V8 Radio Podcast Hosts Kevin Oeste and Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke are back with a new episode, this time chatting about a Pontiac GTO in the V8 Speed and Resto Shop owned by a true Olympian!   

Hear all about it along with a fun excursion down nostalgia lane as Kevin tracked down a rare radio for his custom Dodge Van.    The Automotive Trivia questions flow, as do a bunch of laughs and other nonsense on the V8 Radio Podcast! 

https://www.v8radio.com

https://www.v8speedshop.com

#nostalgia #classiccars #pontiacgto #carpodcast 

"Olympic GTO, Detroit Autorama, The Power Of Nostalgia, Automotive Trivia and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!" by V8 Radio Podcast.
V8 Radio Podcast
Olympic GTO, Detroit Autorama, The Power Of Nostalgia, Automotive Trivia and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!
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Take a lap through the 2023 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals with us after hours! The 2023 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals show once again was jammed with unbelievable cars and displays. In this video, we take a walk-through the show after hours where the general public was not allowed to get up close in personal with many of the cars and feature exhibits. We cover the great “Who’s The Boss?” Ford display, the dual engine 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado, then we see the big bodied Buick display, cars from AMC and Pontiac and Chevrolet, special featured 1968 Ford Torino GT 428 Cobra Jet, Saleen Mustangs, and much more.

In our previous video, we showed you our 1978 Pontiac Trans Am project and talked about our plans for a high-end pro touring build. This means that we’re designing the car to drive and handle really well, have great power, but also be very comfortable and serviceable anywhere in the country.

FIRST VIDEO: https://youtu.be/WrxW69RGQv8

The 1978 Pontiac Trans Am features a GM Performance Parts LS3 engine swap, along with a Detroit Speed subframe and front suspension. The brakes are Hydratech boosted WIlwood units, and a Heidt’s independent rear suspension will make the Trans Am handle better than it ever did. We’ve added Vintage Air, and American Autowire harness, YearOne 19” Snowflake wheels, and much more to this TA.

In this video, we’re going to focus on the exhaust system. This is a critical part of any pro touring build, as it needs to be able to flow well enough to support the engine’s power output, but it also needs to be quiet enough to be comfortable on long drives.

We started at the engine, using Hooker cast iron exhaust manifolds for the LS engine. These manifolds package well and flow very well, making them a great choice for our build. We ran the exhaust pipe underneath the center section of the independent rear suspension, which allows us to keep the exhaust tucked up and out of the way.

We also installed a pair of catalytic converters and a set of mufflers underneath the rear seat. The original muffler on this car was a transverse unit that went left to right over the rear axle well, but there’s no more space for that with the independent rear suspension. So, we modified a set of mufflers by cutting them open, reworking the internals, and making the inlet and exhaust on the same side. This gives us a turbo-style muffler that is still able to flow well and keep the sound down.

Since our customer wanted to keep the signature split exhaust tips of the Trans Am, we needed to find a way to route the exhaust pipes to the back of the car. We did this by making a custom muffler that lives underneath the rear axle. This muffler is filled with perforated pipe and packing material, which helps to reduce noise without killing performance.

Finally, we snaked the mandrel bent tubing from the custom muffler to the back of the car. We wanted to exhaust the car all the way at the back, rather than dumping it in front of the rear wheels. This is a much cleaner way to go, and it keeps the fumes out of the car and preserves the classic look of the Trans Am.

We’re really excited to hear how this exhaust system sounds! It’s been a really cool project to figure out how to make all of the pieces fit together and work properly. It is all mandrel bent 2.5” stainless tubing that is TIG welded together. We’re confident that this system will give us the performance and sound that we’re looking for.

In addition to the above, here are some other things to consider when designing an exhaust system for a pro touring car:

Ground clearance: The exhaust system needs to be routed in a way that avoids any ground clearance issues. This is especially important if you plan on driving your car on rough roads or tracks.

Heat management: The exhaust system can generate a lot of heat, so it’s important to make sure that it’s properly insulated. This will help to protect the car’s interior components from heat damage.

Aesthetics: The exhaust system is one of the most visible components on the car, so it’s important to choose a system that looks good. There are many different types of exhaust tips and pipes available, so you can find a system that matches the overall style of your car.

We believe that we have achieved all of our goals with this exhaust system. It is well designed, durable, and will produce a great sound that is both aggressive and refined. We can’t wait to hear what our customer thinks of it!

If you have a pro touring dream car, a custom car, or a cool hot rod that you need help with, please reach out to us at V8 Speed and Resto Shop. We have the experience and expertise to help you create a unique and amazing vehicle that you will be proud to own and drive.

V8 Speed and Resto Shop
817 S. Main Street
Red Bud, IL 62278
314.783.8325
https://www.v8speedshop.com

#protouring #customexhausts #v8speedshop #exhaustfabrication

SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS

This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am came to the V8 Speed & Resto Shop more like a lame duck than a bird of fire, so our team went to work adding new rear gears, a 2004R overdrive transmission, a roller cam from COMP Cams, and a FAST EZ-2.0 EFI system for better driving manners. The Pontiac 400 engine even received an unexpected refresh along the way. It’s not often to see a Pontiac 400 fuel injected engine, but this car keeps the Poncho power with modern touches.

We sell these parts and can install them on your classic or muscle car, just contact the V8 Speed & Resto Shop to talk to our technicians or to schedule your upgrades, transportation services are available.

Some of the parts used in this upgrade:

F.A.S.T. – EZ EFI 2.0 Fuel Injection System
Royal Purple – Max ATF and Max Tuff Synthetic Assembly Lube
B & M – Converter Lock-up Controller
Tanks Inc – Fuel Tank, HP Fuel Pump and Sending Unit
Shiftworks – Shifter Conversion Kit
COMP Cams – Roller Cam, Roller Lifters, Push Rods and Roller Rockers
Eastwood – High Temp Ceramic Engine Paint
K&N – Air Filter

Adding some “Bad” to the Bandit!

Calling all Trans Am fans! Buckle up, because V8 Speed and Resto Shop is taking a classic 1977 Firebird and turning it into a pro-touring monster. This isn’t your average T-Top Trans Am – it’s a non-T-Top model that’s about to receive a complete overhaul.

Take A Ride In This 1977 Pontiac LS3 Trans Am Video!

530 Horsepower Heart Transplant

The centerpiece of this transformation is a brand new LS3 V8 engine. This beast pumps out a whopping 530 horsepower, a far cry from the original engine’s output. To handle all that extra power, the shop is also installing a 4L70E overdrive transmission.

Straightening The Curves

But it’s not just about straight-line speed. V8 Speed and Resto knows that a pro-touring car needs to handle corners like a dream. That’s why they’re outfitting this Trans Am with a Global West suspension system. This upgrade will ensure precise handling and confidence-inspiring grip. YearOne 17″ wheels complete the look for any Trans Am!

Comfort is also important, even for a car built for performance. The shop isn’t forgetting about everyday usability. They’re installing a Vintage Air A/C system to keep things cool on those hot summer days.

To keep the driver informed, the classic instrument cluster is being replaced with a modern Dakota Digital gauge setup. This will provide all the essential information in a clear and stylish way.

Follow Along as we complete the transformation of this Trans Am and set it free on the open road!

 

This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am is transforming into a high-end Pro Touring car at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop. Power comes from a Chevrolet Performance LS3 V8, and it is installed in a Detroit Speed hydroformed front subframe. It’s backed by a Tremec T-56 6-speed manual transmission, sending power back to a fully independent rear suspension IRS system from Heidts.

The Trans Am is a full build at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, and was stripped to bare steel before being sprayed in a protective epoxy primer. The body had minimal rust, so it is in the test fit stage in this video. Subscribe to be updated on the progress of this car as we do all the mechanical upgrades, body and paint, complete interior, and tuning.

#transam #protouring #independent #v8speedshop

V8 Speed and Resto Shop
817 S. Main Street
Red Bud, IL 62278
314.783.8325
https://www.v8speedshop.com

SUBSCRIBE: https://goo.gl/RIkdDS

We were relieved and happy to see the super clean original body panels after this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am returned from Custom Coatings, STL. after a dustless blasting. We complete all kinds of rust repairs and custom metal fabrication here at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, but starting with the best car possible makes a huge difference.  Dustless Blasting is one of the safest and most effective ways to remove paint and rust, allowing a clean start to your muscle car restoration.   We’re happy to be able to start moving forward on this custom restomod Trans Am without having to perform lots of rust and damage repair first.   This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am is getting a full Pro-Touring restoration, including modern power and amenities while keeping a classic Trans Am look.   

1978 Pontiac Trans Am Media Blasted On Rotisserie at V8 Speed and Resto Shop

Thanks to our friends at Custom Coatings, STL, for taking care of this Trans Am while removing decades of paint!   You can reach us at https://www.v8speedshop.com to chat about your classic car or muscle car restoration.    

Custom Coatings STL Website:  https://customcoatingsstl.com/

#musclecar #dustlessblasting #paintstripping #metalwork #v8speedandresto #transam

1971 Pontiac GTO Judge 455 4-Speed Pilot Car Restored at MCACN Muscle Car Of The Week

We originally featured this great-looking 1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Pilot car on episode 338 of Muscle Car Of The Week, and now it has just been unveiled at the Continue reading “1971 Pontiac GTO Judge 455 4-Speed Pilot Car Restored at MCACN Muscle Car Of The Week”

We get a behind the scenes look at some of the happenings at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop and at V8TV Productions on this episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!   Kevin Oeste and Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke chat about the recent 1967 Pontiac GTO restoration and video, there’s an update on Kevin’s van, Automotive Trivia, and so much more on this loquacious episode of your favorite automotive podcast!

#carpodcast #v8radio #gto #v8speedandresto #musclecars  

1967 Pontiac GTO Restoration Pics and Video:  https://v8speedshop.com/pdml

Teamwork For The Win, 1967 GTO, Van Updates, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast
V8 Radio Podcast
Teamwork For The Win, 1967 GTO, Van Updates, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast
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