SP Rides: All I Want For Christmas Is A GTO
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Zachary White
Age: 32
Occupation: Mechanic
Hobbies: Cars, family
Year/Make/Model: 2006 Pontiac GTO
Color: Spice Red Metallic
Engine: Texas Speed Torquer 2 camshaft with all supporting mods, larger aluminum radiator, Texas Speed long tube headers, Corsa sport exhaust, LSA supercharger, custom-made 4-inch intake, snow methanol injection kit, ported throttle body, Olsen Custom Works supercharger mounting kit, LS7 MAF
Exterior: RKSport GTO 3-piece wing, aftermarket roof spoiler
Interior: Truetrac HSV steering wheel, Lloyd custom floor mats, MGW-P Shifter, Speedhut custom match gauges with custom made mounts Drivetrain
Suspension: BC coilovers, Whiteline sway bars, Hinson motor mounts, Monster Level 2 clutch, 1,300HP one-piece driveshaft, upgraded shaft axles and stubs
ICE: Two 10-inch subwoofers with Kenwood amp with custom Methanol enclosure.
Wheels/Brakes/Tires: 19-inch VMR wheels, 8.5 front, 9.5 rear with Continental Tires, CTSV brembo front brakes
At first glance, you might think that Zachary White is simply a domestic car enthusiast, but his first ride was in fact the stalwart 1989 Nissan 240SX and his collection of automobiles has included a scrappy CRX, motorcycles and lowered trucks.
The truth is that White has long possessed an intense desire to modify.
“I can’t leave things alone,” he admitted. “Even my wife’s Chevy Cruze — it drives me nuts to leave it stock!”
Enter this 2006 Pontiac GTO, which White picked up while stationed in Indiana. Its good looks, 400 HP 6.0L V8, and overall uniqueness were immediately attractive and made selling one of his bikes for cash to begin modifications worth the while.
Although the Spicy Red Metallic paint is gorgeous, the body itself is mostly stock. A slick aftermarket rear roof spoiler and RKSport GTO wing add a bit of pep while the stock wheels have been replaced with sexy 19-inch VMR wheels and Continental tires. White has even been able to fit custom Pontiac emblems as well as CTSV Brembo front brakes behind the wheels.
The looks are only skin deep, but when it comes to this GTO, the real magic comes from the inside. Engine-wise, this baby is cranking out 600+HP thanks to a bevy of modifications installed by White’s own two hands. We’re talking about a Texas Speed Torquer V2 camshaft with all of the ancillary mods, long tube headers mated to a catless cat to a Corsa sport exhaust. Mounted is an LSA supercharger with custom 4-inch intake and a ported throttle body for more power. Snow methanol injection keeps the temperatures cool along with upping the performance potential.
To handle all this power, the drivetrain and suspension have been given a work over as well with a Monster Level 2 clutch, 1,300HP one-piece driveshaft, upgraded axles and stubs, and Hinson motor mounts. BC coilovers and Whiteline sway bars help the independent suspension work even better.
In cruise mode, White can enjoy the HSV steering wheel and MGW-P Shifter while keeping his eyes on a set of custom-fabricated clusters fitted with Speedhut gauges. Sounds are pumping thanks to two 10-inch subwoofers installed with a custom enclosure and powered by a Kenwood amp. The methanol and amp installations are wicked and really quite the conversation piece for the trunk monkeys out there.
When it comes to these photo shoots, rarely are the rides ever finished and that’s the case with this Pontiac GTO. White has tons of plans for this ride, including a forged 402 install and transmission rebuild that will push 700HP without the spray and 1000HP with.
For now, it’s all about White building his dreams. It’s a piece here, another piece there and praying that it all comes together in the end.
