Anyone know a source for that book on how to build a 11 second 3rd gen? My friend has a 92 Firebird and yesterday we picked up a 400 small block for it. Now I can't find that book. As I remember it had alot of good stuff in it.

 

I am not sure how easy it will be to find that book, but I am sure if you keep looking around Amazon.com and E-Bay one will show up.

That book is pretty old and was more like a cook book than anything. As I recall his slowest running combo looked like a descent street combo and his fastest looked like it would have been pretty miserable as a street car.

Anything that would have been special about his combo could be done better these days due to technological advances. For instance, his best heads were AFR 210cc heads, which are a much better head today than they were back then. I would guess that the current 195cc Eliminator heads would produce more torque and horsepower than those 210cc heads did back then. Soooo, I wouldn't really follow his combo too closely since you could make a better steet engine that is still more powerful.

Most of the rest of the book is stuff that you can find just as well from a few good modern books or just asking around a few good forums. For instance, torque plate honing the engine is hardly a secret. I remember there are a few paragraphs devoted to the idea that in a street car with an automatic transmission the car will be faster with a dual plane Performer RPM manifold than the single plane Victor Jr. manifold. He was also using a ladder bar system you can't buy anymore in his car for at least a few combos. I don't really see this ladder bar system as required, and it takes a bit of skill to put one of these in correctly.

Other no-brainer things in his book were things like the fact that the car needs a 12-bolt or 9" axle to be reliable running that fast with regular track abuse. Some things he had to do at the time that I would consider bad choices are things like dropping the power brakes and power steering while also running skinny front tires. Again, today it is easier to build the power to shove a slightly heavier, more street oriented car down the track at the same speed.

Ask around if you are looking for help to meet certain goals. I am certain it is possible to build a better car today.

 

Even better than some outdated book...TGO! AND FREE!

You'll find all the info you need, if your willing to

 

Forget that book. You already have everything you need and it's free.

https://www.thirdgen.org/

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/

 

I saw that book years ago.

The info you get here (for free) is WAY better than what is in that book.

jms

 

I have the book it's a good little read but not sure if you can find it now got it years ago. Best bet would be ebay probably or you could try quikie racing inc (614)538-1923, number from inside the book if there still in business.

BTW the name of the book is How to run 11 second E.T.'s on a budget

 

Thanks guys. I remember the book from ten years ago. What I wanted to do was show it to somebody who never modified a third-gen because it talked about the whole car. I went with manual brakes and steering on my strip only car, but I also don't know if this would be a good idea on the street. I also used a Chevelle 12-bolt when it cost $500 to mount one in my Camaro. Now I would probably suggest going with a Moser bolt in. I'm sure we will have questions as this project takes shape. Right now my friend has a 92' V-6 Firebird with a 5 speed and a bare 400 SBC. Looks like he will go with a TH-350. I have another 12-bolt but like I said about the cost. Another factor is not being in a place where there are lots of chassis shops to choose from. Everything around here is expensive.

 

I bought one years ago before the internet from summit racing.

 

Tony,

You have a PM . . .

 

I still have this book! I bought it in 1994 or '95. It is a great reference and the author was a die-hard bracket racer back in the day. So he knew what he was talking about. He was also self-promoting his exhaust cut-outs and still today no one can deny the performance advantage of an open system.

He used the South Side Machine lift bars. This was the first mod I did to my car along with their sub-frame connectors, they still look & function great !

Last season I finally ditched the power brakes, I should have done that 15 years ago !
anyone who days manual brakes can't stop these cars, does not have a good manual system installed!

I believe his company evolved to "Quick Time Performance" & still sells the old school cut outs but also electric operated ones.

 

Could you please scan it for me ? It's out of print and I've been hunting everywhere.

My E-Mail is Ez2cDave@aol.com

Thanks !

 

Actually the title is :

"How to run 11 second E.T.'s, 82-92 F-Body and other GM real wheel drive cars"

The book focuses on the 3rd Gen Firebird because that is what the Author raced. BUT the principles apply to any F, G, X, or A body for that matter.

 

Found a pic online . . .

 

that is is ! Keep searching.

it's a 27 page book. I think I paid 11 $ for it when I bought it new.

Sorry, but without consent from the author I can't send you a copy.

I Call it respect for his work, I remember I spoke with him years ago great guy .

 

Contact information for Greg Marietti removed at his request.

May 20, 2020

I already contacted him and he is looking to see if he can still find a copy of it. It's been a long time.

Dave

 

Dave,

I just sent Greg an email, I will let you know what the outcome is.

Thanks for your patience.

 

No problem . . . He got back to me pretty quickly before.

Thanks !

 

Come on now guys, no reason to go backwards. The book might have some sentimental value, but if you need a twenty year old book to help you get into the elevens, I mean come on...

 

Javier,

Greg CC'd me on his reply to your E-Mail. It was nice of him to give you permission to scan it for me. If possible, please send it to me as an E-Mail attachment.

Thanks !

Dave

 

I would like a scan of it for my 3rdgen file if I could also.
Even If I have to give him some cash.
I went 11s a looooooong time ago, I'd just like to have a copy.

 

Looks like your book and my book are a bit different, in mine the author was focused on what he can achieve on a buget and laid out all the costs. I also remembering the cover lettering was blue, I could be wrong but I'll dig it up when I get back home.

 

Thanks . . . I believe that there are several different editions of his books.

It's great that Greg has generously allowed his material to be copied and distributed !

 

No problem, it never hurts to ask the Author first, I don't care how old the material is. What goes around comes around, and it turns out Greg and I are in the same line of work.

I will take care of that early next week and get it to you.

if any else cares... perhaps it can be posted as a "sticky" on this site in the RACING SECTION, so as not to upset all the 305 lovers. LOL

eidt: Greg's last incarnation of his Firebird (which he parked in 1999) went 9.26 @ 149 with no power adders, & 10.5 wide tires. I don't care what anyone says, even by today's standards that is still impressive.

His book was a great starting point and an inspiration for alot of people, plus was more helpful than the inter-web back then.

 

I just got an e-mail from Greg, confirming that the book with the "4 Stages" listed on the cover is the most recent edition.

 

I remember him being covered in Hot Rod for their first Fastest Street Car Shootout race. Good info on selecting tires and rear gear ratios and other chassis set ups for getting started.

 

Correct

 

I remember something about "Bringing a knife to a gun fight". Still that car was no slouch in the performance department. Lots of similarities between his set up and the set up we had in our 67 Camaro.

 

I have invited Greg Marietti to join the Thirdgen forum . . .

He still has the 9.26 sec car and has been "getting the itch" ( his words ) to run it again !

 

The entire Book, posted with FULL PERMISSION by Greg Marietti, is available here :

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...-run-11-a.html

Dave F.