Pontiacs and drag racing have been a part of Alan Mandella's life for more than 40 years. The 61-year-old Fullerton, California, resident and grandfather purchased '65 and '67 GTOs new. He recently sold a '68 Goat, though he is contemplating buying it back. He also owns a '95 Grand Prix as a daily driver. He purchased his '74 Trans Am because, "I wanted an F-body after owning a number of GTOs." He reports that drag racing his T/A is his favorite Pontiac-oriented activity. Who can blame him?
| Strip Specs |
| Year/Model | '74 Trans Am |
| Race Weight | 3,910 lbs |
| Curb Weight | 3,725 lbs |
| Engine | '72 YW 455 |
| Cubic Inches Before/After Bore | 455/462 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8:1 |
| Built By | Owner |
| Fuel | Sunoco 110-octane |
| Carburetor | Rochester Q-jet |
| Jets | 0.073 primaries |
| Spacer Plate | None |
| Intake Manifold | '72 455 H.O. |
| Fuel Pump | Stock Pontiac mechanical |
| Heads | '74 4X, unported |
| Valves | 2.11/1.66 Ferrea |
| Pistons/Rings | KB Hypereutectic, 4.18-in bore/Total Seal |
| Rods | Eagle forged, 6.625-in length |
| Crankshaft | Stock 455 cast-iron, 4.21-in stroke |
| Rotating Assembly Balanced | Yes |
| Camshaft | Crower hydraulic flat-tappet, 228/235 deg duration at 0.050-in lift, 0.479/0.494-in lift with Crower 1.52:1 roller-tip rockers, 112-deg LSA, 108-deg centerline |
| Cam Installed Position | Straight up |
| Distributor | GM HEI |
| Total Timing | 35 deg at 2,500 rpm |
| Exhaust | Doug's Headers, 13/4-inch primaries, 3-inch collectors, 21/2-inch exhaust pipes with crossover and Flowmaster mufflers |
| Power Adder | None |
| Converter | Art Carr 11-in, 2,300-stall |
| Transmission | Turbo 400, street/strip rebuild, Hurst Dual-Gate shifter |
| Rear | Stock GM 10-bolt, 3.42 gears, Safe-T-Track |
| Brakes Front | Stock 10.9-in discs |
| Brakes Rear | Stock 9.5-in drums |
| Wheels/Tires Front | 15x7-in Pontiac Rally II, 255/60R-15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As |
| Wheels/Tires Rear | 15x8-in Center Line, 28x11.5x15 Mickey Thompson ET Street |
| Tire Pressure Front/Rear | 32 psi/15 psi |
| Suspension Front | Stock Trans Am |
| Suspension Rear | Stock Trans Am |
| Chassis Modifications | None |
| Interior Modifications | None |
| Exterior Modifications | None |
| Safety Modifications | Driveshaft safety loop |
| Launch Technique | Footbrake, 1,600 rpm |
| Best ET/MPH Prior to Event (1/4-mile) | 13.32 at 101.89 mph |
| Strip Tuning Log |
| Run #/Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift Point | 60-Foot Time | ET/MPH 1/8-Mile | ET/MPH 1/4-Mile | Corrected 1/4-Mile |
| 1. 33 deg total, 13.5-psi tire pressure | 1,500 | 5,500 | 1.94 | 8.53/82.05 | 13.32/102.32 | 12.89/106.80 |
| 2. Same, except 15-psi tire pressure | 1,700 | 5,500 | 1.93 | 8.51/81.88 | 13.31/102.42 | 12.88/105.87 |
| 3. Same, except 17-psi tire pressure | 1,700 | 5,500 | 1.92 | 8.50/82.05 | 13.29/102.45 | 12.86/105.90 |
| 4. Reset timing to 35 deg. | 1,700 | 5,700 | 5,700 | 1.93 | 13.31/102.655 | 12.88/106.114 |
| 5. No Changes | 1,500 | 5,500 | 1.92 | 8.51/82.00 | 13.29/102.50 | 12.87/105.95 |
| Run Analysis: Run 1) slight spin, otherwise a solid run; Run 2) brakes won't hold much more on launch; good run, little better launch; Run 3) better 60 ft., car hooked up well; Run 4) subtle changes and the car stays consistent; Run 5) consistent, consistent, consistent |