G/f's dad has a nicely restored stock T/A from '73. It's the 455/auto. I believe they have like 250hp with massive torque, like 370. Not a superduty, but how can i tell visually if it is a SD anyways?

So yah, anyone know what the 1/4 mile is on those things or how i'd fare against him in my stock 88 GTA? Obviously I'd lose, but what are a few things I might do to even it up? Nothing elaborate, just to get about 30-50 more horses and some tq. Will those future mods I have be enuf? Thanks!

 

I'm not sure, but as I remember the only 455 available in 73-74 was the 455 SD, 75 and later it was renamed 455 HO. I think stock the 455 SD ran mid-high 13's easy. You would have to do quite a bit to even it up, that was one of the best engines to ever be put in a TA.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong on this.

 

455's were an option on the 70-76 trans ams, 70-72 had an optional 455 HO and the 400 Ram Air engines. 73 and 74 had the avalible SD-455, and was right a low 13 second car right off the factory showroom, VERY impressive for its time being in 73-74 in the height of the smog era and only running 8:1 compression. in 73' the 455's were rated at about 300 HP and about 475 Ft lbs of torque, he will blow your doors off unless your car is HEAVILY modded. SD-455's are pretty rare so i doubt he has one, to tell the SD it will have round port high flow mafolds that look like shorty headers and the ports are spaced out like a BBC (4 big ports evenly spaced out), the stock 455 with have the exhaust ports kinda like a SBC (2 exhaust ports in the center and 1 on each end),..455's are forsure engines you do NOT want to f' with unless you got some serious muscle under the hood.

 

Okay, so I'm pretty confident then he doesn't have the SD like I said. And I don't think the SD's have 475 torque, but that's not my point.

Let's stick with the base 455. What are some times/specs and a few ideas that I can use to keep up. "Nothing elaborate, just to get about 30-50 more horses and some tq. Will those future mods I have be enuf?" Thanks.

 

ok these specs are right out of my "firbird bible" book, the 73 non-sd 455 trans am had 270 HP and 370 ft lbs of torque and ran a 14 flat in the 1/4. the 470 torque spec was on the 71' my bad, on your ride the book says 225 HP and 330 ft lbs and ran the 1/4 in 15.4

 

One of my neighbors has an early 455 SD, genuine, just rotting in his front yard. One of the few that he has. Makes me so mad to see such a rare car go to waste.
Oy

Jon

 

Those future mods you have posted will give you your 30-50 hp you are looking for.

 

The 73 non SD 455 is rated at 250hp@4000 rpm with 370lbs@ 2800rpm- with an 8:1 cr.

SD were 290hp and 390lbs. I think he'll beat you but shouldn't be by alot if it's stock. Check his VIN but I doubt he's lying to you- 5th didget should be a Y.

And BTW the 455 was standard from 71-73 in T/As- there was no 400 T/A

 

The 400 was on the '70, 71+ was the 455, i think that's what the other guy meant to say.

Thanks for the verification y'all.

 

wrong,,,,they still offered a 400 in the T/A ,they had many engine combos

 

I don't think I'd do the chip. From what everyone ( or most of them anyhow) here says its not worth the money. But I agree with the exhaust work helping out a bunch, it did for me. I hav e the SLP runners, not on the car yet, but I think you should pick up some from them, especailly if you hog them out. Run him and find out, just because he has a badass car don't mean he can drive. If you lose you can take comfort in losing to one of the best cars to roll off the production line.


I'd spend the chip money on a set of headers, probably get the same power out of it on your MAF car.

 

An 88 GTA running 15.4 stock?? LOL, I don't think so. Even a GTA with an L98 and 2.77's would be faster than that.