Sleeper Build
Completed1975 AMC Pacer
"Project Pacemaker"
Fast, not fancy. A supercharged LS Pacer built on a budget that proves you don't need to spend big to go fast.
Build Concept
Fast, Not Fancy.
Equally at home picking up groceries or on the drag strip, while getting funny looks everywhere.
The AMC Pacer is one of the most underestimated platforms in automotive history — which makes it absolutely perfect for a sleeper build. Nobody looks twice at a Pacer. That's exactly why we built one.
The goal was simple: build something comparably fast to Project Sudden Delivery, but do it on a budget. That meant sourcing a complete L76 drivetrain — engine, 6L80 transmission, and factory ECU — out of a wrecked Pontiac G8, then crowning it with an LSA supercharger from a ZL1 Camaro and dialing it in with a custom tune. Factory patina and surface rust stayed. Everything mechanical underneath was completely redone — full fuel system, all new brake lines, four wheel disc brakes with a big brake kit up front.
All in for just under $16,000. The result is a supercharged LS Pacer making an estimated 550 horsepower to the wheels that looks like it rolled out of a barn. Fast, not fancy — and not apologizing for either.
Build Details
Vehicle
1975 AMC Pacer
Engine
L76 6.0L — LSA Supercharged
Power (Est.)
~550 RWHP
Total Build Cost
Under $16,000
Status
CompletedWant one like it?
Get a QuoteWhat Was Done
Key Modifications & Parts
L76 6.0L Aluminum LS — G8 Donor
Complete drivetrain sourced from a wrecked Pontiac G8 — engine, 6L80 6-speed automatic, and factory ECU pulled as a matched set. Smart parts sourcing at its finest.
LSA Supercharger — ZL1 Camaro
LSA supercharger from a ZL1 Camaro force-fed onto the L76, managed by the factory G8 ECU with a custom tune to account for the added boost.
Ford 8.8 Rear Axle — 3.73:1 LSD
A 3.73:1 limited slip Ford 8.8 puts the power to the ground properly — strong, proven, and more than capable of handling what the LSA throws at it.
4-Wheel Disc Brakes — Big Brake Front
Full disc brake conversion with a big brake kit up front and all new brake lines throughout. Stopping power to match the go-fast power.
Driveshaft Shop Driveshaft
One of the places we didn't cheap out. A supercharged LS deserves a driveshaft that won't become an expensive roadside problem.
Full Mechanical Refresh
Complete fuel system, all new brake lines, and full structural remediation underneath. Everything mechanical was redone right while the patina stayed exactly where it was.
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