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oldskool · 02-02-2020, 11:24 AM

I'm gonna present my opinions here. Then I wanna get opinions from you Pontiac guys.

(1) The first thing I want your opinions on, is what would be the cheapest Pontiac combo, that could be easily made to run safely under the index, & even survive a couple of small index reductions.

My opinon:

I think a '77 180hp 400 would be the cheapest, when used in any legal body EXCEPT a Bird. The NHRA hp factor is 260.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...4&MAKE=Pontiac

There are still some good blocks out there for around $600 or less. Most any good 400 block will work, EXCEPT the infamous "557" blocks.

The required 6x-8 heads are probably the cheapest & most plentiful 400 Pontiac heads there are. Usable cores are still going for around $200 a pair, or less.

Adam Strang has proven that you can get by with the cheap Speed Pro forged pistons. That savings will pay for the price of a core block.

That engine can use an 800cfm Q-jet.

This is no secret or surprise to anybody, since there have been so many Pontiac Stockers run this engine.

(2) Next question is: What is the best Pontiac combo, IF there is no budget limit at all. Another way to say it is: ...if cost does not matter.

I'll list several which I think MIGHT be best. The oldest one is a Ram Air II engine in a '68 Bird. 340hp factor. The cam can have nearly .500 lift.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...3&MAKE=Pontiac

The Class Racer Info site just quit working, for me. Anybody else ?

The 455HO engine has always been competitive. I think it still is. I assume that Brad Burton is the most famous 455HO guy, in recent years, with national & div championships.

Well, I'll stop this 'til the CRI site starts working again. Then I'll edit & continue.

OK, it's back up. The factor for a '72 455HO, in a Bird, is 325hp. IMO, that's a competitive combo.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...9&MAKE=Pontiac

The '73-'74 D-port 455 has a 306 hp factor, in Birds. Michael Brand & Adam Davis proved that is a competitive combo.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...9&MAKE=Pontiac

Then, of course, for those who can afford the high dollar factory parts, the '73-'74 SD455, in a Bird, is still a competitive combo, at 335hp.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...0&MAKE=Pontiac

Even at 356hp, the '69 Firebird should still be competitive, with the round port RAIV engine. Besides the round port heads, it has high compression, & a cam with .531 lift. Like the SD455, the RAIV parts are now rare & expensive.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...2&MAKE=Pontiac

Another combo I like is the '70 GTO, with the 360hp D-port 455. It has a 340hp factor. But, it's high compression. Only one of these cars running in recent years, that I know of. Don't know what an all-out build would do.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...0&MAKE=Pontiac

The '74 400 is still a possibility, since you can run it in a Bird, without a penalty. But, in other bodies, the '77 400 has a 15hp advantage. In recent years, the '77 has been run in the Lemans, the Grand Prix, & at least 1 Catalina.

At a 333hp factor, the '68 Bird, with the 330hp 400, is still competitive.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...9&MAKE=Pontiac

I've mentioned that he same engine in a '68-'69 GTO, has only a 325hp factor. I ask but never got a response. So, is the GTO body enuff to offset that 8hp difference ? Or, would a GTO be slightly more competitive, with the same engine?

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...4&MAKE=Pontiac

I personally like the extra torque of the 455 engines. So, when the hp factors are pretty close, I favor the 455 over the 400.

So, with price not a concern, what Pontiac combo do you guys think would be most competitive, in an all-out, no expense spared build ?

And, while we're at it, I think I've read where both Bill Rink & Mike Morgan have said that Parsons & Myers can build the quickest Pontiac engine. What say ya'll ?

02-02-2020, 11:24 AM	#330
oldskool VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: The Land of Bayous, Boudin & Crawfish Posts: 1,668 Likes: 223 Liked 747 Times in 362 Posts	Re: Best Pontiac Powered Stockers I'm gonna present my opinions here. Then I wanna get opinions from you Pontiac guys. (1) The first thing I want your opinions on, is what would be the cheapest Pontiac combo, that could be easily made to run safely under the index, & even survive a couple of small index reductions. My opinon: I think a '77 180hp 400 would be the cheapest, when used in any legal body EXCEPT a Bird. The NHRA hp factor is 260. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...4&MAKE=Pontiac There are still some good blocks out there for around $600 or less. Most any good 400 block will work, EXCEPT the infamous "557" blocks. The required 6x-8 heads are probably the cheapest & most plentiful 400 Pontiac heads there are. Usable cores are still going for around $200 a pair, or less. Adam Strang has proven that you can get by with the cheap Speed Pro forged pistons. That savings will pay for the price of a core block. That engine can use an 800cfm Q-jet. This is no secret or surprise to anybody, since there have been so many Pontiac Stockers run this engine. (2) Next question is: What is the best Pontiac combo, IF there is no budget limit at all. Another way to say it is: ...if cost does not matter. I'll list several which I think MIGHT be best. The oldest one is a Ram Air II engine in a '68 Bird. 340hp factor. The cam can have nearly .500 lift. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...3&MAKE=Pontiac The Class Racer Info site just quit working, for me. Anybody else ? The 455HO engine has always been competitive. I think it still is. I assume that Brad Burton is the most famous 455HO guy, in recent years, with national & div championships. Well, I'll stop this 'til the CRI site starts working again. Then I'll edit & continue. OK, it's back up. The factor for a '72 455HO, in a Bird, is 325hp. IMO, that's a competitive combo. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...9&MAKE=Pontiac The '73-'74 D-port 455 has a 306 hp factor, in Birds. Michael Brand & Adam Davis proved that is a competitive combo. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...9&MAKE=Pontiac Then, of course, for those who can afford the high dollar factory parts, the '73-'74 SD455, in a Bird, is still a competitive combo, at 335hp. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...0&MAKE=Pontiac Even at 356hp, the '69 Firebird should still be competitive, with the round port RAIV engine. Besides the round port heads, it has high compression, & a cam with .531 lift. Like the SD455, the RAIV parts are now rare & expensive. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...2&MAKE=Pontiac Another combo I like is the '70 GTO, with the 360hp D-port 455. It has a 340hp factor. But, it's high compression. Only one of these cars running in recent years, that I know of. Don't know what an all-out build would do. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...0&MAKE=Pontiac The '74 400 is still a possibility, since you can run it in a Bird, without a penalty. But, in other bodies, the '77 400 has a 15hp advantage. In recent years, the '77 has been run in the Lemans, the Grand Prix, & at least 1 Catalina. At a 333hp factor, the '68 Bird, with the 330hp 400, is still competitive. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...9&MAKE=Pontiac I've mentioned that he same engine in a '68-'69 GTO, has only a 325hp factor. I ask but never got a response. So, is the GTO body enuff to offset that 8hp difference ? Or, would a GTO be slightly more competitive, with the same engine? http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...4&MAKE=Pontiac I personally like the extra torque of the 455 engines. So, when the hp factors are pretty close, I favor the 455 over the 400. So, with price not a concern, what Pontiac combo do you guys think would be most competitive, in an all-out, no expense spared build ? And, while we're at it, I think I've read where both Bill Rink & Mike Morgan have said that Parsons & Myers can build the quickest Pontiac engine. What say ya'll ? Last edited by oldskool; 02-02-2020 at 10:27 PM.