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.
| 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 |