[ponyakr]

A Pontiac friend once brought one to my shop, for storage. It looked like 1/2 of a 389. This one had been in a drag car. Don't know how good, or bad, it ran. But it had 4 Carrilo rods & 4 dome pistons, & I think it also had a Ram Air IV head on it, IIRC. That's about all I can remember about it. If he don't see this & chime in, I make ask him & see what else he remembers about it.

Anyhow, this thread is to find out who has raced one of these, and to get all the performance & build specs I can. Back in the '60's & '70's, when Modified & Gas classes were still popular, one of these built correctly may have been competitive.

I've always called this engine the "Iron Duke". Just learned, in recent years, that the Iron Duke was a later model 4-cyl.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Trophy_4_engine

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...30.4xD7Eq2Gnas

https://www.enginelabs.com/news/home...half-an-eight/

http://nunzipontiac.com/videos.html

[tom s]

Lots of guys have.I raced a 62 Lemans with a 4 bbl 4 speed back then.Dave Johnson had I believe a 11 second one in his 63 Tempest.Nunzi Ramano STILL races one in a 63 Tempest.They made Super Duty stuff for it like forged cranks,rods,and pistons and a special SD head,alu 4 bbl intake a carb.There is a NOS 4 cyc SD AFB on ebay right now.Tom

[ponyakr]

Any race winners, or class winners, at any big races ?

Might have been a good engine for a dragster or light Gas class car.

Any pics of some of these drag cars would be appreciated.

Before bracket racing took over, our local track had a class they called street modified. Mostly just went by lbs per cubic inch. So, the screamin small cube engines did best in that class. IIRC, cars with different versions of the 283 sbc were the top cars. Also some quick 302 & 327 block cars. Not a great class for a Pontiac V8 car.

[tekuhn]

He did mention to me that he also drag-raced the car - he was very friendly and I enjoyed visiting with him. I was on the right side of the car and noticed it was a Pontiac engine - something you won't see much of at Bonneville. It wasn't until I walked over to get a closer look that I noticed half the engine was missing.

[tom s]

I ran NHRA back then in Pomona,did OK except for one car used to kick my butt every week.I think it was some kind of supercharged Study.It was a stock class,dont remember what else was in the class.Tom

[Bnick166]

Rusty4cyl (Member here) has run one for years.
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...46#post3772346

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by Bnick166

Rusty4cyl (Member here) has run one for years.
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...46#post3772346

Wow ! 700hp

[Drag Star Le Mans]

This has gone 195mph at Speedweek and runs with ease at the strip. If that doesn't get you going try this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55PEj8OPEJA

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by Drag Star Le Mans

This has gone 195mph at Speedweek and runs with ease at the strip. If that doesn't get you going try this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55PEj8OPEJA

So, what's the lowest ET ? Does it run a class, or just bracket, or no competition events at all ?

[pont406]

Mickey Thompson also experimented with them in a few drag cars in early 60's

[Jack Gifford]

Originally Posted by pont406

... Mickey Thompson also experimented with them in a few drag cars in early 60's...

Beyond "experimenting"- for a couple of years his blown Tempest dragster had a lot of class wins, and also took Little Eliminator at at least one Winternationals event. He also set some FIA world records with Tempest power.

A fair number of landspeed racers used the Tempest engines- mostly in lakesters.

[Drag Star Le Mans]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

So, what's the lowest ET ? Does it run a class, or just bracket, or no competition events at all ?

Runs 9s with ease. I think he used to run super gas, 9.90? This is a new chassis and some what untested? Pretty sure the old chassis with same drive train went as quick as 8.90ish at 150mph

[sdbob]

John Herslow use to run a dragster in comp eliminator. Specs as you said. He told me,I sold him 4bbl engine,that the 2bbl casting was heavier than 4bbl. Float less carbs because of vibrations.

[tekuhn]

Originally Posted by Drag Star Le Mans

This has gone 195mph at Speedweek and runs with ease at the strip. If that doesn't get you going try this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55PEj8OPEJA

I took this picture of that engine at Speedweek in 2016. Pretty sure it has an Edelbrock head here, but he told me he used to run RAIV heads until they got so expensive.

[Drag Star Le Mans]

Originally Posted by tekuhn

I took this picture of that engine at Speedweek in 2016. Pretty sure it has an Edelbrock head here, but he told me he used to run RAIV heads until they got so expensive.

Definitely an E-Head at Speedweek 2016. Yes Roger used to run RAIV heads years ago. When I met him at Mission Raceway 20 some years ago he had a RAII head.

[Drag Star Le Mans]

Tempest IN A T-POT.

[tom s]

FYI for the record.There were NO 2 bbl 61-63 4 cyc engines.1 bbl or 4 bbl.Tom

[JSPONT]

Charlie66 on here been running a turbo with fuel injection, all home built for years. 800hp

[unruhjonny]

this is all really cool!
At the local 'Iron Indians' Pontiac show and shine the, an older Tempest with the 1/2 V8 4 cylinder showed up... cool for sure!

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

A local friend used to be a dominate force at area Dirt Tracks with a 63 Tempest/Lemans and Half V8 in 4cyl Classes.
About 1980-1986
Lots of Wins and Top Three's

They pretty much had a bulls eye painted on him.
Dirt Tracks do get Dirty in the little leagues