Owner Bio: Jody Traylor
Originally purchased for his wife in May 2004 to get her interested in the Pontiac hobby, Jody's '68 Firebird 350 H.O. convertible has provided a few surprises, the 37-year-old salesman told HPP. "I bought it sight unseen, not knowing it was a real 350 H.O. car," Jody explained. "There were just 2,638 YM-code 350 H.O Firebirds built for 1968 and of that number, not many were convertibles. It is rare, I think, because most people probably paid the extra money and got the 400. What makes it special to me is the look with the stripe on the side of the car (only on the 350 H.O.) and, more surprising, the performance is much better than most people expect it to be." Don't think that this 18-year race veteran simply took his wife's car away from her to go racing, however, "What I enjoy most is seeing my wife take the Firebird out for a drive and have fun with it."
STRIP TUNING LOG
|
| Run/Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift Pt. | 60-ft. | 1/8-mile | 1/4-mile |
| 1. 38-deg total timing | Idle | 5,100 | 2.00 | 8.97/78.49 | 14.01/97.74 |
| 2. Same | Idle | 5,300 | 2.03 | 9.00/78.24 | 14.03/97.79 |
| 3. Same | Idle | 5,400 | 2.03 | 9.02/78.34 | 14.08/97.06 |
| 4. Same | Idle | 5,500 | 2.02 | 9.00/77.88 | 14.05/97.27 |
5. Richen via metering
rod change from BP to CC | Idle | 5,400 | 2.03 | 8.90/78.81 | 13.93/97.76 |
BEST PASS CORRECTED
| 13.68/99.56 |
Run Notes: 1) First run cold; 2) Warmer; 3) Falling off because of low gas level; 4) Warm; 5) Cool run best of the day.
| STRIP SPECS |
| Year/Model | '68 Firebird 350 H.O. convertible |
| Race Weight with Driver | 3,904 lbs |
| Curb Weight | 3,664 lbs |
| Fuel Level When Last Weighed | 3/4 tank |
| Fuel | Half 110-octane/half 93-octane |
| Engine | 350 H.O., code YM |
| Cubic Inches Before/After | 354/359 |
| Engine Built By | Dynamic Speed & Marine |
| Induction System |
| Air Cleaner | Stock |
| Carburetor | Stock 750-cfm Q-jet |
| Primary Jets | 0.071 |
| Primary Metering Rods | 0.043 |
| Secondary Metering Rods | BE |
| Secondary Metering Rod Hanger | P |
| Intake Manifold | Stock cast-iron dual-plane |
| Fuel System |
| Pump | Stock mechanical |
| Lines | 3/8-in |
| |
| Casting No. | '68 No. 18 |
| Flow Numbers | N/A |
| Valves | Stock 1.96/1.66-in |
| Bottom End |
| Pistons | Silvolite cast flat-top, 0.030-over |
| Rings | Sealed Power |
| Rods | Stock cast 6.625-in |
| Compression Ratio | 10.61:1 |
| Crankshaft | Stock |
| Rotating Assembly Balanced | Yes |
| Camshaft |
| Brand | JW Racing Cams 066, hydraulic |
| Duration at 0.050, Intake/Exhaust | 200/210-deg |
| Duration Advertised | 273/282-deg |
| Lift with Specified Rocker Arms, Intake/Exhaust | 0.413/0.417 |
| Lobe Separation Angle | 112-deg |
| Installed Position | Straight up |
| Rocker Arms | Stock 1.50 stamped steel |
| Ignition |
| Distributor | Stock Delco points-type |
| Amplifier | None |
| Coil | Stock |
| Wires | Stock |
| Spark Plugs | A/C R45S |
| Total Timing | 38-deg |
| Rpm That Total Timing Is Reached | 2,400 |
| Exhaust |
| Manifolds | Cast-iron log |
| Exhaust Pipes | 2.5-in Pypes, mandrel-bent |
| Muffler | Crossflow |
| Crossover | Pypes 2.5-in X-type |
| Drivetrain |
| Transmission | Turbo 350 (Not legal to PS rules, as it would
have to be a two-speed. However, the car is
retired from PS competition and is run for fun.) |
| Converter | Stock Turbo 350 |
| Shifter | Stock |
| Rear | Pontiac 10-bolt Safe-T-Track |
| Rear Gear Ratio | 3.55:1 |
| Posi | Eaton |
| Chassis and Suspension |
| Brakes F/R | Stock 9.5-in power drum |
| Wheels F/R | 14x6 Pontiac steel with poverty caps |
| Tires F/R | F70-14 Goodyear Polyglas |
| Tire Pressure F/R | 40 psi/40 psi |
| Suspension Front |
| Springs | Stock coil |
| Control Arms | Stock |
| Stabilizer Bar | Stock |
| Shocks | Replacement |
| Suspension Rear |
| Springs | Stock leafs, clamped |
| Stabilizer Bar | None |
| Shocks | Replacement |
| Chassis Mods | None |
| The Rest |
| Interior Mods | None |
| Safety Mods | Factory convertible x-brace, acts as a driveshaft loop |
| Paint | Solar Red, white top and interior |
| Launch Technique | Off idle, pedal to the carpet for shootout |
| Best 1/8-mile ET, MPH Prior to Event | 9.115/78.48 |
| Best 1/4-mile ET, MPH Prior to Event | 14.116/98.3 |