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By: Tommy Parry
This build began with only a couple go-fast parts: a stock 350 Pontiac with an RPM manifold and huge air cleaner, but Bob is a busybody. Within a few months, Bob had installed a Pontiac 400 under a Formula-style hood, Boss 338 18” wheels, Hotchkis front springs and shocks, and a PTFB front steering kit.
It only took about 50 miles of driving with that configuration before he recognized that he couldn’t live with something which felt that old. So he went online and ordered a set of Detroit Speed Engineering subframe connectors, then threw in a forged 455 and a GTO’s T56.
Then came a long list of suspension goodies:
C5 Front brake setup from Custom Works
C5 Rear setup with parking brake from L&H Kustoms
Hydratech setup
Upper tubular a-arms from PTFB
Reinforced lower arms with Global West Del-A-Lum bushings
WS6 front swaybar with PST bushings
Power brakes with Wilwood tandem master cylinder and proportioning valve
Rear Hotckis springs with Konis
QTP BOP bellhousing
ATS crossmember
Hurst Driveline Solutions hydraulic kit
30-spline Eaton differential
Moser axles
3.73 gears
SpeedHut gauges with GPS speedometer
‘71 Grand Prix door handles
Once the suspension was in place, he turned his attention to the interior. In went a custom Trans Am bezel wrapped in carbon vinyl and stamped with the Speedhut gauges. With a Legarra wheel and an old Alpine deck, the interior looked nearly modern.
Six years passed with minimal problems. The biggest problems over those years were that the fuel lines dumped fumes and anytime the ambient temperature passed 78°, it would overheat when he got stuck at a stop light. Part of the reason he didn’t struggle much was that he only drove it a total of 300 miles during that period, and much of that time the engine was out getting fitted with:
SD Performance KRE heads
SD Performance Stump Puller custom ground for EFI
Holley Terminator with distributor to electronically control timing
Tribal Tubes headers
Restomod tank with fifth gen module
All new fuel line and 6AN flex line.
Black CVF serpentine kit
Vintage Air
Harland Sharpe lightweight rockers
While it was out and getting modified, he had the footwork touched up. Up front, he added a powdercoated subframe with Speedtech Streetfighter setup, a DSE steering box, and 4-piston Wilwood brakes. In the rear, he fitted DSE mini tubs and a Speedtech Torque arm. The final handling modification: a set of Boze 19” wheels—wide enough for 325-section tires in the rear.
This seven-year build is nearing its end. To keep tabs on Bob’s final steps, keep an eye on his build thread here.
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