OWNER BIO: RICK SCHABENER
At 48 years old, Rick has owned this Bird for 27 years! Its paint is 28 years old! It was a daily driver for a long time and now it is a pampered street/strip machine. With all that time behind the wheel, treasured moments are many, but some stand out. "My wife and I had our first date in this Firebird," Rick says. "She got all dolled up, makeup, and hair, etc. What she didn't know was, we were going to a circle track race---at a dirt track. The top was down all the way there and back. Despite what it did to her hair, she stayed with me anyway. My kids grew up riding in this car. I still have the baby carriage and tricycle scratches as reminders." Five more Pontiacs have resided at the Schabener residence as well.
| Strip Specs |
| Year/Model: | '68 Firebird convertible |
| Race Weight: | 4,025 lbs |
| Curb Weight: | 3,810 lbs |
| Fuel Level: | 1/4 tank |
| Type of Fuel: | Amoco 94 octane |
| Engine: | '72 YC-code 455 bored 0.030-over |
| Cubic Inches Before/After: | 455/462 |
| Built By: | Jim Butler Performance |
| Carburetor: | Q-Jet, jets N/A, rods AX |
| Spacer Plate: | None |
| Intake Manifold: | Stock '68 iron |
| Fuel System: | Carter elect. pump, Holley reg. set to 5 lbs, 1/2-in fuel line |
| Heads: | '71 No. 96 D-port, ported by JPB, 2.11/1.77 stainless valves |
| Flow Numbers: | 243 cfm intake at 25 in of pressure |
| Pistons/Rings: | 0.030-over Ross forged flat-top / Total Seal Gapless |
| Rods: | '58-'62 forged Pontiac, 6.625-in length |
| Compression Ratio: | 9.6:1 |
| Crankshaft: | Stock nodular iron |
| Rotating Assembly Balanced: | Yes |
| Camshaft: | Ultradyne 231/239-deg dur. at 0.050, 0.485/0.507 lift with 1.50:1 rockers, 110-deg LSA |
| Installed Position: | N/A |
| Rocker Arms: | Stock stamped steel 1.50:1 |
| Ignition: | Stock distributor upgraded to breakerless, Crane HI-6, Crane PS-2 coil, Taylor 8mm wires, AC R43S plugs |
| Total Timing: | 35 deg, all in by approx. 2,200 rpm |
| Exhaust: | Hooker Super Comp headers 1.75-in primaries, 3-in collectors, 3-in Dr. Gas X-pipe, 3-in Ultra Flo mufflers, 3-in tailpipes |
| Power Adder: | None |
| Transmission: | TCI Street Fighter Turbo 400 |
| Converter: | 11-in TCI Street Fighter, 2,600-2,800 stall |
| Shifter: | '69 Firebird |
| Rear: | GM 12-bolt 3.55 gears, posi, stock axles |
| Brakes F/R: | Converted to factory disc / stock drum |
| Wheels F/R: | Cragar SS 14x7 / Cragar SS 15x8 |
| Tires F/R: | BFG Radial TA 215/70R14 / Hoosier Quick Time DOT 275/60-15 |
| Tire Pressure F/R: | 34 psi / 21 psi |
| Suspension Fr: | Stock GM springs, shocks, and stabilizer bar |
| Suspension Rr: | Stock GM springs and shocks |
| Chassis Mods: | CE subframe connectors modified to fit a convertible |
| Interior Mods: | Stock |
| Exterior Mods: | 400 hood and front bumper |
| Safety Mods: | None |
| Paint: | Starlight Black |
| Launch Technique: | Footbrake, rpm varies with track conditions |
| Best 1/4-mile ET, MPH Prior to Event: | 12.58 at 108.12 mph |
| STRIP TUNING LOG |
Run | Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift Point | 60-FT | 1/8 E.T./MPH | 1/4 E.T./MPH |
| 1. | 21 psi in tires, new carb, 36-deg timing | 1,800 | 5,200 | 1.81 | 8.16/84.55 | 12.81/105.31 |
| 2. | Same, 18 psi in tires | 1,800 | 4,800 | 1.86 | 8.26/83.18 | 12.96/104.44 |
| 3. | Same, 17 psi in tires | Idle | 5,600 | 1.82 | 8.16/84.81 | 12.78/106.11 |
| 4. | Same, old carb | 1,400 | 5,600 | 1.8 | 8.05/86.06 | 12.60/107.86 |
| 8. | Same, 35-deg timing | 1,400 | 5,600 | 1.81 | 8.03/86.28 | 12.56/108.41 |
| The five most important runs are listed in the order they occurred. |
| Run Notes: 1) Tires slipping on launch; 2) Same; 3) Same; 4) Same; 8) Best e.t. mph ever! |