Owner Bio: Ken Burge
Ken Burge's approach to Pontiac performance is a bit off the beaten path, coming in the form of an '89 Turbo Trans Am. His break from tradition comes from his interest in both high-tech performance and luxury. "A friend bought a Turbo Trans Am in 1990," Ken says. "I always liked the looks of the car and all the creature comforts." This particular Trans Am is the second one Ken has owned and had only 2,200 miles on it when he purchased it three years ago. The 57-year-old Rowland Heights, California, resident has been racing for five years and is an active participant in Pontiac Drag Days competition.
| Strip Specs |
| Year/Model: | '89 Turbo Trans Am |
| Race Weight: | 3,420 lbs |
| Curb Weight: | 3,595 lbs |
| Engine: | '89 Turbo V-6 |
| Cubic Inches Before/After Bore: | 231/231 |
| Compression Ratio: | 8.0:1 |
| Built By: | GM |
| Fuel Used: | 110-octane Sunoco |
| Spacer Plate: | RJC |
| Fuel Injection: | Factory GM |
| Injectors: | 60 lb/hr MotoTron |
| MAF Size: | 3-in LT1 |
| Throttle Body Size: | 70 mm Accufab |
| Intake Manifold: | Factory GM |
| Fuel System: | Walbro 340 with adjustable regulator, stock lines |
| Heads: | Stock '89 GM 231 V-6 |
| Valves: | 1.71/1.49 |
| Pistons: | Stock GM hypereutectic, 3.8-in bore |
| Rings: | Stock GM |
| Rods: | Stock GM |
| Crankshaft: | Stock nodular iron |
| Rotating Assembly Balanced: | Factory |
| Camshaft: | Factory GM hydraulic roller, 192/196 deg duration at 0.050, 0.409/434 lift with factory stamped 1.65:1 rockers, 107 deg LSA |
| Installed Position: | Straight up |
| Distributor: | GM crank trigger |
| RPM when Total Timing Is achieved: | Computer controlled |
| Exhaust: | Stock GM turbo manifolds, factory 2.5-in pipes upgraded with ATR muffler |
| Power Adder: | TA49 turbocharger producing 20 lbs of boost, ATR intake pipe and plenum pipes, factory air-to-air intercooler, 9-in K&N cone filter, heated 02 sensor |
| Transmission: | GM 200-4R, rebuilt by California Performance Transmissions, custom shift kit |
| Converter: | TCI 9.5-in lockup, 3,000 stall |
| Shifter: | Stock |
| Rear: | Factory GM, 3.27:1 gears, limited-slip |
| Brakes, Front: | Stock 1LE 11.5-in discs |
| Brakes, Rear: | Stock 10.5-in discs |
| Wheels/Tires Front: | Stock 16x8-in crosslace/ Goodyear Eagle GT 245/50ZR-16 radials |
| Wheels/Tires Rear: | Stock 16x8-in crosslace / BFG Drag Radials 255/60R16 |
| Tire Pressure Front/Rear: | 35 psi/15 psi |
| Suspension Front/Rear: | Stock GM |
| Chassis Modifications: | None |
| Interior Modifications: | Auto Meter boost and fuel-pressure gauges mounted in custom A-pillar gauge pod |
| Exterior Modifications: | None |
| Safety Modifications: | None |
| Custom Computer Programming: | Translator Plus extender chip mounted in stock ECM |
| Launch Technique: | Foot brake, 3,000 rpm |
| Best ET/MPH Prior to Event (1/4-Mile): | 12.61 at 109.44 |
| Best ET/MPH Prior to Event (1/8-Mile): | 7.91 at 86.87 mph |
| STRIP TUNING LOG |
Run | Tuning | Launch RPM | Shift Point | 60-FT | 1/8 E.T./MPH | 1/4 E.T./MPH | Corrected 1/4 Mile |
| 1. | 43 psi fuel pressure, 20 psi boost, 15 psi tire pressure | 3,100 | 5,250 | 1.71 | 8.19/84.02 | 12.86/105.57 | 12.44/109.12 |
| 2. | Same, 20 psi boost, 15 psi tire pressure | 3,100 | 5,250 | 1.73 | 8.18/84.10 | 12.87/105.23 | 12.45/108.77 |
| 3. | Same, 22 psi boost | 3,100 | 5,250 | 1.76 | 8.24/82.99 | 12.92/105.27 | 12.50/108.81 |
| 4. | Same | 3,100 | 5,250 | 1.83 | 8.32/83.83 | 13.02/104.97 | 12.60/108.50 |
| 5. | Open Exhaust, 24 psi boost, Timing 27/25 deg | 3,100 | 5,250 | 1.90 | 8.36/84.61 | 13.02/105.88 | 12.60/109.44 |
| Run Analysis: Run 1) left hard, too rich; Run 3) leaned out top end, spun tires at launch; Run 4) really spun tires; Run 5) spun tires again |