2006 Pontiac GTO, Torrid Red, Black Interior, Six Speed, 18" Wheels - 1 of 380 with these options

I bought this car in August of 2006 after being without a car with power for way too long. I missed my 1971 Oldsmobile with a moderately built 455 and TH400. My initial intentions for the GTO was to leave her stock. In my mind at the time I believed that the stock 400HP, 330ish to the wheels, LS2 would be enough to keep me happy.

Then I found a site called LS2GTO.com that changed my entire outlook on what I wanted. I started off by getting a Lingenfelter CAI. That was quickly followed up by a GMM rip shifter to replace the sloppy stock shifter, X pipe, Magnaflow mufflers, and a catch can. None of which had noticable power improvements.

I started kicking around the idea of staying NA and getting a nice hefty cam and some good heads. Then I remember the little problem called high gas prices. I did my research and decided on going FI. I opted for the ATI P-1SC-1 Procharger. This decision was made after talking with Arizona Power and Sound. Update: Unfortunately AZPS is no longer in business.

The original plan was made on a budget. I decided on the Procharger, along with supporting mods of 60# fuel injectors, a Walbro 255 Fuel pump, and an LS7 clutch. After getting the needed parts ordered I started thinking about it and decided to get some Kooks 1 7/8 headers along with everything else.

So it was set, or so I thought. The car got dropped off and work began. Kooks took their time getting the headers out, which meant I was stuck without a car for longer than originally planned. I made several visits to the shop to check how things were going. Although on each visit I would talk with Mike, the owner, on one particular visit he suggest I consider having Comp 918 valve springs installed, along with hardened push rods. Mike said the valve springs would stop valve float at higher RPMs and the push rods were just insurance. I thought about it for a few minutes and agreed. The items were in stock so no delay. Then Mike suggested a blower cam. He had me on the hook, but couldn't get the cam for about a week due to having to order it. I was wanting the car back ASAP so I declined the cam for the time being.

A few days later I picked up the car with a real safe tune on it. I drove it for a couple days before I could get a dyno tune done. I tried to stay out of boost as much as possible just to avoid doing any damage. I felt alittle more power there, but not what I expected. I was alittle concerned.

Tune day came and my fears were realized when on a base run the car only showed a max HP of 336. I was baffled and said to NicD, the tuner, there better be more there. He laughed and said, "Don't worry". After four more runs each of slightly higher number I saw only 433 RWHP and 419 ft/lbs torque. I was alittle disappointed until NicD told me I was only getting 2-3 PSI of boost through mid range and maxing out at 4.5-5. He suggested getting a smaller blower pulley.

I spoke with AZPS again. A 3.7 inch pulley was ordered to replace my 4 inch that was shipped with the Procharger. A few days later it was installed and tuned the same day. I ended up with 472.41 whp / 438.80 Torque with max boost of 6 psi. This was tuned with the 91 octane Arizona gas and our summer heat in mind. I drove the car and was amazed at the power increase. Now that was what I expected.

A couple of other mods were also put in the car during this time. They include BMR drag bags, a PFYC Banshee gauge pod with SCSS fuel pressure and boost gauges.

Now I plan on doing a cam in the near future. I just haven't decided which one.

I haven't been to the track for 1/4 mile times yet, but I expect some decent numbers. Definitely in the 12 second range, with 11's just a cam away if not already there with some cooler weather.

12-01-07

A little update is in order. I still haven't gone to the track to see what kind of times I would be putting down. I decided that it is pointless to go without getting some different tires. During the summer here, being in the 100's non-stop for months, I avoided abusing the car too much. No point in breaking stuff due to heat. Now that it has cooled off I realize that the stock rubber just can hold the power I am trying to put to the ground. I plan on getting some BFG KDW's, all around, for the street and some drag radials for track trips. Not to mention I need to invest in a new helmet and fire jacket.

Regardless, I have a blower cam, a LSX-ACB1-14 from Flowtech Induction, on order and some Comp 921 springs sitting on my kitchen table. I am expecting some serious gains with the new mods. I will have to down the pulley size on the Procharger to maintain the little boost I am putting through the motor, then get it tuned. I will update with the new numbers after the tune is done.

I also ordered a Kenwood DNX7100 stereo to put in it. I figured I may as well up the stereo along with everything else.

01-21-08

Well the cam install is completed. It maxed out at 579 hp / 469 torque, of course that is measured at the rear wheels. The install was done by Xtreme Motorsports and the tuning was again done by NicD.

As far as the pulley goes, I went from a 3.7" to a 3.4" and picked up a total of 3 PSI. I went from 6 to 9 PSI, which is about as far as I will push a stock LS2 with the compression these things run. As it is I figure I will find a hole in my #7 piston someday. Hopefully that day is after the car is paid off so I can afford buying a nice 427 to drop in it.

Also I, or should I say my buddy Rob, installed my Kenwood DNX7100 and I love that head unit. Nothing more I can say about that.

I think I am close to the end of the mods for this car. After I get tires, a Spec3+ clutch, some minor fuel upgrades, and upgrade the suspension it will just be a matter of replacing what I break, and stuff will break.

Lastly for this update, I rolled the rear quarters yesterday to fit some larger tires in there. It was a BBQ at a member of the Arizona Desert Goats and several of us rolled our quarters. I managed to do it without cracking the paint, I used the proper fender roller and a heat gun. Hopefully with some more meat under the rear of the car I will be able to get more of the power to the ground.

To wrap it all up here are a list of my current mods:

P-1SC-1 Procharger
Flowtech ACB1 Cam
Comp 921 Spring Kit
Hardened Pushrods
LS7 Clutch
Kooks 1 7/8 LT's
Walbro 255 Fuel Pump
60lb Injectors
NGK TR6 Plugs
AZPS Breather
160 stat
GMM Rip Shifter
Magnaflow X Pipe
Magnaflow Mufflers
Drag Bags
SLP Skip Shift Eliminator
PFYC Banshee Pod
SCSS Red Faced Boost and Fuel Pressure Gauges
Gen II MSD Dashhawk
Raptor Shift Light
Kenwood DNX7100 Head Unit