Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway *UPDATED!*

Drag SGT

All Throttle No Bottle
Well, it's finally happening, and I'm getting somewhere on the truck. I've waited for roughly a year just to get these parts together, and I'm glad to finally see it come into fruition. :D First off though, I want to list the sponsors so that other SyTy/SGT owners can have the same leads that I did to hopefully point them in the right direction:

First off, my fabrication shop:

Copperhead Racing


S&W Racecars for my frame:



Spohn Performance and Global West for the Front Control Arms:




And finally, Strange Engineering, Wilwood, and QA1 for suspension, brakes, and axles/centersection:







This is our rough plan of attack for this beast:

1. Rear Suspension
1. Remove all Cladding
2. Take of the Bed
3. Take out the Fuel Tank, lines and Electronics
4. Take out Driveshaft and Brake Lines
5. Weld in new 4-Link Suspension and Frame
6. Install new Tires and Wheels (Not Yet Chosen)
7. Tub Bed and mock install new Fuel Cell

2. Cab
1. Clean out the Interior, Remove Seats, etc.
2. Mock fit new Corbeau Racing Seats
3. Remove Doors
4. Tear apart the Dash.

3. Engine and Transmission
1. Not qute sure yet, but leaning towards 4L80E/Supercharged LS2 with Gear Vendors Overdrive Splitter for 3rd and 4th.

4. Paint
1. Tear everything back down to bare frame, powdercoat frame and applicable parts before prepping for final paint.
 
Last edited:

Drag SGT

All Throttle No Bottle
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

We started the tear down this weekend since it was Spring Break, and I didnt' really want to do any homework yet. I suppose this makes for a good distraction, no? Here's what she looked like as a whole truck

Picture011.jpg


Picture001.jpg


Picture002.jpg


This is the last time I'll probably see her in one piece for a very long time...

Tailgate off:
Picture004.jpg


Soon after we managed to yank the bed off:
BedOff.jpg


Last shot before things got real ugly:
BareFrame.jpg
 

supersports10

New member
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

nice.... what are your et goals??

what is the hp figure you are looking for with a ls2 and supercharger??

SS
 

jjorgensen52

NHSTE - I'm the only one!
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

how's the sheetmetal :lol: ... good to see another GT getting rebuilt. Albeit much more intensley than mine. A word about powder coating the frame: beautiful thing to do, but I would highly suggest using a lot of either rags or masking of some kind, because stray tools during truck reassembly love to scratch things :oops: ... just make sure you use plenty of stainless and polished pieces man :tup:
 

Drag SGT

All Throttle No Bottle
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

supersports10 said:
nice.... what are your et goals??

what is the hp figure you are looking for with a ls2 and supercharger??

SS

Well, using a couple E.T Calculators we found online, we're hoping for an E.T somewhere in the mid to low 9's.

We figure, that with the supercharger, 700 ponies is going to be well within range. I'm leaning towards a 402 shortblock right now.

Thanks :tup:
 

Drag SGT

All Throttle No Bottle
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

jjorgensen52 said:
how's the sheetmetal :lol: ... good to see another GT getting rebuilt. Albeit much more intensley than mine. A word about powder coating the frame: beautiful thing to do, but I would highly suggest using a lot of either rags or masking of some kind, because stray tools during truck reassembly love to scratch things :oops: ... just make sure you use plenty of stainless and polished pieces man :tup:

The sheetmetal looks amazing, IMO. It's all welded on a jig so there's no errors in it.

Frame.jpg


There is only one spot on it where the shippers dinged it unloading it off of the truck, but it's easily fixable with a little heat.

FrameCorner.jpg


Right now, it's strapped to a large wooden box so that I don't accidentally kick it down on my kneecap like I did the other day. Yes, hopefully we won't ding up the powdercoating too bad, but if we do, hopefully it's in a spot where nobody will have to see. :lol: I already know that part of it's going to get botched when the roll cage is welded in but it's something I have to live with. :squint:
 

supersports10

New member
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

at this level i would go with a turbocharger in lieu of a supercharger,

way easier to turn up the boost..and i think low 9's are gonna require around 900-1000 hp
 

Drag SGT

All Throttle No Bottle
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

supersports10 said:
at this level i would go with a turbocharger in lieu of a supercharger,

way easier to turn up the boost..and i think low 9's are gonna require around 900-1000 hp


Personally, I made the decision to go with a Supercharger because of the simplicity of it over a turbocharged application. There's simply not enough room without major modifcations to the truck itself and I can't justify the fabrication costs because my pocketbook has restrictions on it. It'd be fun, and I'd like to run a turbo setup on my next project, but not this one.
 

super-gt

New member
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Cool, finally gettin it started eh? Looks like we are gonna have pretty similar trucks :tup:

I'm just undecided on turbo or supercharger. The kenne bell twin screw has been callin my name though...

What kind of supercharger you thinking of using?
 

Drag SGT

All Throttle No Bottle
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

super-gt said:
We're gonna have to start a gang :tup:

Sounds good to me! :tup:

And you would be right on target with the Supercharger! The Twin Screw Kenne Bell sounds just right. :myclone:
 

super-gt

New member
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Drag SGT said:
Sounds good to me! :tup:

And you would be right on target with the Supercharger! The Twin Screw Kenne Bell sounds just right. :myclone:

Cool, that supercharger is so nice....Only reason I lean from it is that my truck is gonna be a street truck...with that supercharger....I really don't think there would be traction for me under like 60..lol..not rollin on 18's anyways.

It has 500 torque at like...what 2500 rpms or something nuts like that???lol...sounds like new tires every month. I may go turbo if I can figure out how to route it without moving everything....or theres always a 427 LSx stroker...

I'm guessing your planning on going with big slicks on the back of this thing??? Otherwise, I don't see traction in your future either... :lol:
 

Drag SGT

All Throttle No Bottle
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

super-gt said:
Cool, that supercharger is so nice....Only reason I lean from it is that my truck is gonna be a street truck...with that supercharger....I really don't think there would be traction for me under like 60..lol..not rollin on 18's anyways.

It has 500 torque at like...what 2500 rpms or something nuts like that???lol...sounds like new tires every month. I may go turbo if I can figure out how to route it without moving everything....or theres always a 427 LSx stroker...

I'm guessing your planning on going with big slicks on the back of this thing??? Otherwise, I don't see traction in your future either... :lol:


Yep, right now I'm pricing out Mickey Thompson and Hoosier Street Legal Drag Tires, either 31x18.5 or 29x16.5's. I think I've choosen a set of wheels by Centerline. This is what they look like. :2cents: Anyone?

rearw.jpg
frontw.jpg
 

Drag SGT

All Throttle No Bottle
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Syborg Twin Turbo said:
my choice would be these

that's kinda what I'm leaning towards because I've meausured the fender well and it measures a little tight to fit 31's. Well... we learned a few things last night...



1. After you've taken the driveline out, don't let the rear of the truck down first, or else you'll have a mess to clean up...

TrannyFluidSpill.jpg



2. Remember to drain or at least block off the brake fluid lines when you're taking them apart, or you'll have ANOTHER mess to clean up...

BrakeFluidSpill.jpg


3. GM sucks for making the main brake line one big long piece... we're still working on this one...

OneBrakeLineLeft.jpg



Overall though, she's ready to go to the shop. Our appointment isn't for another 2-3 weeks, so I might dig into the interior, or order my wheels and tires.

EverythingTakenOut.jpg
 

super-gt

New member
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

I like the centerlines...same thing my dad has on his nova.
 

jjorgensen52

NHSTE - I'm the only one!
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Drag SGT said:
3. GM sucks for making the main brake line one big long piece... we're still working on this one...

+ about 50,000 on that. My main line is perfectly intact , except it rotted out about 2" from the flare at each end. Which means out she comes, I now have to replace all 10' of it for 2" of bad line :rant:
 

badmatt

boost = happy
Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

Re: Sonoma GT #737 Project Underway

100_1268.jpg

thats a 33" tire under mine. ive bgot a bit of room 1/2" all around :) need to do som lip trimming though.
 
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