The new AutomotiveArticles.com Feature Car is Dale Schwartz's black 1982 Pontiac Trans Am Firebird. This powerful muscle car was purpose built to showcase the current young generation's tuner styling ideas in a traditional rear wheel drive ponycar platform by combining "Tuner" and "Pro Touring, G Machine" build methodology with an emphasis on overall performance. Incorporating everything from old school big displacement carb'd horsepower to upgraded suspension components, this feature car takes a unique approach in creating a killer vehicle out of a classic American icon.


The Trans Am's Current Mods

Engine 406 small block chevy Forged pistons and rods Holley 870 cfm Street Avenger carb Edelbrock RPM Air Gap Intake 1.6:1 Roller Rockers Comp Cams behive valve springs Comp Cams roller lifters Comp Cams special grind solid roller cam Forrester Racing Heads ported GM Vortec Heads Be Cool Radiator and Fans MSD 6AL ignition MSD Super Conductor Wires 3" Flowmaster American Thunder System SLP 1 3/4 409 stainless steel ceramic coated headers 225 hp NOS Nitrous System Drivetrain 2000 Z28 SS Torsen Differential with 3.42 gears B&M Racing Megashifter and trans cooler Turbo 350 by J Ralph Babineau Suspension Bilstein Struts and Shocks Draco Springs Lakewood control arms Lakewood adjustable panhard bar New bushings Interior Corbeau Forza racing seats Corbeau 5 point harness Stewart Warner Performance gauges 4 pt. roll bar Exterior APM Automotive WS6 style Ram Air Hood VIS Racing Sports Carbon Fiber Wing Corvette brakes with 13" rotors Corvette C5 Wheels 17x8.5 front 18x9.5 rear

In June 2004, In its final configuration the Comp solid roller 406 CID SBC made 477 hp @ 5500 rpm and 505 lb ft @4000-4500 rpm on the dyno. This was with Dale Forrester ported GM Vortec Iron heads with the stock 1.94 and 1.5 valve sizes. Both single plane and dual plane intakes were tested as well as double pumper and vacuum secondary carbs. Best results were achieved with the Holley 870 Street Avenger and Edelbrock RPM Air Gap Intake. Dale expects over 700 hp with the 225 shot of nitrous. When Dale started this build, he outlined several goals he wished to achieve. They included:

Perform a magazine quality buildup that could be duplicated for $12,000 including initial cost of the car

Produce over 650 hp on the engine dyno and over 500 rwhp

Obtain the acceleration goal of 10.99 et in the ¼ mile.

Achieve outstanding handling characteristics.

Improved braking performance and fade resistance for track day use.

Run on 92 octane pump gas.

We here at AA agree that its safe to say Dale is well on his way to meeting all of those goals! With a car as powerful as this and with such an innovative approach to the overall "theme" of the car, we would be surprised if Dale didn't show it off. And as we would have expected, this fine feature car will be on display at the following events in 2005:

Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour June 4th-12th, covering the following cities:

Milwaukee, WI
Springfield, IL
Indianapolis, IN
Nashville, TN
Birmingham, AL
Tallahasee, FL
Kissimmee, FL

Car Craft Magazine Nationals July 15-17

Hot Import Nights

DUB Superseries

Woodward Ave Dream Cruise

Hooters Car Show Series.

If you get a chance to make it to one of these shows be sure to look out for Dale's Trans Am because we hear this feature car is no where near finished and 477 NA horsepower is just the beginning!

Don't forget to check back soon to get the scoop on AutomotiveArticles.com next Feature Car.
Keep the applications coming. Who knows, your car could be next!

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