Chris Brito's GTO may not...
Chris Brito's GTO may not be a sleeper, but most people won't suspect just how awake and scary it can be.
When you live in the land of high-rollers-Miami-playing in the car game is something of a challenge. Twenty-year-old Chris Brito may not be able to toy with some of the more intense exotics, but by dumping all of his eggs into one basket, he was able to build one wild '05 GTO. Now he's a contender, even as a small fish in a big sea.
Chris' stepfather, Mark Bassio, owns a '68 GTO. "Growing up around that car really made me appreciate musclecars. I loved the GTO," he says. This was reaffirmed for young Chris when the new Goat made its debut for '04. "At the time they came out, I instantly loved it, but I couldn't afford one." Lured in by the clean, sedate styling and LS power, Chris promised himself that he would buy one as funds allowed.
As he grew older, there wasn't much on his mind other than the usual late-teen interests and buying his GTO. He got a job as a lifeguard for one of the many aquatically-endowed locations in Miami Beach and began to save his pennies, all while going to school full-time. Soon enough, Chris was ready to enter the market for his dream car, and he had big plans for it, too. "I knew all about how well the LS engines respond to modifications, so I knew I was going to mod it." He located an '05 Torrid Red six-speed on AutoTrader and snatched it up for a fair price.
The Ruff Racing R280 wheels...
The Ruff Racing R280 wheels have a massive lip.
When Chris was introduced to Johnny Ramirez at D Revolution Motorsports in Davie, Florida, the pair began to strategize on just how intense this Goat would become. Johnny, being a teacher and former GM technician, was planning on opening a new shop, and building a killer poster car would make for an excellent way to enter the aftermarket. Chris was game and entertained Johnny's suggestions and plans.
The already stout LS2 produces 400 hp out of the box. With Johnny whispering in his ear, this power output was ready to be increased substantially. Starting from the front, a ProCharger P-1SC-1 kit with intercooler was installed with a 3.40-inch pulley to generate 12 psi. The tubing feeds into a stock MAF and then a VMax Motorsports CNC-ported 90mm throttle body, bolted to a polished Professional Products intake manifold for a bit of show and go. The stock LS6/2 heads flow 257/183 cfm at 0.600-inch lift, and with the addition of the supercharger, they're certainly realizing every bit of that airflow potential.
Since a custom D Revolution-grind supercharger cam spins inside the engine, 921 Comp springs and chrome-moly pushrods were installed to add to the valvetrain's reliability. D Revolution tells us the cam specs are 232/240-degrees duration at 0.050 with 0.595/0.607 lift on a 114-degree LSA, as utilized with the factory 1.7:1 rockers. Jet Hot-coated Pacesetter long-tube headers with 1 3/4-inch primaries and 3-inch collectors evacuate the spent fumes into a SpinTech exhaust.
The 6.0 liter LS2 has been...
The 6.0 liter LS2 has been treated to a VMax Motorsports CNC-ported 90mm throttle body; a Professional Products polished intake manifold and fuel rails; and MSD coils and wires, but the big ProCharger P-1SC-1 and intercooler generating 12-psi of boost garners most of the attention when the hood goes up. This proven power-maker has left Chris room to grow into if he chooses to step up the boost levels after adding forged engine parts.
One price you pay with forced induction is the increased fuel demand under load. To meet the requirements, Johnny installed a Lingenfelter High-Flow in-tank fuel pump with Siemens 60-lb/hr fuel injectors, tuned with HPTuners software on the dyno. On the rollers, the Aussie-born Goat generated 575 rwhp, according to the owner. A Centerforce II clutch and B&M shifter help Chris manage his gear selections and send the power back to the stock 3.46 rear.
Under the car, the comfy factory springs were replaced with Eibachs all around for approximately a 1.2-inch drop and a more aggressive spring rate. Chris also enhanced the looks with a set of staggered Ruff Racing R280 wheels, measuring 18x8 up front and 18x8.5 out back. His tire selection is the continually street-proven Nitto NT555, measuring 245/40ZR18 in front; the drag-radial version checks in at 275/35ZR18 out back.
To increase the two-tone effect inside, red interior trim was taken from a donor 21st-century GTO found online. Sitting in his new red leather seats, Chris can check engine vitals with an Auto Meter Cobalt boost gauge and AEM air/fuel gauge in a dash pod. Finally, a Pioneer CD/DVD player completes the experience.
Chris is just one example of how older generations impact the youth, as his stepfather's classic GTO led him to the purchase of his '05. Once he met Johnny, all bets were off as they set out to build a street bruiser that can comfortably park next to any Ferrari, and possibly tame the Italian-bred supercar in a straight-line competition.
Now that Chris' GTO is finished, he drives it daily with pride among the exotics of Miami Beach.
The only changes inside have...
The only changes inside have been the addition of the red leather seats from another '04-'06 GTO, a Pioneer CD/DVD player, and the set of gauges on the dash.
A set of Eibach springs lower...
A set of Eibach springs lower Chris' Goat approximately 1.2-inches and the blacked-out surrounds make the hood scoops appear larger than stock.
As the sun sets in Miami this...
As the sun sets in Miami this 575 rwhp '05 GTO is ready to tame the night.