Mountain State Mayhem, Part 3: Cookin' Class Races
OWNER BIOKenneth Simpson credits his late father for influencing his life when it comes to cars. The elder Simpson worked at Griffin Pontiac when his son was growing up, which meant that 50-year-old Kenneth, a Monroe, North Carolina resident, was around Pontiacs all the time, eventually owning 10 of them "not counting parts cars!" This '63 Tempest is his favorite body style, and he built this drag car with his father's help. His dad passed away a few weeks before our shootout, which makes this golden Poncho that much more special. | STRIP SPECS | | Year/Model: | 1963 Tempest | | Race Weight: | 3,193 lbs. | | Curb Weight: | 2,975 lbs. | | Fuel Level: | Full tank | | Engine: | 1973 Y4-code 455, bored to 462 cubic inches | | Built by: | Simpson's Garage | | Induction: | 850-cfm Holley, #76 primary, #84 secondary jets, 1-inch spacer plate | | Intake manifold: | Holley Street Dominator | | Heads: | Ported 1967 #97, 2.11/1.77-inch TRW stainless R/A-IV valves, 246-cfm intake flow | | Pistons: | Forged TRW | | Rods: | Stock | | Compression ratio: | 11.1:1 | | Crankshaft: | Stock nodular-iron | | Camshaft: | Comp Cams hydraulic flat-tappet, 246º/253º at .050, .562/.577 lift with 1.65-ratio Crane roller rockers | | Ignition: | MSD Billet electronic distributor, MSD coil | | Total timing: | 36º at 2000 rpm | | Exhaust: | 1.75-inch custom Firebird Hedman Hedders, 3-inch dual extensions | | Transmission: | Turbo 400 with shift kit | | Converter: | TCI 9-inch, 3000-rpm stall | | Shifter: | B&M | | Rear type/ratio: | Ford 9-inch, spool 4.10 gears Brakes, F/R: '69 Firebird front disc, Ford drum rear | | Wheels: | Weld, 15x3 front, 15x8 rear | | Tires, F/R: | Mickey Thompson, 27.5x15 front, 29.5x10.5x15 rear | | Suspension, Front: | Stock springs with one coil cut, swapped left/right upper A-arms, custom 90/10 shocks from Jegs, no stabilizer bar | | Suspension, Rear: | Hal coilovers, S&W ladder bars, no stabilizer bar | | Chassis modifications: | 10-point rollcage, custom-built frame | | Interior modifications: | Custom racing seat, RJS harness, Auto Meter tach | | Exterior modifications: | Lexan windows and windshield, fiberglass hood, trunk lid and bumper, 5-inch hood scoop | | Safety modifications: | Two driveshaft loops, SFI-approved balancer and flexplate, trans shield, braided fuel lines | | Paint: | Gold | | Launch Technique: | On the foot brake to 2,500 rpm | | STRIP TUNING LOG | | Run | Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift Point | 60-FT | 1/8 ET | MPH | EST 1/4 ET | 1
| 14 psi in tires, 36º | 2,500 | 5,200 | 1.44 | 6.84 | 98.23 | 10.63 | | 2 | 34º | 2,500 | 5,200 | 1.46 | 6.86 | 98.41 | 10.66 | | 3 | Same | 2,500 | 5,400 | 1.54 | 6.98 | 98.51 | 10.85 | | 4 | Same | 2,500 | 5,200 | 2.08 | 8.07 | 86.41 | 12.54 | | 5 | 36º | 2,500 | 5,200 | 1.49 | 6.89 | 98.45 | 10.71 | | 6 | 13.5 psi in tires | 2,500 | 5,200 | 1.62 | 7.05 | 98.02 | 10.96 |
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