I'd just go back to the 1970 GTO hood with twin snouts because I'm unoriginal like that. Or, if you want to continue to go with a cross breed idea, what about using the twin snouts off an early 70's formula? Good luck with the decision, Andrew.

It has been a while since I have made progress on the GTO. Over the weekend I was hanging out with a friend of mine from Chicago and he was busting my balls about not having done already. He isn't wrong.

The mailman dropped off the new Tick Performance one piece o-ring for their intercooler (they also fit Holley HiRam and LoRam intakes) this morning, so it was the perfect opportunity to do something productive.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/02/26/IMG20240226140142.jpg

The intake lid is on for good now.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/02/26/IMG20240226143224.jpg

Over the winter I also ordered these grommets from SpearTech. I was going to do something fancy, but I think I am going to keep it simple.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/02/26/IMG20240226154104.jpg

Apparently I robbed the silicone coupler and clamps for the Cougar :facepalm:

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/02/26/IMG20240226164733.jpg

I was going to do fancy stuff with the harness, but I am going to keep it simple. I really want this thing running and driving before the summer.

Andrew

Man does that look good and I completely understand sometime life gets in the way of finishing our projects.

and Holy crap do I love the look of the Engine bay !!

Thanks Marty! I appreciate the kind words.

Andrew

I am looking forward to seeing how the Tick Performance intercooler holds up and performs on a street car. I have been contemplating using one for my Procharger upgrade, but I am worried about how it will hold up over time. In my limited time doing research, I have only seen them used on race cars.

It's a very well built unit and their new ones are even better. They also have a new ultra low profile version with its own billet lid.

Andrew

Clearly, I have been neglecting this thread. We have had a busy spring and summer. My wife and I moved to Denton Texas and I have been busy with my tuning business and with the new house. I finally have all of my garage stuff moved down here and the new space will be a lot better than I have ever had. It isn't a 60x40 shop, but it will be comfortable. The GTO has been parked in that space for a while and the Cougar is still in storage locally.

I did not have a car at LS Fest, but that gave me the opportunity to hang out and enjoy time with old friends and make new friends. This is just a portion of the gang that meets up at LS Fest.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/09/22/GTOV3-952.jpg

This LS Fest I was also working. I was in the TurboLamik booth promoting my remote tuning business as well as talking to people about the ZF8HP transmission swaps using the TurboLamik TCU.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/09/22/GTOV3-953.jpg

The TurboLamik guys came to visit from Poland and here we are with their US distributor. (from left to right: me, Lukas Lamik, Greg Drozd, Agnes Lamik, David Lamik)

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/09/22/GTOV3-954.jpg

We had two cars there with the ZF8HP swap. They happened to run their best passes for the weekend lined up against each other.



Here is the time slip for that pass. Not bad for true street cars

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/09/22/GTOV3-955.jpg

Needless to say, after having experienced cars with the ZF8HP transmission, there was no way I was keeping the 4L80e in my GTO.

My Alabama buddies scored this big boy 8HP90 and it will be making its way under my GTO this fall.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/09/22/GTOV3-949.jpg



https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/09/22/GTOV3-950.jpg



https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/09/22/GTOV3-951.jpg

If anyone is interested in learning about the ZF8HP swap, shoot me an email: projectgattago at gmail dot com

Andrew

Finally I can put a face to a person that I've been texting back and forth. LOL

As time passes, companies improve and refine their products. Such is the case with the Tick Performance intercooler brick. Originally I had purchased their first design, but they have since released their Ultra Low intercooler and this is the way I decided to go.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/10/08/GTOV3-956.jpg

The Ultra Low intake has an integrated billet lid that reduces the overall height by 2 inches compared to their original intercooler and a Holley top.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/10/08/GTOV3-957.jpg

Not only is the intake lower, but the throttle body mounting flange is also moved back, substantially, which generally improves fitment.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/10/08/GTOV3-958.jpg

With the lower intake, now there is ample room to reuse the shaker scoop. The shaker scoop is such a unique feature of this build, that I really do not want to change it.


https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/10/08/GTOV3-1002.jpg

With the hood closed, you can see how much clearance there is now between the top of the intake and the bottom of the hood. As you might recall, that clearance was barely 1/4" with the other intake set-up.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/10/08/GTOV3-1001.jpg

With the shaker scoop resting on the intake and the hood closed there is now ample room to make a mount that will attach the shaker to the engine.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/10/08/GTOV3-959.jpg

With the throttle body now in a different location, the tube from the compressor outlet to the throttle body will need to be remade. I have been following Jon Volk's builds for years and he has inspired me to push the envelope.

I am using the Einstar 3D scanner to generate a 3D model which will then be used to designed the intake charge tube. The plan is to manufacture the intake charge tube by having it 3D printed from aluminum. I used foot powder spray on the engine to eliminate the shine, as the 3D scanners don't work well on shiny surfaces.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/10/08/GTOV3-1004.jpg

Here is the resulting scan.

https://j.hmjimg.com/2024/10/08/GTOV3-1006.jpg

Progress is being made...

Andrew

That intake would have solved a LOT of fabbing on my end, very nice!