Owner Bio: Larry Cooper
Larry Cooper says he is "an old guy," at 65 years old. He spent 20 years, 5 months, and 3 days in the U.S. Navy, and began racing after his military retirement. Larry opened Fabulous Firebirds in 1990 and supplied the hobby with parts and accessories for 17 years. Though Fabulous Firebirds is now owned by Robert McNeil, Larry plans to continue racing under the company's banner. He purchased his race car in 1997 and says, "I can't begin to tell you how many modifications I've made over the years." Larry also enjoys helping organizations in his community such as the Drag Racing Association of Women (DRAW) and the Board of Health in Madison County, Missouri. He has been the Midwest Pontiac Outlaw Race Association contact person since the mid-'90s. (Larry poses with his daughter, Melissa Askins.)
| Strip Tuning Log |
| Run/Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift Pt. | 60-ft. | 1/8-mile | 1/4-mile |
| 1. 7 psi in rear tires | 4,800 | 6,800 | 1.32 | 5.77/121.41 | 9.01/151/26 |
| 2. 8.5 psi | 4,600 | 6,800 | 1.30 | 5.72/122.56 | 8.92/151.49 |
| Best Pass Corrected | | | | 5.63/124.48 | 8.78/153.86 |
| 3. 8.5 psi | 4,600 | 6,800 | 1.33 | 5.79/131.38 | 9.02/150.78 |
| 4. 8.5 psi | 5,000 | 6,800 | 1.35 | 5.82/121.26 | 9.06/150.72 |
| 5. 8 psi | 5,000 | 6,800 | 1.33 | 5.77/121.99 | 8.99/151.48 |
| Run Notes: 1) No burnout, 2) No hood, 5) Burnout good |
| Strip Specs |
| Year/Model | '72 Firebird |
| Race Weight With Driver | 2,685 lbs. |
| Curb Weight | 2,445 lbs. |
| Fuel Level When Weighed | 5 gallons |
| Fuel | Alcohol |
| Engine | 525 IA-II/Butler Performance aluminum block |
| Cubic Inches Before/After | 525/525 |
| Engine Built By | Butler Performance |
| Power Adder | None |
| Induction System |
| Air Cleaner | None |
| Fuel Injection | Ron's Flying Toilet |
| Injectors | 39 lb/hr |
| Pill | No. 94 square |
| Spacer Plate | None |
| Intake Manifold | Victor |
| Fuel System |
| Pump | Ron's |
| Lines | 8-AN from pump to intake single 10-AN |
| from cell to pump |
| Regulator | None |
| Heads |
| Casting | 68 cc |
| Head Porting | Butler |
| Flow Numbers | 390 cfm intake, 265 cfm exhaust at 1800 |
| Valves | Manley 2.250/1.80-in Titanium/SS |
| Bottom End |
| Pistons | Ross, forged, 4.310-in, slight dish |
| Rings | Total Seal |
| Rods | Eagle BBC H-beam forged rods, |
| 6.800-in length, ARP 2000 bolts |
| Compression Ratio | 12.5:1 |
| Crankshaft | Crower billet, 4.50 stroke |
| Rotating Assembly Balanced | Yes |
| Camshaft |
| Brand | Comp Cams |
| Duration at 0.050 | 285/292-deg |
| Duration Advertised | 318/333-deg |
| Lift With Specified Rocker Arms | 0.790/0.790-in |
| Lobe Separation Angle | 112-deg |
| Installed Position | 109-deg |
| Rocker Arms | Jesel shaft 1.8:1 |
| Ignition |
| Distributor | MSD 8563 |
| Amplifier | MSD 6AL |
| Coil | MSD coil |
| Wires | MSD Super Conductors 8.5 mm |
| Spark Plugs | NGK R5671A-9 |
| Total Timing | 32-deg |
| Rpm that total timing is reached | Locked out |
| Exhaust |
| Headers | Custom |
| Primaries | 2.00-in |
| Collectors | 3.00-in |
| Exhaust Pipes | 4.00-in |
| Mufflers | None |
| Crossover | No |
| Drivetrain |
| Transmission | TCI Powerglide |
| Converter | TCI 9-in, 4,200-rpm stall |
| Shifter | B&M Electric shift |
| Rear | Chevy 12-bolt |
| Rear Gear Ratio | 4.33:1 |
| Spool | Moser |
| Axles | Mark Williams 33-spline |
| Chassis and Suspension |
| Brakes F/R | 9-in disc |
| Wheels F/R | Weld Draglites 15x3.5 / 15x14 |
| Tires F/R | Goodyear Eagle race tires/Hoosier Slicks 33x17x15 |
| Tire Pressure F/R | 30 psi/7.5 psi |
| Suspension Front | |
| Springs | N/A |
| Control Arms | N/A |
| Stabilizer Bar | Removed |
| Shocks | 90/10 |
| Suspension Rear | |
| Springs | 90-pound coilovers |
| Control Arms | Four-link setup |
| Stabilizer Bar | None |
| Shocks | Adjustable |
| Chassis Mods | Tube chassis, 8-point cage |
| The Rest |
| Interior Mods | Fiberglass race buckets |
| Exterior Mods | VFN fiberglass nose and hood, Lexan windows |
| Safety Mods | 5-point RCI harness, driveshaft loop, |
| | bulletproof case, SFI-approved drivetrain parts |
| Paint | White single stage urethane |
| Launch Technique | Transbrake to 4,400 rpm |
| Best 1/8-mile ET/MPH prior to event | 5.76/127 |
| Best 1/4-mile ET/MPH prior to event | 8.93/157 |