NEED HELP NEWBIE were to start my build

[robbie9999]

Hi Everyone ...I need help I have a 66 gto matching numbers original tri-power car which I am now looking to make into a G machine.

1. Suggestions for what chassis to buy ? I have looked at the schwartz performance one , but have also heard of the roadster ones, which is good, are the values worth the price ?

2. 6 spped tremec or 5 speed ? anywhere I can look for a good deal ?

3. LS3 motors ? where is the best place to get one cost wise ?

anyhelp would be grateful.

[bdahlg68]

Ironworks chassis!!!!

They just came out with a chassis that should fit and it looks damn sweet. Look it up on the forums (for 64-72 Chevelle)

LS3 + T56 should be relatively easy to come buy. Price depends on what you want. New or used? Stock or modded? For example!

You could even get a LS6/T56 drop out of a CTS-V or something.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=30134

Good luck and let's see some pics!!!!

[realcoray]

Originally Posted by robbie9999

Hi Everyone ...I need help I have a 66 gto matching numbers original tri-power car which I am now looking to make into a G machine.

1. Suggestions for what chassis to buy ? I have looked at the schwartz performance one , but have also heard of the roadster ones, which is good, are the values worth the price ?

2. 6 spped tremec or 5 speed ? anywhere I can look for a good deal ?

3. LS3 motors ? where is the best place to get one cost wise ?

anyhelp would be grateful.

I'm a little dubious that a full chassis is worth the cost but I suppose it depends on if you'd have a lot of work done to a stock one (and thus if you'd be paying for someone to do work to it). For like half the cost you can get the complete DSE setup for your stock frame.

[ironworks]

https://lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=30166

Let me know if you have any questions

[Roadster Shop]

Sounds like a cool project, I can hear the purist crying already!
We recently completed a 67 in the same manor for a customer that wanted much more out of his GTO.

There are a lot of major benefits from going with a complete chassis vs bolting on components to a stock frame. For starters, you have new metal vs a 40 year old frame. All of our chassis are designed to give great strength gains over the stock frame which is definitely needed. A stock frame has set mount points for suspension which limits the geometry and only allows you to go so far. With our Chevelle/GTO chassis we did the exact opposite. We started with the suspension geometry that we wanted and then built the frame around that. Many aspects of the build are taken into account in our chassis to ease the build process. Stock body mounts, bumper mounts, core support mounts, are all in the correct, factory location. Engine placement has been set so no modification is needed to the firewall. The chassis has been designed with clearance for full length headers and 3" exhaust all the way back. Rear frame rails are narrowed to accomodate a 345 series rear tire.

There would also be a considerable amount of fabrication required to get the strength and torsional rigidity out of an original frame. With a stock frame, you are also limited on ride heights, steering, and tire sizes... taller ride height and narrower tires with a steering box instead of a rack and pinion.

It all depends on what your plans are for the car and what your budget is. Definitely mention that this will be for a GTO because the GTO frame is considerably different than a Chevelle frame.

As far as performance goes, we have built several cars as test beds for our chassis to test the real world and track performance. This has also helped make several key component changes (spring rates, sway bar thicknesses, etc...) after driving to dial in the best mix of ride quality and performance handling. Our 70 Chevelle has proven that a big body Chevelle can run with the stripped down Camaros and continually place at the top in the pro-touring events.

Give me a call or shoot me an email if you have any questions.

-Phil

[nvr2fst]

Curious, Is there a big price difference (basic frame package) between the companies that do full frame production chassis. RS, Schwartz, AME, Ironworks, Any others?
We all know you get what you pay for, so no need to thrash the OP's thread on which frame is better, sometimes its just about funds.

[novanutcase]

Originally Posted by robbie9999

Hi Everyone ...I need help I have a 66 gto matching numbers original tri-power car which I am now looking to make into a G machine.

1. Suggestions for what chassis to buy ? I have looked at the schwartz performance one , but have also heard of the roadster ones, which is good, are the values worth the price ?

2. 6 spped tremec or 5 speed ? anywhere I can look for a good deal ?

3. LS3 motors ? where is the best place to get one cost wise ?

anyhelp would be grateful.

My suggestion would be to leave it alone, sell it to a collector and buy a GTO that isn't so pristine and start cutting away!!!!

John

[DRJDVM's '69]

I'm with John..... I'm far from a "numbers matching purist" but if the car is that original, I'd sell it off and work with something else.

For me its not worth going to all the effort to make a car all original and numbers matching....in fact its probably the last thing I would find myself doing.....no interest in doing that at all....but if its already that way, I wouldnt tear it apart....especially a more desireable and "less common" car like a GTO

But I'm also a firm believer in the motto "its you car, so do whatever you want to it and screw what other people think"....

[ccracin]

I'd look into what John and Ned said. You may be able to leverage the value of a numbers matching car to allow you the upgrades you want when starting with a not so nice car.

[robbie9999]

WOW BOYS !! thanks for the responses every link you sent will be studied and reviewed to see which way to go I am In Toronto and if I can find a shop that is good and not crazy expensive I would work with them too.

Any links on tranny and motors would be great Rob