[BAB]

I'm looking to make it to consistent 12.50-12.80's in my car under the following conditions:

1. Willing to make ANY short block changes.
2. Need to run on pump gas (87-92 max)
3. Must use current gears, heads, ram air manifolds, wide ovals, etc..

What's my best route to close the gap on my current ET (see combo below)? Can I use my 72 cc #12 heads with a 455 short block and cut the pistons to lower compression or would cutting the pistons be counter productive in making power? 428 to split the difference between traction issues and quick reving? Wide LS on the cam to spread the power band out and not choke the exhaust manifolds? Just looking for some opinions if you would.

Carb/Car Specifications
Car: 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge
Weight: 3850
Engine: 412 CI
Carb: 750 Quadrajet 7040270 (71 Jet, 39B rods, CE secondary rods) Redone by Cliff
Compression: 10.5
Heads: Ram Air 111 (number 12 heads with slight clean up & 1.5 Harland Sharps)
Pistons: TRW replacements .060 over
Cranks & Rods: Factory crank & resized factory rods to .0023
Intake: Stock dual plane (…14.5” of vacuum at 900RPM)
Transmission: Muncie (M-20) 4spd with a Ram diaphragm clutch
Rear End: Stock 10 bolt with 3:90’s
Tires: 14" Firestone Wide Ovals
Cam Specs: Ultradyne Hydraulic 223/231 & 468/485 lift @ .050, 106CL, lobe separation 112, .045 seat
Operating Range: 2000-5800 RPM…shift points I use 5500-5800 (I leave the line between 2000-3000 RPM)
Ignition: Pertronix 11 (13 initial & 23 mechanical for a total timing of 36 degrees in by 2500RPM. Car use’s manifold vacuum, with the vacuum advance (B-3 can) limited to 10 degrees)
Exhaust: Ram Air Manifolds have been Extrude Honed & mated to a 2 ½” mandrel bent down pipes, X-pipe with flowmaster 50 series mufflers.
Current ET: 13.35 @ 103.1 (Poor 60 ft @ 1.97)
Altitude: Low
Fuel System: Airtek factory HO replacement pump (new hard lines and new fuel sock with 4-6 psi)

[goatracer]

Get those heads ported. Slight clean-ups usually don't help much with the iron heads. Bowls and the short turns is where the power is. Those heads flowing around 250ish + should get you mid to high 12's using your current short block assm. While the heads are off, and being a stick car, a little more cam won't hurt either. Consider the Comp XE hyd. flat cam with 236* int@ 0.050 duration ( I forgot the rest of the specs at the moment but very popular with great performance).
Thanks, Bryan

[HWYSTR455]

I'm on board with goatracer's suggestions, do the heads, and step up a notch or so on the cam, roller if you can afford it. Suggest also cleaning up the intake a little too. If you get a good tune, you should knock back consistent mid-12s easy. Ok, well, driving will have some to do with it too, especially since it's a stick. With a better 60, you're close to a high-12 as it is.

If you start digging in the short block, obviously a stroker kit would be the popular choice. I would suggest re-gearing though if you do that, take more advantage of the stroke/torque. Nothing wrong with a 400 for drag though, so, you could go to a lighter piston/rod assm. and improve on what you have.

[Goathead]

Heads, heads, heads, and intake, better cam then driving and seat time....it's really pretty simple.....