[Steve Barcak]

Here is a project I did in the 1987-88 time frame. This was before the "G" machine term, I called it a GT car. Up to that time in my life I was basically a "bolt on" guy. Meaning I had no welding or fabrication skills, everything I did was bolted on. I drove daily to work a pretty Lucerne blue '72 GTO that had a roller cam and ran 11.70's. It was fun but, I wanted more. I had done all the bolt on, plastic bushing, sway bars, etc.
I always wanted my first car, a '69 GTO to be the ultimate handler and still go fast in the quarter but, I decided use a '69 Lemans body shell and put many of the parts from my '69 GTO. I wanted to learn to make things better anbd do welding and fabricating and I didn't want to learn on my GTO by cutting it up.
Here is what I ended up with. Engine, I used both a 428 and a 455 both with Ram Air IV heads and a Comp roller cam and nitrous oxide and 2" Hooker competition headers, I built a large custom pan to aid oiling in hard corners. I used a scattershield and a nash 5spd with a custom widened (not narrowed)12 bolt rear.
For tires and wheels- on the front I used 15 by 10" centerlines on Pirelli P7 285/40 VR-15 tires, on the rear I used 15 by 12" Centerlines on Pirelli P7 345/35VR-15 remember, this was before the "Z" ratings at that time, this was the top tire and rated at over 200 mph.
To get the car low and still have adequate ground clearance for the 2" headers and scattersheild I, with a lot of thought and measuring, chopped the frame at the firewall about 2". By doing this I, affectively, lowered the whole car around the eng and trans. I alsohad to cut out and raise the trans/driveshaft tunnel. Then I spent a lot of time working with the front steering and suspension to get it to work better. I, again cut the frame, this time in front of the control arms, I raised the frame horns to eliminate bump steer and I use the center link, idler and box from a WS-6 T/A. I did experiment with the 2nd gen spindles but dumped them as they increased my turning circle considerably.
This is getting too long, but, there is so much to say. It had a 45 gallon fuel capacity, rear discs that I adapted, Recaro LS seats and a very special 3,200 watt sound system with 8 12" sub woofers in a 16 cu foot box. Some of the amp boxes were built into the floor too. It had 2 separate charging systems/alternaters too. It had a/c, a roll bar with racing belts, high power Hella head lights and on and on. To get weight off of the front of the car, I used a 1 piece fiberglass tilt front end. The car handled so well it would hurt the muscles in my neck. Yuou actually had to relearn driving an A body. It was an animal. Here is a pic of her. I'll be doing a more complete story of her on my web site. Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

[This message was edited by Steve Barcak on January 18, 2004 at 12:26 AM.]

[Steve Barcak]

Here is a project I did in the 1987-88 time frame. This was before the "G" machine term, I called it a GT car. Up to that time in my life I was basically a "bolt on" guy. Meaning I had no welding or fabrication skills, everything I did was bolted on. I drove daily to work a pretty Lucerne blue '72 GTO that had a roller cam and ran 11.70's. It was fun but, I wanted more. I had done all the bolt on, plastic bushing, sway bars, etc.
I always wanted my first car, a '69 GTO to be the ultimate handler and still go fast in the quarter but, I decided use a '69 Lemans body shell and put many of the parts from my '69 GTO. I wanted to learn to make things better anbd do welding and fabricating and I didn't want to learn on my GTO by cutting it up.
Here is what I ended up with. Engine, I used both a 428 and a 455 both with Ram Air IV heads and a Comp roller cam and nitrous oxide and 2" Hooker competition headers, I built a large custom pan to aid oiling in hard corners. I used a scattershield and a nash 5spd with a custom widened (not narrowed)12 bolt rear.
For tires and wheels- on the front I used 15 by 10" centerlines on Pirelli P7 285/40 VR-15 tires, on the rear I used 15 by 12" Centerlines on Pirelli P7 345/35VR-15 remember, this was before the "Z" ratings at that time, this was the top tire and rated at over 200 mph.
To get the car low and still have adequate ground clearance for the 2" headers and scattersheild I, with a lot of thought and measuring, chopped the frame at the firewall about 2". By doing this I, affectively, lowered the whole car around the eng and trans. I alsohad to cut out and raise the trans/driveshaft tunnel. Then I spent a lot of time working with the front steering and suspension to get it to work better. I, again cut the frame, this time in front of the control arms, I raised the frame horns to eliminate bump steer and I use the center link, idler and box from a WS-6 T/A. I did experiment with the 2nd gen spindles but dumped them as they increased my turning circle considerably.
This is getting too long, but, there is so much to say. It had a 45 gallon fuel capacity, rear discs that I adapted, Recaro LS seats and a very special 3,200 watt sound system with 8 12" sub woofers in a 16 cu foot box. Some of the amp boxes were built into the floor too. It had 2 separate charging systems/alternaters too. It had a/c, a roll bar with racing belts, high power Hella head lights and on and on. To get weight off of the front of the car, I used a 1 piece fiberglass tilt front end. The car handled so well it would hurt the muscles in my neck. Yuou actually had to relearn driving an A body. It was an animal. Here is a pic of her. I'll be doing a more complete story of her on my web site. Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

[This message was edited by Steve Barcak on January 18, 2004 at 12:26 AM.]

[78 GHOST]

Steve, let me be the first to say: "SCHWINNNNGGG!!!"

____________________________________
Much love out to my Peeps

[Steve Barcak]

Here are some stereo pics. Remember, this was before having a big stereo was a "getto" thing. This was a masterpiece and I had a 'million' dollars in the stereo alone. Steve www.pontiacheaven.org

[Steve Barcak]

Here's a pic of the pan I built, in the background you can see how aggressive the rear tire/wheel combo was.

[Steve Barcak]

This picture shows the dual alt drive, a/c, custom 5 row radiator, oil cooler, and system 1 filter. Steve www.pontiacheaven.org

[Steve Barcak]

Here's the rear discs, 345/35 Pirellis, very massaged 1/4s. Remember, this was over 15 years back. I took these pics with a throw away camera. Steve www.pontiacheaven.org

[Steve Barcak]

Here's most of the stereo laid out before install. Steve www.pontiacheaven.org

[Steve Barcak]

Here's a pic with the front end up. Note the relation of the motor height to the car itself. Has anyone ever done so much work themselves to make a super , handling, GT type car? I learned a lot building this one and carry that knowledge to this day. Steve www.pontiacheaven.org

[mrdan7]

NICE "G" Machine


Steve, The 45 Gallon Tank Really tells it all on our Pontiacs!



GOOD-GRINS.. MRDAN7

[Steve Barcak]

Dan, thanks. I used a 25 gal tank out of a GP and then had a 20 gal auxllary mounted in the front part of the trunk. the 2nd tank had a separate fuel pump to fill the main tank as needed. The 2nd tank was also removeable when I needed more trunk room. The idea was to be capable of running at high speed for long distances if I chose to. The car had 4 batteries in the trunk, 3 for the stereo (again with its own alt) and 1 for the main charging system. If ever needed, I had a high current relay attached to both so I could jump myself at the flick of a switch. I still have this car. Steve www.pontiacheaven.org

[andrewb70]

Very cool. How did the stereo sound?

Andrew

Project GatTagO

[Judge not]

Very nice. Is that a flip up front clip, If it is where did you get it and do you like it? I'm trying to build a G machine out of my 70 goat. I want to shave some weight too.

[Steve Barcak]

John,
Yes, it's a one piece fiberglas tilt front end ad that is a story in itself. One of my biggest mentors was my brother Joe, 12 years to my senior. Joe passed away last year. Joe had a '69 Judge he bought in 1970. In '72, he found this front end and traded his metal front end off of his Judge for the 'glass tilt. By '73 ( I was 12 then) Joe had turned his Judge into one of the fastest cars in the Phoenix area. It featured this 'glass tilt front end, a 428 with a roller cam, high stal converter and 4.88s out back in a 12 bolt. It wound, honest to God, do wheel stands on Central ave (that was where everybody cruised back then)! I had many rides in that car and the impressions set me in a life direction that continues to this day. Right before my 15th birthday, Joe had moved on to other things. He had always preferred to have a '64 and he had found one so I talked him into letting me buy that 'glass tilt. He had taught me the virtues of taking 300 pounds off of the front of a performance car. "It was an advantage you will always have, whether your motor is runing good or not, you will always have better wieght transfer, ease of maintenance, better braking, cornering, etc. It effectively makes your car act smaller".
I bought that glass front end on my 15th birthday with money earned from mowing lawns, selling bicycle parts and my paper route. My parents had a fit, and threatened me to give it back to my brother. I remember my mom saying to me " you just turned 15, you don't even own a car yet, how do you know what kind of car you are going to buy?" Well , I knew what I wanted and by the time I was 15 and six months, I was looking at GTOs to buy, with or without a front end. My Dad was way cool on the deal and was happy I was doing something constructive with my time instead of wasting it on sports or getting into trouble. He let me do what I wanted as long as I paid for it myself.
Again, sorry for being so long but, this 'glass tilt was my very first car part. You can probably get them through VFN or Body source. I'm building a tilt front for my nostalgia '65 Tempest funny car too. The tilt makes it so easy to work on and takes off so much weight. But, it takes work to fit it right. It takes ambition and determination that I don't see with most people. But, you get the satisfaction of having something way cool and you reap the benefits. You have to ask your self, are you up to it? I know I am. Steve www.pontiacheaven.org

[GS470]

Way cool! I love the stance on that car.

'72 LeMans 2Dr Hardtop
My first car, purchased in 1980
Enhancements performed Spring-Fall '03, still workin' out the bugs
468 Stroker by SD Performance
Tremec TKO II 5spd
---------------------------
'96 Corvette Grand Sport (#470 out of 1000 produced)
LT4 w/ couple of breathing mods, 6spd

[Judge not]

Thanks Steve. Sweet.