[Tom Cheatwood]

Someone ask what pistons I'm using. 2 valve relief SRP Flat tops. And what CC my heads are. Mine are the 85 cc version.

70 lucern, Wow that firebird hauls. I think I got some more. But Man I don't if I got that much. What intake and carb you running ? Are you using a transbrake?

[60man]

What size headers are you guys running?....with what CFM KRE's ?
My headers are choking my motor I know but had to "rig" some old 1 3/4" SC's for my car. Ever trying buying headers for a 60 ??
The center ports are a problem. I'm having some custom made headers made up using adapter plates. going to be 2"/2 1/8"/2 1/4" stepped primaries with a 4" collector.
Hope to have them on before too long.
Going to try to use a muffler when needed.

[70 lucerne lemans]

Originally Posted by Tom Cheatwood

Someone ask what pistons I'm using. 2 valve relief SRP Flat tops. And what CC my heads are. Mine are the 85 cc version.

70 lucern, Wow that firebird hauls. I think I got some more. But Man I don't if I got that much. What intake and carb you running ? Are you using a transbrake?

Victor/Dominator and transbrake,ATI 9" fuel blown converter stalls at 4000 on the Tbrake,flashes to 4900-5000.You do have less compression,I thought you had the 74 cc version.It just takes ALOT of track time and reseaching what works for other guys,this board is great for that.

[Cliff R]

Tom, just taking some notes here, and feel free to correct me at any point if I've missed something.

I just took a minute and was mapping out your performance improvements, as I went through a very similiar evolution with my own car and the KRE heads, camshafts, etc.

Looks like you went as quick as 11.38 @ 115 MPH with the 230cfm iron heads.

Stock KRE's with the same basic set-up were good for 11.25 @ 118 MPH.

Ported to 310 KRE's, cam change, intake, etc, 10.90's at over 120 MPH.

I went through a very similiar pattern with my own car, and managed to go from 12.0's to 11.64's, 230cfm iron to stock KRE's. Down to 11.52 with a cam change. Then ported 290cfm heads and another cam change to 11.30's over 120 MPH.

Of course the cars are quite different, as we're carrying around another 450 pounds or so. I still find it interesting as to how much is required in terms of parts, funds and labor to make improvments once you really start going fast!

It's also important to point out how well you ran with the 230cfm iron heads and "little" 236 @ .050" camshaft.

Anyhow, good work, and it is my opinion that you will see some mid-10 second runs with some additional effort in the right places......Cliff

[70 lucerne lemans]

I agree with Cliff,I used to get excited over tenths now I'm glad to pick up a couple hundreths!

[grandville455]

Originally Posted by 70 lucerne lemans

I agree with Cliff,I used to get excited over tenths now I'm glad to pick up a couple hundreths!

X2! , But Now I am looking for tenths again!

[ponjohn]

I run a 220 cfm iron d-port. I hope with a conv change from redneck (13%) to Jim Hand special I will consistently be in the 11.90's, with a 240/246 hyd flat tap.

Looking to purchase parts over the summer to step up to 320cfm sd d-ports and 248/256 Bullet solid roller.

Great thread!!

[Tom Cheatwood]

Cliff, You're right the faster you go the more effort and funds it takes. Now that the car is in the 10's chopping off more ET will become more difficult. I won't be going to the track for few weekends and I think I can get some more ET off but is going to be harder to do with out lighting the car and I'm not going to strip it. Will keep everyone posted with results.

[ta man]

What are you running for exhaust?

[Tom Cheatwood]

TA man,
I'm running Hooker Comp. (not super) headers with 3 in. exhaust and 3 in Flowmasters with turn downs.

[Cliff R]

Tom, that car is too nice to "strip it", but removing weight is a given for going quicker.

My car is still at full weight, aside from removing the spare tire and the jack. The 73 Ventura's are considerably heavier than earlier years. I was told a lot of that weight is in the bumpers, something about improving crash ratings that year? I still don't think there is 400-500lbs to shave off, and it's really not a big concern at this time, because we are solidly under the roll bar rule!......Cliff

[Tom Cheatwood]

This may be long but here's some background. Built my engine for the 62 several years ago using the KRE d ports posted results through past post in this thread. Got the Tempest into to 10's. The last few seasons. I've been racing with a Chevy buddy his 502 we run side by side. I got to chasing him and 60 ft. Improvement times . I installed glass hood ( lost bout 40 lbs) ,4.10 gears,2 step, trans brake, 5000 flash converter. Victor manifold. Yada,yada,yada. Car was leaving violently 3000rpm launches, making lots of noise (REAL RACE CAR ) right? And running high 10.70's to 10.90s. 60fts in the mid 5's with a hand full of mid 4's? The results not really that impressive for money spent and a case of once in the 10,s harder to find 10ths of seconds. Hurt the transmission at middle last season Parked the car.

Fast forward to 2016 new year new interest. I have decided to put the car back to some street duty. So over the winter took transbrake out. Built good turbo 400, took the loose converter out installed a tight 4200 continental converter I had bought from Cliff a while back. And installed the biggest MT drag radials I could stuff under the car 295/65-15 , 30 in. Tall.

I wanted to see how much the car may have slowed down.

Quick rundown on engine , stock stroke 455, h beam rods, SRP pistons, KRE 310 D ports, victor manifold , 850DP, Comp 306c-R8 cam. 271 @.50 /.660 lift, bought used from forum member.
Same 4:10 gear. 3200lbs.

Went to Track 2 weeks ago : foot braking 1500rpm launching
1st pass 10.98 @ 120mph 1.47 60ft.
2nd pass 10.90 @ 120mph 1.45 60ft.
3rd pass 10.99 @ 120mph 1.46 60ft.

I thought Good results for detuning and Car has never had so many 1.40 60ft times at once.

So still heading back to the street got to take those 4:10s out right?
I removed the 4:10s installed 3:55s.
Went back to track yesterday.
1st pass 1/8 mile / 6.85 @97mph with 1.50 60ft.
2nd pass 1/8 mile / 6.89 @ 96mph same 1.50 60ft.
3rd pass 1/4 mile / 10.82 @120mph 1.46 60ft. Raised launch RPM to 2000 RPM.

I was certainly surprised the car is just as fast going back to the Pontiac basics: Letting the Great Pontiac Torque do its job.

Another point : the drag radials work GREAT!! Car just hooks a leaves as good as any slick I have ever run.

My next move is to take the Victor off and go back to the RPM manifold see how much the bottom end improves.

I'll post those results.

[ta man]

Originally Posted by Tom Cheatwood

This may be long but here's some background. Built my engine for the 62 several years ago using the KRE d ports posted results through past post in this thread. Got the Tempest into to 10's. The last few seasons. I've been racing with a Chevy buddy his 502 we run side by side. I got to chasing him and 60 ft. Improvement times . I installed glass hood ( lost bout 40 lbs) ,4.10 gears,2 step, trans brake, 5000 flash converter. Victor manifold. Yada,yada,yada. Car was leaving violently 3000rpm launches, making lots of noise (REAL RACE CAR ) right? And running high 10.70's to 10.90s. 60fts in the mid 5's with a hand full of mid 4's? The results not really that impressive for money spent and a case of once in the 10,s harder to find 10ths of seconds. Hurt the transmission at middle last season Parked the car.

Fast forward to 2016 new year new interest. I have decided to put the car back to some street duty. So over the winter took transbrake out. Built good turbo 400, took the loose converter out installed a tight 4200 continental converter I had bought from Cliff a while back. And installed the biggest MT drag radials I could stuff under the car 295/65-15 , 30 in. Tall.

I wanted to see how much the car may have slowed down.

Quick rundown on engine , stock stroke 455, h beam rods, SRP pistons, KRE 310 D ports, victor manifold , 850DP, Comp 306c-R8 cam. 271 @.50 /.660 lift, bought used from forum member.
Same 4:10 gear. 3200lbs.

Went to Track 2 weeks ago : foot braking 1500rpm launching
1st pass 10.98 @ 120mph 1.47 60ft.
2nd pass 10.90 @ 120mph 1.45 60ft.
3rd pass 10.99 @ 120mph 1.46 60ft.

I thought Good results for detuning and Car has never had so many 1.40 60ft times at once.

So still heading back to the street got to take those 4:10s out right?
I removed the 4:10s installed 3:55s.
Went back to track yesterday.
1st pass 1/8 mile / 6.85 @97mph with 1.50 60ft.
2nd pass 1/8 mile / 6.89 @ 96mph same 1.50 60ft.
3rd pass 1/4 mile / 10.82 @120mph 1.46 60ft. Raised launch RPM to 2000 RPM.

I was certainly surprised the car is just as fast going back to the Pontiac basics: Letting the Great Pontiac Torque do its job.

Another point : the drag radials work GREAT!! Car just hooks a leaves as good as any slick I have ever run.

My next move is to take the Victor off and go back to the RPM manifold see how much the bottom end improves.

I'll post those results.

Sounds familiar...... For what its worth...my combo hated the Rpm had it on last year for a Cpl months and two track outings ..mph fell off,car was just lazy compared to the Torker 2 and Wilson tapered spacer,actually 60 fted better with the Torker 2....go figure?

[ponjohn]

Great info.

[Skip Fix]

Good job Tom!

When I swapped in my 455 pump gas motor HFT over the solid roller race gas motor and a tight 10" "Hand" convertor I was shocked first trip to the track in cool air it ran the same! Sometime you tame them down and they still run good or better!