After decades of turning wrenches, this seasoned builder is creating the GTO of his dreamsIt’s really no surprise that Demar Smith, owner of this 2006 GTO, was drawn to car building. In fact, it’s basically in his DNA, given that his father, a mechanic by trade, introduced him to racing when he was just a child.
That initial intro planted the seed and as the years swept by, his fascination continued to grow. “It’s where my interest in cars began and at eighteen years old, I built my first streetrace car,” he adds.
That father-to-son car building enthusiasm would later be passed down to another generation as Demar’s oldest son is the reason you’re reading about his GTO. “He introduced me to the GTO community,” he says, “I purchased a 2004 Yellow Jacket GTO for my son and then an ’05 Impulse Blue Metallic – they were both automatics.”
Getting his feet wet with those first examples was enough to keep Demar interested and about three years ago, he picked up yet another GTO, this time a Cyclone Gray Metallic version.
“I purchased it from one of my friend’s brothers,” he recalls. “It had low mileage and was very clean. It already had a cam, but I personally wanted to put my own modifications and make this into the dream car I imagined from my own perspective.”
The LS2, fitted with a TSP Torquer V2 cam, also received a CHE trunnion upgrade. You’ll find a Nick Williams 103mm throttle body
attached to an MSD Atomic Air Force intake manifold to inhale
with SLP headers leading to a custom 3-inch exhaust complete with Magnaflow mufflers and electric cut outs for exhale duties.
Additional fuel is afforded by a Deatschwerks DW300c fuel pump that feeds Fuel Injector Clinic 60lbs injectors through the MSD rails.
Complementing the upgraded fuel system, a K&N cold air intake ensures the engine breathes freely,
Unlike his previous GTO, Demar wanted to row his own gears and the T56 on this build was fitted with a Motive Gears 3.70, uses a Tick Performance short throw shifter
and houses a stage 2 twin disc Monster clutch backed by an Eaton Truetrac LSD. Dig in a little deeper and you’ll find a Hinson 800hp driveshaft and G-Force Level 2 axle stubs.
If you’re already laying on the ground checking out that driveshaft, you might as well take a peek at the BC Racing front coilovers and QA1 double adjustable rears that include Pedders rear springs. While you’re at it, shimmy to your side a little bit and catch a glimpse of the Hotchkis Sport anti-roll bars and just behind those
Gloss Black VMR V903 wheels you’ll spot bright red Wilwood calipers with slotted/drilled rotors.
Ok, back to your feet so you can admire just how nicely Cylone Grey Metallic looks contrasted by a Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Cowl Hood. Just below, a Monaro front bumper changes up the look
while SLP side skirts extend the car’s flanks a little lower, and a rear bumper updates the GTO’s back end.
To balance things out, another bold splash of darkness in the form of a Maverick Man Limited Forged Carbon Fiber Spoiler is perched atop the trunk lid and when you add in the tinted windows, everything flows together nicely, exactly the way Demar planned. 
Replacing the stock wheel is a Monaro Sports version
with matching gauge cluster
and the precision woven trim that surrounds those dials comes courtesy of a Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Gauge Bezel.
In addition, there’s a Monaro cup holder delete on board, a completely custom suede headliner, and LED used throughout.
Just in case of the unthinkable, an extinguisher is held securely in place by a MaverickMan Fire Extinguisher Seat Bracket.
It’s the sort of clean and fully functional build that represents the GTO and one that almost comes with the territory for someone with as many years put into car building as Demar.
However, don’t think he’s just going to leave things as they are on his dream build. “My inspiration for any and all future cars is to be unique with my own distinctions,” he says. “I plan on building a big, high-horsepower motor with a stage three monster clutch, Tremec T56 Magnum-F, 4.11 gears, and a full Kooks custom exhaust.”
Engine Hinson Motorsport mounts; Mishimoto radiator; TSP Torquer V2 cam; CHE Trunnion upgrade; DWS 300c fuel pump; FIC 60lbs injectors; MSD Atomic Manifold and MSD fuel rail; SLP headers; Magnaflow mufflers, custom 3in piping, electric cut outs; Nick Williams 103mm throttle body
Drivetrain T56 six-speed transmission; Eaton Truetrac LSD; Motive Gears 370 GTO; Monster stage 2 twin disc clutch; Hinson GTO aluminum driveshaft 800hp; G-Force level 2 axle stubs; short throw shifter
Suspension BC Racing front coilovers; QA1 double-adjustable rears; Pedders rear springs; Hotchkis Sport anti-roll bars; BMR skidplate
Braking Wilwood front/rear calipers, pads, slotted/drilled rotors
Wheels & Tires VMR V903 19x8.5 ET43 front, 19x9.5 ET45 rear; Atlas Force UHP 235/35 front, 265/30 rear
Exterior Maverick Man Carbon Fiber hood, forged carbon fiber spoiler; SLP side skirts, rear bumper; Monaro front bumper
Electronics Holden custom Maverick Man gauges; NEX head unit; Rockford Fosgate T165-S speakers
Interior Maverick Man fire extinguisher and custom bracket, carbon fiber cluster bezel; Monaro Sports steering wheel, cupholder delete; custom suede headliner, LED lighting
Thank You - I want to give special shoutouts to all my kids and my props to Sac Speed Shop for all my mods to engine, suspensions, and tuning. I also want to shout out Blackout Tint and Bay Area Muffler for custom work. Most importantly, again, huge thanks to my kids for helping with the build and support.
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Author -> Matt Rodriguez aka "Rodrez"
Photographer / Photo Credit -> Maverick Man Inc.
