Apr 1, 2009. Carburetion: 14-barrel Rochester Quadrajet I did everything in the first movie except the jumps, throttle not brakes. ( SAE net ), torque: 420 Nm / 310 lb-ft, more data: 1976 Pontiac Formula Firebird 400-4 V8 4-speed (man. Optional engines included a four-barrel 400 rated at 325 horsepower (242kW), a four-barrel 428 rated at 360 horsepower (270kW) or the four-barrel 428 HO rated at 376 horsepower (280kW). Front end styling copied the U.S. market Grand Prix. [1], New for 1971 was the Catalina Brougham series, which offered a more luxurious interior trim than the regular Catalina, available as a two-door hardtop, four-door hardtop and four-door pillared sedan. And when the Bandit drove that Starlight Black Trans Am out of the back of the semi trailer, you knew you were in for a wild ride. Catalinas and other 1959 Pontiacs were completely restyled on a new General Motors B-body that was shared by all GM divisions from Chevrolet to Cadillac, replacing the previous A-body utilized for Pontiacs and Chevrolets that was used only for 1958. "I owned my T/A a couple of weeks before ever hearing about it," he says. Well also discuss the benefits of building a Pontiac 400 engine and tips for getting the most out of your build. 4-barrel versions of the Pontiac 400 V8 ranged in power from 330 horsepower to 370 horsepower in the days before gross horsepower ratings. Wheelbases were 122" for Catalina and 124" for Star Chief and Bonneville inches, but overall length on Catalina was 7" shorter than Bonneville and Star Chief at 213.7 inches (5,430mm). Also accel ignition yep. It brings back memories to a time when disco, drive-ins, and CB radios were still staples in American culture. Mike Semchees entry in the AMSOIL Engine Masters Challenge was a true Pontiac, with the engine builder representing the faithful. A stock Q-jet and a stock manifold is hard to beat. As the only remaining full-size Pontiac model available at the time, the Canadian Parisienne had been coveted by US dealerships as a flagship model to fill that market segment and compete with the Caprice offered by Chevrolet dealers. Pontiac stylists were nothing if not clever. Body: 2+2 passenger coupe, Engine Quarter mile: 16.9 seconds @ 82 mph Transmission . Joshua Weinstein | Updated June 8, 2022 Oldsmobile released the small-block 403 in 1976 for the 1977 model year. Lets turn back the clock 40 years and see why the 1977 Firebird Trans Am Special Edition is one of the most sought after muscle cars from the 1970s. Buick took its lowest-priced big car, the LeSabre, and lowered the base sticker price further by substituting a smaller 300cuin (4.9L) V8 engine and two-speed automatic transmission from its intermediate-sized cars in place of the 401cuin (6.6L) V8 and three-speed automatic used in other big Buicks. Front: independent, unequal-length control arms, coil springs, anti-sway bar It featured sumptuous "Morrokide" bucket seats and a chrome-trimmed center console with floor shifter for the optional Hydra-Matic or 4-speed manual transmissions.[1]. A small number of 1962 Catalinas and other Pontiacs were built with a "non-streetable" 421cuin (6.9L) Super Duty V8 with two four-barrel carburetors and 405hp (302kW), as a US$2,250 option (when the base Catalina listed at US$2,725),[10] along with various "over the counter" performance options offered by Pontiac including aluminum bumpers and even lighter frames with drilled holes (which were dubbed the "Swiss cheese" frames). With the Catalina Brougham discontinued only the regular Catalina models and Safari wagons were offered this year. If youre attempting a 400 or 450 stroker, go for a distance of 4.18, and if youre attempting a 600 or 700 stroker, go for a distance of 060. Your email address will not be published. When the optional four-speed Hydramatic transmission was ordered, the standard engine was 280 horsepower (210kW) version of the same engine with higher 10.5 to 1 compression ratio. Bodystyles and drivetrain offerings were unchanged from 1959. Seslar reserves it for special occasions and local car shows, and, with devotion, drives it to the Trans Am Nationals in Dayton, Ohio, every year. The Pontiac Catalina is a full-size, junior series automobile produced by Pontiac from 1950 to 1981. The engine generated a healthy 546 horsepower, with a rpm of 5,800 and a usable street power output of just under 500kw. In 1975, only 857 455 HO Trans Ams were built. And a Morosso air cleaner. The 1961 Pontiac was advertised as "all Pontiacon a new wide track.". Get a good three angle valve job on a pair of 1967-1970 GTO/Firebird 400 heads with 10.5:1 compression ratio and install a free flowing exhaust system. It's special to me because it's my very first new car," he says. Use a good high performance hydraulic roller camshaft with a 3000 stall converter and/or 3.90 :1 rear end gears. I was glad my yellow T/A was different.". Replacing the 389 and 421 V8s of previous years were new 400 and 428 cubic-inch V8s with bigger valves and a valve angle change built off the same Pontiac V8 design in use since 1955. 11 rear end w/ custom drive shaft. This package included a version of the L78 Pontiac 400 with 200 horsepower and 325 foot-pounds of torque. First up was the L80 Oldsmobile 403 V8. Once they saw the Special Edition Trans Am in the 1977 Firebird brochure, they knew they had found what they were looking for. 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix - conceptcarz.com [1], Though the basic Catalina started out with a full rubber mat, it could be ordered with full carpeting, glovebox and trunk lights; dual front ashtrays, cigar lighter, glove compartment snack bar (two cup indents on the glovebox door that could be opened for use at drive-in restaurants) were standard, heater-defroster and a choice of cloth and Morrokide vinyl upholstery or expanded Morrokide (all-vinyl trim) optional. 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special Edition. See all 7 photos. Scat H-beam rods and JE flat-tops with valve reliefs come in the OEM version, as do the pistons. The valve for Peak VE is open, allowing the gas flow to stop and reverse. Another popular option for performance enthusiasts was the "Safe-T-Track" limited slip differential. The G8 is now the most powerful engine in the Pontiac lineup, thanks to a 415-hp 6.2-liter V8 driving the rear wheels. Pontiac offered three engines in the 1977 Trans Am Special Edition. For 1968, Catalinas and other full-sized Pontiacs received a minor facelifting of the '67 body with a new beak-nose split grille along with a reverting to horizontal headlights, and revised taillights. Specific power output: 0.50 bhp/cubic inches, 30.5 bhp/liter Pontiac Firebird Trans Am . Nick Seslar, a group leader at General Motors Truck Assembly in Fort Wayne, Indiana, still owns his '77 W72 Trans Am which he bought new, and not only is it his first Pontiac, it's his first new car. As in past years, a three-speed manual transmission with column shift was standard equipment, but most cars were equipped with the optional three-speed Turbo Hydramatic. . Oldsmobile 403 V8 Engine Guide | Junkyard Mob Front ends displayed a more pointed bumper/grille this year, along with new quad rectangular headlamps. The Goldenrod Yellow Trans Am was built on June 18, 1977, and shipped to L. Smith and Son Pontiac in Antwerp, Ohio. The new frame not only provides greater side-impact protection than the "X" design but also improves interior roominess.[1]. They had the ability to periodically impart a refreshing new look to the 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and Formula without serious modifications to the actual sheetmetal. One other order oddity: he specified blackwall tires because he could buy a set of Radial T/As for just $40 through the B. F. Goodrich employee-purchase program. The interior features a gold engine-turned instrument bezel, gold-accented steering wheel, and red Firebird emblems. Catalina sedans and coupes got a 1-inch (25mm) wheelbase increase to 120", after spending 1961 on a 119-inch (3,000mm) length shared with full-sized Chevys (Safari wagons retained the 119-inch (3,000mm) wheelbase through 1964). [14] In Australia, Laurentian was replaced by Parisienne for 1964. Also new for 1964, was the Pontiac 2+2 option package available on Catalina two-door hardtops and convertibles that included bucket seats for both front and rear passengers, heavy-duty suspension and other performance equipment, along with the same selection of 389cuin (6.4L) and 421cuin (6.9L) V8s found in other Catalinas. Pontiac Can Am specs, performance data - FastestLaps.com Variable-ratio power steering was a new option this year (pioneered by Cadillac in 1966) and front disc brakes were now automatically included when the power brake option was ordered. Heads: 1976 6x-8 with 2.11 & 1.77 valves. Pontiac 400 Build | Hot Rod Forum "The car has never been on a trailer," he says. This model was dropped due to low sales since its 1964 introduction as performance car buyers overwhelmingly preferred smaller and lighter intermediates such as Pontiac's own GTO and the new Firebird ponycar, which was introduced for 1967. Standard engine in Catalina sedans and coupes was a 255-horsepower "350" (actually 355cid) V8 with two-barrel carburetor. "It chirps going into Second just like the day it was new," he says. Auto manufacturers have done it for years to keep the insurance companies and Uncle Sam off their backs. Despite the fact that the engine looks deceptively stock, it generates an impressive amount of power. Similarly, the big blocks on the Buick and Oldsmobile 455s are different from the ones on the Pontiac 455. Login. The heads are smaller than those of a large iron castings manufacturer such as Pontiac Ram Air IV, but they provide a wider range of motion. Since Pontiac engines were not certified for California or high-altitude registration in 1977, only Olds-built engines were . Horsepower (SAE net): 200 hp @ 3,600 rpm The 400- and 455ci block castings remain the most popular foundations for modern Pontiac builds, but the Division produced several variations during the 1960s and 1970s. Also, 180 turn on two lane road @50 m.p.h. In this article, well discuss the various steps and components necessary to build a 400 horsepower Pontiac 400 engine, such as selecting the right camshaft and crankshaft, head porting and polishing, and other performance modifications. [1] Also new for 1960 were the optional "Al-Fin" eight lug-nut aluminum wheels with integral brake drums that not only enhanced the car's looks but also provided improved stopping power. Even after 40 years, the 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special Edition is still one of the most recognized Pontiacs ever built. Catalinas also got a one-inch wheelbase increase to 122. There really is no trick to OEM oiling systems; Ive never had an issue with them. For Sale. It was only until 1965 that the 421 engine became the standard engine on the 2+2.[1]. The Pontiac 400 engine was a fierce competitor in the 1970s. These RHD cars had the same dashboards whether Chevrolet or Pontiac (Impalas and Bel Airs were also exported to RHD markets) and only one dash design per bodyshell run so the 61-64 models had the one dash (a RHD version of the 1961 Pontiac layout) even though it changed annually in Canada and the 65-68s all had a 'transposed' version of the '65 Chevrolet dash. The ventilation system was extensively revised for 1972. As the aftermarket matures, it becomes easier to develop blocks that can provide more power and torque than the SD block. [1], The 1962 Pontiacs received a heavy facelift from the 1961 design with more rounded body contours and new rooflines on two-door hardtops featuring convertible-like bows. The extra 0.225 inches of bore size increases the displacement of the engine by an extra 30 cubic inches, bringing the total to 455 cubic inches. Model-year '77 was the first year that Trans Ams displayed the metric size of their engine displacement on the Shaker scoop. The Ford 332 (litre) is a 5.4-litre vehicle. The 64 2+2 was a $291 ($2,746 in 2022 dollars [11]) trim option only with the same standard engine as the base Catalina which was listed at $2,869 ($27,071 in 2022 dollars [11]). Firebird, Trans Am, GTO, Grand Prix. The one exception came when the Parisienne became an American Pontiac offering beginning in mid-1983 through 1986, although by this time the U.S. and Canadian offerings were identical. Type: recirculating ball, power-assisted Engine Specifications 1967-1970 with 4-Barrel Carb Max Brake Horsepower: 330@ 4800rpm Max Torque: 430 @ 3000 rpm Stroke: 3.75 Bore: 4.1212 Compression: 10.5 Firing Order: 18436572 1967-1970 High Output with 4-Barrel Carb Max Brake Horsepower: 335@ 5000rpm Max Torque: 430 @ 3400 rpm Stroke: 3.75 Bore: 4.1212 Compression: 10.5 Firing Order: 18436572 Peak horsepower and peak torque are determined by various RPMs. We built this engine with a genuine Pontiac foundation while increasing the ante for modern-day horsepower. As did all GM B-Body wagons, the Safari and Grand Safari received GM's new clamshell tailgate. Second was the L78 Pontiac 400 V8 with 180 horsepower and 325 foot-pounds of torque. The 180hp 400 (L78) T/A is identified by the "6.6 . Headrests became standard on all '69 Pontiacs built after January 1. "In 1976, I drove by the local Pontiac dealership and saw a new Carousel Red Trans Am sitting in the showroom," Nick tells HPP. Despite the Turbo Hydramatic 400 still bearing the "Hydramatic" name, it shared no design components with either of the older fluid-coupling based Roto or Super-Hydramatics. Except for the PN 500557 casting from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, the remaining 400 blocks of the Pontiac brand are functionally identical. Pontiac Firebird - Year-by-Year: Specs, Engines, Production & More Twin tailfins, two on each side, were new and only in 1959. The most powerful version, the Ram Air IV, produced an impressive 370 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful engines available at the time. This replaced a 301 engine that had been used for one year in 1977. Two-door hardtop coupes featured new fixed triangular side windows, but kept the pillarless style with roll-down rear quarter windows, unlike Chevrolet, which eliminated the rolldown rear quarters in the Caprice and Impala Custom coupes. From the 1950s through 1970s, GM of Canada offered a unique hierarchy of full-size Pontiac series different from the American Catalina, Star Chief, Executive and Bonneville lines. Mr. P-Body has a 2.25/3.0/6.6 combo because of the rod/stroke ratio (for the 455, it is 1.57 for the 395), as well as the smaller rod and main bearings. When other manufacturers had reduced their muscle car lineup or quit building them altogether, Pontiac kept the Trans Am alive with several special editions in the late 1970s. 3. Those included the Buick 231 V6 and an assortment of V8s including the Chevrolet 305, Oldsmobile 307, Buick and Oldsmobile 350s, and Oldsmobile 403 V8. Oil capacity: 6 quarts, Transmission (as tested) [3] The names "Catalina" and "Bel Air" are communities in Southern California, United States. HOT ROD Captures the World of Racing: 1968 in Photos. When production of the Catalina nameplate ended in 1981, over 3.8 million Catalinas had been sold since 1959. It should be noted that each of the four major brands Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac produces a large block engine, each of which has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. @ 4,000. Despite the fact that its power has increased dramatically, it retains its stock appearance, making it a fantastic option for those who want to keep their vehicle deceptively stock. Type: front engine, rear-wheel drive Specifications (Car and Driver, April 1977), Layout Oldsmobile went even further by creating a whole new full-sized series, the Jetstar 88, which was $75 lower than the Dynamic 88 series (but still a few dollars higher than comparable Pontiac Catalina models) and also got a smaller engine - a 330cuin (5.4L) V8 and two-speed automatic transmission from the intermediate F-85/Cutlass line, along with smaller 9.5in (240mm) brake drums (also from the GM intermediates) compared to the 1112in (280300mm) drums still found on all other GM full-sized cars from the bare-bones six-cylinder Chevrolet Biscayne to the Cadillac 75 limousine. Also new for 1961 was a four-speed manual transmission with Hurst floor shifter, available on special order. This new unit replaced the older three-speed, four-range Roto-Hydramtic in the Catalina, as well as the four-speed Super-Hydramatic that was equipped in other Pontiacs. For the 1977 Firebird, Pontiac gave the front-end new dual rectangular headlights and a redesigned hood with new lower profile hood scoops. Also for 1974, the Safari wagon was renamed the Catalina Safari and continued to share interior and exterior trims with sedans and coupes. In practice, however, it didn't work. With the exception of the 1958 Bonneville, all Pontiac hardtops are designated "Catalinas" from 1950 to 1958. Peak Torque occurs at or very near the peak efficiency level (VE) of a vehicle. In 1959, it became a separate model as the "entry-level" full-size Pontiac.[1]. Standard engines are two-barrel units rated at 215hp (160kW) with the three-speed manual transmission or 267hp (199kW) with the optional Hydramatic, with a 230hp (170kW) regular-fuel-capable "economy" V8 offered as a no-cost option with the Hydramatic. We work with the Summit Racing tech department to help you tackle your auto-related conundrums. Had it up to 140 just one time. Front track: 61.2 inches The story goes that film director and stunt man Hal Needham and Burt Reynolds were trying to figure out what car to use as a chase car in the movie. Mild facelifting including new grilles and taillights highlighted the 1964 full-sized Pontiacs. [1], Pontiacs for the 1965 were now available with GM's new-for-1964 three-speed Turbo Hydramatic 400 transmission, often abbreviated as THM-400. It is a touring car, a sport coupe, the sole survivor of the muscle car era. Chuck Koch, Auto Reports, March 1977. The standard Catalina engine was a two-barrel unit rated at 265 horsepower (198kW) with three-speed manual transmission or 290 horsepower (220kW) with Turbo Hydramatic. [1], The 1963 Grand Prix got a brand new body with a unique roofline along with unique front and rear end styling. The Pontiac 400 is also relatively easy to maintain and offers plenty of aftermarket parts for upgrades. Last updated on 10/27/2022 You've got questions, we've got answers. The system, also shared with the ill-fated Vega, used the heater fan to draw air into the car from the cowl intake at the base of the windshield, and force it out through vents in the trunk lid or tailgate.

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