A dealership leftover goes through two decades in a constant state of progression
Car builders that maintain a long-term relationship with their cars beyond the ten-year mark aren’t all that common. Whether it’s the lure of a new project that pulls them away or being entirely fed up with the headaches involved in that initial build, the majority move on to something else. Ted Huban, owner of this eye-catching 2004 GTO is not that guy.
For Ted, parting ways with his GTO was never a thought and the two go back almost 20 years, to 2005, when they first became acquainted. “It was purchased new with 96 miles on it from a dealership transfer in 2005,” he recalls. “As an ’04 leftover, it was between this or an ’05 Mustang GT.” Having more knowledge of the inner workings of the LS engine than the Ford’s 4.6L V8, the GTO came home with him.
One thing was for certain, that Mustang purchase would’ve been much easier to modify at that time. Ted adds, “When the car was new there wasn’t much aftermarket support for the platform but that didn’t keep me from having a vision of the build.” While he waited for that vision inside his head to fully materialize, Ted spent the better part of two years helping a friend out with a Toyota Supra build. Then, finally, it was time to make some basic changes to his GTO.
Initially, the makeover consisted of a DMS body kit and Spintech side pipes.
Then came some updates inside, including Recaro seats and an AutoPower roll cage. Lastly, a set of ROH Drift R wheels went on, the car’s condition was excellent, and Ted began entering and winning car show awards like Hottest GM, Domestic, and Hottest Modern Muscle Car.
That, in turn, led to sponsorship support from the likes of Meguiar’s and Nitrous Express. Also, BC Racing, who supplied one of the very first coilover kits for the platform. Then, he took it all off.
Stripping the car of its requisite car show pieces was Ted’s effort to pull back from showing the car and just enjoy driving it. He credits his friend and past car club team president, Brian Houck for igniting the performance fire. “Talking to Brian, the track and speed became the focus but also keeping with the team’s motto of ‘quality over quantity,’” Ted states. “He had a Prelude Si with a lot of carbon fiber pieces and would always say that my yellow paint mixed with carbon would look sick. That’s when I found Maverick Man Carbon parts.
What started as just a set of carbon fiber SAP grills soon led to most of Maverick Man Carbon’s GTO carbon fiber catalog.
Today, you’ll find those grills accompanied by the brand’s flat carbon fiber hood, custom lower grill, rear bumper diffuser, front lip and rear spoiler.
Then, there’s the detail pieces that include Maverick Man Carbon’s front and rear billet arrowheads, fender washer kit, billet spoiler bolts and washers, all the way down to the carbon fiber plate frame.
Along with the aesthetic changes came some performance upgrades that Ted hoped would reach his 650 wheel-horsepower goal.
Rather than forced induction, Ted chose a 250 shot, direct port nitrous system that includes Nitrous Express’ and SAFE dedicated fuel cell.
He adds, “going to CMS Performance and getting a custom cam to really wake up the nitrous system with flow matched heads and other supporting mods started my horsepower goal.”
Off came the heads for Texas Speed & Performance’s PRC 2.5 799 versions, each fitted with dual valve springs and titanium valves, and cinched down with ARP head bolts. Fresh air is fed through an over the radiator intake system and sent to a 102mm ported FAST throttle body and intake manifold.
Exhaust is sent out through Kooks long tube headers, high flow cats, Stainless Works 3-inch exhaust, and finally, OEM 05-06 GTO exhaust finishers. “Back and forth a few times tweaking the tune and more add ons and I finally hit my goal with the nitrous of 663 to the ground,” he adds.
You learn a thing or two about a proper, balanced build over so many years and Ted knew the car would need some additional touches to keep it under control.
20 years is a long time and if you have the chance to pore over Ted’s 2004 GTO, you’ll realize it’s been time well spent.
No corners have been cut and everything on the car serves its purpose without going overboard.
He adds, “I built the car all around to support the driveability and also make sure it’s balanced so that parts are supporting and not cause anything to break or any other issues down the line.”
It’s a safe bet that Ted isn’t parting ways with his marathon build anytime soon. In fact, he’s got some plans for the future that include potentially removing the interior to make room for a full cage for some track day fun, and he might want to chase a new 700 horsepower goal next, which he says would involve building a new iron block.
Ted Huban’s 2004 Pontiac GTO
Instagram @04nxgoat
Engine LS1; CMS Motorsports custom cam; TSP PRC stage 2.5 799 heads, dual valve springs; titanium valves; ARP head bolts, intake bolts; heads milled 59cc; OTRCAI; FAST 102mm intake manifold, ported FAST 102mm throttle body; Kooks long tube headers, high-flow cats; Stainless Works custom 3-in. catback, custom turbo mufflers, 05-06 GTO exhaust exit; Ligenfelter high flow fuel pump; modified LS2 high flow fuel rails; Ford green top #42 injectors EV2; Mighty Mouse oil catch can; 250 shot direct port wet nitrous system; Nitrous Express SAFE tank, custom hardline w/integrated purge; CMS Performance dyno tuning
Power Naturally aspirated: 432whp, 409 lb-ft. With Nitrous: 663whp, 643 lb-ft of torque
Drivetrain T56 transmission; MGW-P shifter modification; Monster Stage 2 clutch, 15lb. flywheel; Henson Racing 1-piece driveshaft; Gforce 1320 850hp axle, inner stubs, hardened hardware, 3.73 gears
Suspension BC Racing coilovers w/Pedders mount; Pedders Suspension front/rear sway bars, end links, complete bushings kit; Whiteline front radius rod and bushings; BMR front shock tower bar
Braking Re-drilled Volvo S60R drilled/slotted rotors front, Z06 drilled rotors rear; CTS-V G1 Brembo 4-piston calipers; stainless steel lines: SLP line lock system
Wheels & Tires VMR 710 18-in. front rear, +42 front/+48 rear; Nitto G2 N555 234/45 front, 265/40 rear; ARP wheel studs; KICS R40 racing lug nuts
Exterior Yellow Jacket paint; Maverick Man Carbon flat carbon fiber hood, carbon fiber SAP grills, custom lower grill, rear carbon fiber diffuser, carbon fiber spoiler, front/rear billet arrowheads, billet fender washer kit, billet spoiler bolts w/billet washers, carbon fiber plate frame, 55w 6000k HID headlights; SAP style side skirts; Carbon front splitter; 2005 GTO rear bumper; Aerocatch hood latches
Interior Sparco L360 suede steering wheel; carbon fiber NRG quick-release and hub; custom 8-ball shift knob; MaverickMan Carbon center console, center gauge pod, carbon cover, color match volt gauge; AutoMeter oil pressure, engine temp gauges; 10lb. nitrous bottle in rear seat; Alpine UTE-73BT head unit and complete audio system
Thank You
To my wife, Nicole for loving the passion of this build and pushing me to keep going on not give up on it. To my late father, Nick for pushing me to keep the car and make it unique and one off. To my friend and prior team president, Brian Houck. To my friends Jon T, Joe J, and the rest of Former C3 Autoworks auto club. And to all prior sponsors for all the support over the years:
- Meguiar’s
- Nitrous Express
Need More GTO builds in Your Life? We’ve Got You:
The Unforgettable, One-of-a-kind, Post-Apocalyptic 2004 Pontiac GTO
2006 Pontiac GTO: Playing the Waiting Game
2006 Pontiac GTO Built To Go Slideways
Built and Boosted 2006 Pontiac GTO
2005 Pontiac GTO - Up, Up and Away
Author -> Matt Rodriguez aka "Rodrez"
Photographer / Photo Credit -> @cfdproductions
