[Brewster]

All went well with the dyno session today. The carb may not be on top of its game. It ran fine, but needed more tuning than normal to get the power out of the engine. I think it held us back by a few ponies and torque. But I'm happy with the numbers anyway. The Desktop dyno predicted 388 hp and 484 lb-ft tq. Despite the carb (had to richen the snot out of it), we ended up making 395 hp @ 5000, and 500 lb-ft @ 3300.
With a little more time 400 hp and above is possible but were happy with these numbers for now.
Pictures attached to review and enjoy.
Cheers, Brew

[Norwood]

Nice numbers, what is the projected highway mpg ?

[Brewster]

Craig, I dont bleeping care

[Red Goat]

Those are nice numbers, Brian! Now the real fun starts... getting her put back together!

[RamAir]

Is that the correct radiator cap Craig? ;-) lol

[Judge273]

Those are good numbers! That's with accessories too. Real life numbers, and exhaust too.

Mid 12 on 1/4 mile is in sight....

[The Boss]

Good numbers, very close to my Toyota Tundra.

[Held for Ransom]

Alternator's sitting a little low for a car with power steering. Just saying...

[Norwood]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Good numbers, very close to my Toyota Tundra.

Maybe a little Norwalk Challange here.

[Brewster]

Originally Posted by The Boss

Good numbers, very close to my Toyota Tundra.

I know the numbers aren't that impressive compared to todays cars and some trucks but this 1972 Pontiac Formula is going to be hell of allot more fun to drive

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by Brewster

I know the numbers aren't that impressive compared to todays cars and some trucks but this 1972 Pontiac Formula is going to be hell of allot more fun to drive

I fully agree - just messing with you a little. I laughed to myself because they are almost identical to the trucks published numbers.

[Brewster]

Yes its amazing on some of the new motor packages available but remember were talking 1972 here
I'd still race yah though
I added a couple more pictures to enjoy, Cheers!

[165th]

Originally Posted by Brewster

Yes its amazing on some of the new motor packages available but remember were talking 1972 here
I'd still race yah though
I added a couple more pictures to enjoy, Cheers!

Congratulations on this milestone. Dyno days are fun days.

Good luck getting her back in the cradle!

[RicksGTO]

those are great numbers Brew, and I bet that torque curve hits the high 400's at very low rpms and is as flat as Kansas from there on up! Anymore power will only serve to make the car go sideways faster

[Brewster]

Thanks guys! It sure gets me pumped up and seeing it gets me interested in working on the car more and more. Cheers and cant wait to share it with you all this summer.

[SD455DJ]

Hey Brew,

I talked to Dan about your dyno pulls and he was very pleased with how your stock '72 455HO numbered with the factory exhaust manifolds with only the 2-1/8" outlets, so there is definitely 10-15 more hp and torque to be found if you substituted new Ram Air Repro manifolds with the 2.45" outlets and possibly a different Q-jet carb. Even if you leave it as is 400 hp and 500 lbft of torque over a long rpm range is amazing.

Congrats & Cheers! Dennis

[Bentwheelbob]

Isn't the difference between the two exhaust manifolds just the slight opening up of the exhaust opening? I thought I had seen that the castings were the same and that RARE just has the openings slightly enlarged. Seems like a home shop project with a die grinder and a six pack of beer.

BTW - Congrats Brew on the dyno run. Great numbers and best of all it worked with no drama or great problems. Max performance is great, but at the end of the day you want the damn thing to start and run reliably without issue.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

Hey Brew,

I talked to Dan about your dyno pulls and he was very pleased with how your stock '72 455HO numbered with the factory exhaust manifolds with only the 2-1/8" outlets, so there is definitely 10-15 more hp and torque to be found if you substituted new Ram Air Repro manifolds with the 2.45" outlets and possibly a different Q-jet carb. Even if you leave it as is 400 hp and 500 lbft of torque over a long rpm range is amazing.

Congrats & Cheers! Dennis

I do not think you can run the stock 2-1/4 exhaust with those manifolds. I know Gardner will NOT build without a 100% verify on your manifolds..

[SD455DJ]

Hi Bob,

The new RARE manifolds are cast in ductile iron rather than the original grey iron which cracks with age and heat cycles, so grinding them out would severely weaken the casting further. The RARE manifolds are opened up not just at the flange, but all the way to the collector portion, therefore helping flow a little bit. From what I understand, the runners are based on the SD455 manifolds which are purported to be larger (not sure that is true but rather Pontiac lore).

Formulabruce,
Definitely the factory headpipes would not seal to the RARE 2.45" flange and is meant to accept 2.5" mandrel pipe like from Pypes.

Dennis

[1971455HO]

Great work Brewster. Carbs are a pain until they're right. I'm satisfied you'll breeze past 400 a good bit before your done.