CHERRY BOMB
A 6.2-litre LSA is set to provide the 1000hp cherry on top of this stunning HJ GTS Monaro build
LOw-slung, dark-hued, all-steel big-body, white interior, beefy rims. Shaun Dunstan’s HJ GTS Monaro offers all of this, but also packs hefty horsepower to equal the show-pony looks. Built in WA, the genuine GTS had done a few shows before Shaun took ownership in early 2019. “I was browsing the internet for 1960s to ’85 Holdens and came across this for sale,” he says of the blown Ls1powered four-door HJ. “I was keen on that shape but I didn’t want an HQ.
“Having had a lot of work already done meant it was a great starting point for a build,” he continues. “So I bought the HJ sight-unseen, having been told that the car was in perfect condition.”
Money was paid and plans were made as the GTS was shipped across the country. “I was so excited that I didn’t sleep the night before the car arrived and was at the depot by 6am,” Shaun recalls. “As I was finishing up the paperwork and standing only a metre away from the HJ, a worker was in the cabin and bumped the wiper switch. He then opened the bonnet and the now-upright wiper ripped along the reverse cowl. It was a terrible sound.”
Unfortunately for Shaun, this was just the start of his woes with his fresh purchase. “Three days later, I was detailing the HJ and I noticed rust bubbles along the doors and other places – it broke my heart,” he laments. “I really should have taken a trip to WA to look at the car before buying it.”
But instead of spitting chips, Shaun dug deep to find the cash and motivation to get the body and paint fixed so that he could get on with enjoying his new ride. While finding an old-school panel guy wasn’t straightforward, he eventually came across Phil from Lemon Tree Paint & Panel, who stepped up to tackle the issues. “I dropped it to Phil and said do what you need to do,” Shaun says.
Phil got to work on sorting out the body and applying the mile-deep House Of Kolor custom candy paint based on VS Commodore Cherry Black. “Now Phil honestly loves this car as much as I do, and always struggles to give it back,” Shaun laughs.
Thankfully, Phil had a quick turnaround that saw the HJ back with Shaun within a month. However, not long after, the car copped another massive blow.
“I took my partner Emma to lunch in the HJ, and as we were heading home over a bridge along the highway, the rubber oil return line let go. I had a truck right up my arse and couldn’t pull over without causing an accident, so by the time I could safely shut it down, the LS1 was destroyed,” Shaun says.
Many people would have simply cut their losses at this point, but Shaun chose to look at the dead LS as an opportunity instead of a setback. He entrusted the lads at Zero5
Performance to build the HJ a fresh LSA cratey while retaining the Harrop forced induction. “My plan is to get it close to 1000hp; the motor is built to handle 20psi and 1500hp, as is the trans,” Shaun grins, perhaps a little manically.
The fellas have packed the 6.2-litre with Manley conrods and Mahle slugs, complemented by a Brian Tooley Racing cam and Higgins Race heads. Bosch 2000cc injectors are fed from a pair of Bosch 044 pumps hidden in the boot, while it’s all orchestrated by a Haltech Elite 2000 ECU. Presently the package is tuned to a stout 700rwhp at 12psi.
“The guys at Zero5 have put in a lot of effort to fix up teething issues, and they always have
A WORKER WAS IN THE CABIN AND BUMPED THE WIPER SWITCH. HE THEN OPENED THE BONNET AND THE NOW-UPRIGHT WIPER RIPPED ALONG THE REVERSE COWL. IT WAS A TERRIBLE SOUND
the time whenever I need anything done,” says Shaun. That’s a good relationship to have when you’re chasing big power, and given that Zero5 also has a couple of Drag Challenge contenders in the build, we’d all be stoked if they suggest that Shaun’s HJ tag along for the next event.
“The HJ had previously run a 10.4-second quarter with the LS1, but I haven’t had a chance to go to the track with the new engine,” Shaun says.
Now that Shaun – like all of us – has extra time to burn before racing resumes, the GTS will continue to be race-prepped. “I’m adding my personal touches, such as changing the suspension and some of the interior. It will get a rollcage soon, and then I’ll have the dash trimmed in suede – I want to keep it in full street trim,” Shaun says. “At the moment it’s getting Pro Drag rims with 295 radials – I’ll be aiming for nines with the whole new combo.”
It’ll be a top day when Shaun finally gets to rip up the strip in his angry GTS.