LJ Dixon has been modding his 2005 Pontiac GTO since shortly after he bought it, and though the traditionally understated Pontiac GTO doesn’t normally grab your eye, it’s LJ’s sharp attention to the details that makes it stand out. What sets LJ apart is that the GTO is the first car that he’s ever modded – and also his first car. In car guy language, it’s a bit like saying you married your highschool girlfriend – you got what you wanted the first time.
Sitting low on a pair of Eibach Springs for Pontiac GTO, the GTO suspension has the perfect “wide track Pontiac” stance. Complimenting the drop in ride height is a set of VMR Wheels V703 in 19in.
Fitment is spec’d at:
VMR Wheels V703 Hyper Silver Wheels for Pontiac
19×8.5 ET40 – 235/35-19
19×9.t ET45 – 275/30-19
In order to accomodate the drop and beefy 275-series rear tires, the rear fenders lips had to be cut for clearance. The drop from the Eibach Springs paired with the VMR Wheels V703s created a combination that really stands out amongst the domestic muscle crowd – aside from our customers who’ve ordered some beautiful combinations – from the pictures we’ve seen of shows where G8s and GTOs gather, it stands out so much because so many owners seem to often opt for less interesting wheels for Pontiac GTO, many going with something more appropriate for a classic Judge than the modern musclecar we call the Goat today.
As we mentioned earlier, this is the first car LJ’s owned – and the first he’s modded, so he takes a lot of pride in what he’s put together. While it was bone stock when he picked it up, two weeks after buying it a set of Spintech Super Pro Street Mufflers spiced up the sound of the GTO Exhaust – and after hearing the car start up for the first time with the new exhaust fitted, the Mod Bug bit him hard and he’s been fiddling with the car ever since, channeling every spare dime towards the goat.
The Pontiac GTO Exhaust has been livened up even more since LJ first added the SpinTech mufflers. Today, LJ’s Goat rocks a set of Long Tube Headers and midpipes, paired with a custom SpinTech catback with X-pipe, routed out through the stock exhaust tips for a like-stock look with a not-so-stock exhaust note. If I was a Cop and I heard LJ pull up to a stoplight, I’d probably start looking for where the “Camaro” making the sound was!
Up front, the lighting has been changed quite a bit over stock – JL replaced the OEM halogen projector bulbs with a set of 6000K HID Headlights for Pontiac GTO, matching that with a set of 6000K HID Fog Lights for GTO, giving the GTO the light output it needs to keep from “outdriving the headlights”. This next sentence is kinda weird for us given the number of BMWs we write about – but the Pontiac’s Kidney Grilles has been painted gloss black along with the lower front grille, and further enhancing the ‘clean’ look is a Front license Plate Bracket Delete, Matte Black Pontiac Arrowhead and smoked sidemarkers. These small details are invisible to the average person, but when you know what the stock car looks like, you can really appreciate what’s been done. Adding a slight hint of aggression is a Bohnman Customs Front Splitter for Pontiac GTO, giving this goat a unique touch not found on many other GTOs.
Under the hood, a Vararam CAI w/IAT Sensor relocator has replaced the OEM Pontiac GTO Intake, and a set of Custom Painted Fuel Rail Covers and Radiator Cover gives you something worth showing off when you pop the hood.
As you can tell from this view, the GTO Brakes have been beefed up as well with a set of Slotted Brake Rotors for Pontiac GTO (with Brake Pads to match) – but there are a few more upgrades worth mentioning that we can’t see. The Tail Lights have been smoked, the windows were tinted 35% and the rear wing spoiler was deleted as well, further enhancing the clean look. However, that’s not to say the car’s without a few accents – the rear bumper letters have been filled with Gloss Black rear bumper inserts with reflective GTO lettering and a full set of white LED interior lighting. The last piece enhancing performance for now is a 1-piece Driveshaft from the Driveshaft shop to help get that GTO muscle to the ground – which tends to be a problem for the GTO – we might suggest LJ check out some chassis upgrades from BMR Suspension to help get all of that GTO muscle to the pavement instead of absorbing it into the chassis.
A special thank you to LJ for taking the time to share his photos and his build with us, and we hope you’ve enjoyed reading about this very clean build as much as we have.
Interested in getting your GTO looking and sounding better with a new set of wheels or an exhaust system? Not sure what upgrades would be best for your goat? Never fear, that’s what our team of Mod Experts is here for – to share their experience, expertise and enthusiasm with you to help you enjoy your car to its fullest potential. Give us a call, dial 714-582-3330, chat live at ModBargains.com or stop by the ModAuto Showroom in La Habra, CA any day we’re open (M-Sat 8-5pm) – click here to schedule your installation now online.
Story & Light Photo Edits: Nick Gregson
Original Photos LJ Dixon