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Pontiac Pavement Pounders Shootout - POCI/Pontiac Drag Days Edition


Owner Bio: Ron HildrethThe road to the HPP Pavement Pounders Shootout has been a long one for Ron. Back in January of 2005, he was scheduled to take part in our first California shootout at Los Angeles County Raceway. Unfortunately, he was on the operating table undergoing heart surgery, instead. Though his recovery was fairly quick, he had to go in for a second time to correct some additional problems. These setbacks made his participation that much more important to him. Fully recovered and back in action, Ron was able to take his rightful place at the Fontana shootout. It turned out to be a very big weekend for him, as he won the Warrior class at the POCI Drags that day and also celebrated his 33rd wedding anniversary with his lovely wife, Melanie. Ron has been a fan of '65 GTOs and always wanted one. "In 1965, I was a junior in high school and could not afford a GTO," he explained. "I have always wanted a '65 and could finally afford my dream in 1988." Ron's passion for Pontiacs also includes a '98 GTP and a '71 Firebird. In the past, he also had a '70 GTO.


 Pontiac Drag Days Shootout 1965 Pontiac GTO Burnout Pontiac Drag Days Shootout Ron Hildreth Pontiac Drag Days Shootout 1965 Pontiac GTO Engine Bay

Strip Tuning Log
Run/Tuning Launch RPM Shift Pt. 60-ft. 1/8-mile 1/4-mile
1. As arrived 1,200 5,500 1.75 7.80/88.06 12.26/110.47
2. Same 1,200 5,500 1.74 7.80/88.24 12.24/110.93
3. Same 750 5,500 1.78 7.80/89.02 12.20/111.51
BEST PASS CORRECTED 11.47/118.63
4. Tire pressure up to
14.5 from 15.5 psi
750 5,500 1.78 7.82/88.82 12.24/106.77
5. Softened rear shock setting 750 5,500 1.89 7.97/88.54 12.46/96.30
6. Stiffened rear shock setting
Tire pressure raised to 16 psi
750 5,500 1.82 7.88/89.15 12.29/111.69
7. Same 750 5,500 1.91 7.97/88.89 12.37/111.57
Run Notes: 5) Did not like new shock setting 6) Track temperature is 148 degrees 7) Spun the tires bad-bad reaction time. Track temperature is 150 degrees.

Strip Specs
Year/Model '65 GTO post coupe
Race Weight With Driver 3,950 lbs
Curb Weight 3,650 lbs
Fuel Level When Last Weighed 1/2-tank
Fuel Shell, 91-octane
Engine '71 455
Cubic Inches Before/After 455/469
Engine Built By Lee Anderson
Power Adder None
Induction System
Air Cleaner K&N
Carburetor Holley, 750 cfm, vacuum secondary
Jets #72/#76
Spacer Plate Pacific Performance Racing (PPR), aluminum
Intake Manifold PPR Tomahawk
Fuel System
Pump Holley Blue
Lines 3/8-in
Regulator Holley set to 6.75 psi
Heads
Casting '71 #197 455 H.O.
Head Porting Stock
Valves Manley 2.11/1.77-in
Bottom End
Pistons Ross, forged, flat-top 4.210-in
Rings Childs & Albert
Rods Eagle, forged, stock 6.625-in
Compression Ratio 9.1:1
Crankshaft Stock iron, 4.210-in stroke
Rotating Assembly Balanced Yes
Camshaft
Brand Ultradyne hydraulic flat-tappet
Duration at 0.050 247/255-deg
Lift with specified rocker arms 0.530/0.551-in
Lobe Separation Angle 108-deg
Installed Position Straight up
Rocker Arms Jim Butler Performance, 1.60:1 roller
Ignition
Distributor Pontiac, HEI
Amplifier MSD 6AL
Coil Pontiac, stock
Wires Packard
Spark Plugs AC Delco, R45S
Total Timing 36-deg
Rpm that total timing is reached 2,000
Exhaust
Headers Doug's
Primaries 1.875-in
Collectors 3.5-in
Exhaust pipes 3.5-in
Mufflers None
Crossover Designed by Doug Thorley, 3.5-in
Drivetrain
Transmission Turbo 400
Converter TCI, 1,800 rpm stall
Shifter B&M Quicksilver
Rear Chevrolet 12-bolt built by Tom's Differentials
Rear Gear Ratio 4.10:1
Spool Tom's Differentials
Chassis and Suspension
Brakes F/R Stock Pontiac
Wheels F/R Weld AlumaStars
Tires F/R M/T 24.5x4.5x15 / M/T 28x10.5x15
Tire Pressure F/R 35 psi/15 psi
Suspension Front
Springs Eaton coil
Control Arms Stock Pontiac
Stabilizer Bar H-O Racing 1 3/8-in
Shocks Summit 90/10
Suspension Rear
Springs Eaton coil
Control Arms H-O Racing lower, Morrison/Gazan adjustable uppers
Stabilizer Bar H-O Racing, 1 3/8-in
Shocks Koni set at full stiff
Chassis Mods None
The Rest
Interior Mods None
Exterior Mods None
Safety Mods N/A
Paint Light blue
Launch Technique Foot brake, bring rpm up to 1,200
Best 1/4-mile ET, MPH prior to event 11.88, 114


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