[leeklm]

Hey Guys,

I recently sold my 66 GTO, and am looking at a new project. I always liked the bigger cars and think the dash in the Grand Prix's (like the 64) is pretty cool.

Being the gearhead that I am, the original drive train would have to go, and replaced with a stroker motor, trans (turbo 400 or OD) and a rear end that can hold up to the power with a set of slicks for that occasional run down the track.

Question... I am assuming the drive train replacement is pretty straight forward and generally compatible with its GM cousins when it comes to rear diff options, etc. Are there any "gotch-ya's" or exceptions I should be aware of before I start throwing money at a big-bodied Pontiac?

Thanks!

[Keith Seymore]

The rear end should be up to the task. In case you don't know, it's more like a Ford 9" setup, with the ring/pinion mounted on the front carrier. That whole front is what is removeable (nothing goes in and out the back, like on an A body axle).

Should be stout enough for an occasional blast with slicks. After all, they've been doing just that since....well, since the early 60's.



Relative to trans: it will depend what you finally end up with. Depending on the model type (Catalina, Bonnie, etc) and model year a TH400 may go in there with no problem. If you chose a GP then some amount of persuasion will be required to make it fit the trans tunnel. A 200-4R will go in there with no problem, I'm told. Lots of threads here on these various trans swaps.

K

[Deadhead]

Go with '65 or later. It will be much easier to do the power train. I personally like the wide track cars better b/c I think they handle much better. This is something you will be blown away by. You can make a lot better use of the speed than you can in an A body. They are great for going fast in a straight line, but this is a whole different deal. Makes no sense for a humongous car to be able to handle like this, but with a very limited amount of parts and effort, you can really have some fun.

[Goatracer1]

Keep the rear end it was use in dragsters and other high powered cars until the supply dried up. Have been building and racing these cars for 50 years. Great fun when the front wheels come up and the other guy's mouth drops.

[Engine-Ear]

All I axe is that you keep the Pontiac powered by PONTIAC.

[leeklm]

Originally Posted by Engine-Ear

All I axe is that you keep the Pontiac powered by PONTIAC.

amen! I have a 72 400 block that is begging for a stroker kit

[Txbobcat]

Like Deadhead said get a 65 or above

[Stuart]

In case you haven't figured it out, 1964-1965 was a big dividing line. The differentials were changed, they went from the old Hydramatic or Slim Jim transmissions to the TH400, the starter went from being bolted on the transmission to bolting onto the engine block, the intake manifold bolt pattern changed and probably some other things I've missed.

Also, there was limited parts interchangeability with other GM brands, particularly in 1964 and earlier. Let us know when you've decided on a particular year or model and we can provide more solid information.

[8LUG]

the starter went from being bolted on the transmission to bolting onto the engine block, the intake manifold bolt pattern changed and probably some other things I've missed.
1964 BOLTED ON THE BLOCK.

[Stuart]

1964 had provisions to bolt the starter to the block, but at least on full size cars they were still bolted to the transmission because they were still using the Hydramatic or Slim Jim transmissions that year. I don't know what they did with GTOs that year.

[Engine-Ear]

X2 - all '64 P/8s with the original motor I have seen have had both a trans-mounted starter and a block-mounting provision.

[joeg]

In the past couple of years I also sold both my 66' GTO's. I was a little reluctant at first but after driving my 66' Bonnies I never looked back. Enjoy your new project I'm sure you will not be disappointed whatever big car you end up with. They are great rides and when you park next to a dozen GTO's on a cruise night and your the only big car their, you will be amazed how many people will walk right past those GTO's to check yours out..

[miltmilton]

Can't beat a 65 - 66 big car. 'course I'm a tad prejudice. Sure is fun spanking some A bodies and FBs in the 1/4 or 1/8 mile and still do some limited cruising. My 4530 pound Bonnie (with me in it) has gone 10.86 - 10.93 numerous times in the quarter and constantly goes in the high 6.90s in the 1/8.

milt

[Redpiston]

All this talk is making me second guess myself on buying a 66 Lemans. Makes me want to check back on a 66 2+2 vert I passed on a few months back.

[hobbygto65]

Here ya go, already done just add your personal touches to it.
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=759037

[Redpiston]

Thats pretty sweet. I am looking for a vert though.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by joeg

In the past couple of years I also sold both my 66' GTO's. I was a little reluctant at first but after driving my 66' Bonnies I never looked back. Enjoy your new project I'm sure you will not be disappointed whatever big car you end up with. They are great rides and when you park next to a dozen GTO's on a cruise night and your the only big car their, you will be amazed how many people will walk right past those GTO's to check yours out..

x2. I've had this happen (people walk past my GTO to ask about the GP).

K

[Ragtop Man]

Big cars were GM's bread and butter, bought a lot of lake houses, put a lot of kids through school (or bailed them out of jail) and made a lot of trust fund brats rich until BK (LOL)

Only caution to anyone buying into the big 'uns: get the most complete, running, driving car you can (I didn't, fell for a color and a dream) and work from there.

Prices are flat, now. Lots of good repro out there for cars that don't need to be points-judged by the chalk sniffers.

Properly set up, a big Pontiac that's put together well will effortlessly cruise at 85-90 mph all afternoon, with the air on and the reverb belting out some Petula Clark or Smokey Robinson. And you won't see two anywhere you go unless it is a POCI show.

[tom s]

Sorry Milt,post 64s are pretty much ugly!Owned a couple,still asking myself what the hell I was think!LOL,Tom

[Redpiston]

I hear ya on running down the highway with the AC on. Thats been one of drawbacks on an A body vert. Finding them with factory AC is near impossible. The big ones seem to be more common with AC, but I wasnt sure I really wanted a big pontiac.Maybe I shouldn't have passed on this one. I am having second thoughts.