Owner Bio: Ken Burmeister
Ken, a 59-year-retired telephone cable man, has been racing for 40 years. He bought his '66 Tempest in 2002 because he liked the body style, and because it's similar to one that he owned in the 1960s. His most unusual moment in it is "running out of gas on the starting line during the 2007 GTOAA race in St. Louis," he says. Ken won the Goodguys Nostalgia Race in 1997 and beat the world-famous Geeto Tiger at Route 66 Dragstrip in 2001, both with his '64 GTO. His other Pontiacs are a '64 post GTO and a '66 hardtop GTO.
| STRIP TUNING LOG |
| Run/Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift Pt. | 60-ft. | 1/8-mile | 1/4-mile |
| 1. 32-deg timing | 1,500 | 5,600 | 1.65 | 7.10/98.10 | 11.35/119.52 |
| 2. Same | 1,500 | 5,600 | 1.63 | 7.02/99.03 | 11.04/121.56 |
| 3. 30-deg timing | 1,500 | 5,600 | 1.62 | 7.00/98.93 | 11.01/121.51 |
| 4. Same | 1,500 | 5,600 | 1.59 | 6.97/99.31 | 10.97/121.77 |
| BEST PASS CORRECTED | | 10.64/125.55 |
| 5. 36-deg timing | 1,500 | 5,600 | 1.63 | 7.00/99.52 | 11.00/122.27 |
Run Notes: 1) Drifted out of groove, had to let off 2/3 track; 2) Solid run; 3) Solid run; 4) Solid run; 5) Spun on launch, tossed fan belt
| STRIP SPECS |
| Year/Model | '66 Tempest Custom |
| Race Weight With Driver | 3,100 lbs |
| Curb Weight | 2,875 lbs |
| Fuel Level When Weighed | 5 gal |
| Fuel | 110-octane |
| Engine | 1973 Y1-code 400 |
| Cubic Inches Before/After | 400/468 |
| Engine Built By | Dutka Automotive, Peotone, Illinois |
| Induction System |
| Air Cleaner | Velocity Stack |
| Carburetor | 750-cfm Holley modified by Dutka Automotive
(choke housing milled off) |
| Jets | No. 78/No. 79 |
| Spacer Plate | 2-in aluminum, open |
| Intake Manifold | Torker |
| Fuel System |
| Pump | Carter mechanical, 120 gph |
| Lines | 3/8-in |
| Regulator | None |
| Heads |
| Casting | '69 No. 48 heads |
| Head Porting | Yes |
| Flow Numbers | 226 cfm at 0.500-in lift intake |
| Valves | Pontiac 2.11/1.77-in |
| Bottom End |
| Pistons | SRP, flat-top, 4.185-in bore |
| Rings | Speed Pro, file-to-fit, 1/16-, 1/16-, 3/16-in |
| Rods | Eagle forged H-beam, 6.800-in |
| Compression Ratio | 11.91 |
| Crankshaft | Eagle, 4.250-in stroke |
| Rotating Assembly Balanced | Yes |
| Camshaft |
| Brand | Comp Cams flat-tappet solid lifter |
| Duration at 0.050 | 255/266-deg |
| Duration Advertised | 292/296-deg |
| Lift With Specified Rocker Arms | 0.594/ 0.587-in |
| Lobe Separation Angle | 106-deg |
| Installed Position | Straight up |
| Rocker Arms | Harland Sharp 1.51-ratio |
| Ignition |
| Distributor | MSD Pro-Billet |
| Amplifier | MSD 6AL |
| Coil | MSD Blaster |
| Wires | MSD 8.5mm Super Conductor |
| Spark Plugs | Auto-Lite #86 |
| Total Timing | 32-deg |
| Rpm that total timing is reached | 2,000 |
| Exhaust |
| Headers | Hooker |
| Primaries | 1.75-in |
| Collectors | 3.00-in |
| Exhaust Pipes | None |
| Mufflers | None |
| Crossover | None |
| Drivetrain |
| Transmission | Turbo 400 with shift kit |
| Converter | GER, 10-in, 3,000 rpm stall |
| Shifter | Hurst Pro-matic |
| Rear | Chevrolet 12-bolt with C-clip eliminators |
| Rear Gear Ratio | 3.731 |
| Posi | GM set up by Paul (Smokey) Summers |
| Axles | Moser Race, 30-spline |
| Chassis and Suspension |
| Brakes F/R | GM disc/drum with Hurst Line-Loc |
| Wheels F/R | 1960s-era Superior Industries 15x7/ 15x8 |
| Tires F/R | Goodyear Eagle GP-H 195/70R14 / M/T ET Drag 28x10.5x15 |
| Tire Pressure F/R | 45 psi/11 psi |
| Suspension Front |
| Springs | Moroso Drag |
| Shocks | Competition Engineering 90/10 |
| Control Arms | Stock |
| Stabilizer Bar | None |
| Other Mods | Upper control arm bushings have the serrations
ground smooth, everything lubed for smooth movement |
| Suspension Rear |
| Springs | Stock GM with Air Lift bags set at 33 (R)/29 (L)-lbs |
| Layout | Stock design GM four-link |
| Shocks | Competition Engineering 50/50 |
| Other Features | Southside lower control arms, pinion angle set at -5 deg |
| The Rest |
| Chassis Mods | 8-point rollcage custom made by Zane of
Peotone, Illinois |
| Interior Mods | Summit Racing seats |
| Exterior Mods | Glasstek cowl induction hood, fiberglass front and
rearbumpers, Lexan windshield and rear window |
| Safety Mods | SFI-approved drivetrain parts,one-piece driveshaft
loop, fuel cell and battery in trunk |
| Paint | Silver Metallic + Viper Red |
| Launch Technique | Footbrake to 1,800 rpm |
| Best 1/8-mile E.T./MPH prior to event | 6.92/98.43 mph |
| Best 1/4-mile E.T./MPH prior to event | 10.86/121.61 mph |