Custom Pontiac GTO with CV8Z Holden Monaro Bumper & Low Stance

Folks, fire up the barbie and pop open a Fosters, ’cause we’re going Down Under for our next exclusive feature! Well, not quite — but we’re crossing the international line nonetheless, as our feature vehicle today is a modified 2005 Pontiac GTO with a CV8Z holden Monaro front end conversion – a muscle car with a distinctly Aussie edge.

When I first stumbled upon this black GTO, I immediately noticed the wide JDM wheels and a low stance more common for the import cars, but after taking a closer look even more custom details started to reveal. Read on to find out about all the mods and upgrades the owner has done to this awesome-looking Pontiac GTO to make it truly one-of-a-kind!

Key Mods

• Work Meister Rims
• Low Stance
• Holden Monaro Conversion

The GTO Build

If you ask any true gearhead about the Pontiac GTO (2003-2006), you’ll probably hear the phrase “hidden gem” more than once. It’s a real “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Under the unassuming exterior is nothing else than a famous LS2 V8 which gives out about 400 horsepower right from the factory.

But why stop there? This is Specs&Mods.com after all, and we aren’t really interested in stock, just like the proud owner of this black GTO – Randy Howard who went up a notch to make it look just as good as it drives.

Performance

When you pop the hood of Randy’s GTO, the first thing you’ll notice is the brand-new LS2. But it’s not just a stock LS2 — it’s got a Kooks long tube headers and a Magnaflow X-pipe exhaust, with a TSP 228R camshaft thrown in to maximize the HP output.

The addition of an MGW short throw shifter ensures gear changes are as sharp as a crocodile’s teeth.

Suspension

But raw power is nothing without control, and Randy’s got that in spades. His GTO is sitting low on a set of BC Racing BR Extreme Low coilovers with 326 100mm springs in the rear.

The read-end is outfitted with the Hotchkis sway bars and GForce rear axles to make it handle even better at high speeds.

“This GTO is sitting pretty on BC Racing BR Extreme Low coilovers with 326 100mm springs in the rear, paired with Hotchkis sway bars and GForce rear axles”.

Wheels

Wheels are certainly the focal point of this build. The 19-inch Work Meisters are arguably some of the most iconic JDM rims on the market, but it’s quite uncommon to see them on a modern muscle car. Nevertheless the combination of the five-spoke black centers with a polished step lip looks just right on this black GTO giving it that sporty stance.

This staggered set is sized 19″x9″ with ET30 in the front and 19″x9.5″ ET37 on the back. The rims are wrapped in Federal 595s tires sized 235/35R19 up front and 245/35R19 rear to improve traction to the rear wheels.

Exterior

And last but not least, it’s certainly the exterior. The biggest upgrade here is the Holden Monaro conversion (quite popular among the owners of Australian made Pontiacs). It features the upgraded performance bumper with more aggressive air ducts, different headlights and a grille like on the CV8Z Holden Monaro models produced for the australian domestic market.

Up on the back Randy decided to install the aftermarket Mavman carbon spoiler and the rear diffuser to balance out the car from all angles.

Specs & Mods:

Performance

• Brand new LS2 V8
• Kooks long tube Headers
• Magnaflow X-pipe Exhaust
• TSP 228R Camshaft

Exterior

• Holden Monaro conversion
• Mavman carbon Spoiler
• Mavman rear Diffuser

Wheels

• Work Meister SP1 Rims 19×9+30 front and 19×9.5+37 rear
• Federal 595s tires sized 235/35R19 up front and 245/35R19 on the back

Suspension

• BC racing BR extreme low Coilovers with 326 100mm Springs in the rear
• Hotchkis Sway Bars
• GForce rear Axles
• MGW short throw Shifter

Build Summary & Rating

Randy Howard’s 2005 Pontiac GTO with a CV8Z Monaro conversion is a no-nonsense muscle car with a twist of Aussie Holden, sporting some of the most legit mods on the scene.

With its upgraded LS2 heart pumping under the hood, the suspension tuned for high-performance handling, the iconic Work Meister wheels, and that slick Holden conversion, it perfectly stands out from the crowd of modded modern American muscle cars and JDM imports.

Watch the progress and find out more about this Pontiac GTO project by visiting the Instagram profile of the owner: @thegoat6o!

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