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Anatomy of Speed: Nathan’s Supercharged Ecto-1
Welcome to Haltech Heroes, where we celebrate masterminds of mechanical marvels and wizards behind the wheel.
These are the drivers, builders, and enthusiasts whose blood bleeds Haltech yellow instead of red. From record-breaking rides to show-stopping creations, we’ll showcase these incredible Haltech-equipped machines and the innovative minds that bring them to life.
But the story doesn’t end there. YOU get to crown the ultimate Haltech Hero, and in doing so, you could win an iC-7 dash! – Voting is now open. VOTE FOR NATHAN’S ECTO-1 HERE
Nathan, the President of Haltech and a self-professed “car nerd,” has a deep passion for movie cars. He proudly possesses a replica DeLorean from Back to the Future in his collection – and was fortunate enough to bring another of his childhood icons to life with this replica Ghostbusters Ecto-1.
When Nathan first acquired the car, he described it as needing suspension work, shocks, brakes, brake pads, lining, steering box, transmission, rear end, possibly new rings, as well as mufflers and some wiring. Instead of tackling each of these issues individually, Nathan decided to undertake a complete body-off restomod.
Before delving into the specifics, let’s rewind to 1959 when Cadillac was producing these Miller-Meteor ambulances. By day, they served as ambulances, and on less fortunate occasions, as hearses. These Cadillacs were equipped with a robust 390ci 300hp V8 engine paired with automatic transmission.
Fast forward to the early 1980s when they used this Cadillac to chase ghosts around New York City. Back then, 300hp was more than sufficient for their needs. However, today, over 40 years later, the 390ci V8 engine just didn’t measure up. Nathan made the decision to propel it into the 21st century with modern gear and technology.
Which V8 engine is iconic in restomods? GM’s legendary LS, of course! This beast is powered by a 6.2L Gen IV LS3, but it’s more than just that—it’s a fully built motor. Featuring Boostline conrods, JE pistons, and topped with a Harrop blower, specifically the TVS2300, it generates 10 pounds of boost with its pulley setup, delivering around 550hp at the wheels. This power is well-suited to propel the hefty three-ton vehicle with agility and considerable speed.
To keep it fueled, there’s a Walbro 525 fuel pump supplying fuel to the fuel rails. Additionally, it features a Turbosmart FPR1200 fuel pressure regulator and a flex fuel sensor installed in the return line. Fuel delivery is handled by a set of Bosch 1000cc injectors tuned via the Rebel LS engine management system.
The Rebel LS engine management system controls various devices at the front, including the water pump, power steering pump, AC compressor, and a variety of sensors.
Also, at the front of the engine bay, you’ll find one of the three PD16 Power Distribution Modules. The PD16 receives direct battery power and is connected via a CAN cable to the Rebel LS ECU. Think of it as an expander, but it serves a much broader function: eliminating the need for fuses, relay boxes, and reducing overall wiring complexity. The PD16 controls the switching of the electronic power steering pump, the blower heat exchanger pump, the thermo fan, headlights – high beams, indicators and parkers.
In the cabin, front and center, you’ll find a uC-10 10-inch digital dash featuring a triple gauge display. It shows essential metrics such as speed, boost pressure, engine RPM, as well as critical parameters like oil pressure, transmission temperature, coolant temperature, and inlet air temperature. The uC-10 is integrated seamlessly into the CAN network, with just four wires connecting it to receive information from the Rebel LS engine management system and PD16s.
“The love from Ghostbusters definitely derived from the car itself. I don’t think there’s a Ghostbuster movie without the Ecto in it. It’s what drew me into the series of the movies.”
“I’m pretty confident this won’t be the last restomod movie car that I build. I have some other ideas in mind, but you’ll just have to wait and see what they are.”
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