Drove my 4th GTM.

[Kalstar]

As a proud owner of GTM 212, I figured nothing was better then my car (there is not a bolt on my car I have not touched). I have ridden in 6 GTM and driven 3 (including mine) so I feel am a pretty good judge. Its funny how your mind can pay games with perception that is until of course reality steps in and smacks you upside the head.

I spent the last week in PR, a lot of the time my family and Kempo's family were together. The second to last day we were on the island, he took me for a ride in his GTM. Truthfully I was not looking forward to it as much as I let on to (ok maybe just a little). See the last time I was on the island Hugo's new stroker engine going into his GTM was not yet finished and since the GTM was down, he took me for a ride in his Atom. After thoroughly scaring the hell out of me, I still have cramps in my knuckles nearly a year later, I knew what I was in for when he unleashed the beastly GTM. Not what I expected........

My car is "brute" fast and much like every Cobra I have been in, loud, obscene, go-kart-ish and a type of civilized rudimentary power not realized outside the space shuttle. Hugo's car, though markedly fast, is smooth, calm and very "drive to church on Sunday" composed. Best way to describe it is...my car = a back alley street fighter, Hugo's car = Oscar Dela Hoya (without the cross dressing part). What Hugo created is nothing short of astonishing, he took the same basic combination of parts but created a truly special rolling piece of art. One that can knock out any would be contender with one punch.

On a side note, If it were not for Factory Five many of these friendships would not have happened. I feel very fortunate to be part of the Factory Five family and so lucky to have such a beautiful car. So many things in life to be thankful for but clearly one of them is to be among such a collection of fine people.

Thx buddy for you hospitality and for not making my wife a widower.

[David Hodgkins]

Great write up, but no pics?

Are the roads in PR as bad as they were when I was there 30 years ago? I remember they way people drove there was CRAZY! I can't image owning a super car there, especially in San Juan. The potholes had their own echo!

:)

[Kempo]

It was a real pleasure spending time with you and your family this past week and visiting some cool places. Some of them we hadn't visited in years the others we had never visited at all. Its amazing how one can get caught up in day to day life and not take time out to see things people from other places come to visit here in PR. Thanks for making us part of your vacations. Hope to take you guys to some other nice places next year.

As you mentioned the Factory Five experienced/family goes well beyond the cars. Other than allowing me to have the GTM it has introduced me to some very cool and nice people that I can today have the honor to call friends. Most of them I would not have met without the FFR journey.

Here are some pictures of the places we visited and an off roading video on your rental Jeep.

Camuy caves
https://vk3lbw.bn1304.livefilestore.com/y2ppRq1J9qB_N1U2e52GP0g_5alQxGHXpjRLREJ0mEYkdUaPAA W7yueGxsKVwTdS2Vj8Iv_tdbRu3Icx7VZMsIIdTbJLlTeAOtm5 NuokcBNlyo/IMG_22530.JPG?psid=1

Arecibo's radio telescope
https://vk3lbw.bn1302.livefilestore.com/y2p07CvWRRB84PYdLedjfaf9J4iXjXs8bforFzSBNp8dA8Qbw_ BRJ4T3WdMGcU2jFMxQWS6LcndkCy5fmhbiHLKnfN90yzAGzVSf pAkvHbyEd0/IMG_22540.JPG?psid=1

View of the rain forest after a short hike. (short right Jim?)

https://vk3lbw.bn1302.livefilestore.com/y2p1Brv28O2Fycz7ga7IKfViGeXiN6gw4BZKEfbq7jxkFkiq8Z 5J0lt6KgijoOk_gzAGFUXXTGJITNdLzAmfcB0FZJlSCIfPMVlJ JpFsRn4fSY/IMG_22550.JPG?psid=1




Off road

https://vk3lbw.bn1.livefilestore.com/y2poGQJyDNZrolBc4fIaeaNrzgL2DmUSCRl1VZu0miTLsiKCL4 k--6z3FSYhpI_64ozhUV0TY-spiVmfOuqUmptLjP9L0BqmqHpqxzfyZDsLJQ/IMG_22560.JPG?psid=1

https://vk3lbw.bn1304.livefilestore.com/y2ptN0QWltfogyP-DdwyRmrvrMAD1l0GdaZgBSAUcuEn7NNsBdgYdISC-7j_uZN4KWDNSmFF3nPs4xzMhuKynlmtuPksD1qHU6qb2T5jQAj xS0/IMG_22520.JPG?psid=1


David here is a video of one of the main highways.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJhdr-7SEck&list=UUz6En4CRxISITangibtOKig&feature=share

Just kidding. The roads are better than what they were 30 years ago but still they are bad. They can't even be compared to the ones on the states. I have developed a good love/hate relationship with that. I sell car parts for a living so it helps the business but is a pain in the butt for the GTM. Like everything else in life you end up getting used to them.

[mikespms]

Hey Hugo,

Sounds like you guys had a good time.It has been years since I've been to the caverns in Camuy ,my father design and supervised the construction of that park in the 70's. Is that the state forest in Maricao or El Yunque?

[Kalstar]

El Yunque was the rain forest, the caves.... I don't remember the town.

[flickery8]

Hugo's car, though markedly fast, is smooth, calm and very "drive to church on Sunday" composed.

What have you learned from seeing these other cars? This question is for anyone who has been around multiple GTM

I have seen one other GTM (parked), and in my limited experience I would say the kooks exhaust is the coolest upgrade I am aware of. I get as many compliments on the sound as I do the looks (at least at the track :) )

You can spend an infinite amount of money on these cars, but I think about things such as: I don't have sway bars, I am using the c5 suspension with the gen1 stock koni shocks, ls6 with kooks exhaust, an interior that is totally unfinished still.

Have you seen certain things that make a big difference?

[Kalstar]

No simple answer but I'll try.

Allen's GTM (modified LS1) was the first GTM I rode in, I drove down in my Corvette, after a ride in the GTM I was hooked, drove home in what felt like my C5 Chevette. Allen's car was unfinished but very close, no headliner and tunning issues but otherwise complete. He is a good driver so the twisting roads of "back woods Connecticut" were quite the treat. He was an early build so many bugs in the later cars had been addressed.

The Second GTM was a local LS7 powered beast that the owner had invested over 100k. The thing was a Tq monster, in fact convinced me if I was to ever build a GTM it would not be with an LS7. Drove the car around in town, no main roads. Intoxicating acceleration but snap steering was available in any gear, push the throttle, bake the 335/40/18 tires and face a different direction. The Kooks exhausts was heavenly under hard acceleration, that is of course when I wasn't deafened by the fear of going into an impromptus off road adventure. Quality was everywhere, but parts were chosen because they were the best, not because they would work well together. Still loved the car but seemed Allen's was "safer".

Next up was Factory Five's GTM (was Candy Apple Red at the time). Also LS7 powered but this ride I found myself with Dave Smith driving triple digits on I-195 at 2pm the afternoon (little did I know he had recently flipped a Roadster, but that's a different story). The car felt stable and straight, no a hint of float. Donuts in the back parking lot, and not the chocolate covered variety, had me nearly throwing up. My lungs and liver have permanently traded places. great driver, great car, the car was well sorted but felt more race car then the other 2.

Then came a (by the book build) LS1 bone stock build. Like most GTM's, never quite done, though this was the most finished and civilized of the bunch. This was also the first car I drove that had the Mendeola trans. The clutch travel was much harder then any standard car, by any company, I had ever driven. Felt like I need my spinach. The headliner was {like Allen's} the last to be finished. Very quick, but not over the top, very controllable and "flickable". Unlike the others, you drove this car...the car didn't drive you. By this point I had started to build my car, though I was going an unconventional route, this power level felt great. Well built, fairly quite and king of the road without the distinct possibility of being King of the hospital.

Next came my car, the budget build. I used a lowly all aluminum 5.3L (the only GTM of my knowledge to do so). Added a used mild cam and for less then $800.00 had a low mile 400hp LS that was inline with the power of an LS6. Mated to a 5 speed G50 (that had been race prepped). My entire drive-train was less then $3000.00. I took from my past experiences and did the headliner first (ok slightly kidding). I added sway bars, modified the body to my liking and keep tight to a budget while still demanding a show quality paint, wheels and interior. Insulation was accomplished via spray in sound dampener. The car is extremely quick, in fact in a 0-100mph race I would put it up against any of the other GTMs I have been in, including both LS7 powered cars. My car looks like the prom queen but with a very naughty side, a freaky beauty queen....and I like those kinds. Things I would change, bigger/sticker rear tires... 285 are ok at my power levels in August but not so much under 60' degrees, The race prepped trans is a ball around town but revs to the moon on the hwy. H-pipe exhaust + minimal sound control + 2700rpm at 75mph = ear plugs. The radio does sound great when I'm parked though. Overall, 95% of my choices are keepers. Though I will be shot for putting this out there again, I built this car (no labor included) for under 30k.

Then of course Hugo's car. Well built, well executed, extremely fast, awesome Kooks sound (while still quite), plenty of gadgets and I can't forget to say "I love the stoplight shake". I can not chose a thing to change about that car. Truly the pinnacle of what a craftsman's hands can create with a Factory Five.

So there you go, there's my take.

Edit: Just for the record I am very experienced with high hp cars. I currently own (3) 500+ hp cars so when I say my GTM is faster then the bunch....it is by a large margin.

[Stage7]

Nice write up Fuzzy. I'm looking forward to seeing yours, and I hope to see Kempo's soon too. Your $30k # makes me nauseous knowing what I spent on my car, but I'm happy for you just the same. :p

[VD2021]

Your $30k # makes me nauseous knowing what I spent on my car, but I'm happy for you just the same. :p

Does that number include any contracted work or just the kit and parts needed to complete it?

[Kempo]

No simple answer but I'll try.

Allen's GTM (modified LS1) was the first GTM I rode in, I drove down in my Corvette, after a ride in the GTM I was hooked, drove home in what felt like my C5 Chevette. Allen's car was unfinished but very close, no headliner and tunning issues but otherwise complete. He is a good driver so the twisting roads of "back woods Connecticut" were quite the treat. He was an early build so many bugs in the later cars had been addressed.

The Second GTM was a local LS7 powered beast that the owner had invested over 100k. The thing was a Tq monster, in fact convinced me if I was to ever build a GTM it would not be with an LS7. Drove the car around in town, no main roads. Intoxicating acceleration but snap steering was available in any gear, push the throttle, bake the 335/40/18 tires and face a different direction. The Kooks exhausts was heavenly under hard acceleration, that is of course when I wasn't deafened by the fear of going into an impromptus off road adventure. Quality was everywhere, but parts were chosen because they were the best, not because they would work well together. Still loved the car but seemed Allen's was "safer".

Next up was Factory Five's GTM (was Candy Apple Red at the time). Also LS7 powered but this ride I found myself with Dave Smith driving triple digits on I-195 at 2pm the afternoon (little did I know he had recently flipped a Roadster, but that's a different story). The car felt stable and straight, no a hint of float. Donuts in the back parking lot, and not the chocolate covered variety, had me nearly throwing up. My lungs and liver have permanently traded places. great driver, great car, the car was well sorted but felt more race car then the other 2.

Then came a (by the book build) LS1 bone stock build. Like most GTM's, never quite done, though this was the most finished and civilized of the bunch. This was also the first car I drove that had the Mendeola trans. The clutch travel was much harder then any standard car, by any company, I had ever driven. Felt like I need my spinach. The headliner was {like Allen's} the last to be finished. Very quick, but not over the top, very controllable and "flickable". Unlike the others, you drove this car...the car didn't drive you. By this point I had started to build my car, though I was going an unconventional route, this power level felt great. Well built, fairly quite and king of the road without the distinct possibility of being King of the hospital.

Next came my car, the budget build. I used a lowly all aluminum 5.3L (the only GTM of my knowledge to do so). Added a used mild cam and for less then $800.00 had a low mile 400hp LS that was inline with the power of an LS6. Mated to a 5 speed G50 (that had been race prepped). My entire drive-train was less then $3000.00. I took from my past experiences and did the headliner first (ok slightly kidding). I added sway bars, modified the body to my liking and keep tight to a budget while still demanding a show quality paint, wheels and interior. Insulation was accomplished via spray in sound dampener. The car is extremely quick, in fact in a 0-100mph race I would put it up against any of the other GTMs I have been in, including both LS7 powered cars. My car looks like the prom queen but with a very naughty side, a freaky beauty queen....and I like those kinds. Things I would change, bigger/sticker rear tires... 285 are ok at my power levels in August but not so much under 60' degrees, The race prepped trans is a ball around town but revs to the moon on the hwy. H-pipe exhaust + minimal sound control + 2700rpm at 75mph = ear plugs. The radio does sound great when I'm parked though. Overall, 95% of my choices are keepers. Though I will be shot for putting this out there again, I built this car (no labor included) for under 30k.

Then of course Hugo's car. Well built, well executed, extremely fast, awesome Kooks sound (while still quite), plenty of gadgets and I can't forget to say "I love the stoplight shake". I can not chose a thing to change about that car. Truly the pinnacle of what a craftsman's hands can create with a Factory Five.

So there you go, there's my take.

Edit: Just for the record I am very experienced with high hp cars. I currently own (3) 500+ hp cars so when I say my GTM is faster then the bunch....it is by a large margin.

Thanks for the kind words about my car Jim.


Nice write up Fuzzy. I'm looking forward to seeing yours, and I hope to see Kempo's soon too. Your $30k # makes me nauseous knowing what I spent on my car, but I'm happy for you just the same. :p

Cool, Are you coming to Aguadilla soon? Be sure to contact me when you do.

[Kalstar]

Does that number include any contracted work or just the kit and parts needed to complete it?

That number includes all costs except for labor. I paid Mike Everson here on the forum for some labor that I could have done myself but I got too busy and did not want my GTM to become a casualty of an improving economy. Besides Mike is far more skilled then I and was happy to pay him for his knowledge. The 30K finished cost is $15,000 for a used (unstarted) kit off ebay, $7500 paint, $5700 donor, $3000 interior, $3000 drivetrain, and roughly $6,300 in extras (covers, carbon fiber pieces, stereo, wings, nuts/bolts ect). Gross cost was about $40,000. I then sold $13,000 in donor parts and had to buy back about 2K in stuff I should have kept (clutch, starter, mirrors, E-brake and misc fasteners). I have a full spread sheet I can share if you are interested. Truthfully, I would never do it that way again. If I had not put this self imposed restriction on myself I would have enjoyed the build even more. I should have spent more time on building and less on sourcing good deals. It would have been done sooner and I would have had it two summers earlier. Oh well hind sight is always 20/20. I truly feel if you can build a GTM for less then 50K you are doing great. I would guess the average builder is putting in 65K-70K. I am currently building an 818 and there will be no budget, period.

[VD2021]

That number includes all costs except for labor. I paid Mike Everson here on the forum for some labor that I could have done myself but I got too busy and did not want my GTM to become a casualty of an improving economy. Besides Mike is far more skilled then I and was happy to pay him for his knowledge. The 30K finished cost is $15,000 for a used (unstarted) kit off ebay, $7500 paint, $5700 donor, $3000 interior, $3000 drivetrain, and roughly $6,300 in extras (covers, carbon fiber pieces, stereo, wings, nuts/bolts ect). Gross cost was about $40,000. I then sold $13,000 in donor parts and had to buy back about 2K in stuff I should have kept (clutch, starter, mirrors, E-brake and misc fasteners). I have a full spread sheet I can share if you are interested. Truthfully, I would never do it that way again. If I had not put this self imposed restriction on myself I would have enjoyed the build even more. I should have spent more time on building and less on sourcing good deals. It would have been done sooner and I would have had it two summers earlier. Oh well hind sight is always 20/20. I truly feel if you can build a GTM for less then 50K you are doing great. I would guess the average builder is putting in 65K-70K. I am currently building an 818 and there will be no budget, period.

J,
Thanks for the break down. It truly is impressive and good to know that with planning, patience and the resources you can have an outstanding GTM without having to take out a second mortgage :).

With the help of some of the outstanding members, whom I now call friend, I'm just over 35k at this point with only the paint remaining as my final, big ticket, cost. If things work out I'll be at, or just over, my initial 40k budget.

[Kalstar]

J,
Thanks for the break down. It truly is impressive and good to know that with planning, patience and the resources you can have an outstanding GTM without having to take out a second mortgage :).

With the help of some of the outstanding members, whom I now call friend, I'm just over 35k at this point with only the paint remaining as my final, big ticket, cost. If things work out I'll be at, or just over, my initial 40k budget.

That is awesome, with all the extras you put in and your finish work, you deserve huge kudos. Like you said, this car can be show stopping and still cost effective. They designed this car as the "Poor man's supercar", you and I have proven this can be built for less then a new F150.

[Stage7]

Cool, Are you coming to Aguadilla soon? Be sure to contact me when you do.

My parents are there now dealing with the contractors remodeling their house in Aguadilla. I plan to go this year when the house is finished and the weather up here turns cold. I will definitely pm you when I have firm plans.