[GRIM64]

So I had the opportunity to go meet Andrew today. I've got a '69 GTO that's going through a very slow restoration and I wanted to pick Andrew's brain on what I should do next on my car. Basically, ask him what would he do differently if he could do it again.
I meet Andrew at his house and he shows me his '70 GTO... first thing that hits you is the blazing red color, Viper Red. It doesn't just hit you - it announces it's presence with authority - like a 2x4 across the face yelling at you "INCOMING". Well, he offers to take me for a ride and of course I jump at the chance.

Let me first say that I'm still alive and I'm going for retina re-attachment surgery next week.

Andrew's GTO has got a healthy rumble to it but nothing obnoxious and sits idling at 1000 rpm. We carve a couple of round-a-bouts then he turns onto the highway on-ramp. What happened next is something that I will NEVER forget (kind of like, where were you when President Kennedy was shot or the Challenger disaster).

OH


MY


GOD !

You guys with LS engines have been holding out on us unwashed, heathen masses that have only sipped from the well of the traditional big block motors. What I experienced was not a sip - far from it. It was not even a gulp... It was like being hit with a blast of water coming from a fire hose mere feet away.
Webster's dictionary does not have the words to describe the acceleration, the words have not been invented yet. Let me give it a try though... Brutal, raw, goose-bump raising, overwhelming, utterly shocked. Now take these words and put them in a magnifier and then raise them to the nth degree and then your getting into a similar area code but you still far short for a proper description.

After he let off the gas and jumped on the brakes my tunnel vision subsided and I first exclaimed "You've GOTTA be kidding me!" followed by a couple of explicatives then a glance at my arm that is covered in goose bumps. No kidding.

The immediate thought in my head was, "I have GOT to get me one of these".

I won't go into detail as I'm sure the statute of limitations might never run out on some of the stuff that he did with his GTO. It was a truly humbling experience that I'll never forget and will now strive to duplicate in my '69 GTO. LS motor - HERE I COME !!!!

Thanks again Andrew - you saved me from making a terrible mistake by not using an LS engine in my build.

[old66tiger]

Andrew, I am in the Madison are and I am starting my LS3 conversion soon. Are you in the WI area yet? I make it to Fond du Lac a bunch and i would like to meet up sometime to discuss your swap. PM me your number and let's talk soon. Bob

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[andrewb70]

Haters are going to hate...LOL

https://www.facebook.com/highperformancepontiac

Andrew

[pont3]

Originally Posted by andrewb70

Haters are going to hate...LOL

https://www.facebook.com/highperformancepontiac

Andrew

Let them hate then, WHO cares? I absolutely LOVE the LS in my '72. No more leaks on my driveway or constantly changing inferior Chinese made engine parts. I DRIVE my car regularly and even take long trips in it. It gets fantastic mpgs and is dead reliable.

To each their own. You inspired me to take the plunge, and I'm SOOO glad I did. I have the latest in driveability in the body style I love most. Since GM is not going to make another GTO that looks like my '72, why not enjoy some of the advancements in technology with the body I love?

Thank you!!!!!

[andrewb70]

Originally Posted by pont3

Let them hate then, WHO cares? I absolutely LOVE the LS in my '72. No more leaks on my driveway or constantly changing inferior Chinese made engine parts. I DRIVE my car regularly and even take long trips in it. It gets fantastic mpgs and is dead reliable.

To each their own. You inspired me to take the plunge, and I'm SOOO glad I did. I have the latest in driveability in the body style I love most. Since GM is not going to make another GTO that looks like my '72, why not enjoy some of the advancements in technology with the body I love?

Thank you!!!!!

Thank you for the kind words. I have always said that if you want nostalgia, stick with the Pontiac engine, but if you actually want to drive the car, the LS engine can't be beat.

Enjoy the ride!

Andrew

[jetallman]

I'm leaning way to the side of an LS in my 69 bird, will be doing my research on parts as soon as body is finished.

[andrewb70]

I am a big fan of the Hot Rod Garage show on the Motor Trend YouTube channel, and on the last episode, they did a LS3 swap into an A-body. Good stuff here, except they totally glossed over how they are managing the 4L65E electronics...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UGlYx_Cjjo

Andrew

[andrewb70]

It's been a while since I have updated this thread or even taken the GTO out for a spin. I've been having a lot of fun with the Cougar, but lately I have been thinking about how I can improve the GTO.

Hooker is about to release a lot of very well engineered components for A-body swaps and it is tempting to redo my swap to make things better. Holley has new mounts, headers, and crossmembers that are engineered to work together and work around the Holley oil pan. Currently my inner tie rods hit the Autokraft pan so it would be nice to fix that.

I would also like to have new stainless headers and a full stainless exhaust, which Hooker will offer. I realize that it seems kind of dumb to redo a car that runs and drives, but I am always trying to make things better.

Another thing that I have been thinking about is swapping over to a 4L80E. Seems kind of nuts, but I have never owned a performance car with an automatic and I would really enjoy seeing what I can do in terms of tuning the transmission. To make the auto trans possible, I would also swap the ECU to a Holley Dominator.

I am open to all inputs....

Andrew

[HWYSTR455]

I'm a big advocate of the 4L80E, sure many here are aware of that! I have to say it's one of the best upgrades I've ever done on my Lemans, hands down. I did an install thread on the swap, might find some useful info there.

One thing that I've heard is that the TCI '6-speed' 4L80E doesn't offer engine braking, so IMO, stay away from that one.

I ran a CompuShift controller, love the flexibility of it, but on this go-around, I will be doing the Holley Dominator ECU, since I plan to go multi-point. Should have it installed and provide feedback within 3 months or so.

.

[GRIM64]

About the only thing that would be a step up in performance in your GTO is a JATO bottle. I'm still grinning from that ride in your GTO.

[andrewb70]

So a friend of mine brought this to my attention...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3xBYWGYiVw

Apparently it has been getting some airtime on various car related shows...

Andrew

[360Rocket]

Thats way waterless cool! Congrats!

[andrewb70]

Originally Posted by 360Rocket

Thats way waterless cool! Congrats!

Thanks!

Andrew

[3 Chiefs]

Andrew was that your car in that ad? Looked like you drag racing at LS Fest.

[andrewb70]

Originally Posted by 3 Chiefs

Andrew was that your car in that ad? Looked like you drag racing at LS Fest.

Yes Sir. I think that was LS Fest 2013.....

Andrew

[andrewb70]

Anyone want a LT1 or LT4 in their GTO? How about a single turbo on their LSx swap?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOGUeYcMT7c

Andrew

[andrewb70]

Someone made a post recently on this forum lamenting the lack of young people at car shows and it inspired me to write this...

http://www.timelessmuscle.com/editor...-and-greasers/

Andrew

[old66tiger]

Well written Andrew

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[andrewb70]

Bumping this thread up, for no other reason than it has been over 10 years since I did my LS swap.

Andrew

[3fastgtos]

Maybe not many people care about an ls in a GTO.