Owner Bio: Bruno Beltrame
Bruno Beltrame, a 47-year-old truck dealer, found his R/A-IV GTO in 2004. He says it was ordered by the original dealer to compete in NHRA's Stock Eliminator and that the salesman who raced it for the first few years still works at the selling dealership. He went on to tell us that his GTO is optioned exactly the way he would have ordered it if he had the opportunity back in the day, except for its color. His most special moment with the GTO was when he won the "Super Muscle Car Showdown" on Speed Channel. It took on tough competitors such as a 428 Shelby Mustang, Yenko Nova, Baldwin Camaro, and Mr. Norm's Superbee, and it finished first in quarter-mile, braking, handling, and burnout contests. Bruno currently owns a '69 Trans Am, '69 R/A-IV Judge, '61 Catalina, '69 Firebird 400, '69 GTO R/A-III, '65 GTO, and a '73 Trans Am. He enjoys competing his GTO in Pure Stock drag racing events.
Strip Tuning Log
|
| Run/Tuning | Launch RPM
| Shift Pt.
| 60-ft.
| 1/8-mile
| 1/4-mile
|
| 1. | 33-deg timing, | 2,000 | 5,800 | 2.06 | 8.39/84.63 | 12.96/108.80 |
| | 44 psi rear tires |
| 2. | 42 psi rear tires | 3,000 | 6,000 | 2.04 | 8.30/85.69 | 12.82/110.04 |
| 3. | Same | 3,500 | 6,200 | 2.08 | 8.32/86.86 | 12.79/110.81 |
Best Pass Corrected
| | | | | 12.55/115.90
|
| 4. | 35-deg timing | 3,000 | 6,200 | 2.24 | N/A | 13.03/110.94 |
| 5. | Same | 2,500 | 6,000 | 2.09 | 8.32/86.81 | 12.80/110.83 |
Run Notes: 1) Engine was cold, bogged upon launch; 3) Lost traction at launch; 4) Smoked tires, too aggressive with throttle; 5) Did a plug check and realized it's too lean.
Strip Specs
|
| Year/Model | ’69 GTO R/A-IV |
| Race Weight With Driver | 3,750 lbs |
| Curb Weight | 3,560 lbs |
| Fuel Level When Weighed | 1/4-tank |
| Fuel | 103-octane |
| Engine | ’69, 400 code WW |
| Cubic Inches Before/After | 400/406 |
| Engine Built By | Stefko Racing Engines |
Induction System
|
| Air Cleaner | Factory functional Ram Air |
| Carburetor | Quadrajet 750-cfm, No. 7029273 |
| Primary Jets | 0.073-in |
| Primary Metering Rods | K (0.047-in) |
| Secondary Metering Rods | DD (0.053-in) |
| Seconday Metering Rod Hanger | K |
| Spacer Plate | None |
| Intake Manifold | Stock aluminum, dual-plane, |
| | separate heat crossover |
Fuel System
|
| Pump | Stock mechanical |
| Lines | Stock 3/8-in |
| Regulator | None |
Heads
|
| Casting | ’69, No. 722 |
| Head Porting | No |
| Flow Numbers | Stock |
| Valves | 2.11/1.77-in Ferrea SS |
Bottom End
|
| Pistons | CP forged +0.030 |
| Rings | Sealed-Power |
| Rods | Crower forged steel, 6.625-in length |
| Compression Ratio | 11.2:1 |
| Crankshaft | Stock cast, 3.75-in stroke |
| Rotating Assembly Balanced | Yes |
Camshaft
|
| Brand | Melling R/A-IV |
| Duration at 0.050 | 230/240-deg |
| Duration Advertised | 308/320-deg |
| Lift With Specified Rocker Arms | 0.516/0.516-in |
| Lobe Separation Angle | 114-deg |
| Installed Position | Straight up |
| Rocker Arms | Stock, 1.65:1 |
Ignition
|
| Distributor | Delco No. 11111941 |
| Amplifier | None |
| Coil | Stock |
| Wires | Taylor 7mm |
| Spark Plugs | AC R45S |
| Total Timing | 33-deg |
| Rpm That Total Timing Is Reached | 2,300 |
Exhaust
|
| Manifolds | R/A-IV round-port, as-cast |
| Exhaust Pipes | 2.5-in |
| Mufflers | Dynoflow 2.5-in |
| Crossover | Ram Air Restoration Enterprises |
| | x-type pipe 2.5-in system |
Drivetrain
|
| Transmission | Muncie M21 |
| Clutch | Centerforce, 10.5-in diaphragm |
| Shifter | Hurst Comp Plus |
| Rear | Pontiac 10-bolt |
| Rear Gear Ratio | 4.10:1 |
| Posi | Auburn, clutch-type (OEM) |
| Axles | Stock |
Chassis and Suspension
|
| Brakes F/R | Stock drum/drum |
| Wheels F/R | Rally II 14x7, code JK |
| Tires F/R | Firestone G70-14 |
| Tire Pressure F/R | 46 psi/43 psi |
| Suspension Front |
| Springs | Stock |
| Control Arms | Stock |
| Stabilizer Bar | Stock 1.00-in |
| Shocks | Stock Delco replacement |
| Suspension Rear |
| Springs | Stock |
| Stabilizer Bar | None |
| Shocks | Stock Delco replacement |
| Other Features | No Hop Bars |
| Chassis Mods | None |
The Rest
|
| Interior Mods | Auto Meter gauges |
| Exterior Mods | None |
| Safety Mods | Driveshaft loop |
| Paint | Midnight Green BC/CC |
| Launch Technique | Slide clutch out at 3,000 rpm |
| Best 1/4-mile ET/MPH Prior To Event | 12.22/115.30 |