Ram Air IV versus 455 HO

[Jeff H]

Is the BOP 10 bolt like the later Chevrolet 10 bolt?

[Chevy454]

Hey Mike! Talk about your good running Ponchos! I'd still love to see that 'Bird of yours in action! But only if I get a "spot"!

Pete can jump in here if this is wrong, but I *believe* the Glasgo's have a '70 IV TA that they run at the PS events. If I'm not mistaken, it's in the high 12-range, and looks KILLER. One of Minos old RAII 'Birds is running PS with us, as well as another RAII 'Bird. I was sandwiched between these 2 cars in Stanton last year with my 12.47. And Jensen's HO car is sleeper if there ever was one...but you'd better choke up if you're gonna tangle with that T-37! Hard to go wrong with any of those packages.

[yellowjudge]

Hey Charlie, you won't get any static from me on that.

[Chevy454]

When did they go to the corporate rears?

[StealthBird]

There was also a BOP 12-bolt, which was essentially a 10-bolt with a 12-bolt cover. This was the rear end that made it into the BOP heavy duty applications in 70-72. It uses bolt in axles, not c-clips, and the cover has a different shape. This is what's under my 69 Firebird.

Rob, thanks for the I really have to make the trip to see these Pure Stocks in person. BTW, they just released those coveted RAII/RAIV exhaust manifolds for the 67-69 Firebirds, and believe it or not, they have a version with a 3" collector! I was seriously thinking of going back to RAIV heads and using these manifolds to see what would happen, but I realize some of the really serious "stock" guys have a lot more serious internal engine mods than I care to perform right now. I still have a hydraulic cam, cast rods, and big ol' TRW slugs.

[Chevy454]

You Poncho guys got it all...bolt in axles, 3" mani outlets! What's next, pre-ported intakes! LOL!

Don't count out that ole 'Bird! That thing would be in the hunt no matter where you run. But, some food for thought. You could swap your headers for manifolds and go the Stock Appearing route...or...you could leave the car alone and run in the newly founded "MP" class. Basically "stock" cars with headers (closed) and a couple of other little mods allowed, kinda like back in the day. And coincidently, the Supercar Reunion is hosting an MP event along with our normal Supercar festivities at Gateway International! And since you're just up the road, I fully expect to see that Poncho picking on some poor unsuspecting Mopars! Oh, here's the rules.

[Astock]

Thanks for posting the info on the MP class.That's really good news.

[442w30]

[ QUOTE ]
From what little Poncho exposure I've had, I tend to lean towards the 455HO. In Pure Stock competition the quickest Ponchos aren't the RAIV, but the RAII's and the 4550HO's.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rob, I think you're confusing a few engines.

I am not sure ANY 455 1970 Poncho has run in the races where I see you race. These 1970 cars may be called 455HO in Pontiac circles, but not on the car. It always says "455 cid" and if you want to get picky, it's not a real HO car. They have nothing in common with the 455HO introduced the next year, which was basically a RAIV 455 but with low compression. The regular 455 was still available, and it received the same "cid" decals like in 1970. True HO cars received "455 HO" decals for 1971-72.

They made them in numbers marginally greater than 1969-70 RAIV GTOs, but when you factor the couple thousand T/As built, they are MUCH more common. I would not discount a RAIV just yet.

[Chevy454]

I should have been more specific, Diego! I was referring to the '71-2 HO cars that seem to multiply every year in southern Michigan! And so far, they seem to hold there own performance-wise. The '70 I referred to was the Glasgo's RAIV(?) TA.

[Keith Tedford]

I think you will find that the Pontiac 10 bolt has the cone type posi as well. Our Oshawa built '72 455 Lemans Sport has the Chevy 12 bolt rearend.