| Engine Block: |
1973 Pontiac 455 with 1969 428 4 bolt main caps;
"Hard Bloc" added to the bottom of the front soft plugs to add
strength to the cylinders |
| Bore and Stroke: |
4.21" x 4.25" for 473.3 cubic inches |
| Heads: |
#64 heads with TRW stainless steel 2.11" and 1.77" valves (ported
by "Hand"); I/E @28"; .050"= 45/32, .3"= 205/149,
.55"= 254/202; port volume = 163-164 cc |
| Deck Height: |
zero deck height (.000") |
| Valve Springs: |
Jim Butler #052B (dual springs) |
| Rocker Arms: |
Harland and Sharp 1.65 roller rockers |
| Retainers: |
stock |
| Keepers: |
stock |
| Valve Seals: |
positive Viton seals (without inserts) to fit installed
guides. Positive and o-ring seals used on all valves |
| Lifters: |
Rhoads variable duration |
| Push Rods: |
Straightline Performance 4130 seamless chromemoly |
| Crankshaft: |
stock, journal turned .010", rod journals turned/stroked for big
block Chevy rods, +.040 stroke. All reciprocating parts balanced |
| Rods: |
Eagle 6.8" rods, PN CRS680003D, from Jim Butler Performance. Longer
rods used to minimize side thrust on the cylinder walls |
| Rod Bolts: |
equipped with ARP 190,000 psi bolts |
| Pistons: |
JE Custom flat top with single valve reliefs to provide 10.07 cr |
| Rings: |
Speed Pro file fit Plasma-Moly rings |
Main Bearings
Rod Bearings
Cam Bearings: |
Clevite (Michigan) 77 |
| Timing Gear and Chain: |
#062B billet timing set from Jim Butler Performance |
| Gaskets: |
standard Fel Pro builder's set, except with custom
header gaskets made from Mr. Gasket flat gasket material |
| Camshaft: |
Wolverine WG 5059--234/244 degrees intake/ exhaust duration @.050; advertised
duration, 300/310 intake/exhaust; .536" lift intake/ .561" lift
exhaust with 1.65 rockers; 112 lobe separation angle; cam installed with
intake at 110 degrees. Smooth idle with Rhoads lifters, 14" vaccum
in Drive at 750 rpm, 15" in Park at 770 rpm. (Note: rough idle with
standard hydraulic lifters). |
| Intake Manifold: |
Performer RPM with full plenum divider |
| Carburetion: |
Pro Systems 830 cfm mechanical linkage (based on a Holley HP pro series),
86 Holley jets front and rear, no power valve. 92 octane Amoco gasoline,
no additives |
| Fuel Pump: |
Mallory 140 with Holley regulator set for 7 pounds fuel pressure; 1/2"
fuel line from tank to regulator, 1/2" gas line through 1/2" Fram
metal filter to the tee fitting on the carb. "Hand"
fabricated cool induction through firewall with air filter over air inlets
on plenum |
| Exhaust: |
Hooker 1.75" primaries, 3" collector; Dr. Gas 3" X Crossover
into 3" Torque Technologies pipes followed by 3" x 2.5" Flowmaster
reducers that enter 2.5" Walker # 17288 21" length Ultra Flow
mufflers that are located behind the rear axle; exhaust exits Walker madrel
2.5" tailpipes. Headers modified to fit ports, cleaned up pipes into
collectors, and 2" added to all left side primary pipes to more equally
match right side length |
| Ignition: |
stock HEI with GM 990 module, Delco cap and rotor, "Cobra"
spiral wound solid core resistence wires from J. C. Whitney. Champion RJ12C
plugs gapped .050". Mechanical advance starts at 1100 rpm, total
of 17 degrees advance in by 2900, and inital timing set at 13, for a total
mechanical advance of 30 degrees, plus 14 degrees vaccum advance |
| Oil Pump: |
Sealed Power 224-113R, 50 pounds @3000 rpm when warm, 15-20 pounds at
idle ; 10W-30 Mobil 1 synthetic oil |
| Transmission: |
TH-400 (built by Tom Hand); Trans Go Shift Kit; transmission governor
and valve body modified to automatically shift at 5650-5700 rpm at full
throttle. Shifts normally under other conditions. High stall torque ratio
"Tight 10" Continental converter. |
| Rear End: |
3.55 gearing in 12 bolt limited slip with HD pre-load springs installed
(GM PN 3890860). "C" clip Eliminator package installed for safety.
Moser axles installed for strength |
| Vehicle Weight: |
4075 pounds with owner/driver (includes NHRA approved roll bar and full
exhaust system in race trim) |
Performance:
(All runs with Mickey Thompson ET Street tires,
28 x 13.5 x 15, 11" tread width mounted on Cragar Superlite 15"
x 10" wide wheels. Front tires are standard tread15" x 205 x
75 on 6" Superlite rims.) All runs with full exhaust in place and
connected.
At the October 2000 Pontiac
Uprising event held at Arkansas City, KS:
Best elapsed time of 11.32 @ 117.24 mph with a 1.54 second 60' time. A
four run average of: 11.39 @116.84 mph with 1.56 second 60' times. Weather
and track conditions were outstanding.
In more typical 60 degree weather with no wind
at the KCIR track on November 4, 2000, the wagon averaged 11.53 @ 115.2
mph with 1.59 second 60 times (9 runs consisting of time trials and bracket
racing).
[Back to Jim's
earlier block]
Jim's 2001 Performance Update
