| STRIP TUNING LOG |
| Run/Tuning |
Launch RPM |
Shift Pt. |
60-ft. |
1/8-mile |
1/4-mile |
| 1. 36-deg timing, 13 psi w/air cleaner |
1,500 |
5,000 |
1.72 |
7.51/91.81 |
11.84/112.00 |
| BEST PASS CORRECTED |
11.52/115.16 |
| 2. w/o air cleaner |
1,500 |
5,200 |
1.72 |
7.55/92.16 |
11.85/113.42 |
| 3. 6.5 psi fuel |
1,800 |
5,100 |
1.75 |
7.58/92.47 |
11.85/114.08 |
| 5. 33-deg timing |
2,000 |
5,300 |
1.81 |
7.64/92.63 |
11.91/114.62 |
| 6. Uncapped headers |
1,500 |
5,300 |
1.82 |
7.62/93.39 |
11.86/115.28 |
Five most important passes listed
Run Notes: 1) Didn't get tires hot enough, spun on launch; 2) Better launch, car felt flat out of First; 3) Car felt good, run was clean with enough fuel; 5) Kept mph, but lost e.t.; 6) Car felt good, but still spun off the line even with a good burnout.
Owner Bio: Ray Klemm
Ray, a 45-year-old building/machine maintenance technician, has been racing for six years. He bought his '69 Firebird in 2002. "I always wanted to own a '69," he says. It's special to him because, "It's a family project we all have enjoyed." His favorite moment in it was taking his children down the quarter-mile in it, in 2005. Ray says he has loved and worked on Pontiacs since he was 8 years old. He's owned multiple years of Grand Prixs, including '69, '71, '74, and '87, along with a '75 Trans Am and an '82 Firebird. Currently, he also owns a '72 LeMans and a '73 Grand Prix. Shown here from left to right are Ray's son Brandon, Ray, and son Ray Jr.
| STRIP SPECS |
| Year/Model |
'69 Firebird |
| Race Weight With Driver |
3,555 lbs |
| Curb Weight |
3,290 lbs |
| Fuel Level When Weighed |
1/2-tank |
| Fuel |
110-octane |
| Engine |
'73 455 |
| Cubic Inches Before/After |
455/462 |
| Engine Built By |
Cliff Ruggles |
| Induction System |
| Air Cleaner |
Modified '71 GP |
| Carburetor |
800 cfm Q-jet, prepared by Cliff Ruggles |
| Jets/Rods |
0.065 primary/0.053 custom-machined secondary rods |
| Spacer Plate |
None |
| Intake Manifold |
Performer RPM |
| Fuel System |
| Pump |
Proform, 96 gph |
| Lines |
1/2-in |
| Regulator |
Holley, set to 6.5 psi |
| Heads |
| Casting |
'68 No. 62, prepared by Dave Bisschop at SD Performance |
| Head Porting |
Yes |
| Flow Numbers |
270 cfm intake at 0.600-in lift |
| Valves |
Ferrea 2.11/1.77-in |
| Bottom End |
| Pistons |
TRW forged flat-top, 4.180-in |
| Rings |
Total Seal file-to-fit |
| Rods |
Factory cast |
| Compression Ratio |
12:01 |
| Crankshaft |
Stock, 4.21-in stroke |
| Rotating Assembly Balanced |
Yes |
| Camshaft |
| Brand |
Comp Cams hydraulic roller |
| Duration at 0.050 |
246/252-deg |
| Duration Advertised |
306/314-deg |
| Lift With Specified Rocker Arms |
0.600/0.600-in |
| Lobe Separation Angle |
112-deg |
| Installed Position |
Straight up |
| Rocker Arms |
PRW 1.52:1 |
| Ignition |
| Distributor |
GM HEI |
| Amplifier |
None |
| Coil |
Factory |
| Wires |
Mallory 8.0 mm |
| Spark Plugs |
NGK XR-4 |
| Total Timing |
33-deg |
| Rpm that total timing is reached |
2,400 |
| Exhaust |
| Headers |
Hedman |
| Primaries |
1.75-in |
| Collectors |
3.00-in |
| Exhaust Pipes |
2.50-in |
| Mufflers |
Flowmaster |
| Crossover |
H-pipe |
| Drivetrain |
| Transmission |
Turbo 400 built by Cliff Ruggles |
| Converter |
Continental 10-in, 3,200-stall |
| Shifter |
B&M Starshifter |
| Rear |
GM 8.5-in from a '75 Trans Am |
| Rear Gear Ratio |
3.70:1 |
| Posi |
Spool |
| Axles |
Moser 31-spline |
| Chassis and Suspension |
| Brakes F/R |
'71 Grand Prix discs, single-piston calipers, 10.9-in rotors/9.5-in drum |
| Wheels F/R |
14x7 Pontiac Rally II/15x7 Rally II |
| Tires F/R |
Atlas P205/75R14 / M/T ET Streets 28x11.5x15 |
| Tire Pressure F/R |
35 psi/12 psi |
| Suspension Front |
| Springs |
Moroso Drag |
| Control Arms |
Stock |
| Stabilizer Bar |
None |
| Shocks |
Lakewood 90/10 |
| Other Features |
Polyurethane bushings |
| Suspension Rear |
| Springs |
5-leaf, OE replacements |
| Shocks |
Summit set at No. 2 |
| Stabilizer Bar |
None |
| Other Features |
Homemade adjustable pinion snubber |
| Chassis Mods |
Subframe connectors, the rear springs are clamped together with spring clamps made by Bob Walsh |
| The Rest |
| Interior Mods |
Homemade gauge and switch panels, '72 GP steering wheel |
| Exterior Mods |
Camaro rear spoiler, front fenderwells removed |
| Safety Mods |
Fire extinguisher |
| Color |
GM Dark Blue Metallic |
| Launch Technique |
Footbrake to 1,500 |
| Best 1/8-mile E.T./MPH prior to event |
7.81/89 |
| Best 1/4-mile E.T./MPH prior to event |
12.22/112 |