This is the view most people...
This is the view most people get of Martin’s Goat, as their ears fill with the nasty growl emanating from Stainless Works square exhaust tips.
Engineers live in a world of limits. Their mission is to achieve a predetermined outcome, working within certain constraints at every step of the process. Those parameters are often determined by the realities of economics, the limits of technology, or the personal preferences of the client. Whether it is bringing to market a bathroom faucet or a launching a communications satellite, the finished product must achieve all goals, while working within those set limits.
For Martin [last name withheld], an engineer from Texas, working within a defined set of constraints is a daily reality. So when it came down to putting together the ideal performance machine for his own enjoyment, he decided that he would become the project manager to one of the most outrageous street-driven bullets ever to come out of the Lone Star State. His project would be a completely balanced performance package, from the drivetrain, to the suspension, to the brakes. If the power was that high, the rest of the car had to be able to accommodate. That level of performance was also going to be maintained for the navigation system, in-car entertainment, and occupant comfort. In a nutshell, he wanted the Batmobile with a slightly more sedate appearance.
In July of 2010, Martin purchased a clean Phantom Black ’05 six-speed GTO, which came with the RPO code-NBB Level 2 Sport Appearance Package and an owner-added Magnuson supercharger. Once he had it home, he called upon David DuSold, of DuSold Enterprises in Lewisville, Texas, to take on the project. As the owner/project manager, Martin outlined his vision for the car. This time around, the only constraints were Martin’s imagination and he had very big plans, indeed.
It’s no secret that DuSold Enterprises has earned a solid reputation in the early and late-model Pontiac community for its prowess in custom paint and fabrication work, and David was already hatching a plan as Martin was outlining his. His formula was to integrate a selected group of upgrades that each had been proven on their own. From there, other components could be custom-tailored to the build.
The DLS RW10 10-inch Reference...
The DLS RW10 10-inch Reference RW series subwoofers each put out 500 watts and are housed in a DuSold Enterprises custom fiberglass ported sub box, which is custom painted in Phantom Black. The battery has also been moved to the trunk.
The 6.0-liter LS2 V-8 was and still is a very strong basis for a performance-oriented build. While some builders prefer the iron-block LSX or truck blocks, the aluminum block was deemed sufficient for the supercharged application by DuSold and Martin’s preferred engine builder, Patrick Sparks of Quality Motorsports in Lewisville, Texas.
Its stock bottom end was retained, though the rods were beefed up with a set of ARP bolts. The stock 243 heads were ported and fitted with stainless steel valves to handle the additional stress and heat generated by the induction system. The camshaft is a proprietary design with the approximate specs of 228/242 degrees duration at 0.050-inch lift and 0.575/0.585-inch lift when combined with the 1.7:1 Yella Terra shaft rocker arms.
In addition to the Eaton MP 112 supercharger, BMR 2.8-inch-diameter upper pulley, Innovators West six-rib pulley, and 10-percent overdrive harmonic balancer, Quality Motorsports used an East Coast Supercharging Maggie Tensioner bracket to prevent supercharger belt slip.
The custom-fabricated steel four-gauge pod features VDO oil pressure, fuel pressure, boost, and wide-band O2 gauges with a custom GTO script by Redline Gauge Works. Gauges all have peak and hold features with warning lights. Martin also had custom leather added to the shift boot, emergency brake and center console, all with red-leather stitching.
The supercharger system uses a two-stage charge cooling system, which includes not only the kit-supplied air-to-liquid intercooler, but also a custom-designed methanol injection system. This two-pronged approach was a necessity, as the charge air temperatures generated by the supercharger’s 17 psi of boost would otherwise detonate the engine to Kingdom Come. The progressive methanol injector is based on an Alcohol Injection Systems kit that has been augmented with a DuSold custom-fabricated 2.5- gallon aluminum tank with the pump sumped into the bottom. The air-to-liquid intercooler uses a Canton GT-500 extra-capacity tank to help control the heat.
While the stock MAF and ignition system remain, the GM 90mm throttle body was ported, and Injector Dynamics custom built, 60–lb-hr fuel injectors were added along with Magnuson Extruded aluminum high flow fuel rails. Racetronix/Lonnies Performance Automotive’s GTO 5.7/6.0 Double Pumper-Twin High-Output Fuel-Pump Kit delivers the petrol.