Project' Rabid Goat

[69*Goat]

Hey guys, I have not been on in a while mainly because I have been broke from paying for two years of my sons college(that was the promise I made him). Anyway, I have come into a little bit of money, and I am going to change some things on my 69' Goat. This thing is not much more than my weekend warrior, and I have already decided on Vari-Shocks for it. I am currently running Global West tubular suspension on it. It has been lowered 1.5" in the front(spring choice), and 1" in the rear(spring choice). I am wanting to upgrade the brakes, so some suggestions there would be helpful. It is a factory disc brake car, and I am looking at running either 17", or 18" wheels. I am also wanting to swap rear ends, but I am having a hard time deciding on a 9", or a 12 bolt. Any suggestions there will be helpful as well. I want to ditch my current dash, with stock gauges for something that is more modern, so any suggestions on who I can contact for that is greatly appreciated. My engine combination is listed in my signature, but feel free to ask me questions. Also, the car is a factory auto with a TH400. I am trying to decide between a Keisler 5 or 6 speed, or a 200R4 auto with overdrive. Any input for that would be appreciated.



Thanks in advance guys.

[riles]

Go with the 12"., looks more natural in that car.

Putting a Ford rear in a GM really "gets my goat!" (te-he)

[69*Goat]

70+ views, and no one has any suggestions?

[rfalker1]

I have a 700r4 tranny with the overdrive and i love it.. had to get a new drive shaft but heyyyy its life.

I think for brakes its all about budget. People go with wilwood to baer to kore3. Its all about budget, just remember to save some money for your emergency brake setup. I think that cost 600 by itself.

ANd why do you want to swap rear ends?? do u have a 8.5 or 8.2? I hear that if u are not draging the car with slicks any rear end will do and because I assume as gto owner you dont want to cut into it so u arent going to minitub it. Your rear wheels probably wont be bigger than 285... and i dont think that warrants a rear end swap! Maybe upgrade ur differential and axle and keep it moving?


good luck and show a pick of the beaut 69!!!

good luck

Just my opinion as a 8.2 rear owner who.

[69*Goat]

I might have to stick with the TH400 for a little longer. The Keisler set-up is going to cost $5,800.00, and it is a 5-6 month wait. As far as rear end, it is a stock 8.2, and the carrier was on it's last legs when I put the 462 in it. This engine combo was already responsible for breaking two carriers, so I know the current carrier is not long for this world, it already goes in and out of posi at will . As far as brakes I will probably go Wilwood, but I am still investigating. I am even re-considering the Vari-Shcock choice. I might go with Koni's, or QA-1's some suggestions there would be helpful. I do not plan on tubing it so the widest I can go on wheels is 10", 18 x 10's might look a little funny.




The Global West front suspension pieces installed.

[69*Goat]

Did some more parts investigating yesterday. I have decided to NOT go with a Keisler set up. Too many questionable issues with them. Next question, how many of you here are running a hydraulic clutch? What are your thoughts?

[andrewb70]

Did some more parts investigating yesterday. I have decided to NOT go with a Keisler set up. Too many questionable issues with them. Next question, how many of you here are running a hydraulic clutch? What are your thoughts?

I am using the Keisler firewall mount MC and a Quarter Master hydraulic TOB. I would never go back to a mechanical linkage. With that being said, setting up a TOB needs attention to detail. Keisler's full kit (which I do not have) uses a more forgiving Sachs bearing.

Andrew

[69*Goat]

Thanks Andrew!!

What shocks are you running on your 70'? Also, didn't you do an LS swap in your Goat?

[andrewb70]

Thanks Andrew!!

What shocks are you running on your 70'? Also, didn't you do am LS swap in your Goat?

I am using the QA1s all around. Yes, I did a LS swap. I wouldn't change that either. LOL

Andrew

[CarlC]

Agree with Andrew. I'm using the GM TOB and it works just fine.

[69*Goat]

I am using the QA1s all around. Yes, I did a LS swap. I wouldn't change that either. LOL

Andrew

I don't blame you, cheaper to mod, and higher revs...

[andrewb70]

I don't blame you, cheaper to mod, and higher revs...

Plus a boat load of other benefits.

Andrew

[69*Goat]

This is my current ride height. The front is about a 1/8-1/4' higher right now because the hood is off. I'm not going any lower. This is with KYB shocks on it, I don't know if it will settle anymore with a vari-shock, Koni, or QA-1

Rear height


Front height

[69*Goat]

Just before I put my GTO away for hibernation, I let my son take it out and take a little rubber off of the back tires...

He was always scared of it.

I think you have to be logged in to FB to see it, I'm working on trying to embed it.




https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=3&theater

[rockytopper]

I don't blame you, cheaper to mod, and higher revs...

The LS bone yard route with 6 speed is about as cheap as you just wanting to add a 5 or 6 speed to your existing setup. That's why I did it. The boat load of benefits as Andrew has point out above is just icing on the cake.

[69*Goat]

The LS bone yard route with 6 speed is about as cheap as you just wanting to add a 5 or 6 speed to your existing setup. That's why I did it. The boat load of benefits as Andrew has point out above is just icing on the cake.

I don't doubt that it is cheap. My List of mods that I will be starting on here in a couple of weeks is adding up.

Kore3 Brakes $2,200.00

Double Adj. QA-1 Shocks $940.00

Swapping an 8.2 rear, for an 8.5 $1,800.00

Electric fuel pump $250.00-$300.00

And if I decide to bite the bullet now for the TKO 600 set-up $5,400.00+

Intro Wheels, and some tires 3,500+

This is all before the Re-paint...

[rockytopper]

^^^ Sad to say but unless you have skills of your own that last line item can make the rest of the list seem like pocket change.

[69*Goat]

Oh, don't I know it.

Also, scratch the rear end swap, I already have an 8.5 in this beast. Something went my way for a change.

[69*Goat]

I did some tuning on the GTO yesterday. I installed some stronger springs in the MSD HEI that is in it. The timing was going in and out of mechanical advance at idle, and the timing was jumping. new springs corrected that. I reset the timing, and re-adjusted the carb. The paint and body guy will be coming to look at it today, so I can get some idea about re-paint cost. I will be ordering a bunch of parts next week: Kore3 brakes(All the way around), TKO600 and install kit, new rear end carrier, 3.73 gear set, all new rear end bearings, QA-1 Shocks for all 4 corners. I will order new wheels as it gets closer to the paint being finished. I am also planning on having the exhaust turned down just behind the rear wheels. I am also looking at having the rear bumper redone in a brushed nickel.

Click on the picture for a short idling video.

[69*Goat]

The Paint/Body guy came by yesterday to take a look at the Goat. There is a lot of stuff I have to get done to this thing in a month. Unfortunately the TKO600 will not be one of them. I am going to have to put that on the back burner until later this year. With everything I am wanting to do to this thing, the paint, and body work was going to put me over budget. I will still get 90% of the things I wanted to do, but the Trans is a no go for now. The paint/body guy will have it for 3 months.

I have decided on GM Atomic Orange for the color. NO Stripes, no graphics, just the single color.