Owner Bio: Tom Fredericks
Tom has put his 44 years of racing experience to good use in building his '69 Firebird. The 60-year-old tire-shop proprietor has owned the car for more than 20 years and is proud of the fact that "At 3,200 pounds with an iron-headed 400, it still is capable of high 10s." Special moments include winning Pro Eliminator at the Ames Performance Pontiac Nationals in 2001 and runner-up twice at the same event in 2004 and 2006. The other Pontiac in the Fredericks' stable is an '03 Grand Am.
| Strip Tuning Log |
| Run/Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift Point | 60-FT | 1/8 E.T./MPH | 1/4 E.T./MPH |
| 1. Shooters 31, 10.5 psi in tires, Jets #72/#73 | 1,500 | 6,400 | 1.5 | 6.94/97.41 | 11.00/119.90 |
| 2 Change shooters to 32, 11 psi in tires | - | ABORT | - | - | - |
| 3. Same, Jets #72-#72 | 1,500 | 6,400 | 1.49 | 6.90/97.93 | 10.94/120.24 |
| 4. Same | 1,500 | 6,400 | 1.5 | 6.91/97.98 | 10.94/120.67 |
| BEST PASS CORRECTED | 6.72/100.75 | 10.64/124.08 |
| Run Notes: 1) Good pass, slight stumble at launch; 2) Miss at burnout; 3) Good pass; 4) Good pass |
| Strip Specs |
| Year/Model: | '69 Firebird |
| Race Weight With Driver: | 3,260 lbs |
| Curb Weight: | 3,085 lbs |
| Fuel Level When Weighed: | Full |
| Fuel: | VP 112-octane |
| Engine: | '71 YS-code 400 |
| Cubic Inches Before/After: | 400/408 |
| Engine Built By: | Watson Ruppel Performance |
| Power Adder: | None |
| Induction System |
| Air Cleaner: | None |
| Carburetor: | Holley 750 |
| Jets: | #75 Square |
| Spacer Plate: | Super Sucker 1-in phenolic four-hole to open |
| Intake Manifold: | Warrior |
| Fuel System |
| Pump: | 2 Holley Blue electric |
| Lines: | -10 from tank to two regs., two -6 to carb |
| Regulators: | Two Holleys set at 6 psi |
| Heads |
| Casting: | #48 |
| Head Porting: | By Jim Butler |
| Flow Numbers: | 250/205 cfm intake at 28 in of pressure |
| Valves: | Speed-Pro, SS 2.11/1.77 |
| Bottom End |
| Pistons: | TRW Forged flat-top +0.040 |
| Rings: | Total-Seal, moly |
| Rods: | Eagle forged steel., 6.625-in |
| Compression Ratio: | 11:01 |
| Crankshaft: | Nodular iron Pontiac, 3.75-in stroke |
| Rotating Assembly Balanced: | Yes |
| Camshaft |
| Brand: | Ultradyne solid |
| Duration at 0.050: | 263/263-deg |
| Lift with Specified Rocker Arms: | 0.612/0.612 |
| Lobe Separation Angle: | 108-deg |
| Installed Position: | 2-deg advanced |
| Rocker Arms: | Harland Sharp Roller SS, 1.65:1 |
| Ignition |
| Distributor: | MSD Pro Billet |
| Amplifier: | MSD 6 AL |
| Coil: | MSD |
| Wires: | MSD 8mm |
| Spark Plugs: | NGK |
| Total Timing: | 36-deg |
| RPM That Total Timing Is Reached: | Advance locked |
| Exhaust |
| Headers: | Hedman |
| Primaries: | 1.875-in |
| Collectors: | 3.5-in |
| Exhaust Pipes: | None |
| Mufflers: | None |
| Crossover: | None |
| Drivetrain |
| Transmission: | Turbo 350, performance built, rev. man. valvebody |
| Converter: | TCI 8-inch, 5,000 stall |
| Shifter: | B&M |
| Rear: | GM 12-bolt |
| Rear Gear Ratio: | 4.33:1 |
| Spool: | Strange |
| Axles: | Strange |
| Chassis and Suspension |
| Brakes F/R: | Stock 11-in disc/11-in drums |
| Wheels F/R: | Weld 15x4/Weld 15x12 |
| Tires F/R: | Moroso DS2 28x4.50x15 Hoosier 29.5x15wx15 slicks |
| Tire Pressure F/R: | 35 psi/9.5 psi |
| Suspension Front |
| Springs: | Moroso |
| Control Arms: | Stock |
| Stabilizer Bar: | Removed |
| Shocks: | Koni 70/30 |
| Suspension Rear |
| Springs: | Monoleaf |
| Stabilizer bar: | None |
| Shocks: | Koni Adj, set to 50/50 |
| Other Features: | Floaters and ladder bars |
| Chassis Mods: | Welded connectors to make full frame, 8-point rollcage |
| The Rest |
| Interior Mods: | Two fiberglass seats, aluminum dash, rear seat removed |
| Exterior Mods: | Fiberglass hood |
| Safety Mods: | Simpson belts, 8-point cage, driveshaft loop, C-clip eliminators, spool, SFI-approved drivetrain parts |
| Paint: | White, red |
| Launch Technique: | Footbrake to 1,500 rpm |
| Best 1/8-mile ET, MPH Prior to Event: | 6.83/98.00 |
| Best 1/4-mile ET, MPH Prior to Event: | 10.87/122.00 |