"Actual Match Race" 1969 440 'Cuda vs 1973 Firebird Formula 'SD-455'

Mike,

A stock 1973 Formula SD-455, Automatic with the 'Performance Axle
Option 3.42 Gears.

Properly tuned, was capable of 13.60's @ 103 MPH.

That is with the 'Factory Stock' 15" x 7" Honeycomb Wheels and F60 x 15" Firestone Wide-Oval
Tires.

On my sister's car, which was 2-Years old when she got it, it only had about
12,000 Miles on the Odometer.

We pulled out the A/C Compressor, and related components.

Since my father had a Performance Machine Shop, we pulled the Cylinder Heads
and performed a Competition Valve-Job with Teflon Seals, and installed the
73' 'SD-455' Off-Road Camshaft {#041} which was .470"/.470" Lift ~ 302*/320* Duration ~ 87* Overlap.

And we added a Speed-Pro Double-Roller Timing Chain.

That was it.

Since the 73' SD-455 came though with a specially calibrated Distributor
and 'factory tricked' Rochester MV 800-CFM Carburetor we did nothing else.

We even left the stock 'Cast Iron' Intake on the Engine, because an Aluminum
High Rise Intake Unit would raise the Carburetor, and screw up the alignment
with the Air Cleaner and Shaker Hood Scoop unit.

With 3.90 Gears, the 'Formula SD-455' could out-run just about anybody on
the Street,,,,,,,,except maybe me,,,,,,,,and out-handle any Musclecar.

More to come,,,,,,,,,,,