1963 Pontiac Catalina massive project build thread
 

Hello to all. I just joined the forum lot too long ago to get info on my 2002 SSEi. It needs repairs and I was (important statement there) at a point that I may start doing some mods to make it more fun.
WELL!! That just went out the window. We just had a bad hail storm and the Bonne is totalled. So I no longer have a car that allows me to contribute to the forum with. However I do have knowledge of cars in general and Bonnevilles and GPs too, so once in a while I may be able to add some substance. However, I've been invited by the guys to keep my other car in this section and still contribute to the forum as I can.
So my other car is not a Porsche, heh. It's a 1963 Catalina 2 dr Hardtop. I'm 58 and an old gearhead. Grew up in the old days of gasser and altereds. So the '63 is slowly becoming a "one of none" '63 Pontiac Gasser.

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The front axle is from a '57 Chevy pickup with a full disc conversion and bolt circle at 4 3/4 for normal GM rims all hung from a custom front frame clip. The original frame clip cut off completely and replaced.

The tires in the back are 31.5X16.5X15 (on 15X15 rims) ET Streets and will be all the way under the wheel well. I am currently making a back half narrowed frame to get the tires under. Then the firewall will be cut and reformed back into the cabin to move the engine way back. The center of the carb will be right at the firewall. I previously built and owned a '73 turbocharged 462 Trans Am. It made 886.7 hp at the wheels on a dyno which equates to 1065 hp at the crank. This will be a built 1960 389 block punched to 406 (.090) over and forged crank from Ohio crankshaft, aluminum rods from GRP and Ross dished blower pistons. The block is now at the machinest down in Tucson getting all the blueprinting done, the splayed bolt four bolt billet caps installed, block partially filled, and everything else to make it bulletfroof. I'm starting out with a single 75 mm B/W AS400 turbo which should be good to at least 1000 hp. But the engine should be good for way more than that. The heads are 325 cfm KRE D-Port aluminum heads. With a little bigger turbo or twins I should be good for at least 1500 hp. But it is easy to say it. First you have to do it.

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So I'm waiting for the engine to get done. And working on the frame. The car is a totally rust free original California car found here in Phoenix. So I will add more pics and info as I go. Thanks for having me on the board guys. I condsider it a privelage. Mark L

Looks like a nice project. Can't wait to see more!

Sorry the previous pic that did nto show was;

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I'll add

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Pics of the TA

https://s601.photobucket.com/albums/...bsVisit012.mp4

https://s601.photobucket.com/albums/...bsVisit014.mp4

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Sorry for all the pics/vids but I'm kind of proud of that way the TA turned out. I did al the turbo install myself. Fabbing all the piping and mounts just taking all the pieces to a really good welder to finish weld all the parts.

The turbo piping was leaking a little before the turbo so I could not get any boost at the line but once under way my best time was 10.6 @ 129. Previous best before the turbo, on nitrous, and the same basic motor (mainly just a cam change) was 10.2 @ 133 on a 200 shot. The top end charge with the turbo was unbelievable. The nitrous run was solid from the launch, and pulled hard all the way and drove like a Cadillac at 55 mph. The turbo, coming in late was, was all over therplace hazing the slicks at half track. I had to fight it to stay straight. So I'm looking forward to getting the '63 done right and finding out what it will do. The longer wheel base will make it more stabile. That's it for now. Mark L

Trying to get the vids here
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<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid601.photobucket.co m%2Falbums%2Ftt97%2Fmarks73turbota%2FRobbsVisit012 .mp4">

You can only "embed" videos that are hosted on Youtube. Our system does not allow from any other sites

Gottch ya. MArk L

nice cars man dont worry ill always favor the older ones too

Wow, I can't wait to see that car go! That is incredible!

Awesome project! What do you mean you no longer have a car to contribute to the forum with? That looks like it's going to be one hell of a car to me!

Good lord that is one great looking car.