OWNER BIOSince this shootout is all about hard-core racers, let us introduce 58-year-old Ted Robb. This Akron, Ohio denizen spent 17 years racing and came away with 13 NMCA national records in his '61 Ventura. And since he always wanted an aluminum front end Pontiac, Ted decided to pick up this '62. Of course, it upholds the brutally fast reputation of the Pontiac lightweights--his favorite moment involved slicks with low tire pressure, one hard launch, and a huge wheelstand.
| STRIP SPECS |
| Year/Model: | 1962 Catalina |
| Race Weight: | 3,740 lbs. |
| Curb Weight: | 3,520 lbs. |
| Fuel Level: | 1/4 tank |
| Engine: | 1962 49N-code 389, bored to 401 cubic inches |
| Built by: | Owner |
| Induction: | Dual 600-cfm AFBs, #72 front, #86 rear jets, .073x.060 metering rods, .5-inch spacer plate |
| Intake manifold: | 2x4 #9770859 |
| Heads: | Ported 1963 #9771980, 2.11/1.77-inch Rev stainless valves |
| Pistons: | Forged Ross |
| Rods: | Forged stock |
| Compression ratio: | 11.6:1 |
| Crankshaft: | Stock steel |
| Camshaft: | Ultradyne flat-tappet solid, 265º/275º at .050, .610/.610 lift with Harland Sharp 1.65-ratio roller rockers |
| Ignition: | Mallory Unilite distributor, MSD 6AL electronic, MSD Blaster coil |
| Total timing: | 44º at 3000 rpm |
| Exhaust: | 2.25-inch outlet factory aluminum manifolds, 3-inch Flowmaster dual exhaust |
| Transmission: | Jerico 4-speed |
| Clutch: | McLeod 11-inch |
| Shifter: | Jerico |
| Rear type/ratio: | Early 1962 pumpkin-style, Strange spool, 5.14 gears |
| Brakes, F/R: | Factory drum |
| Wheels: | Weld, 15x5 front, 15x8 rear |
| Tires, F/R: | Mickey Thompson, 28x7x15 front, 30x9x15 rear |
| Suspension, Front: | 90/10 Koni shocks, stock weak springs, no stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, Rear: | Stock weak shocks, stock weak springs, boxed stock control arms, air bags with 5 psi left, 13 psi right, no stabilizer bar |
| Chassis modifications: | Rollcage welded to frame |
| Interior modifications: | Simpson harness |
| Exterior modifications: | Fiberglass bumpers and brackets |
| Safety modifications: | Rollcage, driveshaft loop |
| Paint: | Aqua |
| Launch Technique: | Pop clutch (not sidestep!) at 4,500-5,000, depending on track |
| STRIP TUNING LOG |
| Run | Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift Point | 60-FT | 1/8 ET | MPH | EST 1/4 ET |
1
| Tires 11 psi | 4,500 | 5,500 | 1.64 | 7.61 | 89.06 | 11.83 |
| 2 | Tires 10 psi | 4,500 | 5,500 | 1.70 | 7.66 | 89.06 | 11.91 |