When we were cruising the BangShift garage section recently, we saw a frontal photo of a 2004 GTO that was hoodless. That caught our eye, so we clicked on the photo labeled Ethyl and we’re sure glad that we did. Firstly, and forgive us for the expression, but Ethyl is one mean bitch. This 408ci LQ9 based engine is good for 800hp and nearly as much torque. 

The car started out as a single turbo project and quickly mophed into the Whipple blown monster that it has become today. Before getting the 4.0L “big boy” blower the car wore a smaller 2.3L unit that allowed the hood to close. Needless to say, we like the big one better, especially because the hood is a laughable option right now.

The final “destination” for the car will include a roll cage, hood, and lots of other finish stuff that will make it a mostly strip machine. We’re not sure how much road duty it sees now, but the original engine saw nearly 90,000 miles of what we assume was hellacious treatment before being tweaked into a 500hp N/A setup. It was then that the turbo was supposed to happen, but a little 2.3L TVS blower ended up on the mill instead. The big blower soon followed.

The monster 800hp engine is backed by a T56 trans built to withstand a Godzilla attack while simultaneously being struck by an atomic bomb. The clutch, which lives through abuse that would kill mere mortal parts is a ceramic piece from Monster Clutches.

To get the full scoop on the car with lots more photos and detail hit the link below. Scroll down for some violent and awesome chassis dyno videos of mean ol’ Ethyl hammering the rollers!

BangShift Reader Garage Profile – Ethyl – 2004, Whipple-blown, 800hp GTO

Update 8/5/2011 — Project Ethyl Build Thread 

The car has been coming along nicely and finally the guys have gotten their cog belt drive figured out for the big 4.0L Whipple blower. Previously the car used a normal ribbed belt and that puppy started slipping like mad somewhere in the 20lbs of boost range. With the new Gilmer (cog) belt in place, there’s no slipping happening at all.

We think this may be the first of its breed, with respect to the final generation of GTO that has been given this treatment. Not just the blower of course, but the full monte cog drive, which we understand was all custom stuff. They are excited to get the car on the rollers to see how much more power they make with no belt slippage!

Here’s the video of the new setup!