Owner Bio: Chuck Lombardi
At 37 years old, self-employed Chuck Lombardi has been racing for 19 years. After getting his car impounded when he was 19 years old for street racing, he has since kept his quarter-mile activities on the track. Chuck purchased this '73 Formula 455 from Glasgo's in 2005. Enamored by the color, engine combo, and the fact that it was a Second-Gen F-body, Chuck quickly discovered one of its other talents. "One of the first weekends I raced it, I beat a new Corvette," he tells HPP.
| Strip Tuning Log |
| Run/Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift Pt. | 60-ft. | 1/8-mile | 1/4-mile |
| 1. Baseline tune | 2,300 | 5,000 | 2.11 | 8.44/87.26 | 12.90/110.76 |
| 2. Tire pressureto 30 lbs | 2,500 | 5,200 | 2.07 | 8.36/87.89 | 12.78/111.75 |
| 3. -2 deg timing | 2,700 | 5,000 | 2.00 | 8.24/88.13 | 12.65/112.58 |
| 4. Tire pressureto 28 lbs | 2,700 | 5,200 | 2.02 | 8.29/87.71 | 12.71/112.10 |
| 5. Same | 2,700 | 5,000 | 1.96 | 8.23/87.91 | 12.64/112.35 |
| Best Pass Corrected | | 12.41/114.42 |
| 6. Same | 2,700 | 5,000 | 2.01 | 8.28/88.02 | 12.69/112.55 |
Run Notes: 1) Tires spun, then bogged, car not warm enough; 2) Raised launch rpm, track hooked well; 3) Track hooked well, car temperature warm, short shifting help e.t./mph; 4) Track hooked well, spun tire on 1-2 shift; 5) More aggressive launch, less intentional clutch slip, track very good, longer burnout; 6) Good/same launch, tires spun on 1-2 and 2-3 shifts.
| Strip Specs |
| Year/Model | '73 Firebird Formula 455 |
| Race Weight with Driver | 3,815 lbs |
| Curb Weight | 3,620 lbs |
| Fuel Level When Last Weighed | ½-tank |
| Fuel | VP 110-octane |
| Engine | 455, '73 ZZ code (non-SD) |
| Cubic Inches Before/After | 455/469 |
| Engine Built By | Glasgo & Co. |
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| Induction System |
| Air Cleaner | OEM shaker |
| Carburetor | OEM Rochester Q-jet |
| Primary Jets | 0.074-in |
| Primary Metering Rods | 0.043-in |
| Secondary Metering Rods | CC |
| Secondary Hanger | V |
| Intake Manifold | OEM/SD |
| |
| Fuel System |
| Pump | ACDelco |
| Lines | 3/8-in |
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| Heads |
| Casting | '73 SD No. 16 virgin N.O.S. |
| Head Porting | None |
| Flow Numbers | Unknown |
| Valves | Ferrea stainless steel, 2.11/1.77-in |
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| Bottom End |
| Pistons | Ross forged domed, 0.060-over |
| Rings | Childs & Albert z-gap |
| Rods | Eagle forged steel, 6.625-in |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3:1 |
| Crankshaft | Stock nodular iron |
| Rotating Assembly Balanced | Yes |
| |
| Camshaft |
| Brand | Bullet Cams hydraulic, flat-tappet |
| Duration at 0.050 | 224/236-deg |
| Duration Advertised | Unknown |
| Lift with Specified Rocker Arms | 0.425/0.425-in |
| Lobe Separation Angle | 112-deg |
| Installed Position | 109-deg |
| Rocker Arms | Crane 1.5-ratio, stamped steel |
| |
| Ignition |
| Distributor | OEM, Delco points |
| Amplifier | N/A |
| Coil | Pertronix |
| Wires | ACDelco |
| Spark Plugs | AC R43TS |
| Total Timing | 38-deg |
| RPM That Total Timing Is Reached | 2,200 |
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| Exhaust |
| Manifolds | OEM SD-455 |
| Exhaust Pipes | 2.5-in |
| Mufflers | Pypes Crossflow |
| Crossover | Pypes X-type |
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| Drivetrain |
| Transmission | OEM M21 |
| Clutch | Centerforce Dual Friction |
| Shifter | OEM Hurst |
| Rear | OEM 10-bolt, 8.5-in |
| Rear Gear Ratio | 3.73:1 |
| Posi | OEM Posi-traction |
| Axles | OEM |
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| Chassis and Suspension |
| Brakes F/R | Stock 11-in disc/9.5-in drum |
| Wheels F/R | 15x7 Rally II |
| Tires F/R | Firestone Wide-Oval F60-15 |
| Tire Pressure F/R | 45 psi/32 psi |
| Suspension Front |
| Springs | Moog coils |
| Control Arms | Stock |
| Stabilizer Bar | Stock 1.25-in |
| Shocks | Stock-type |
| Suspension Rear |
| Springs | Stock leaf |
| Stabilizer Bar | Stock 0.875-in |
| Shocks | Stock |
| Chassis Mods | None |
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| The Rest |
| Safety Mods | None |
| Paint | DuPont Chroma Premier two-stage blue by John Glasgo |
| Launch Technique | 2,500-rpm, slip-clutch, roll into throttle |
| Best 1/4-mile E.T./MPH Prior to Event | 12.65/112.05 |
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