04' GTO front mount TC78 LQ4

**JAX04** · 12-12-2010, 12:42 PM

Its been a long time since i posted on this forum, so i Just thought id share my latest build with everyone here. After the first round build that never got started and had to sell all my parts, and the nitrous, and the previous rearmount turbo setup, i finally got to get started on my Front Mount TC78 with a 1.15 A/R hotside Build. Round 4?? i think now, lol.

Its been a real pain in the ass so far, no lies. I wanted to use the driver side, Not happening :bang: i now have to relocate the battery to the trunk, (needed done anyway, forced upgrade?

) and re-route a couple coolant lines, nothing i cant handle though.

I currently have a built 4l60 with a yank 3200 stall, and now a LQ4 with ARP 2000 rod bolts and Head bolts. Should live for a little while, atleast until my AES 390ci motor is built.

so, on with the pics. (sorry, my phone only has a 5.0 MP camera )

turbo

manifold on motor

driver side exit

bend down from driver manifold, PAIN IN ASS! i hate pie cutting, oh, the pieces that made this, are the left overs from the pieces that were supposed to make it, lmao. i guess my thinking was way backward. lol

looking toward passenger side where turbo will be

a look at the driver side down turn

passenger side downturn that will go into the merge

basic idea of where the merge will be, i may not use this piece, i may make my own to save alot of space. its probably too tall this way.

Lots more to come, this was just today and a little last night.

Im still a bit nervous about the alternator on the lq4 as the upper bolt on the bracket that bolts to the block next to the motor mount is not the same size, so i will need to find that bolt from a junk yard or something. just doesn’t make sense. :bang:

Well i decided to tackle my down pipe tonight, and was quite surprised with what i was able to do this time around, seems like after my attempts before then jay really helping me out the other day, i was able to get something else accomplished, im quite happy with it, turns out any kind of extended welding is not easy with a hood that doesnt dim the arc for shit!
heres some pics, im going to be installing an electric cut out on the downpipe so that i can meet the rules for having mufflers and still be able to run wide open for mega fun :twisted:

more to come as things progress

**Texas Jack** · 12-13-2010, 06:15 AM

Cool stuff, like the project and all the pics, keep us updated!!!

**cammed goat** · 12-15-2010, 05:24 PM

Once finished...time for slicks.

**JAX04** · 12-17-2010, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by cammed goat

Once finished...time for slicks.

you know it

then will be time to upgrade rear end, as im sure those axles/stubs wont take this torque and hard launches for very long.

**Texas Jack** · 12-17-2010, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by JAX04

you know it

then will be time to upgrade rear end, as im sure those axles/stubs wont take this torque and hard launches for very long.

What kind of #'S you looking at and you looking for a cam to back up the upgrade! Keep the pics comming. Axles/stubs will work for a while, might want to replace them before hand so nothing else gets screwed up!!!

**Sarge** · 12-18-2010, 03:39 AM

I upgraded my rear axles to the Porsche axles. Aint gonna break them hogs.
Nice write up here...thanks for taking the time and posting friend.

**JAX04** · 12-18-2010, 03:51 AM

NOt a thing sarge. I enjoy this site, i just dont tend post to much, not sure why. im going through a couple things right now, but i should be able to post up some more pics soon.

Small update, i did get my hot side back from my welder buddy and mocked it back up. I have stopped though since posting these pictures.

im waiting to pick up a cam from the same friend. The Stock LQ4 cam will literally fall off around 4.5 to 5k which is unacceptable to my turbo, so we are doing a simple z06 cam swap.

**Sarge** · 12-18-2010, 04:11 AM

I hear you.......yeah I have changed /tuned to various cams in both the GTO and the Silverado lately.....wrong cam for the right applications will miss the mark for sure.
Fricking DoD delete was a PITA on the Silverado. Did not have oil pressure for shit with the stock valley tray....damn DoD solenoids bleed....had to get a 2009 vette valley tray to get my oil pressure back.

**JAX04** · 12-19-2010, 05:44 AM

ive heard horror stories about deleting the DoD. Glad you got her worked out though

and your more then right about wrong cam missing the mark.

Im only going this route becuase its a tried and true advantage over the stocker. When the 390ci stroker is built, ill be having a cam spec'd for that setup. This is mearly a hold me over till next year.

Ive got a class here locally that i want to race in. just have to start ripping her apart.

Question about your cage, i read that sticky yesterday, is that piece a good place to start?? or would you recomend just starting from scratch??

**Sarge** · 12-19-2010, 10:53 AM

No it is a good cage. I would just weld on the other two (door) braces and you have a 6 point cage. I run it all the time and the "inspection" guys just look in the door and say OK....and I am just a 4 point cage. They have never said anything.

**JAX04** · 12-19-2010, 06:29 PM

good to know sarge, i may end up going that route to start things off.

Im still up in the air on weather i want to start tearing into the goat or not.

Im really thinking that i may just buy an Fbody and go to town on that.

i love my goat

lol

**qwkgto** · 12-21-2010, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by JAX04

you know it

then will be time to upgrade rear end, as im sure those axles/stubs wont take this torque and hard launches for very long.

looks good so far...
when u break that weak trans I have a 400 turbo ill sell you!lol
its a tight fit I did twins in the front this year on my car.did not like them put them back in the rear.

**JAX04** · 12-22-2010, 03:25 AM

well, how much??? im assuming ill need to have it gone through, and also, how made it?

**qwkgto** · 12-22-2010, 05:56 AM

the trans is in perfect shape,I had it in my car for around 200 miles,was origianly built for my monte carlo 540 bbc,was built by JW out of Florida,is good for at least 1500hp reverse valve body,deep pan,trans sheild blow proof JW bell,new ls to 400 converter bolts right into the GTO I even have it wired and working with the shift selector on the side of the trans. $3000 for the whole setup. only reason I changed it I wanted the overdrive,this is a bad ass trans,has the same setup they use on their monster trucks.

I will garantee it to be in perfect working order 100% in writing.and if you want through paypal.

**JAX04** · 12-22-2010, 09:30 AM

I would def have to pass on that. but i appreciate the offer

**qwkgto** · 12-22-2010, 11:33 AM

no problem if you make any power above 550 none of those weak 60s or 65s will last dont care who builds them,my goat ate 10 of em in less then a year thats when i was around 700ish to the rear wheels,our cars are sleds,11s are ok for the 60-65 maybe some high 10s but after that they dont take that power long,read up all us fast guys run a 400 or in my case a 4l80e built to the hilt.as i enjoy driving mine and the gas milage is awesome.

**qwkgto** · 12-22-2010, 11:41 AM

my twins upfront,way too much heat even after I wraped the pipes still wanted to melt shit,was not my idea of fun.

**JAX04** · 12-23-2010, 03:00 AM

nice, and trust me, i know the 60 wont last, never expected it too, im on my second 60 now. never in a million years expected it to last.

lol. Ive been all about a 400 for over a year now. ill get there, just not in a hurry, hell my car has been on jackstands more then its been on the ground this year. Literally. Its not big deal to me.

did you sell that front mount kit?? i dont want it, just curious if you sold it or not.

**qwkgto** · 12-23-2010, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by JAX04

nice, and trust me, i know the 60 wont last, never expected it too, im on my second 60 now. never in a million years expected it to last.

lol. Ive been all about a 400 for over a year now. ill get there, just not in a hurry, hell my car has been on jackstands more then its been on the ground this year. Literally. Its not big deal to me.

did you sell that front mount kit?? i dont want it, just curious if you sold it or not.

I know what you mean about being broke down from the trans issues,i missed several years of good racing dueing the spring and fall because of just transmissions failing,I did not sell the front mount I was not happy with it I was certainly not going to let anyone else have it! I think its really hard to make a front mount work and make big power in our cars because of the space limitations on the 04-06 gto's,at least and maintain all the street drivabilities and creature comforts. anyone can gut a car take off power steering the abs brakes and such,I like the fat pig the way she came.guess all one needs to do is make more power and upgrade the brakes,trans.lol

**qwkgto** · 12-23-2010, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Sarge

No it is a good cage. I would just weld on the other two (door) braces and you have a 6 point cage. I run it all the time and the "inspection" guys just look in the door and say OK....and I am just a 4 point cage. They have never said anything.

that would be nice,ive not even got a cage in mine,depends on the tracks,yes I want a cage but I want it custom bent to look like it belongs in the car ,one I have to walk up and look into the car to see,checked here with the officials about the cage you have Sarge they said no way they pass a bolt in cage,so your right it would need welded into the chassis.Im going chrome molly 10 point so mine will be good for 8.50 doubt i ever want to push that envelope but its a added benefit to saftey,low 9s maybe a few high 8s is fast enough for me .