If we come across someone who performs high-end restorations or builds high-performance cars for a living, we ultimately assume that their personal vehicles are probably top show winners or the quickest on the dragstrip. While that may be true in some instances, most often those individuals are so busy working on customers’ projects that they don’t have time to finish their own.
McKinney, Texas-resident Mike White was in a similar situation for a while. The 27-year-old owns Whiteside Customs, which builds high-performance vehicles for its customers. A devout General Motors man, Mike had owned a few Pontiacs in the past. “When the new GTO was introduced, I found that its fit and finish was far superior to anything I had seen from GM up to that point,” he says. “I bought a new Impulse Blue Metallic GTO out of stock from Sewell Pontiac in Dallas, Texas, in September 2004 for just under $28,000. I felt it was a performance bargain that had solid build quality.”
Over the next few years, Mike drove his GTO daily. “I installed headers, a custom exhaust system, and a cold-air-induction package to improve performance; ride-height-reducing front and rear springs, and aftermarket wheels and tires to improve handling; and custom paint accents. I was usually building someone else’s dream car and never had the chance to modify my GTO to the level of a customer’s car,” he says.
Chassis features include a...
Chassis features include a complete Justice package from Pedders Suspension. Up front are Gen1 coilover spring and shock absorber assemblies, and a 27mm-diameter sway bar with adjustable end-links and urethane bushings. Bear six-piston calipers and 15-inch (front) and 13-inch (rear) diameter cross-drilled and slotted rotors handle braking duties.
His strong interest toward any GM performance product was piqued when Mike learned of the new-for-2009 Corvette ZR1—a high-performance model boasting a supercharged 6.2L engine generating 638 hp at the crank. “When I saw the Jetstream Blue press car, I immediately fell in love with the color. As much as I liked my GTO’s Impulse Blue Metallic, the Corvette-only color was perfect for the GTO body style and I decided a repaint was necessary.”
Mike and his crew at Whiteside Customs quickly devised a plan for the GTO. “I always thought about building a late-model GTO if ever I had the chance but figured it would be years down the road,” he says. “Well, here was my chance, so I built the GTO to my taste, which is all about pushing the limits without being flashy. In addition to color change, we planned to increase engine output to over 500 rwhp without affecting driveability.”
The GTO’s body was stripped to bare metal and some exterior panels were subtly modified. The late-model Goat was then treated to four coats of PPG K36 primer and sealer. Three coats of PPG DBC Jetstream Blue Metallic and four coats of clear followed. The finish was wet-sanded using sandpaper with grit varying from 1,500 to 3,000, and the final polish was completed using Ferecla Fast Track compound, giving it its mile-deep luster.
In addition to its ZR1-type appearance, Mike wanted ZR1-level performance from his GTO as well. “I feel that the easiest way to improve the performance of the LS1 without sacrificing street manners is with a power adder,” he says. “I thought about supercharging, but I wanted to keep the scoopless ’04 GTO hood. Certain superchargers don’t allow that, and I also wanted more power than what’s commonly available from them. I decided upon a turbocharger system for its proven performance and clean look.”
Mike considered a few different complete turbocharger systems, but based on his past experience with the Stealth Intercooled Twin Turbo System from Air Power Systems and its aesthetically pleasing underhood appearance, he ultimately opted to go that route for his GTO. “We had used them before on customers’ cars, and they always fit and functioned well. They made great power and really kept the engine compartment very clean looking,” he says.
While the GTO’s stock fuel...
While the GTO’s stock fuel system is sufficient for a mildly modified LS engine, a completely new one intended for forced-induction systems is required to feed the hungry mill during high-boost conditions. The APS system uses two high-volume fuel pumps capable of feeding up to 1,000 hp and includes a new anti-surge fuel tank. Fuel pressure is regulated to 60 psi at the fuel rail during normal operation, and the GTO’s original 28-pound fuel injectors were replaced by a set of 60-lb/hr units from FAST.
A catch-can from Billet Prototypes...
A catch-can from Billet Prototypes keeps oil from being ingested through the PVC system. The inlet tube in the center connects the turbo charger to its filter.
Each turbocharger is fed fresh...
Each turbocharger is fed fresh air through an open-element air filter that’s located behind the front fascia and directly ahead of the front tire.
Originally Impulse Blue Metallic,...
Originally Impulse Blue Metallic, Mike White of McKinney, Texas, bought this ’04 GTO new and enjoyed it for several years. It took just one look at the Jetstream Blue Metallic finish on the ’09 Corvette ZR1 for him to realize that the hue was perfect for his GTO. Not stopping at looks alone, the original LS1 was modified to provide ZR1-type performance.
To the untrained eye, the...
To the untrained eye, the engine compartment of this ’04 GTO looks as if it houses an original naturally aspirated LS1 rated at 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque that model year. While the engine may still be the GTO’s original, what’s virtually undetectable from this view is the twin-turbo system that practically doubles its output. After tuning, the GTO put down 533 rwhp and 517 lb-ft at the rear tires.
At the heart of the APS system...
At the heart of the APS system are twin 16G turbochargers. The units are mounted beneath the engine, where heat is drawn away by airflow passing under the vehicle, for consistent performance. Down-tubes at 2.5-inch diameter rush pressurized air from each turbocharger to the oversized liquid-to-air intercooler. The turbos are capable of producing about 12 pounds of boost, but they are limited to 7.5 pounds via adjustable wastegates from Tial. Exhaust is routed out through a 3-inch system that features an x-type crossover and Spintech mufflers. Even though exhaust catalysts are not used and the O2 sensors have been tuned out, Mike reports that it still passes local emissions inspections.
Full instrumentation was standard...
Full instrumentation was standard equipment on the GTO. A Stage 3 clutch package from Pink Clutch Company channels power from the boosted LS1 to the original Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission. A B&M Ripper Shifter makes gear changes much smoother.
The GTO’s factory Blaupunkt...
The GTO’s factory Blaupunkt sound system gave way to a Pioneer Avic D3 head unit, dual amps from Infinity, Kappa speakers and JBL subwoofers.
Mike liked the clean look...
Mike liked the clean look of the flat ’04 GTO hood, so the original was replaced by a reproduction constructed of carbon-fiber from Maverick Man. The upper and lower grille inserts are from West Coast Speed.