[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by Formulas

I test drove a new stick 2006 GTO with the obvious LS. based engine I did not take it to redline and speed shift it but I was soooo not impressed with the power and driving experience

Set me in a stock 4bbl stick 1966 GTO and try to knock that grin off my face. A whole different experience

I did not buy that 2006 GTO and easily could have

Well, in 2006 I bought my first new car ever, a 2005 leftover GTO, the car on a test drive, was not anywhere impressive as most older GTOs (OWNED a dozen over the years, from stock, to totally hot rodded). Because of the vehicle management system the LS GTOs are very linear and apply power like an electric motor does.

Now if you turn off the traction control and bring the engine up against the convertor and hammer the gas, you better be a pretty good wheelman to keep it straight. The 400 HP is there, it's just tamed down by the management systems. A tune will gain 20-50 more HP. Not to mention the tires on a 2004-2006 GTO are light years ahead of bias ply tires we had on the old GTOs. So if it seems slower, it's because of the management systems, watch the speedometer, because it's really deceiving on how fast you're really going. 0 to 100 is pretty damn fast in my GTO, because of the quiet, and better suspension, it's deceiving. The LS2 GTOs were 0-60 in 5 seconds flat in stock form, with either transmission.

To match the power I had one 76 T/A with a 455 ported cast heads, headers, and a really mild street cam (268 advertised duration) that would have been probably just about even. With about 90 more cubes, and yes a bunch more low end torque.

It's apples to oranges, but that T/A would be a real close match to my 05 GTO. GTO averages 20 MPG, T/A would get 16 when I checked it. Reworked Q Jet on a 76 cast iron manifold.

The LS engines DON'T have all the raw low end torque that a Stratostreak engine has, but there are other ways to get to the same end result. Too bad you passed on the 06 GTO, they are pretty great cars, mine is just under 140,000 miles with a water pump replacement since new.....

[LostHighway]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

Well, in 2006 I bought my first new car ever, a 2005 leftover GTO, the car on a test drive, was not anywhere impressive as most older GTOs (OWNED a dozen over the years, from stock, to totally hot rodded). Because of the vehicle management system the LS GTOs are very linear and apply power like an electric motor does.

Now if you turn off the traction control and bring the engine up against the convertor and hammer the gas, you better be a pretty good wheelman to keep it straight. The 400 HP is there, it's just tamed down by the management systems. A tune will gain 20-50 more HP. Not to mention the tires on a 2004-2006 GTO are light years ahead of bias ply tires we had on the old GTOs. So if it seems slower, it's because of the management systems, watch the speedometer, because it's really deceiving on how fast you're really going. 0 to 100 is pretty damn fast in my GTO, because of the quiet, and better suspension, it's deceiving. The LS2 GTOs were 0-60 in 5 seconds flat in stock form, with either transmission.

To match the power I had one 76 T/A with a 455 ported cast heads, headers, and a really mild street cam (268 advertised duration) that would have been probably just about even. With about 90 more cubes, and yes a bunch more low end torque.

It's apples to oranges, but that T/A would be a real close match to my 05 GTO. GTO averages 20 MPG, T/A would get 16 when I checked it. Reworked Q Jet on a 76 cast iron manifold.

The LS engines DON'T have all the raw low end torque that a Stratostreak engine has, but there are other ways to get to the same end result. Too bad you passed on the 06 GTO, they are pretty great cars, mine is just under 140,000 miles with a water pump replacement since new.....

Agreed. I had an 05 6 speed with bolt ons and a hot cam in it. They are nice cars and probably the best available from that time period.

[jerry455]

When I started building an engine 4 years ago everyone told me to build an LS. The engine is great but when I was thinking about the best times of my life and the cars they were in, I found a 455 Pontiac and that is where it started. I am hoping to have it done this spring. It has Edelbrock RPM 72 CC CNC heads, Performer RPM intake and a roller cam. I am not sure how much power it will make but it will be fun to find out. My wife has a 2013 Camaro SS with a 400 hp L99 automatic trans. It is a fun car to drive and probably more refined due to all of the electronic controls. She wants to go to the dragstrip this summer to see how fast her Camaro is and we will see how it compares to my 1976 Firebird. The GTO's from 2004-06 are impressive but a lot of us still would rather have an older one.

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by jerry455

When I started building an engine 4 years ago everyone told me to build an LS. The engine is great but when I was thinking about the best times of my life and the cars they were in, I found a 455 Pontiac and that is where it started. I am hoping to have it done this spring. It has Edelbrock RPM 72 CC CNC heads, Performer RPM intake and a roller cam. I am not sure how much power it will make but it will be fun to find out. My wife has a 2013 Camaro SS with a 400 hp L99 automatic trans. It is a fun car to drive and probably more refined due to all of the electronic controls. She wants to go to the dragstrip this summer to see how fast her Camaro is and we will see how it compares to my 1976 Firebird. The GTO's from 2004-06 are impressive but a lot of us still would rather have an older one.

My 05 GTO is fair weather daily driver, I'd rather be driving that instead of a honda or a toyota. I'm not saying the new GTO is a better car at all, just different than the older ones, but being 40 years spread there should be a great many differences.

If you read my signature I only drive Pontiacs, except for my trucks. 1993 K3500 dually, no chevy engine, 6.5 TD, 1995 chevy 3500HD, no chevy engine , 6.5 TD, 1988 IH S1600 Wrecker (ex U haul truck) 7.3 IDI diesel. I'm particular about what, I own and drive.

2008 Vibe, wife's car, 2005 GTO my car, and 1999 3.1 SE GP, utility driver (pale pink ex Mary Kay car). 1984 GP project car will have a 455 in it when completed.

[pastry_chef]

Turn-key fuel injected LS are pricey.

A complete carb 427 ready to run - dyno'd 625 HP and 30 month / 50,000 mile warranty. Forged bottom end components.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/BlueP...in,250070.html

[JSPONT]

I like my Pontiac, but to be real it is very old technology. The LS platform is well though out with 6 bolt mains, shielded crank, stock heads that out flow any of our old heads and alot of aluminum heads with no port work even. The 4.8 and 5.3 are awesome for boost. My friend has been running in the 7's with his stock bottom end 5.3, with just cam and valve springs for 3 years. He drives it everywhere and get decent gas mileage. It is hard to argue with that. A 7 second Pontiac is a radical race car usually. I think everything has its place. Not saying to cut up a rare GTO or Trans am and stuff an LS in it, but not a big dollar street car, go for it. I love them all. 1200 h.p. on a stock 5.3 with a cam is pretty cool no matter how you slice it.