1Bad GS becomes a "Sick Speed GS"

Years ago the Pro Touring bug bit me. As much as I like quick acceleration, I wanted something that can do it all; going around corners, stopping on a dime, rowing gears and taking longer journeys.



The past


Some history.

The 71 has been in the family since day 1 and started life as a 350 automatic bucket seat console car. Just about everything else has changed. There have been several upgrades of BBB's, 400 auto's, a 12bolt, both interior & exterior colours and the Stage 2 tribute look.
And now a close ratio 6 speed T-56 Magnum is going in. (see "Sick speed GS" project in "U shift Em" section)





Present Particulars:

Front Suspension: UMI tubular arms with .5 raised ball joints, dual adjustable Viking 550# coilovers , 1 5/16" Hellwig tubular bar, Pro Forged steering parts, Jeep Grand Cherokee fast ratio steering box.

Rear suspension: 1" Lowered coils, QA1 adjustable shocks, UMI 1" Pro Touring chassis bar, UMI tubular lower control arms, Edelbrock adjustable uppers and triangular bracing, UMI roto joints in diff ears, lotsa heim ends.

Brakes: Kore 3 adapted C6 Corvette Z51 13.38" fr/13"rr brakes, 7/8" Wilwood master

Engine: 464 11.2 cr. Ported Alum heads, solid cam, 1050 on SPX, halo girdle and Stefs custom pan. Power to 6500

Driveline: Switch pitch TH400, manual valve body, 3300 stall, Girdled 12 bolt 3.73 posi, race axles, 3.5" DOM driveshaft. G Force rigid trans x member.

Wheels & Tires: 18" Boss 338 8" & 10" with BFG -KDW245/40's front and 295/35 rear​

Tom

 

nice car Tom, I have done the same thing with mine. Got the bug and changed it all from only drag to a road cruiser. I call it my Triathlete.

Fernando

 

Nice job Tom. My 71 is similar... no sense rebuilding and returning to stock a 220,000 original mile 350, TH350, bench seat, worn out car. Pro Touring was the answer for me. All RideTech Stage II coil overs, 2" drop spindles, Wilwood brakes, Budnick 18" wheels and a lot of other goodies now. Spent every waking moment of a damn cold Wisconsin winter this year doing the big upgrade. A much hated (on this forum) but loved by me and a select few LS3 495HP, Tremec T56 Magnum 6 speed and everything else in between needed for the upgrade from the coolant system to fuel tank. Boxed in the frame and installed an HPI Customs frame kit that made a HUGE difference! This winter was a lot of fun, very frustrating, a good chunk of change, and very rewarding all at the same time.

Basically done now with some small details left. Only got one track session in at Bowling Green and blew an axle seal (rearend was only thing I didn't rebuild/replace) my first race a few weeks ago. Now custom 30 spline Moser axles (Thanks Jim, monzaz), Eaton TruTrack helical posi, 3:73s, etc are ready to be installed this weekend. The "final piece of the puzzle"... yea, who am I kidding?!?!

48 year old California paint helps the "sleeper" look but anyone with half a brain, and one good hear, knows that sound of a real lumpy beast of a cam.

I learned quite a bit swapping the TH350 for a T56 6-speed. I'd be happy to chat and share my lessons learned.

 

Sick build ! What was the total cost to swap from an Auto to T56? I’m thinking of doing the same.

 

I'm not totally finished with the swap but it will be about $6,500 USD no tax

 

Keep in mind the price above includes a $750 dual disc clutch and a $700 Sema 6.1 scattershield and includes the transmission at the Summit Racing list price.
With an adaptor plate attached to a stock BOP bell and a single disc clutch there would be some savings.

 

Thanks for sharing. The machine shop is awesome. Keep up the great work!

 

The top end...

 

No more slush box. The double disc hydraulic clutch 6 gear makes it a real fun road car.

 

Twisted Shifterz makes a cool GS shift knob

https://www.twistedshifterz.com/pro...-black-shift-knob?_pos=2&_sid=a645737d5&_ss=r

 

That's where I got my Punisher shift knob! Good quality too!