High Performance Pontiac Homepage

Pontiac Solstice GT Mallett - The Velvet Hammer

Mallett Pounds Some Power Into The Smooth Solstice With A 400hp LS2 V-8

writer: Steve Temple
photographer: Steve Temple
Car owner Mike Jonas blacked out the silver grille and replaced the marker lights with PIAA blue driving lights and turn signals from a Mini. Working with Aero Collision, he grafted RKSport's GTO hoodscoops with functional screened vents and the ironing board raised center-section, which extends forward to the Pontiac arrowhead emblem, creating an edgier and more aggressive profile.

This V-8 Solstice is fitted with a Penske remote reservoir shock system.
Not about to skimp on whoa power, SSBC's Tri-Power three-piston calipers all around help this V-8 Solstice stop short.
Upgraded springs are also part of the Mallett base package; the remainder of the suspension is stock Solstice.
Katzkin seat covers add a custom touch and tie the stripe color to the interior. Mike added a Hurst shifter on the transmission tunnel, and gear changes are aided by a Centerforce clutch. Note the Mallett dash plaque denoting this V-8 Solstice as number 003. Plans are for just 100 to be made this year.

Let's cut right to the juicy part: What's it like to drive a Solstice stuffed with a 400-horse, 6.0-liter, LS2 V-8? Imagine the spine-tingling thrill of piloting a nimble sports car with low-end torque in abundance, where too much is just about right; where a subtle stab of the go-pedal induces all the wheelspin you could possibly ask for and more, with tail-out driving at the slightest provocation, then you'll relish this V-8 version of the Pontiac Solstice GT.

With its Mallett LS2 engine conversion, along with a number of enhancements from Mike Jonas of Stainless Steel Brakes (800/448-7722 www.ssbrakes.com), this Solstice is more fun than any car has a right to be. No matter what you want to do, it's ready to be your new best friend. The LS2 Solstice possesses lightning-fast acceleration, the sweetest exhaust note this side of a new GTO, and genuine excitement every time you push your right foot to the firewall.

You want numbers? Mallett's testing [HPP was not present for these tests.-Ed.] produced company claims of 4.4 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. That's two full seconds quicker than a stock Solstice. And it'll run up to 100 mph in less than half the time (10.2 versus 21.0 seconds).

The V-8 Solstice's 0- to 60-mph acceleration figures are comparable to a Corvette's despite the difference in weight between them because the shorter gearing on the Solstice requires an extra shift to get to 60 mph. Its transmission channels torque to the Solstice's independent rearend that features a 3.91:1 ratio. The gears are housed in a rear axle derived from the Cadillac CTS, which was chosen for its excellent performance characteristics and high torque capability. A limited-slip rear differential is available. It uses a pre-loaded, friction clutch-type design and divides power equally between both rear wheels during normal driving conditions, but in low-traction conditions, the differential transfers torque to the wheel with better grip. Not only that, the Solstice is one tail-waggin' puppy, so it takes some finesse to keep it off the wall and headed in a straight line down the strip.

We're not griping, though. This is a real sports car, a wild hair that requires your full attention. You really have to drive the Solstice, and with your inputs, be they steering, braking or acceleration, all become an integrated part of the sensory experience. No autopilot wanted here-that's the real fun of this vehicle.

This type of full-tilt boogie shouldn't come as that big a surprise to high-performance Pontiac readers. Dropping a hot V-8 into a lightweight body is a time-honored and highly successful approach to producing exhilarating performance. Look at the original GTO and Firebird. This two-seater however, is more akin to Shelby's Cobra.

Like the underpowered AC Ace that was infused with 289 Ford power via Carroll Shelby to create the legendary AC Cobra, the Solstice could really use a shot in the arm if blistering straight-line performance is the goal. After all, the 2.4-liter, Ecotec four-banger puts out a modest 177 hp. Although GM has a turbo version of the Solstice in the works as you read last month ("Solstice GXP: A Serious Boost In Perform-ance"), and adding 83 hp will certainly improve acceleration and maintain a balanced package, it's still not 400 hp.

As you can see, Mallett Cars knew that fact all too well. The company saw the opportunity to blend the brute power of the LS2 with the sports car prowess of the Solstice and seized it. Mallett Cars Ltd. (440/243-8550 www.mallettcars.com) was founded in 1997 by racing veterans Chuck and Lance Mallett. They're known for building some of the fastest signature-series C5 Corvettes, along with C6 Corvettes and V Series Cadillacs. With all this firsthand experience breathing on Corvette engines, whattya do next? Stuff one into a Pontiac Solstice, of course.

It's not a simple swap, yet Mallett Cars engineered the transplant as a complete package, and did extensive track and street testing to ensure the car handles better than stock with that big load of LS2 firepower up front. The cars are equipped with Genuine and Official Licensed Products of GM including the OEM catalytic converters for emissions compliance. This package retains stock features such as cruise control, ABS brakes, and all OBD-II diagnostics. Mallett Cars backs the Solstice with a two-year, 24,000-mile warranty, and the package costs $19,995 (see package specifics in the sidebar).


1  | 2  | 3  | Next
Get a FREE no-hassle price quote on any new car.

Related Photos

Related Articles

 
Pontiac LSX Engine Event - GM Performance Parts LSX Shootout
Firebirds Lead The Charge At This Inaugural Event... more
 
Pontiac Automotive Battery Boot Camp - Part 2
The History And Identification Of The Delco-Remy Pontiac Battery Part II: The Hard-Top 1966-1975... more
 
1962 Pontiac Catalina - Super Special Super-Duty
This '62 Catalina Was Not Only A Motor Trend Test Car, It Might Also Be The First Factory-Built... more
 
High Performance Pontiac August 2008 Table of Contents
Owning A Limited Edition '72 455 SSJ Grand Prix Back In The Day Was Special, But Finally Having It... more
 
1972 Pontiac GTO - Golden Opportunity
Mike Marx Jumped At The Chance To Preserve This Ultra-Rare Shadow Gold '72 WW5 455 H.O. GTO'S Rich... more
 
2008 Pontiac G8 GT - G8 GT Road Test
Pontiac Takes Its Latest Swing At The High End And Has The Punch To Back It Up... more
 
1972 Pontiac 455 Grand Prix - Second Helping SSJ
Owning A Limited Edition '72 455 SSJ Grand Prix Back In The Day Was Special, But Finally Having It... more
 
Pontiac Pure Stock Series - Pontiac Pavement Pounders Shootout Part IV
A '74 SD-455 T/A, '67 400 H.O. GTO, And A '69 350 H.O.-Equipped Custom S Tear Up The Tarmac At... more
 
Ceramic Coat Finish - Up Close With Ceramic Coat - Pontiac Tech
Learning The Ins And Outs Of A Ceramic-Coated Finish... more
 
Pontiac 400 Engine Build - Pump Gas Pounder
Will TIP's 400 Block/KRE Head Combo Produce More Than 600 HP On 93-Octane?... more

Pontiac Forum

 
BAD misfire on a 68 400 please help
Hi all- First post hope its in the correct place. My 68 400 began to develop a light mis/ surge... more
 
Overheating Pontiac 400
Recently finished a complete resto on my 79 *** On the way to my first show she decided to... more
 
Exhaust?
I am a new generation Trans AM Owner. I have a stock 1999 Trans AM and I am looking for exhaust I... more
 
Exhaust
I am a new generation Trans AM Owner. I have a stock 1999 Trans AM and I am looking for exhaust I... more
 
Positives and negatives of alluminum flywheels on the street
Hey guy's I have a 78 TRANS AM,I built a 461 stroker motor with a 400 block topped it with... more

Pontiac Blog

 
Pontiac Racing Grand Am Series
Pontiac Daytona Prototype (DP) teams are on their way to Sonoma’s wine country for round 12 of the... more
 
Florida BOPC Show Scheduled for October
The Florida Buick Olds Pontiac Cadillac (BOPC) show is scheduled for October 25, 2008 at Old... more
 
THOMAS E. BONSALL, AUTOMOTIVE HISTORIAN AND JOURNALIST, PASSES AWAY
On July 15th at 1:30p.m., Thomas E. Bonsall—writer and publisher of automotive histories—passed... more
 
GREAT BIG FIERO SHOW
On September 6th and 7th join your fellow Fiero Enthusiasts from near and far for our annual... more
 
SEMA SAYS RESTORATION, STREET ROD/CUSTOM MARKETS COMBINE FOR $2.5 BILLION RETAIL
For more than 50 years, hot rodding has been an integral part of the specialty-equipment industry,... more