Jim's (kalstar) GTM

[Kempo]

This past weekend I had the privilege to drive Jim's GTM. Compared to mine his suspension is a lot smoother although the quality of the roads may be a big factor in that feeling. But, my impression is that it's the suspension. I was impressed with the way the power from the 5.3L engine feels. Jim's car is about 400# lighter than mine so with less HP it feels almost as fast. The paint and interior are awesome. The car is a real head turner. Most impressive is that he managed to build a car with that quality on a budget. Definitely one top notch GTM.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRbXOrKTGcE

[Kalstar]

Thx Hugo. Yours should be faster 408 stroker H/C LS3. Yours is still my favorite with Mike's a very close second and Gary's gold GTM and Joe Mush's cars tied for third. Mine would be below those but so was my budget. I was told by many that the 5.3 would be a mistake. At only $750.00 for the engine and less then $200 for a used cam/spring package the car really moves out. Mike Everson drove it and said it was quicker then his C6 Z06 and I gave Ron (Presto51) a ride and he can confirm the quickness of my car. Way back I read a post by Dave Smith on his black GTM powered by a stock LS6 and he said it was his favorite "Flickable" car he had. My little 5.3 with the baby cam put out 358whp which puts it right at what a stock ls6 puts out. The 5.3 is a better platform for boost if anyone cares about that.

Love the car and would have done very little different. As for anyone planning a budget build the 5.3 is a cheap monster of an engine. Next time I might try the Audi 016 trans, at sub 350hp it will be an inexpensive option. Maybe Ron will pipe in about his ride.

Btw, I own a nearly 600hp E55 and a 491whp Vette so I know what speed is. This car kills them both.

[carbon fiber]

Unreal deal on the engine combo. What happened to that turbo you had lying around? Either way, super nice build.

[Kalstar]

Still have the turbo and the hot side sitting on the shelf. On the street, it's hard to use the power it puts out now even at its current modest levels, a turbo would just make the jail time that much longer.

Other then for the whistle I have no desire for the added power of the turbo (at this point:rolleyes:).

[Presto51]

Thx Hugo. Yours should be faster 408 stroker H/C LS3. Yours is still my favorite with Mike's a very close second and Gary's gold GTM and Joe Mush's cars tied for third. Mine would be below those but so was my budget. I was told by many that the 5.3 would be a mistake. At only $750.00 for the engine and less then $200 for a used cam/spring package the car really moves out. Mike Everson drove it and said it was quicker then his C6 Z06 and I gave Ron (Presto51) a ride and he can confirm the quickness of my car. Way back I read a post by Dave Smith on his black GTM powered by a stock LS6 and he said it was his favorite "Flickable" car he had. My little 5.3 with the baby cam put out 358whp which puts it right at what a stock ls6 puts out. The 5.3 is a better platform for boost if anyone cares about that.

Love the car and would have done very little different. As for anyone planning a budget build the 5.3 is a cheap monster of an engine. Next time I might try the Audi 016 trans, at sub 350hp it will be an inexpensive option. Maybe Ron will pipe in about his ride.

Btw, I own a nearly 600hp E55 and a 491whp Vette so I know what speed is. This car kills them both.

Someone here said my name ?

I’ve now have had the extreme pleasure of riding in two GTM’s, Jim’s and Michael’s (Rumrunner), and I have to say it’s impossible to define which one is better than the other, but, if forced to choose, I will have to rank Michael’s as my favorite :rolleyes:

Jim I have to tell the truth, the little ride you took me on was…………AWESOME !!!!

Your little monster motor was not a mistake, it has great cursing around town manners, and can definitely bury you into the seat when you stand on the gas, or as you say up there in Mass land, “She’s Wicked Fast!” and for a tight budget builder, I think this is definitely one of the ways to go. In stock or slightly modified form it will give you enough power to scare the bejeezus out of you, and it should give anyone a great platform, to install future power adders latter on without a lot of heart burn. Research a little deeper it looks like to you can mix and match, off the shelf GM parts, to make more power without blowing up your wallet.

It was great meeting Hugo, Joe Mush and their families for the first time, and hanging with Jim and Michael for the weekend, guys it was a blast and hope to do it again.

Ron

[Kalstar]

I like Mike's better too. Though my interior is better (get cracking Mike) :p. The 5.3 is a LS which means it mixes and matches easy and affordable. There is a guy over on LS1 tech running 8.99sec 1/4 on the same L33 I have. If one does not care about the 80lbs weight penalty then a low mileage iron block LS can be had for as little as $500.00. There was a write up in Carcraft on a run of the mill 5.3 (cam only) swap and it turned in 433hp on the engine dyno.

[Kalstar]

I went to Heritage Gardens for their exclusive auto show, having been invited due to my best in class showing at another large show the Sunday earlier. Spectators at this show had to pay $18.00 per person to get in. When I pulled in I knew I was way over matched. Tree lined entrance lined with the most beautiful cars I had ever seen, I felt not worthy. Morgans, Packards, 60's Jags, Several Rolls of various vintages, 1920's Speedsters, a handful of original unmolested early Porsche, Vintage Ferraris (in fact I was parked next to a gorgeous Ferrari 330 2+2 V12) ..... truly the best of the best. There were several cars I would say were priceless.

At the end of the day, a Factory Five took home the Spectators best in show. "Not worthy" so much for that!

[Presto51]

Congrats Jim what an awesome win :cool:

Ron

[kabacj]

Jim that's excellent.

Just goes to show you that it's possible to build a low buck GTM that is a winner on all fronts.

Very well done.

John

[metalmaker12]

Jim's gtm is a nice piece, I will drive it soon

[Kalstar]

Get your *** down the Cape, I'm not going to drive it to you to thrash, you'll have to spend some of your cash in the high HP Honda of yours.

[metalmaker12]

Lol, it's got 117hp so watch out!!!

[The Stig]

I went to Heritage Gardens for their exclusive auto show, having been invited due to my best in class showing at another large show the Sunday earlier. Spectators at this show had to pay $18.00 per person to get in. When I pulled in I knew I was way over matched. Tree lined entrance lined with the most beautiful cars I had ever seen, I felt not worthy. Morgans, Packards, 60's Jags, Several Rolls of various vintages, 1920's Speedsters, a handful of original unmolested early Porsche, Vintage Ferraris (in fact I was parked next to a gorgeous Ferrari 330 2+2 V12) ..... truly the best of the best. There were several cars I would say were priceless.

At the end of the day, a Factory Five took home the Spectators best in show. "Not worthy" so much for that!

Very cool Jim! And well deserved.

Mike

[Kalstar]

Very cool Jim! And well deserved.

Mike

Thx Mike.

It really did come out better then I had dreamed up. It was a 4 year project; the time spent thinking, planning, ordering, daydreaming.....all came down to the dream car that now sits proudly in my garage, proving through perseverance, anything is possible.