After all that I was successful getting rid of the Cam codes, (was still getting P0342 before new sub harness), PSI harness

But it still has the same issue, it runs for 10 seconds then dies. Engine sounds strong when running, no strange noises.
Can not see any other fault codes showing up now.
Keep thinking it has to be something simple. Tested Grounds, new ECM.

Fuel pressure over 65, still holds pressure when car shuts off by itself, so ignition power still there when car dies.
Fuel = Cam 2 race fuel, 10 gallons in tank
Removed serpentine belt just to test if the alternator was causing some interference, but same problem still.
Just a reminder, I drove this in a parking lot running same setup 3 years ago when the car fired up for the first time.

Wondering if you guys might have any ideas?
I know Andrew will say just replace it all with a Holley Terminator X system!

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ls...or-relocation/

[ProTouring442]

Shim the back of the hinge where it bolts to the hood, this will suck the hood down.

[ekmxryda]

Exciting news!

Turned out that the LS3 MAF sensor did not like the 411 ECM.
Gary at PSI was nice enough to help me figure it out, so he sent me a LS2 MAF that would have been used with that ECM and it fired up and fixed the issue.

I was able to drive it and actually get my state inspection sticker last week.
Getting ready to drop off the GTO at the dyno shop today. A little nervous, it will be around a 20 mile trip with some highways along the way.
I am mostly nervous about all the bad drivers we seem to have now!
It is insured but how does everyone else feel when driving your cars that you have dumped so much time and effort into?
I suppose it gets easier the more you drive them?

As far as the body with the final fit and finish on hood etc. I was planning on tackling that this winter.
So many little things to do.

[ekmxryda]

Made it safely to the dyno shop!
The GTO was so fun to drive on the highway, it handles like a big go kart! No surprise!
The Roadstershop Fast Track chassis felt amazing, very responsive and light feeling for a big car.
The Bowler prepped T56 Magnum shifted super smooth. Wilwood manual breaks felt good, looking forward to a track day next year to really test them out.
Was a little chilly this morning here, 34 degrees! Turned on the heat for the first time and it worked.
The only thing that didnt work was the AC belt, it decided to jump off and self destruct about half way there.
Other than that pit stop and a few close calls with bad drivers things went well.

Looking forward to dyno results and hope everything stays together.

[ekmxryda]

Runs on the dyno went well. At least mechanically, still have a couple gremlins to chase down in the harness.
Lost a ground somewhere so the O2 sensors, knock and MAF sensors started acting up.
Charlie put a safe tune on it because of that, so we ended up with 405HP at the wheel, converts to about 480HP at the crank.
Looking forward to the next time on the dyno.
Will most likely be swapping out things for a Holley or Haltech engine management.

[ekmxryda]

Have been keeping at it quietly over the last 6 months, it was a little depressing at times, felt like I was going backwards!
Got the new Holley engine harness and computer swapped in.
It was a sad day cutting apart the work I had done years before, but I needed to fix the problems.
Engine fires up quicker now and runs better, I just need another run on the dyno to get it running cleaner, smells rich.

Moved on to interior work a month ago.

Rushed a couple things last minute and worked a bunch of late nights to be able to drive it to my first ever car show!
It was worth the effort and stress of driving an hour away from the house.
The car ran great, handles amazing, shifts smooth.
I had a great time watching and listening to the reactions to the GTO.

My GTO was chosen as one of the top 30 cars there!
They said over 500 cars showed up too.

Exciting that a shop that takes on full Pro-Touring type builds chose me.
He understands the amount of labor involved he said.
Nice guy if you are in the area, Chris at Pro-Motive Street and Machine.
Bedford, NH
https://psmcars.com/

So the car is not finished, still have a long list!
Panel gaps, classic / Bluetooth radio, etc.
Starting to have fun now though, and hope to hit a bunch more shows in New England this summer!

[csouth]

Congrats! enjoy the rest of the summer, work in the winter...lol

[ekmxryda]

Thanks Chris,

Good idea!
I am new to this car show thing though!
So used to spending my free time hidden away in the garage.
I will need some New England members to tell me where the good shows are.

Was just checking out your updates on the Cutlass, paint looks great. Too bad about being stuck at the upholstery shop for the summer.

[csouth]

Thanks Chris,

Good idea!
I am new to this car show thing though!
So used to spending my free time hidden away in the garage.
I will need some New England members to tell me where the good shows are.

Was just checking out your updates on the Cutlass, paint looks great. Too bad about being stuck at the upholstery shop for the summer.

Hopefully it wont be too long since he already made the panels .... Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

[TerryH432]

Killer build! Congrats!

[ekmxryda]

Thank you Terry!

[Josh@Ridetech]

Looks great! Good job with the build!

[ekmxryda]

Thanks Josh,
Had a good weekend, finished up some aluminum trunk panels to clean things up.
Was able to drive down to my Moms retirement complex that was having a Cars and Coffee even last weekend.
First time for the wife in the passenger seat too. She kept me reigned in when I started to go a bit too fast.
Parked next to a real 1966 427 Shelby Cobra.

[ekmxryda]

Happy New Year!
2024 was a great year for me, putting some miles on the GTO after years of work!
For those of you that don't want to read from the beginning of the thread, I bought my dream car just after I graduated high school in 1983!
I tore it apart, started fixing what I could afford with a college students budget.
Boxed up the parts and pushed it out in the woods for 29 years.
Bought the Roadster Shop chassis in 2012 and slowly picked away at it.
Being my first Pro-Touring build I struggled at times.
Just want to say thanks to everyone who has given me encouragement and support, you all have been really helpful!
And to all of you that are still working away, don't get discouraged, keep at it and keep checking those things off your lists!
My lists had separate lists!
Seemed like the closer I got to driving it, the longer that list became.
Looking forward to going to more shows with the two grandsons in 2025

Oh and I got back on the Dyno to tune in the Holley Terminator X in October and was able to get 432 rear wheel HP, so about 500 at the crank
















Plus the coolest thing, was teaching my youngest daughter how to drive it! Here first time driving a stick shift too, she only stalled once.
Now she wants a GTO she said!

[andrewb70]

It is good to see progress on this build for so many years!

Andrew

[ekmxryda]

Hey Andrew,

Thanks!
Yeah still have a bunch of things to finish.
Panel gaps, and interior work.
But it has been so fun to drive it finally.

[ekmxryda]

Found this old picture, how the GTO sat out in the woods from 1983 to 2011
Fun to look back, but now I feel old!

[andrewb70]

Hey Andrew,

Thanks!
Yeah still have a bunch of things to finish.
Panel gaps, and interior work.
But it has been so fun to drive it finally.

They are never finished. LOL

Andrew