Here is part of my confusion: That 345hp.
For 1969, 345hp meant a Firebird RA4.
For 1970, 345hp meant a Firebird RA3.
For 1970 RA3, Angeles-McCarthy's 1981 book says 744 cam, but McCarthy's 1989 book says 068 cam as we concluded on this thread (thanks again!)
Now more on the ratings confusion. Were road testers early in 1970 mixing up the 345hp Firebird? Or even writers later on?
For example, in Chestnut's Kindle book, he refers to the Feb 1970 Hot Rod "345hp" car as a RA4, ie the 1969 rating.
Mike Noun's list has a Feb 1970 Motor Trend Firebird RA4 at 14.50 at 99.
Both of those seem early for a RA4, since the 1970 Firebird didnt debut until Feb 1970, and none of the early writeups I have even refer to a 370hp Firebird or RA4.
The earliest 1970 Firebird writeups I have say 330hp, 335hp, and 345hp, same ratings as the 1969 engines.
Maybe the writers were confused, or did the ratings later change to 330, 345, and 370 for those same respective engines? If so, when?
Other writeups say 330hp and 345hp, but no mention of 370hp or the RA4 (Firebird).
Could it be that the RA4 Firebird didnt come out until later in 1970?
So those early road tests had to be RA3 cars?
Could it further be that Pontiac slipped the 744 cam into the early 1970 Firebird RA3 cars because there was no RA4 Firebird yet?
A bunch of questions on a confusing issue. To me anyway!
EDIT: I found this 18 year old thread here, says the RA4 didnt come out until late 1970, and only built in TransAms.
Formula could be had with a RA4 but none were ordered.
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com....php?p=2226748