Modded Pontiac GTO with CV8Z Holden Monaro Front Bumper Conversion

Folks, fire up the barbie and pop open a Fosters, ’cause we’re going Down Under for our feature whip today. Well, not quite — but we’re crossing the international line nonetheless. Meet the 2005 Pontiac GTO with a CV8Z Monaro conversion: a muscle car with a distinctly Aussie edge. When the Yanks and the Aussies team up, you know it’s going to be something special, and that’s just what we’ve got here.

This ain’t just a GTO in kangaroo’s clothing, folks. It’s a badge-engineered blend of American muscle and Australian Holden heritage that takes an underappreciated Pontiac and turns it into a road-hugging monster, while keeping a low profile. While most enthusiasts have their eyes glued to the flashy Camaros and Corvettes, this GTO-Monaro hybrid keeps a subtle sleeper vibe going — until you hit the gas, that is.

About the Model

If you ask any true gearhead about the Pontiac GTO (2003-2006), you’ll probably hear the phrase “hidden gem” more than once. As Motor Trend once put it, the GTO is “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Under the unassuming exterior lies the beating heart of a beast — the formidable LS2 V8, churning out north of 400 horsepower right from the factory.

This ain’t just a muscle car for the strip, either. Car and Driver praised the GTO’s balance, handling, and ride quality, proving that it’s just as much at home on winding backroads as it is on the quarter-mile. While it may not have the old-school presence of a classic ’60s GTO or the raw power of a Hellcat, this iteration of the GTO has an undeniable sleeper appeal that performance enthusiasts and aftermarket junkies can’t help but love.

But why stop there? This is MuscleCarDNA.com after all, and we ain’t interested in stock. Let’s dive into what Randy Howard, the proud owner of this 2005 GTO, has done to make this Aussie-American muscle car truly stand out from the crowd.

Randy’s Rendition: A Monaro with Muscle

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 for good measure. That’s not just music to your ears; that’s a symphony of horsepower.

But raw power is nothing without control, and Randy’s got that in spades. 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 to keep it glued to the road. The addition of an MGW short throw shifter ensures gear changes are as sharp as a crocodile’s teeth.

“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”.

Now let’s talk wheels. This Aussie-American beast is rolling on a set of 19-inch Work Meisters, arguably one of the most iconic JDM rims on the market. With 19×9+30 on 235/35s in the front and 19×9.5+37 on 245/35s in the rear, shod with sticky Federal 595s, this thing corners like a champ.

And last but not least, let’s not overlook the exterior. The car’s Holden Monaro conversion is complemented by a Mavman carbon spoiler and rear diffuser. It’s an Aussie-tinged muscle car that blends subtlety with aggression, and it’s as visually striking as it is performance oriented.

Specs & Mods:

Performance

Pontiac G8 GT with HSV VE GTS Front End Conversion: The Aussie-Born American Muscle

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 Meisters. Wheel / Tire size: 19×9+30 on 235/35s, 19×9.5+37 on 245/35s in the rears, Federal 595s tires

Suspension:

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

Work Meisters SP1 Wheel / Tire size: 19×9+30 on 235/35s, 19×9.5+37 on 245/35s in the rears, Federal 595s tires

Wrapping It Up

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, this isn’t just a basic Pontiac.