1966 GTO L92 / 6L80E / Air Ride Street Challenge Project

[Kevin O]

We've got another new project starting in the V8TV shop - an L92 / 6L80E powered 1966 Pontiac GTO. 

This 1966 GTO has seen better days, and this intro video explains the project details from start to finish, including the crazy timeline.     It kinda goes like this:   Install GM 6.2 liter L92 V8 and 6-speed 6L80E tranmission, install Air Ride Technologies Street Challenge air suspension system, upgrade the wheels, tires, and brakes.    Drive on Hot Rod Power Tour.   Disassemble entire car, replace quarter panels, repair holes in trunk floor, window ledges, fenders, and doors, paint, reassemble, and take to SEMA 2008.    Whew!

As always, we'll be bringing you every step of the build on video. 

[Steve Firebird]

WOW  This will be interesting and could start a whole new trend in PT. What car does that engine and trans come from? Is it a caddy? Looks like you will have your hands full for a while. Should be awsome to drive when your done. I like the idea of getting a bunch of miles on it before final paint. In the long run it may actually save time depending on how much reengineering you need to do afer it hits the street. Good luck and remember to eat you wheaties I think your going to need them.

[Kevin O]

The engine is from a 2007 Yukon, and the trans is a 2wd truck trans.    We're tracking down the trans lineage now to make sure we know what the calibration is.    We'll swing past Costco for more Wheaties today!

[Kevin O]

The original motor came out tonight...

[67RSSS]

Okay, I joined your forum to follow along.  Real interested in the fitment of that 6L80E...  Now that the 67 Camaro is almost done, we are talking about what to do with the 68 Impala, 6speed auto would be great!  This really does look like a good fit project for you.  I look forward to seeing the car on the PT, at least from Ames to Milwaukee, we have a new Grandson, so the long haul is out.  I am pretty impressed with what I have seen on your site.

[Kevin O]

Hey Thanks, 67!   I've seen shots of your car... great project.   Looks like it's going to be alot of fun to drive.    We'll consider you a resource on this GTO... you seem to have lots of first hand knowledge of these swaps!

- KO

[67RSSS]

Well, similiar to the situation you are in with the GTO, we got this one together to spend a summer driving it and finding the issues.  We have eliminated every annoyance so far, except for a minor trans issue that we had hoped to deal with already, but just have not had to time for.  Hopefully we will have time in March to rebuild the trans, and get a stronger rear into the car.  We are really worried about this open 10 bolt, and have been looking at the Strange S60.  If we can ever get the cash and time for bodywork and paint, the finished car will be Madiera Maroon with a white nose stripe, parchment interior.  The mechanicals are great and we are getting 27mpg on 92 octane!  The car is a real blast to drive, and the steering/suspension/brake work has really paid off. 

[67RSSS]

(repost from LS1tech)
Kevin,
You may want to put the mounts back on correctly and plan on moving the AC compressor up. Considering that you are already looking at changing the accesory routing, this may be the simplest mounting option for placing it nicely. Several vendors (including S&P) offer kits to relocate the AC higher on the pass side, but all are spendy. You could go ahead and fab the brackets yoursefl as well. Note how tightly the compressor will be placed at the crossmember, you may have to alter the xmember a bit to get proper clearance depending on where you finally settle the engine. Just a thought...

(new stuff)

Another thought for you about the accesories.  Have you considered going to the F-body routing?  Not sure of the budget, but I do know that Schwanke will sell you the LS1 intake/injectors/TB for $250 (with your L92 stuff in trade).  You would then need to either source the correct crank pulley/balancer, water pump, and brackets.  I know that March sells a really nice kit, and so does S&P.  Both kits would tuck the accesories in and up.  As for the computer, don't hide it, flaunt it!  Polish it up nicely and mount it prominantly.  Remember too that the L92 weighs less than the Poncho did, and even thought the trans is heavier, it is weight closer to the CG of the vehicle (and way behind the IC)!  This will help handling even if you do wind up sliding the engine forward 2 inches like you have.

[Kevin O]

Engine test fit # 1 -

[Kevin O]

(repost from LS1tech)
Kevin,
You may want to put the mounts back on correctly and plan on moving the AC compressor up. Considering that you are already looking at changing the accesory routing, this may be the simplest mounting option for placing it nicely. Several vendors (including S&P) offer kits to relocate the AC higher on the pass side, but all are spendy. You could go ahead and fab the brackets yoursefl as well. Note how tightly the compressor will be placed at the crossmember, you may have to alter the xmember a bit to get proper clearance depending on where you finally settle the engine. Just a thought...

(new stuff)

Another thought for you about the accesories.  Have you considered going to the F-body routing?  Not sure of the budget, but I do know that Schwanke will sell you the LS1 intake/injectors/TB for $250 (with your L92 stuff in trade).  You would then need to either source the correct crank pulley/balancer, water pump, and brackets.  I know that March sells a really nice kit, and so does S&P.  Both kits would tuck the accesories in and up.  As for the computer, don't hide it, flaunt it!  Polish it up nicely and mount it prominantly.  Remember too that the L92 weighs less than the Poncho did, and even thought the trans is heavier, it is weight closer to the CG of the vehicle (and way behind the IC)!  This will help handling even if you do wind up sliding the engine forward 2 inches like you have.

67 -

The frame stands we have are from a small-block conversion someone had previously done on another car, and they were "sacrificial" for this project, so we cut 'em down to see what's up.     We'll be setting the motor and trans back in the car this weekend to see if it worked.    Because of our timeline, I'd really like to spend as little time as possible chasing parts.   If we can make our setup work properly, we'll run it and try it out.     However, we're not going to change the car around just to accomodate our parts, either.   I'm not really up for cutting the front x-member and modding it.     If that looks like the case, we'll get the F-car serp setup. 

As for the intake - it's pretty tall, but we'll make that call when the engine is bolted in.

We're looking forward to seeing how this car handles when it's all set up.      More on that later!

Thanks for the input!

- KO

[Buster]

Sorry to be on the late show, but this is a real  kick ass project like all of the stuff you guys do!  I'm looking forward to seeing how you guys tackle the obstacles like the drive by wire, and computer hook up.

[67RSSS]

That is truly the easy part.  Hooking up the computer is a snap (literaly).  The hardest part of these swaps is the fitment of the engine/trans, oilpan modifications (most swaps require them), and getting the accesories to clear.  Headers can be an issue in some cars as well.  Overall, not much harder than any other swap.

[Kevin O]

We did some more work on the initial test fit today.     We hope to have it closer tomorrow... we're trying to put the 7-day workweeks on the front side of this build rather than the backside.    The trans seems to hit in one particular place, but it also seems to hang a little lower than I'd like.     We'll probably post another video Monday night or so.

And thanks for the encouragement... we'll need it!   We'll try to show you all the hurdles involved with this car.   

- KO

[newguy]

Good news!!!  The 6L80E is tunable with the EFILive! 

http://forum.efilive.com/showthread.php?t=7124&page=2

 

[mgilpin01]

I like the car but not the motor combination.  I like a Pontiac to remain  a true Pontiac.  Wheres the love.