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24 Pantera "KHAOS" Restomod (LS Swap)
After years of browsing this site.. and 10 posts later I finally feel worthy of my own build thread. In 2020 I purchased one of my dream boats being a 79 24 Pantera. Boat was purchased with a mild built big block and bravo drive. After enjoying it for a year and a half i pulled the tired big block out and started planning an LS Swap.. The original plan was to fill the transom from previous set ups, but things escalated.. More pics to follow...
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And here come some of the cool stuff..
engine is a 6.0 LS block, punched out to 402ci. Manley rotating assembly. LS3 cylinder heads and a ported LSA blower. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f8b557bdb.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...97c943f8a.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...18adaff6a.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e6a6b56df.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...dc8d666ce.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b9b85660a.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e14b418e6.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...83dde9953.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3bcc54294.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ca0719841.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a7cf67f60.jpeg Back to the boat.. new fuel tank installed https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...61e455d31.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c87bb48a3.jpeg some original artwork found after sanding. If anyone has any info on the origin of this boat let me know! https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b630ca474.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...875deebfb.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8bfe4ad85.jpeg here’s a rendering of the paint scheme. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...90abce4e8.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2a97d9988.jpeg in primer https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...870279a48.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fe332d4ab.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f17a127de.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f0a07c85f.jpeg |
Here’s where the magic is. I’m not a super creative guy when it comes to art. I know what looks good but usually I’m a clean and simple guy. But my painter and his artist knocked this out of the park. It’s the best when people rub there hand on it thinking it’s a wrap..
nope. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a31bc4a6b.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...bc2aeafbf.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...39225c16b.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...86b67358c.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fa240d0af.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c555c6585.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6335184ef.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ebe1a34f4.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ccf930902.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...31bd53e4b.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b41d794a8.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c6f0f10e5.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8959208ba.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9c1a120a2.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cba59bac6.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e8bd96412.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...782f8b213.jpeg to think about how f’d up the deck of this boat was.. here’s some of the interior. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b9f942aaf.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3782616d6.jpeg we flush mounted a Holley 12” screen to the custom dash. Who needs analog gauges anymore.. 😂 https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...83fbde463.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...744fb18d0.jpeg I’ll have to get some pics of the cabin. We lined the floor with fake vinyl hardwood. Came out pretty slick. Back to the cool stuff.. ITS mounted and motor mock up https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e82a23c02.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0eb7bb0f9.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2a4d93005.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...76a39a0fb.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0cc547e0a.jpeg more rigging.. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...534fe11ca.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4c6ceeab6.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...895129436.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...083528e14.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e308264d2.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7654b1986.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...913a444a2.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...72066396a.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...55df00877.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...bc1859892.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ac9c0403f.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...55c64da85.jpeg cant do all this work and not put on some fancy lights.. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1b595144b.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b758d36b3.jpeg back to cool stuff. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c0e927daa.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...53c35b582.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0b8850e52.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8b140fc58.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5f4d987f9.jpeg |
More awesomeness by my painter/artist. Custom painted rub rail.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...63afe701b.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2830314f0.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...38dff7acf.jpeg found a steering wheel that was so fitting couldn’t resist. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cdee1e6e0.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...abee8c3b1.jpeg rigging almost complete. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a050e0c0f.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b4871f83a.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4e56d0571.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...29cb81142.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...10edff59a.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a4240688b.jpeg the interior was kind of a crap shoot. I had someone lined up to make me drop out bolsters, but with the new windshield and dash we had to mount them super low. The guy I had doing them for me actually kinda screwed me out some of the original stuff I had. So we made our own seats from a jersey speed skiff seat mold and had them wrapped. Mounted them to suspension bases. I do love how clean and classic it looks even though sometimes I feel like it should be just a little more custom. They do hug you that’s for sure. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d288336fb.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e40f46412.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f379e4d91.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5d05b966f.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3bf792f2f.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8e523b2d7.jpeg |
First day on its new trailer and out of the shop. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...385fdf395.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...47a50f417.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9995189fb.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...540e7ec91.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c0c705fd0.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...140773ee6.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3a9df64dc.jpeg first trip to the ramp and night out. So rewarding being on it https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0eafda42e.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8a72cf7ea.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f2e338f13.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...73b76dbbc.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2fb8be99f.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...069c0faa1.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fe6d73788.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a5bad2821.jpeg finished under the hatch pic.. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6eaecfe8b.jpeg for those who may ask.. the engine has a heat exchanger mounted on the bellhousing. It’s actually a crusader exchanger I mounted and plumbed. The exchanger on the stringer is for the supercharger. I ran a 5 gallon “ice tank” and circulating pump to run fresh water through that as well. so far this season, with the ITS and standard length bravo XR we saw a best of 74 mph at only 4400 rpm.. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...bef1c50373.jpg Still have a lot of tuning to do. And I want to put a -2 lower unit on it for next season. From my research and the way the boat acts so far it seems like the boat can use that. But regardless this thing has been an absolute blast and I can’t wait to keep improving. This was a hell of a process and don’t regret one bit.. besides my wallet hurting 😂 but that’s boating I’ve learned. heres a few more random pics. Sorry for the dump https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0f59a1bdc.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...69203068b.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...df7422542.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...876d006d5.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...35e256694.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d5bdc9a03.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...87072964c.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...dd60c0aec.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b844d3706.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1ee5df5be.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...78103642e.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...340a626b7.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0137e16cf.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...baff5dbf9.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...91e2d7928.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f7c581284.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7d11f5c9b.jpeg tomorrow will try to post videos. Still new at this 😂 |
Quite the undertaking and great results. Very impressive. Enjoy. :ernaehrung004:
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Wow!
outstanding resto ! enjoy the ride now! its a brand new boat! |
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WOW Enjoy the results of all that hard work Congrats !! |
where did you find the steering wheel?
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Wow!...that's a ton of work! Congrats!
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You derive a all the compliments and more !!.....enjoyed all the picture documentation.....where do you splash her, public ramp Manasquan?
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Looks awesome. I like the paint, unique.
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Congrats, very nice. You did an amazing job. Enjoy it for all that you put into it. Great restomod....
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Badass man love this boat! Ill be picking your brain when we go to do my windscreen on my 24!
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That turned out awesome. Congrats man!
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My mother would crawl out of her grave to admire the paint! You have combined to of my favorites. A Pantera and a LS. Those classic lines of that hull will never go out of style and you made it one of a kind to boot! Keep us posted on your performance and upgrades. Enjoy!
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Love your out of the box, clean sheet thinking!
Love it! Congrats! |
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Hah!
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Great job Nick! I had no idea the lengths you went through, you said redoing it, you really did! Came out great!
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What a cool build and a great read! Also, is there anything "not cool" in that shop of yours, the background pix of some of the toys are sweet! Great job!
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Very nice work. You can really see the attention to detail you put into it. I know you are still tuning etc but wanted to know if the engine was dyno tuned and if yes what did it make and where did it make it? Did you have a wot rpm target? I am thinking the LS should be around 6000 wide open? Looking forward to seeing you getting it dialed in.
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Killer work!!! Love these types of threads! You really did a stellar job!
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Is that your Apache in the background?
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Man that is a sweet build!!! cant wait to see more posted !!! Hope to see it in person if your ever back in Morehead for the races!!
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https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6fd7e4679a.png
Pretty cool my buddy was doing some shopping on Hardins website and found a pic of my bilge on there! Had no idea. |
Well, enjoyed the hell out of the boat this season. Had a few minor problems with rigging and outdrive but all were fixed. Unfortunately we ended the season having low oil pressure, engine is out and at the builder already but we are already working on improvements. After some research I found that 7 marine outboards had raw water cooled intercooler being made out of copper. So I got one of those to eliminate high IAT’s on extended runs with the current set up. Also going to be doing a bigger oil cooler set up and possibly headers. The boat went a best 78mph at 5500 rpm. But also went 75mph with 5 people, full tank, and full beer cooler. Can’t wait to see what next season brings.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...839f76de3.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4af696655.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...30d2fc914.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7b0391da2.jpeg |
Forgot about this thread.
AWESOME! |
congrats Nick! thats a great season! excellent numbers!
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Where did you get the navigation and stern lights from?
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go pro video from last season. Have a few others I’ll try to upload. |
Little update..
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7274cdff1.jpeg scored a decent deal on this 84 Cig 38 flat deck out of Michigan. Absolute dream boat. Here’s a link to the thread on that! https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...-any-info.html But don’t worry the Pantera isn’t going anywhere. Just needed something a little bigger for longer runs and it has an awesome cabin. Pantera will remain a bad ass river boat. Another cool thing on the way back from Michigan we hit a bar in Lake Orion called “Opa”. Where the owner hung a 24 Pantera deck cap from the roof of the bar. Believe he currently owns the 28 Pantera 3 man boat named Opa as well. Pretty cool spot. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2ec19a38d.jpeg |
Now I want a deck cap for my man-cave!!
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I need to visit that bar! Awesome build!
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