Progress on the GTO has been slow, but it is still moving forward. Also, keeping two project cars moving forward is not the easiest...

That said, I have a small update on the GTO. A while back you might recall seeing pictures of when I had the GTO hood 3d scanned. The idea was to have a digital representation of the hood so that something could be made for the hole. When I was at LS Fest I met a couple of guys from a company called Reversion Raceworks. They specialize in custom 3D printing project, specifically for cars. I emailed them after the show and decided to work with them to design an insert for the hood.

They did the design work and I also had them print a prototype for fitment purposes. The print was done in PLA and as you can see it has thick layers. This was done to keep the print cheap and fast.















The fit is spot on. It is as if it was made just for this hood...LOL

Now that the insert is done, I am thinking a clear acrylic cover would look pretty cool. My business logo can also be engraved on the bottom of the cover, so it would show through, but the top would be smooth.

What do y'all think?

Andrew

 

Just make sure they do the finished insert in something better than PLA. ABS would probably be ok, but polycarbonate or nylon would be better. Regardless of what it looks like bare, I would still paint the insert, as all of those plastics eventually degrade with ultraviolet exposure from the sun. The clear cover sounds like it would look great.

 

This part is just a rough print for prototyping purposes. I'm not even sure if I like it.

Andrew

 

Pla will warp outside in the heat.

 

Yes, which is why this is only a prototype part.

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 ***** 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.



The intake lid is on for good now.



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.



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



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

 

It seems that this build is destined to drag on for longer than I really wanted it to.

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.



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.



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)



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



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.











If anyone is interested in learning about the ZF8HP swap, more details are available here:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...sion-swap.html

Or shoot me an email: projectgattago at gmail dot com

Andrew

 

Very cool what you are doing. Breaking boundaries and finding ways to make **** happen that no one could have imagined.

Well done.

 

Thanks Pete! It is very satisfying to see a years work come to fruition. After driving the BMW in the video for a little while around town, I knew the GTO deserved this transmission and the TurboLamik controller. Using the 8HP70 would probably been sufficient, but the 8HP90 is longer, which I am hoping will allow me to retain the driveshaft.

Andrew

 

It's a cool innovation with the gearing of these transmissions you could run gas-friendly gear out back. I read the first gear in this trans is 5.25 or something.

 

First gear is 4.71. I have 3.25 gears in the rear now, but will probably switch to 2.75 gears, which will put me at 1750RPM at 75 MPH on the highway.

Andrew

 

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.



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.



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



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.




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.



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.



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.



Here is the resulting scan.



Progress is being made...

Andrew

 

Damn, that’s some next level **** right there…. Well done!

I’m (we’re) really looking forward to the 3d printed aluminum charge pipe…

 

This was one of Jon's videos that inspired me.


Andrew

 

Well done Andrew! Been friends and following your builds for moons hahaha. This one is awesome. Very interested in seeing how the 8spd auto works out with performance results....

 

Thanks Mark. Having firsthand experience with the Fairlane and the BMW, the 8HP transmission swap is a game changer.

Andrew

 

Here are some progress pictures of the intake pipe.






Andrew

 

We are getting there!
























The next step is to get a prototype printed in PLA to confirm fitment.

Andrew

 

I always wanted a decent 3d scanner, but I just can't justify the price for how little I would actually use it.

 

.
I'm constantly coming up for different ways to use it. It's an incredible tool

Andrew