Strip Specs
Year/Model: ’72 Firebird
Race Weight With Driver: 3,660 lbs.
Curb Weight: 3,460 lbs.
Fuel Level When Weighed: 5-gal
Fuel: Sunoco 108-octane
Engine: ’72 455 H.O. block
Cubic Inches Before/After: 455/462
Engine Built By: Barney Moravitz at T&P Machine, San Antonio, Texas, tuned by crew chief Mike Bush.
Induction System
Air Cleaner: None
Carburetor: Rochester Q-jet 7041263
Jets/Metering Rods: 0.071 front (metering rods removed), 0.052 rods in back
Spacer Plate: None
Intake Manifold: ’72 455 H.O. aluminum
Fuel System
Pump: Holley billet pump, 125 gph
Lines: Earl’s hose and ends, 1⁄2-inch
Regulator: Holley, set to 6 psi, Moroso Super Cool Can
Heads
Casting: 7F6
Head Porting: No
Flow Numbers: N/A
Valves: Ferrera stainless-steel 2.11/1.77
Bottom End
Pistons: Ross flat-top with valve-reliefs, 4.18-inch
Rings: Total Seal gapless
Rods: Stock 6.625-in, heat-treated
Compression Ratio: Approx. 9:1
Crankshaft: Stock “N,” 4.210-in stroke
Rotating Assembly Balanced: Yes
Camshaft
Brand: Lunati hydraulic flat-tappet
Duration at 0.050: 252/266-deg
Duration Advertised: N/A
Lift With Specified Rocker Arms: 0.424/0.424-inch
Lobe Separation Angle: 108-deg
Installed Position: Straight up
Rocker Arms: Crane 1.5:1
Ignition
Distributor: MSD Pro-Billet
Amplifier: MSD 6AL
Coil: MSD Blaster II
Wires: MSD Pro 8.8mm
Spark Plugs: Autolite 25
Total Timing: 36-deg
Rpm that total timing is reached: Locked out
Exhaust
Headers: Holley Super Comp
Primaries: 2.00-in
Collectors: 3.50-in
Exhaust Pipes: None
Mufflers: None
Crossover: None
Drivetrain
Transmission: Turbo 400, reverse valvebody, aluminum drums, built by Arabie Racing Automatics, freshened by Steve Exner
Converter: PTC 8-inch, 4,500 stall, built by Kenny Ford
Shifter: B&M Quicksilver
Rear: GM 10-bolt, 8.5 inch
Rear Gear Ratio: Richmond 4.10:1
Axles: Mark Williams, 31-spline
Spool: Mark Williams
Chassis and Suspension
Brakes F/R: Stock 10.9-in disc / 9.5-in drum
Wheels F/R: Weld 15x3.5 / 15x8
Tires F/R: M/T 26.0x4.5x15 / Goodyear 30x9x15 drag radials
Tire Pressure F/R: 35 psi / 20 psi
Suspension Front
Springs: Moroso Super Trick
Shocks: Calvert Racing CF 90/10
Control Arms: Stock
Stabilizer Bar: None
Other Features: Global West aluminum control-arm bushings
Suspension Rear
Springs: Calvert Racing split monoleaf
Shocks: Calvert Racing single-adjustable, set to 4
Stabilizer Bar: None
Other Features: Calvert Racing Caltracs
Chassis Mods: 6-point custom rollcage
The Rest
Interior Mods: Auto Meter gauges, rear seat bottoms removed
Exterior Mods: Trans Am fenders, Formula hood, windshield wiper arms and blades removed
Safety Mods: Driveshaft loop, Simpson five-point harness, SFI-approved drivetrain parts
Color: Red
Launch Technique: 1,500 Footbrake
Best 1/8-mile ET/MPH Prior to Event: 7.09/94.5
Best 1/4-mile ET/MPH Prior to Event: 11.16/117.95
Lee, a 68-year-old retired educator, began amateur racing in 1961 but started Sportsman racing in 1998. He purchased his Firebird in 1987 because he was “looking for an IHRA/NHRA Stock Eliminator car.” It’s special to him because, “It gave me a chance to race divisional and national races.” His favorite moment in it was earning the Gatornationals Stock Eliminator Champion title in 1999, and returning to Gainesville and doing it again in 2000.
Strip Tuning Log |
| Run/Tuning |
Launch RPM |
Shift Pt. |
60-ft. |
1/8-mile |
1/4-mile |
| 1. No. 70 jets (front)/ 0.052 rods and “K” hanger (rear); 35/19 psi |
1,500 |
5,200/5,600 |
1.60 |
7.35/91.92 |
11.64/113.98 |
| 2. 23 psi in rear tires |
1,500 |
5,200/5,600 |
1.59 |
7.35/91.77 |
11.65/113.56 |
| 3. 0.057 rods (rear) |
1,500 |
5,200/5,600 |
1.59 |
7.33/92.33 |
11.63/113.76 |
| 4. 20 psi in rear tires |
1,500 |
5,200/5,600 |
1.58 |
7.31/92.17 |
11.60/114.14 |
| Best Pass Corrected |
11.19/118.32 |
| 7. 19 psi in rear tires |
1,500 |
5,200/5,600 |
1.61 |
7.34/92.08 |
11.63/112.95 |
| Run Notes: 1) Hooked; 2) Same; 3) Same; 4) Hooked hard. |