1968 Firebird Ram Air 2 Dyno Day!
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- čas přidán 30. 05. 2022
- Spent the day getting the firebird dialed in for a proper baseline so we can do some minor tuning after we get a few of the minor issues figured out that we encountered while being on the dyno. it was such a great tool to really figure out what needed to be done.
/ horsepowerdepot - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I have a 67 firebird, owned it since 1969. Perfect shape, never sat outside
That is awesome! Id love to see some pictures of that!
I'd love to buy it. 😂
What color
Is it for sale, I had one and sold it for my pickup truck for business, I am still looking to get one back, I sold it in 1975
Tuning a carburetor air/fuel mixture is like tuning a guitar by ear...
Had one exact same color in high school in 1971....had it up to 135 mph....let off...front end was getting light....had a blast!
I have always heard the front ends get light around 130mph lol
Pontiac did their homework on those Ram Air Firebirds. Nice to see those leaf springs working. Car sounds awesome. Glad you didn't do a Ferris Bueller.
Righteous .
In love with every 68 RamAir II car left on earth .
Congrats on your Deuce
Always loved that verdoro green, looks classy with vintage paint color
Pretty cool to see what the firebird has for horse power.
Fun day👍
ya it was a good time. we were happy with our results.
1968 400 HO owner for over 40 years. The 1968 has an odd distributor vac advance that requires 2 vacuum lines. What was recommended back in the day was to use a B-20 vacuum advance instead of the 1968 Thermostatic Control which requires 2 vacuum lines. That is probably the source of your vacuum leak. Mike.
Awesome! And it’s actually not a 68 distributor and its just the single port for vacuum, but we ended up finding the issue!
@@vintagehotrods
That's pretty good for an engine rated at 360 gross horsepower. I love the 68 Firebird. Beautiful car!
We were pretty happy with the results. Little more tuning with the jets and i think it has a little more to be made.
Wow. That is one of my dream cars, down to the Verdoro Green paint, redline tires, twin scoop hood and 400 cu in.
I can see why its your dream car. That verdoro green is probably my top 5 favorite colors of all time!
@@vintagehotrods My second favorite color is Autumn Bronze. For a driver, I would love either color in convertible with a 350, or even a Sprint 6 because they are so funky. Having redline tires is non-negotiable. Lol. I had a custom radial set made for my ‘72 Luxury LeMans 2-Dr hardtop. Mounted on PMD II’s of course! I don’t know if you’re familiar with that model, but it came with LLM-only Grille, Trim, badging, plus ‘71 model rear bumper/taillights. Morrokide Buckets, Console, and Vinyl top. Also had factory AC and 350-2V, PS, PDB. But the absolute CRAZIEST item for the LLM package was factory fender skirts!!! My car was a light metallic green with white vinyl top. Was sorry to sell it when the recession hit…
I love the sound and color of the 68 Firebird. 400/ I had had a 68 Lemans that was that factory color. keep up the great work.
Sounds like a cool car! And thank you!
At 16 my first car was a 68 LeMans that color . Had to let it go after a couple . High mileage & needed work
My sister totaled that exact same color in 1975 in college. Favorite car at the time . It was very lucky they all lived.
wow. glad they were all okay! sucks the car was lost, but better they were all safe.
Great video! Thanks for the shout out!
Absolutely! Thanks for letting us get it dialed in!!
Our record holding B/S 1968 RA2 1968 Firebird made a best of 494 on an engine dyno- that was a race version of a completely stock RA2.
That is awesome!
Love that enclosed trailer! Love your dads bird. Hey dyno cat. Those HP numbers are good. I have never seen a dyno like that. pretty cool that you don't even have to strap it down.
Those hub dynos are awesome!
Sorry Pontiac never made a so-called big block. The blocks were all the same size 301-455
The small block were the L250 6 bangers and the 305 and 350 That were Chevys motors. They is a fallow right hear on You Tube that agrees with me.
Later Old Combat Vet 1970-71
I remember seeing someone put in a 428 Pontiac engine into a 1968 firebird and had the 428 emblems on the hood near the ram air hood scoops. Nice stock looking Pontiac with the massive 428 beefy engine. Too bad Pontiac never did come out with the 68 Pontiac Firebird with the big block 428 engine..... all Pontiac engines had the same engine block design so all Pontiac engines had interchangeable parts as well....
Sorry Pontiac never made a so-called big block. The blocks were all the same size 301-455
The small block were the L250 6 bangers and the 305 and 350 That were Chevys motors. They is a fallow right hear on You Tube that agrees with me.
Later Old Combat Vet 1970-71
@tomm9860 326-455 was the same.
301 was different, short deck.
That’s a huge enclosed trailer. Your an expert. to turn that around!!
that's all my dad haha. he's good at trailer stuff lol.
Beautiful Ram Air 2 firebird.
Thats such a rare car, awesome!!!
Looks like a fun day
It was a blast!
Very cool to watch! Thanks for taking us along! Love that Verdoro green! Did you paint that one Ryan? Hats off to you if you did!
unfortunately I did not. it seems to be a single respray at one point in its life somewhat recent. someone did a pretty dang good job. I have done a 69 firebird in midnight green which is a little darker than verdoro.
Great numbers
Man this makes me wanna dyno my bird just to see where it's at. That car is beautiful man.
You definitely should! Its well worth it and a great tool. And thank you my dad takes great care of it.
Good numbers 💯👍🏼
Makin good power to the wheels.
Yeah we were happy with it!
Awww kitty!!!
Is it locked out at 34 deg if so it sure sounds like it's not it sounds like it's at a normal base timing to start and then runs up to 34 . How did you achieve the 34 and have it be perfect and consistent every time ? And if it's a locked out distributor how are you keeping it from binding up on hot starts ?
We dont run a vacuum advance. And we played with the weights to get what we wanted. Its an electronic ignition as well. To my knowledge its not locked out.
My dad had the exact same car bought new in 68...blue in color
That’s awesome!
Can you give details on Ram Air II motor? First off is it a round port R/A II head ? Complete Cam specks & center line, Headers or manifolds? 1:5 rockers or 1:65 rockers plus what size exhaust pipes. Pontiac rated the R/A II at 366hp at the factory
I do believe i went over that stuff in another video. The ra2 are a round port. The cam is the same specs as the ra4 cam. It has the factory ra2 manifolds with 1.5rockers with a 2.5” pypes factory style stainless mandrel bent exhaust.
@@vintagehotrods Thanks . I have a 68 Convert Bird came with 400 4sp. WS D port 335hp I have owned since 1975. Documented PHS as a real 400 4 sp car. Have 3 power trains for it. The correct 335hp WS 400, plus a 70/ 350hp YS 400 Ram Air III and a 1970 4 bolt WW Ram Air IV with a 1961 389 Super Duty NASCAR forged crank and rods in it. Saving up $$ for a pair of them tunnel port V aftermarket heads & intake for it. My car is pretty much stock other than that, it has power nothing hood tach & rally gages in dash. Got 3:90 gears in the 8.2 posi rear. 2 1/4" pipes with Bola super quiet touring mufflers as there is no need to advertise.
Curious about the high-back seats, if those came with the car. I didn't think 68 had that as an option. I really like the look.
Those are 69 seats unfortunately. I prefer the 68s, but that is a change for the future lol
Most Pontiacs rev 5 grand, what cam is in there? I notice a bit of a cam there
Factory pontiac ram air 4 cam.
What transmission are you running, TH350? What mods have you made to the engine?
Its a th400. Engine has a set of pistons and thats it. Its .030” 400 with RA2 heads. It is bone stock from the air cleaner to the exhaust manifolds
I have a 68 Firebird 400 I just re-jetted. My A/F numbers are: Idle 14.3, Part throttle 45mph 13.6, High speed 65mph 13.3, WOT 12.1. Would you recommend to lean it out some?
Im not big on tuning, but it sounds like you could maybe lean it out just a little and be okay. Definitely could be a tad leaner under WOT.
@@vintagehotrods thank you!
That's impressive at the wheels, but I was waiting to see which timing setting had the best result? I think also there may be a valve seal issue, (??) but shouldn't be on a fresh build, regardless that's a strong engine!
I was sure I went over it in the video, but I may have forgot. 34 degrees is the sweet spot for this one. and we got the oil issue figured out.
LOVE this car!... I dont like the front plow thingy on the front?? BUT that is the coolest car at the PURE STOCK DRAGS! but i am bias...
there are some pretty amazing cars up there, but we appreciate that!
Which heads? Are they 96s?
What carb? Headers? Intake?
Ram air 11 was not making power above 5,500 rpm .
Pontiac overall timing with today's fuel & camshafts never above 34° total. Should also do a pull without vacuum advance. Unless I missed any specs these are just guesses. Can you supply some ? Nice car I own a ram air 1 997 heads, WZ block.
Biggest steerable roller cam. That is for vacuum & P.S.
I wish when I got it, the body was & undercarriage were in better shape. But, someday!
Original carburetor, original exhaust manifolds, original intake. Motor on the dyno was all done making power at
5200 RPM. I revved it past 6000 just to make sure it would hold together. Set rev limiter @ 5,500. Initial timing at 6° BTDC. Total timing 34° all in by 2500 RPM.412 hp at flywheel. Torque is the real benefit with a full roller cam. 438 ftlbs @ 3100 RPMS.
This is all done while running pump gas.
Also round oort cast iron heads. Not bad. Barely streerable with 3:55 12 bolt rear & a .muncie M 22. Around the city, can't get out of 2nd gear.
Good luck!!!!!
We ended up staying at 34* which we went over in the video because we tried it at 36 and 32 just for test purposes. So we stayed at 34* total and we dont run a vacuum advance at all. Its capped off. And they are original 68 round port ra2 heads. And this engine liked making hp up until about 6100rpm. Stock heads, stock intake, stock carburetor, and stock factory ra2 exhaust manifolds (aka factory headers), ra2/4 stock cam and I believe I mentioned it in this video, but the car is completely re done to stock to complete for the Pure Stock Drags.
I have a 1977 Grand Prix that is getting a 1967 bored out .40 400 from a firebird. I know it’s gonna tear up road
What number heads did you have please share and answer all questions
They are the 68 date coded round port ram air 2 heads.
THE best Pontiac motor. Pontiac shot the lights out with that motor. especially considering its great driveability.
I would have to agree! Thr ra2 and ra4 were definitely the best!
yeah, tell dad that lower valance is from a "Camaro" thingy NOT a Bird... (I thought you couldn't run aftermarket Panels of any sorts at the Pure stock drags??😉) Kind of looks out of place with everything else stock even down to the red lines! BAD ass car though!! I love the Birds.. have a 68- and a Verdoro green 69- maybe ill see ya next year at the Pure stock drags!😁
it was a factory option on the birds as well. we are both partial to it lol would love to see you come out the event!
@@vintagehotrods Id like to see that documentation?? I think it was a "dealer" installed option..NOT a factory? I am always interested in being informed on the options from Pontiac.
My '67 has the same front valence - all original 400/th400 car when I got it.
So what type of vac does this have at Idle??
we have just got the car dialed in now and it is running even better than this dyno video. it pulls right at 15in of vac at idle.
@@vintagehotrods doesnt the rules say 16"??
@@vintagehotrods I will be watching for your car this weekend!! GOOD LUCK! AWESOME!
No jackstands? Cool video. Hope the jack doesn't move
These dynos dont need any form of jack or jack stand. Jack stands would be dangerous on these. The floor jack just helps with angle and allows a little give. We mainly just left the jack in the back to take the car off the dyno when we were done.
What size tires you running?
F70-14s bias plys on stock steel wheels
Actually in this video it has the G70s on the original rally 2s.
Had two 68's. One was a Formula 400. Should have never gave them up.
I love the formula 400s!
@@vintagehotrods unbelievable story how I got it.
So roughly 450 HP and 474 TQ at the crank?
Yeah id say thats pretty close to what it makes.
Cats and birds whats not to like😂
is that a stock motor I share hope so, or I am going to sbc or bbc
Yes its 100% stock. And that hp number is at the wheels which means that engine makes about 440-450hp stock from the stock air cleaner down to the stock exhaust manifolds. I stated all of that if you watch the video.
@@vintagehotrods Yes you did.
350 hp at the rear tires ,does that mean it is putting out 440 hp at the flywheel
Yes. The engine made about 450 on the engine dyno.
nice car. Put some tires on it so you wont have to file an insurance claim for spinning out.
These tires hook better than a radial and they have to have a stock tire to compete in the pure stock drags. Go watch the FAST series cars. Guys running 9s on stock bias plys.
@@vintagehotrods Looks vs. possible crash? Whatever works for you. Bias ply tires fold under heavy loads. Considering the value of the car, I'd think twice.
Better invest in an Auto Meter!!
Already did! If you watch the newest video we got it installed.
Instructions available online to make stock tachs read right again... for about a $1...
This is reason ill never sell my rare ,Pontiacs .. they are meant to be driven not in a trailer
The dyno is 2 hours away and its a race car with 4.11 gears with 3 guys and tools. Cant drive it that far and risk breaking down or breaking it on the dyno and not being able to make it home. This cars soul purpose is for pure stock drags. We have other ones we drive.
I think this car is being "driven", if it's in the P/S drags. Glad to see it being appreciated, and used.
Thanks for showing it off.
@@vintagehotrods change the gears .. or tremic 5 speed
My mom had that same car same color 68 Firebird first car ever got a speeding ticket in add two with no driver's license I was only 14 that was back in 1980 motorcycle cop told me to call my mom or dad to come and get the car and he took off to go get another person a ticket and I drove it home and the cop showed up at my house and gave me another ticket for no driver's license thank God it was just my mom that was at home is my dad probably would have beat me but my mom got a new Delta 88 Oldsmobile and she sold the firebird to some Mexican for 700 dollars it was supposed to been mine when I graduated high school but beautiful car you have my grandma she had the two-door Bonneville 428 same color drive safe later bye
Love the story! Definitely wouldnt have got off that easy in todays world!
Twist it up to 7000 RPMs
If we did we would have a rod enter orbit heading towards the moon. Stopped making power at 6300 anyway.
@@vintagehotrods LOL. alot of Poncho owners back in the day, sent their motors to the scrap yard, thinking they would rev like a bow-tie. Big journals, and cast rods...just not a recipe for hi-Rs.
6500 rpm is way too much rpm for a pontiac engine with armasteel rods. Id runit up to 6 grand maybe 6100
If you watch the whole video Thats what we ran it up was 6100. We did a 6500 for testing purposes to see what it would do. It has the ra4 cam and ra2 heads which allow for more rpm than a normal average pontiac.
No fans to simulate real conditions??. just asking not criticizing..
The dyno fan was on. Definitely wouldnt be running it without one.
@@vintagehotrods thank you 👍🏼
Great video beautiful Firebird keeps me inspired have a great day I can't build cars anymore but I can enjoy this and just for fun check out cold war Motors Hillbillies at their best actually Scott is an awesome body and pink eye a lot of old junk fun to watch bringing junk back alive