With spring quickly coming, my tuning business has been picking up steam, which means less time to work on the GTO, but I managed to knock out a couple of tasks.

First up is the Ridetech rear sway bar. The kit comes with these brackets that would normally be held in place by a U-bolt. This this rear housing has a back brace, the bracket no longer fits around the axle tube. I trimmed the parts that were interfering and used an angle finder to make sure that both brackets were at the same angle. The actual angle is not critical, but having them be the same seemed pretty important.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/07/GTOV3-795.md.jpg

Next, I drilled some holes in the frame for the end link brackets. This is the driver's wide.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/07/GTOV3-796.md.jpg

This is the passenger side with the sway bar bracket and the end link installed.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/07/GTOV3-797.md.jpg

Vic got a new MIG welded and I buggered it in place. The welds are not pretty, but they will be fine.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/07/GTOV3-798.md.jpg

Lastly, fiddled around with the flex fuel sensor holder. I didn't want the sensor to just be hanging by the AN union without any support. I used a large P clamp to support the other side where the fuel line will attach.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/07/GTOV3-799.md.jpg

Andrew

I take inspiration from all kinds of places. A while back I ran across a build on the Rad Rides website. It was the 1961 Brookwood wagon built for George Poteet:

https://radrides.com/wp-content/uplo...wagon_0016.jpg

When I was at PRI I went to the booth of the vendor that did the cladding on the downpipe. The company is HeaderShield. I emailed them after the show, sent pictures of my parts, they gave me a quote, I paid it, sent my parts in, and ten weeks later I got them back.

This is the up-pipe that goes from the Holley manifold exit to the turbine inlet.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/09/GTOV3-800.md.jpg

This is the downpipe that feeds the exhaust from the turbine, under the car.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/09/GTOV3-801.md.jpg

The rest of the exhaust will take off from the downpipe.

Andrew

The engine bay on that wagon is awesome. That heat shielding will work very well. It's similar or the same to what gets used on a lot of aftertreatment systems for diesel engines.

I brought the pipes over to Vic's and installed them, hopefully for good. The downpipe fits great, although it is about 1/8 inch away from the frame. I am hoping the cladding will keep the powder coating on the frame from burning off.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/10/GTOV3-802.md.jpg

Here is the up-pipe, going from the Hooker exhaust manifold to the turbine inlet. If you look closely, you can see the bung for the EGT probe.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/10/GTOV3-803.md.jpg

Here is the wastegate plumbing. The wastegate itself will get a little blanket, as will the turbine housing. Both from Funk Motorsports in England.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/10/GTOV3-804.md.jpg

Here you can see the oil drain. Remember, it is stainless steel, but I also added an insulating sleeve over the top. The EGT bung is also clearly visible.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/10/GTOV3-805.md.jpg

This is just an overall shot of how things are looking.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2023/03/10/GTOV3-806.md.jpg

The yellow dipstick handle needs to go...

Andrew

I know i've said it before but it's worth repeating, AMAZING BUILD :cheers:

Totally agree!!

One of my favorite builds.

Where did you get those fittings? Sorry if i missed it in the post but i'll need the same for mine for turbo clearance.

Progress looking good.

William

I feel this ride always has been great, but I agree 100% w/your statement. These upgrades are 'next level' nice for those building our rides out of @ home garages.

Thank you!

Hi Will...Those fittings are made by Vintage Air. I got them from Summit Racing.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/VTA-366101

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/VTA-366102

Thank you!

Andrew