Make Your LT1 Slap An Import
I've been reading HPP for several years and have owned two Pontiacs so far. Currently, I own a '93 LT1 Formula Firebird and have been challenged by a friend who owns a heavily modified Honda Del Sol to race at the track some day.
It bothers me that he is so confident as to even think he has a chance with that tiny four-cylinder economy car. I know they are light, and I'm positive that it's quite fast in its current state, but it would really be a blow to me as a lover of American cars, especially Pontiacs, to get beaten by some silly little rice mobile.
I would like to know as a young guy with limited finances and garage facilities, what I can bolt on at relatively low price to give my Formula a little extra oompf. I have a less restrictive exhaust than factory, but otherwise, it's completely stock with low miles for its age.AnonymousVia Internet
Ray T. Bohacz responds
A properly tuned LT1 Firebird should run the quarter-mile in the high-13 to low-14-second range if driven properly. Get to the track when your friend is not there, and find out how fast your Pontiac is. Then practice racing and get faster by becoming a better driver. A Honda Del Sol will need to be heavily modified or be extremely lightened to go that fast. If your friend races already, go watch him to see how fast his car is.
Once traction is removed from the equation, acceleration is simply a function of weight over power. Thus, a 2,000-pound car with 100 hp has the theoretical ability to accelerate just as quickly as a 4,000-pound car with 300 hp. The equation is not linear since other factors such as traction, torque multiplication, and the moment of inertia all come into play.
Most fast small-engine cars employ forced induction to make up for the lack of displacement. A good rule is for every 15 psi of boost pressure the engine is being tricked into doubling in size. So a 120 ci (2L) engine with a turbo would be, in theory, equal to a 360-cubic normally aspirated engine. This is due to the doubling of atmospheric pressure (the engine is 120 ci N/A, and since it's running two additional atmospheres of boost, it becomes three times the size).
If the Honda is very light and uses forced induction, it will most likely beat a stock Firebird. But if his car is normally aspirated, the race is probably yours.
Before you modify your car for the challenge, the smart money would be spent on making sure the current tune is correct. Often people forget about basics, such as a new fuel filter, fresh spark plugs, clean throttle body and air filter, and so on. If you're still nervous, look into a cold air kit (SLP, www.slponline.com, or other brands) to complement your exhaust mods and a stickier set of rear tires (BFG or Nitto drag radials) to ensure you have the traction you need. But beyond that, it would be foolish to start spending serious cash just to shut up this guy.
My gut is telling me you'll take him since most import owners that talk trash don't have the goods to back up their mouth. Let me know what happens.
Getting The '04 Goat To Go
I am the owner of an '04 GTO with a 5.7L and automatic transmission. The car is bone stock right now and is my daily driver. What performance parts would you recommend to hot rod my car so that I can get about 500 hp on the street? Would I need to do any internal modifications to the engine? What about the transmission? Where is a good place to get my performance parts installed in the Midwest?Alan RegierVia Internet