[Dave A]

To each their own...

However, I am wondering when Ford and Chrysler folks will realize that even their 'classic musclecars' are powered by 'corporate' engines and will start complaining. Or maybe they were never spoiled to begin with?

I'll love a good thing when I get it - I'll never replace my Pontiac engine with anything but another Pontiac - but I just can't see getting too excited over the fact that economic realities have forced corporate engines in GM.

Hmmmm...is a 390 Mustang GT 'souless' because it shares an engine with a Mercury? Is a 440 powered Dodge Charger any less of a musclecar because it shares an engine with Plymouth?

[johnta1]

I think Steve has a passion for Pontiacs like I do.

A bracket race is the best way to run this because 98% of the Pontiac racers on this board and otherwise don't have the fastest 16 cars in the world.Who can have fun racing if you can't even qualify?

If you want heads up race,just have a wager in time runs with your opponent.

I know I and all my other friends that went to Joliet 2 years ago were pissed off when we were told it was a 'Pure' Pontiac race,then find out they had vettes,mustangs and chevy powered Pontiacs there.

If I wanted to see that crap,I'd stayed and raced at my own track.

Most Pontiac fanatics I know what to see other Pontiacs,and associate with the Pontiac people.

Cars like Wilhites,Jerry Brock's,Scott Rex,Zeek's,and many others are what I look for.

I could care less how fast they are or how slow.The guy running the 66 Tempest is just as happy racing as the guy running the 9 sec TA.

He would be even happier when he kicks the TA's *ss.

If I could get time off work I would be there at Steve's race.



johnta1
Pontiac Power RULES !!!
www.wallaceracing.com

[Ron]

John, I agree with you 100%. Nine of us from Southern California attended the Pontiac Heaven event last year and had a fantastic time. In fact we still talk about it even after all of this time has elapsed. Steve did a great job coordinating the event, the track people did a great job, and the weatherman chimed in with a picture perfect Arizona weekend. Things could not have been better. I have this event on my schedule for 2003 and will work at promoting the event so more Southern Californians can also experience a great Pontiac weekend in Arizona. I keep talking about the race when in fact that is only part of the event. Along with the race there is a great car show and a swap meet. The level of show car is first class and some great parts can be found at the swap meet.

See ya in a few months Steve.

Ron

[jim brady]

I think Steve knows reality. He has a great sight and it is obvious that he has did his homework as far as his combination goes. He just might be the guy who qualifys one of our relicks in N/TF. how neet would that be? I have been a Pontiac nut all of my life. I thought that it would be easier to run a Chevy in S/C this year so we started to build a 980hp 565 chevy. It is setting on the engine stand. I just can't make the switch. I am convinced that our IA motor can be competitive. You guys who rag on Arnie should be ashamed of yourselves. This guy is totally amazing. When he put the 64 together the IA block was not available and he has to use alot of nitrus to run the numbers that he does. I don't think that a stock block will stand the use of nitrus for as many passes as he makes. I was totaly amazed this fall at the dedication of this guy. We were trying to put a small event together at Heartlandpark this fall after the Indian Uprizing in Ark City. I ask Arnie if he could stay and be their at that event. He had hurt a piston at Ark City, but he stayed and did a photo shoot for John Samples early in the week and then thrashed all day Friday and until 4:00 in the morning to do me a favor. He made a pass at Topeka and then about 5:00 Sat. afternoon left for home, witch is about an 8 hour drive. I called Sunday to see if he got home and Mrs B said that he had went to Byron to make sure the car was going to be OK for Bristol the next weekend. I don't think any of you wanta be racers who attend 2 or 3 races a year can keep up with him. He is a true Legond and also one hell of a nice Guy.

[Goatman]

Just want to let everyone out there know, I'm sure Steve is a nice guy and there seems to be no question that he loves Pontiacs, however misplaced that love is. I'm sure his event is nice. However, bitching about magazine coverage and attendance would lead one to believe that the event is not satisfactory in his eyes. If he wants it to improve, there are things that can be done and a certain way to go about doing that. THIS is not the way.

Here is what I think the intention of this whole thread was:

An expectation that once someone started bashing any Pontiac that wasn't made with a traditional Pontiac motor, everyone would jump on the bandwagon and agree with that point of veiw. That would make a bond between them and him, thereby increasing attendance and participation, coupled with a little PE bashing on the side.

Sorry it didn't pan out that way.

BTW, I do not own a Pontiac made after 1981, just in case some of you were thinking I was biased in some way.

Chance favors the prepared mind.

[tempest455]

Ron, I have to give you crap on this one! Tell you what, you pick a dozen BBC parts at random and I'll pick a dozen Pontiac parts at random and we'll each see how many we can bolt onto the "corporate" big block.....

Interesting observation from Fantomponcho that, most of the Performance Years BB contributors are in an automotive related industry. At first glance, I can see how he came to that conclusion. However, I would guess the majority are not, such as myself. There are a number of highly respected automotive people here (Tom V. Pontiac Dude etc.) but for most I think this is a hobby.

As far as BBC's. I know of a serious combination for sale and honestly, if I had the spare money, I would buy it. Not saying it would go in my Poncho (?????) but it's hard to beat the price/performance/durability issues.

tempest455

[Ron]

Well I can tell you that I can bolt on a pair of Pontiac heads on a corporate motor and they will not bolt on a BBC block and that is a fact.

Ron

[Ron]

Fantom Poncho.....I'm not in the automotive industry and the majority of the people who posted on this thread so far are not in the automotive industry.

Ron

[Steve Barcak]

Bruce, Thank you for giving your name. You are stating that I am bitching about attendence? Who has ever heard or read of me bitching about attendence? At this last event, I was delighted that 600 showed up! We were expecting about 250-300. My volunteer staff and I were temporarily overwhelmed by the line to get in. It was a big success for me to rent a drag strip, get sponsors, advertise, put together a staff and host 600 people. Never a complaint about that.
Also, again, I’m not bitching about magazine coverage either. All I have said is that the magazines will cover a GTO/A body only event. They will cover a F body only event and they will cover a full Pontiac event but, they will not cover a vintage only Pontiac event. Because of their bias, less people will know of it, that was the issue. Not a bashing contest to PE at all.
Also, I never claimed I was entitled to anything either, please don‘t think that I do. You are misinterpreting my posts.
Ron, I know its Jims magazine and I have never questioned that. We were happy to have all the California Pontiac people make the drive to attend last year. You left coasters brought home more than your share of prizes too! I think that’s great. I enjoyed meeting you and the rest. There are some real quality Pontiac people and cars on the West Coast. Thank you for promoting the event for me where you are. I couldn’t ask for more. This is a fun event for fans of vintage Pontiac power, not a bashing contest against the late models. It should not be interpreted differently.
Fantomponcho, thank you for your support. You either misposted or were misinformed (no big deal), Wangers cars were, indeed, Pontiac powered as Ron states.
Tim, I had forgotten all about the effort on your part with the slides and all the PR at the club meetings back in 1998-9. I do appreciate what you have done and what you are doing too. We will get together and discuss your input as to setting up classes for April. Thanks again for your continued support.
So c’mon out real Vintage Pontiac fans! It’ll be a good time. Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven

[Ron]

I think we have beaten this horse enough. Passions and emotions run high whenever the Pontiac subject is brought up. I think one thing we can all agree on is we all love Pontiac power.

Lets put this thread to bed..........enough said.

Ron

[all_ryze]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tempest455:
As far as BBC's. I know of a serious combination for sale and honestly, if I had the spare money, I would buy it. Not saying it would go in my Poncho (?????) but it's hard to beat the price/performance/durability issues.

tempest455<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Shafiroff race motors has a 555 CID 985HP Big Duke motor complete minus carb and ignition for $12,500

Not quite sure you can build a IA motor that makes 985HP for 12K?

Kinda makes me want to swallow my pride and jump ship to a BBC .....

MOTOR CITIES FINEST
PHS Documented "REAL JUDGE"
12.53 @ 110.68 on street tires, through the mufflers and a 4 speed!!

[Goatman]

If it were about $, we'd all be doing something else.

Chance favors the prepared mind.

[PONTIAC DUDE]

And the winner is????????

Let's go Racing


Build it fast, build it right, build a Pontiac.
http://PontiacDude.cc

[Brian Baker]

P-Dude !!! LOL !!!

JK, about Arnie and why he isn't racing a Pontiac powered car.

To run at the ET and MPH he is turning with the '64 would require ALOT of MONEY with a traditional based Pontiac V8. Jack Gaydosh and Scott Rex are just dipping into the 7's naturally aspirated with 530+ C.I. IA engines and much more aerodynamic bodies than what Arnie is running. Arnie would have to dump a helluvalot of nitrous into a comparable IA setup to get that '64 to run low 7's like it can now.

Yes, what Arnie is doing is his passion and pastime, but I don't think Arnie has a money tree in his backyard. This means I don't think he could afford to do all of the travelling he does with the '64 for match races and exhibition runs without getting paid to do so. Arnie is by no means making a killing getting paid for what he is doing either. He's getting paid just enough in most cases to keep the operation going to the next event. This is why he runs a BBC (sorry Ron, I see no evidence of it being a corporate engine with aftermarket block and heads). He tunes it so it is easy on parts while still providing exciting low 7 second runs and his patended 1/2 track burnouts.

[Tom Vaught]

Scott Misus just sent me the web address for the Phoenix Nostalgia race.

A lot of quality photos for the event including
three or four showing Steve Barchek and his new
Pontiac FED with the blower.

It also appears to have a lot of excitement as SEVERAL racers crashed in sucessive passes in the left lane. The post said it was a small turn-out
(100 cars) but made up for it in excitement.

One photo shows Steve blowing the burst panels out
of his manifold shortly into the run. Apparently
even a wealth of desire and money cannot replace
an experienced tune-up. I firmly believe that
Steve will get it sorted out over time. Good Luck
Steve and buy stock in burst panels! Just kidding, Marty popped a couple in his turbo car in the beginning too! Tom V.

[Tom Vaught]

Here it is:


http://wediditforlove.com/ARHRA-Winternats.html


Tom V.

[Ron]

WOW..WOW...WOW!!! Great pictures. Thanks guys for the link.

Ron

[Steve Barcak]

Blown fuel 389 Pontiac update. I got the Fueler to the strip a few weeks back. First run was an easy stage deal and Ieased it out of the gate and shut off. I have decided to make all runs for now at 90% nitro. We will play around later with percentages after I'm licensed and bugs are worked out. Second day was when we banged two panels. First time (photo) was way too rich, nitro everywhere! Second time way too lean. I also torched a hole in #7 exh port, it was putting some exhaust through were the freeze plug would be on the back of the left head (intake flange). I, apparantly, ported it too thin there. I anticipate most problems to be with the heads and head sealing. I will handle each one as it comes along. The main problem with the Pontiac for blown fuel applications is the two exhaust ports together creates a LOT of heat. We pulled the head, took it home and I welded it up. So far the head has held. The next weekend at the NHRA pro warm ups at Firebird we made a few passes, still working on the injectors. The clutch seems OK for now. No problems with burst panels for the two days at Firebird. Did some burnouts, tried a throttle stop for a burn out too. I've now done a few short spurts (launches). This thing is strong! It's a scary animal thrill ride for sure. I look forward to taking it out a little further down the track each time in the next few weeks and continue the licensing process for top fuel. I'll work on getting the Racepak logger installed so we can monitor things better and I'll be working on putting a small cooling system in the car for the heads too. We'll be testing in Phx and Las Vegas in the coming weeks. I can't wait to drive it at speed. Pics on my site and on drag racing on line and wediditforlove.com ARHRA coverage. Steve www.pontiacheaven.org Real Pontiacs Only!.....No corporate nonsense!

[This message was edited by Steve Barcak on January 27, 2003 at 02:25 PM.]

[jim brady]

What did it 60'?

[Steve Barcak]

Jim, I don't know. I don't think these cars 60' well because of the Crowerglide centrifical clutch and the fact that I have to come off the line at idle or it will blow the tires off. I'll get some times here when I get them thanks, Steve www.pontiacheaven.org