[Kirt Adams]

I have a 79 T/A which is to be minus its 403/350th very shortly.
I've acquired a 73 455/400th for it. Ihe motor is bone stock. I have these voices in my head that are telling me to:
add a performer intake
a Holley spreadbore carb
a set of headers
a Dynomax Superturbo exhaust
a set of Crane 1.65 roller rockers
a 3 angle valve job
a gasket match and runner blend port job
a 3.08 gear set
a head decking of 0.20
a true roller timing chain
a transpak kit
I know I have not listed a camshaft. My 455 is presently equipped with a #66. My engine dyno program shows that with this cam, my engine should produce over 450 lbs./ft. from 1800 to 4600 rpm while hp peaks out at about 408 at 5000 rpm.
I spoke to a not so very nice person at Jim Taylor's place in P-burg NJ who told me that a Co. called TFX makes a solid cam package that produces over450 hp with pretty much in the way of stock heads etc. This cam is also said to take all the headaches out of dealing with the Poncho valvetrain shortcomings.
He's supposed to be a real professor of Pontiacs according to HPP,Hot Rod,& Car Craft but I've never heard anyone else mention this Co.
I'm looking for input and/or suggestions.
Thank you in advance,



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Big Bird '79

[Kirt Adams]

I have a 79 T/A which is to be minus its 403/350th very shortly.
I've acquired a 73 455/400th for it. Ihe motor is bone stock. I have these voices in my head that are telling me to:
add a performer intake
a Holley spreadbore carb
a set of headers
a Dynomax Superturbo exhaust
a set of Crane 1.65 roller rockers
a 3 angle valve job
a gasket match and runner blend port job
a 3.08 gear set
a head decking of 0.20
a true roller timing chain
a transpak kit
I know I have not listed a camshaft. My 455 is presently equipped with a #66. My engine dyno program shows that with this cam, my engine should produce over 450 lbs./ft. from 1800 to 4600 rpm while hp peaks out at about 408 at 5000 rpm.
I spoke to a not so very nice person at Jim Taylor's place in P-burg NJ who told me that a Co. called TFX makes a solid cam package that produces over450 hp with pretty much in the way of stock heads etc. This cam is also said to take all the headaches out of dealing with the Poncho valvetrain shortcomings.
He's supposed to be a real professor of Pontiacs according to HPP,Hot Rod,& Car Craft but I've never heard anyone else mention this Co.
I'm looking for input and/or suggestions.
Thank you in advance,



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Big Bird '79

[Blackcat]

Wow! One cam solves valvetrain problems!
Now I have heard it all! If Pontiac had valvetrain problems it is news to me! Maybe for a full race motor. Not the average hopped up engine! Lots of people will sell you a cure-all that will solve everything. I will give you sound advice as will other people on the board. First,, What kind of use are you building the car for?
Second, How much are you going to spend?
Unless you are going racing. I would recomend Pontiacs 068 or HO cam. Any more cam unless you are racing (seriously) is a waste. With the 3:08 gears it will give you good all around power. Spread bore Carb? Not really needed a good Q-Jet on a Performer intake will be more than enough. Remember a 455 is a good low to mid rpm engine. It will make it's power below 4500rpm Where you will use it with the gears you want. I personally like using Mr Hands approch to building. Check him out.

[Kirt Adams]

This car is to be used as a toy. I want it to perform well as far as handling goes(have that under control) but would like to acheive in the high 12's E.T.'s in a 1/4 mile. The car will go to the track for times only. It will primarily be a rolling cruise participant and Saturday night special.
If anyone does their own headwork, I'd love to know what to look for to port them myself. I've done some sbc castings before with excellent results. I know that free breathing heads are the real key. I'm looking for about 9.0 to 9.5 compression.

I've seen that many people on this bb like the performer RPM, Why this as opposed to the Perf?

Is there anything I'm overlooking? This is definitely the time for me to find out. My last umpteen cars have been chev. or ford. But I wanted something interesting this time. Ialso made deals I couldn't pass up.


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Big Bird '79

[Kirt Adams]

BTW, How do I find MR. Hand's method for building an engine?

[tempest455]

Sounds like a good street combination. The combination you listed should have no trouble getting in the 13's. Running 12's in a heavy car like a '79 TA will require more cam, compression and gear than what you have planned.

The Hand combinations mentioned can be found at the following website:
http://www.boyleworks.com/ta400/psp/featuredcars.html

Eric D.

[Pete D]

Here is Jim Hand's msite. Lots of info here too.
http://www.cyberramp.net/~firebyrd/jimhand.htm

[Brian Baker]

Eric is right, getting a heavy car like a 79 T/A into the 12's isn't easy, but it isn't too difficult and still remain streetable enough to drive on a daily basis. It sounds like you're putting together a combo similar to my 79 455 T/A.

I'd go with at least a 3.23 gear, but a 3.42 or 3.55 would be a better choice if you want to run 12's. It can be done with the 3.08, but it won't be easy. I've heard examples of people running as quick as 12.0's with a pump-gas 455 and 3.08's, but I've never seen evidence (especially not with a brick like a 79 T/A).

With the engine mods. you listed, I'd go with something close to a R.A. IV grind. Try the Comp-280AH10 grind with standard lifters (not Rhodes). It specs out at 232/237 and will provide .531" lift with 1.65 rockers, on a 110-LS. Comp recommends it to be installed at 106 int. c/l. I ran this very cam last year in my T/A, installed at 108, and at 4100 lbs. (yes it was that heavy with me in it) with a 3.23 gear she ran a best of 12.78 @ 106-MPH. For more info on the combo, check out Bill Boyle's website at boyleworks.com/ta400 under the "torque power" section. There's also about a dozen other combo's listed there that are excellent choices.

[Kirt Adams]

I'd like to thank all who replied to this post. You've all givenn me exactly what I really neede, Fuel for thought.
Again, thank you.

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Big Bird '79