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First off, I apologize in advance if I missed something in regards to the story in the new issue about the two mid-70s Firebirds built by competing teams for a TV show. I rarely watch any television, so maybe these two car builds were sabatoged from the get-go by the producers. SOMEBODY dropped the ball for sure!
Reading the parts list and cost tally chart in the article clearly illustrates the problem...somebody spent three grand very poorly! With few exceptions, that money could have been spent on vinyl graphics and a CD player and had about as much effectiveness in reducing the quarter mile ETs!
Here's how I would have done it:
(All prices sourced from the new Summit catalog)
Road Demon 625cfm carb .........part# GPT-6282010VE...............$289.95
Edelbrock Performer intake.......part# EDL-2156.........................$186.88
Summit 80gph fuel pump..........part# SUM-250010.......................$56.95
Performer Plus cam kit..............part# EDL-2157.........................$156.88
Hooker Super Comp headers...part# HOK-4901HKR...................$149.88
2 turbo mufflers..........part# SUM-630125 ....$14.75 x 2..............$29.50
2 exhaust tubes.........part# SUM-640025....$10.95 x 2...............$21.90
2 hangers..................part# WLK-35103......$7.99 x 2.................$15.98
4 exhaust clamps......part# SUM-G4625......$2.39 x 4..................$9.54
2 turn-downs...............part# WLK-41250....$14.99 x 2..............$29.98
NOS Powershot 125hp system...part# NOS-05001NOS.............$347.95
Accel 8mm Super Stock wires......................................................$23.88
Summit timing chain set....part# SUM-G6507..............................$23.95
B&M Nitrous Holeshot 2400 converter...part# BMM-20480.......$309.95
Add my list above to some of the items on your list:
AC Plugs.............part# R43T.......................................................$11.88
Weld Pro-Star front wheels....part# 96-57276.........................$309.90
Weld Pro-Star rear wheels....part# 96-58278..........................$315.90
MT front tires..............part# 1575............................................$207.90
MT rear tires...............part# 3753............................................$347.90
Add it all up and you get...................................................$2846.65
Compared to the article's total of.....................................$2953.94
You'll notice I left out the chrome valve covers, and all the fancy ignition parts, and made a few changes in the bolt-on speed parts selections. The whiz-bang ignition systems don't do much on any car NOT running in the nines or faster, so a stock and sound HEI distributor with new plug wires and plugs is all I'd have done to light the fire.
As for induction, with stock heads, the Pontiac V8s love low rise dual plane intakes, so the Performer would do fine. I opted for a Road Demon vs an Edelbrock carb because I think there's more power there.
Otherwise, I spent the money where it would do some GOOD...namely on headers, a cam, a stall converter, timing set and good mechanical fuel pump. These things will get the car down the track alot faster than chrome valve covers and billet distributors will!
Were the teams on this TV show allowed to pick out the parts they wanted to build their respective Firebirds? Or, were the parts dictated by sponsors and some none-too-savvy advisor hired by the producers? It seems to me that someone with Jennings' background would have chosen his parts a little more wisely.
Now, I don't mean to criticize Nick or CAR CRAFT...I just was left wondering how anyone could have blown a three thousand dollar budget so carelessly and ended up with a couple of slow Firebirds!
The smog-era Poncho 350s aren't the most muscular engine to flog down the 1320, but with a decent converter, sticky tires, headers, cam, nitrous and some experienced tuning, I'm sure they could have run 13s easily with just the 125hp bottle.
Interesting article, but the dismal results just left me scratching my head.
(Hey, does Nick wanna SELL one of them slowbirds????!!!)
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