The Setback That Led to Supercharged Success From Hot Mess to Power Excess
“The car was a hot mess at first.” Not what you’d expect, given the current status of Andrew Domingo’s 2006 GTO, but like many projects, good bones are all that’s needed to complete the vision. Granted, this one isn’t complete just yet as plans for more are always taking up space inside his head.
Like many of you, Andrew always dreamed of getting his hands on a GTO and in 2016, he finally made it happen, bringing this ’06 model home, immediately getting to work on its clean up. Some pesky oil leaks were tended to and once the mechanicals were up to par, he started shopping for some aesthetic upgrades.
That search led him to the Maverick Man Carbon website where he picked out a set of Carbon Fiber SAP Grills,
a Carbon Fiber Front Lip that transforms the GTO’s factory front fascia and It doesn't just sit there; it directs the air with purpose into the opening in the fascia and extending the car’s profile closer to the asphalt
and matching Carbon FIber Rear Insert to dress things up a bit.
Content, that could’ve been the end of the story for this GTO but the factory heart had other plans with a significant setback. “One day I was driving and doing some test hits and the original engine died from oil starvation,” he recalls. “I was looking around for the right person to help me rebuild and found Al Plug Performance, who specializes in the LS.”
With intentions of finding more grunt with the rebuild, the decision was made to bring in a Thompson Motorsports 408 iron block armed with a 4-inch crankshaft and 11:1 compression. With the car back up and running well, Andrew headed out to the track to put it through its paces with a trip to California’s Sonoma Raceway’s drag strip where he clicked off some 12 second passes.
With plenty of potential still on the table, forced induction by way of a LSA kit was next on the list.
Add to that Texas Speed long tube headers fitted to a Spintech 3-inch X-pipe and a set of Kooks Bullet Mufflers, and the next order of business was making everything work together.
With the car on the rollers, 753whp was realized but at the tuner’s suggestion, Andrew ditched the car’s 3-inch intake for a 5-inch version. As is often the case, the tuner was spot on, with an additional 30hp realized on the top end.
With the newfound power on tap, another visit to the Maverick Man website was in order and this time around a Carbon Fiber Cowl Hood and Front Lip were added to his cart along with a Carbon Fiber Lower Rear Diffuser to clean up the rear end. On race days, a custom headlight insert is swapped in place to increase air flow.
Nothing adjusts the attitude of a GTO better than an aggressive wheel and tire set up and to that end, Andrew went with Weld’s S71 model in 15x4 up front
and 15x10 rears with 275/50 Mickey Thompson GT Street S/S meats.
Ride height adjustment comes courtesy of Pedders coilvers with BMR Drag Bags helping to tame some of the inherent wheel hop.
Satisfied with the factory interior, the only changes you’ll find inside the cabin of this GTO is an S1 Sequential shifter with a custom carbon fiber surround.
On the electronics end, a pair of gauges that includes an Innovative ECF-1 to monitor ethanol vitals, and a Pioneer deck are in place. That’s it. Simple, clean, purposeful – exactly as he intended.
Light years beyond its original “hot mess” status and the factory engine calling it quits, Andrew’s GTO is the result of calculated changes and well-thought-out upgrades. So, what’s next?
“I’m patiently waiting for the track to open to dial in the new set up,” Andrew adds. “I also have a 103mm throttle body I need to install but first need to port out the LSA. There’s also a trunk-mount ice box and a T56 Magnum level 6…”
Domingo’s 2006 Pontiac GTO
Engine Thompson Motorsports 408 stroker block, 11:1 compression, 4in. crankshaft; Trunnion upgrade kit; 240/2556/113 cam; LSA supercharger; custom 5in. intake; Texas Speed long tube headers; Spintech 3in. x-pipe; Kooks bullet mufflers; Corsa quad tips; Cold-Case radiator; dual Walbro 450lph fuel pump, 1000cc injectors; Ligentfelter high-flow pump; Hobbs switch; Fuel Lab fuel filter; Aeromotive X1 series pressure regulator; Might Mouse oil catch can, oil baffle kit
Power 780whp / Torque 710 lb. ft tq
Transmission S1 sequential shifter; Monster triple disc clutch, flywheel; Hinson one-piece drive shaft (1,000hp rated)
Suspension Pedders coilovers; BMR drag bags
Braking DBS rotors; Hawk pads
Wheels/Tires Weld S71 15x4 front, 15x10 rear; Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S
Exterior Maverick Man Carbon Cowl Hood, SAP Grills, Front Lip, Rear Exhaust Insert; Headlight custom insert
Electronics Innovative ECF-1 Ethanol Advanced Complete gauge kit; SJM line lock
Thank you: GOD for helping keep me busy to build this project. Kenny (IG:Al_PlugPerformance) for engine build and LSA install. Jason (IG:Whipplez71) Brother Ryan (IG:ProjectSpec) helped me guide through the build. All the family, friends of the GTO community and supporters as well.
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Author -> Matt Rodriguez aka "Rodrez"
Photographer / Photo Credit -> Christian Palafox / @cn7n_cris
