1966 GTO L92 / 6L80E / Street Challenge Project - Page 2

Rukee · 01-25-2008, 01:50 PM

I can`t believe they make oil pans and engine mount kits for that!
That install looks sooo up my alley. Gimme a week and I`ll have it in there and running.

I love doing those installs were they never should be. I once did a Olds Rocket 350 in a `78 Toyota Celica hatchback and drove it for a few years. Then updated the motor for a 550HP chevy sb, to handle the power I channeled the body and dropped it onto a shortened D-50 truck frame.
hehe, the good ole days!

Really looking forward to your next Blog V8TV!

V8TV · 02-11-2008, 10:07 AM

Hey Rukee - thanks for your offer to help! We may need it! We've test fitted, measured, scratched our heads, tested again, looked at the calendar, scratched our heads again... and we've determined that the 6L80E, while cool, is not going to fit this car in the timeframe required. The trans is just too big, and the amount of surgery needed is going to take a long time, and then it would take just as long to un-do if the trans didn't live up to expectations.

So we talked to Mark Bowler at Bowler Performance Transmissions about his upcoming project... a collaboration with Bowler, Twist Machine, and Gear Vendors to create an 8-speed 4L65E auto that can be paddle-shifted up and down through 8 gears. Sounds cool to us, and it actually fits in the car! So the story changes a little, but moves 2 gears ahead!

V8TV | Sema, Restoration,, Musclecars,, | www.V8TVshow.com | 1966 GTO Blog #4 - Shifting Gears | V8 TV, V8-TV

Rukee · 02-11-2008, 11:05 AM

That tranny looks huge! It looks like the pan is about 5" lower then the motor pan. Wonder if that pan and pick up could be cut down, shortened, and widened the pan to keep the capacity the same? Or flatten the pan right out and put a remote pickup in a holding tank, too much trouble. prolly still won`t be enough the way it looks. The new tranny sounds like it`s going to work out better in the long run anyway with the paddle shifting and an 8 speed. Will it work through all 8 gears if you just leave it in drive and drive normal? Or will you have to manually shift it all the time?

V8TV · 02-11-2008, 04:27 PM

The body of the trans won't let you cut it down, and I don't think a flat pan exists. Nor do we have time to engineer a reliable remote reservoir system.

The 8 speed is supposed to shift on it's own or manually, however you like. It's going to be fun!

V8TV · 03-10-2008, 04:44 PM

You've got a cool red one... but I think this one will be an orange of some sort.

Unfortunately, the 6L80E is just too big to fit. The whole story can be found on our forum site here...

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

So we elected to do a 4-speed auto with a Gear Vendors overdrive unit and a Twist Machine paddle shifter. 8 speeds here we come!

We received our new 4L65E transmission from Bowler Performance Transmissions the other day, and now the progress on the GTO continues...

www.V8TVshow.com - 1966 GTO Blog #5: The 4L65E Transmission Arrives

V8TV · 04-13-2008, 09:48 PM

To those looking to swap in a new Variable Valve Timing engine into your hot rod project, keep an eye on hood clearance, because the VVT hardware adds some length to the block, making accessories a little tricky. Here's what we did to make them work on the GTO.

www.V8TVshow.com - 1966 GTO Part 6: Hood Clearance?

V8TV · 04-15-2008, 10:36 AM

We zipped the body off the frame, had the frame media blasted, and boxed it up in preparation for the Air Ride Street Challenge suspension system. Pretty soon the bottom half starts going back together!

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

Rukee · 04-15-2008, 10:56 AM

Sweetness!! Keep up the good work and the video updates!!

V8TV · 04-15-2008, 11:30 AM

Thanks! We certainly will!

V8TV · 04-29-2008, 02:03 PM

The GTO's chassis got a bath in the new Eastwood Ceramic Chassis Black. We like the satin finish, and hope it has the chemical and chip-resistance for a driver. It's a 2-part catalyzed chemical that cures up hard. Spraying is pretty simple, although it seemed to like to run just a little if you "pound" it on.

Video: www.V8TVshow.com - 1966 GTO Part 8: Ceramic Chassis Paint