Firebirds were the sleeper of sleepers. They were equipped with a throttle restrictor to prevent WOT to keep in line with Pontiac's rule that the GTO had to be its fastest production car. That's why the GTO engines had higher horsepower ratings. Removing it added 30 horsepower. Furthermore the RA IV was underrated by 30-40HP. They dynoed out at about 400-410. My stepfather had a RA IV Bird. No shit they scream. They were Camaro killers. High elevens. The much heavier GTOs ran low 12s.
You also have to remember that back then HP was rated fairly conservatively to keep insurance costs down for the consumer. Example, the L-88 Corvettes were rated at 435, when they were actually well over 500. Also, is this dude talking advertised hp? Ratings changed in 1971 to net HP, so if these were recent numbers then they would be more accurate.
I owned a 70' Ram Air IV GTO in the late 70's. That crazy little 400cu in motor ran away from some pretty mean muscle cars. In the few years that I owned it, that car earned the respect of many in Glendale, California. Wish I had it today!
@camirocz With bias ply tires and the throttle restrictor on. The throttle restrictor is why the RA engines were rated higher in the GTO than in the Firebird. Jim Mino took a 68 RA II firebird rated at 330 horsepower and dominated stock class drag racing for years running low 12s with just some tuning, removing the restrictor and slicks. That is documented. Several GTOS are documented to run low 12 with RA IVs and the Firebird is lighter. Yes high elevens are possible.
@mongoose704 Not sure if it is the same RA II Firebird, but Youtube has a '68 RA II running pure stock that basically beats everything it runs against. I will not debate the weight of a GTO vs Firebird, but that bird just leans all over its rear wheels and kicks ass
Firebirds were the sleeper of sleepers. They were equipped with a throttle restrictor to prevent WOT to keep in line with Pontiac's rule that the GTO had to be its fastest production car. That's why the GTO engines had higher horsepower ratings. Removing it added 30 horsepower. Furthermore the RA IV was underrated by 30-40HP. They dynoed out at about 400-410. My stepfather had a RA IV Bird. No shit they scream. They were Camaro killers. High elevens. The much heavier GTOs ran low 12s.
mongoose704 9 months ago
What setup do u have besides the ram air iv ? Email me please im building my r.a.iv . Erick_vr6@yahoo.com
erick67firebird 10 months ago
thats fast
geiner66 11 months ago
I also just saw a ram air FB pull a 12.47 ET, and that WAS with bias ply......
mystinger72 1 year ago
You also have to remember that back then HP was rated fairly conservatively to keep insurance costs down for the consumer. Example, the L-88 Corvettes were rated at 435, when they were actually well over 500. Also, is this dude talking advertised hp? Ratings changed in 1971 to net HP, so if these were recent numbers then they would be more accurate.
mystinger72 1 year ago
I owned a 70' Ram Air IV GTO in the late 70's. That crazy little 400cu in motor ran away from some pretty mean muscle cars. In the few years that I owned it, that car earned the respect of many in Glendale, California. Wish I had it today!
barcrrt 1 year ago
That was magic....if that car was all stock, you have to be pushing 500 HP....god bless the Pontiac Ram Air Engines :)
dnazz32 1 year ago
@dnazz32 Stock????Are you nuts or what ?The ram air iv had 345 h.p stock and ran low 14s this thing runs mod 11s.
camirocz 1 year ago
@camirocz With bias ply tires and the throttle restrictor on. The throttle restrictor is why the RA engines were rated higher in the GTO than in the Firebird. Jim Mino took a 68 RA II firebird rated at 330 horsepower and dominated stock class drag racing for years running low 12s with just some tuning, removing the restrictor and slicks. That is documented. Several GTOS are documented to run low 12 with RA IVs and the Firebird is lighter. Yes high elevens are possible.
mongoose704 9 months ago
@mongoose704 Not sure if it is the same RA II Firebird, but Youtube has a '68 RA II running pure stock that basically beats everything it runs against. I will not debate the weight of a GTO vs Firebird, but that bird just leans all over its rear wheels and kicks ass
mr68Charger383 7 months ago
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@dnazz32 Stock????Are you nuts or what ?The ram air iv had 345 h.p stock and ran low 14s this thing runs mid 11s.
camirocz 1 year ago
lovin them stock wheels
nice car man
XboxReleases 1 year ago
Factory Appearing STOCK TIRES haha Bias ply's man. how the heck do they hook up?
pwkid 2 years ago
cover the track in sand paper
maynardcommando 2 years ago
Awesome -- Pontiac power .
1Bandit455 3 years ago 9
has to be stock basicly to run in this class or appear stock haha
69bigpapa 3 years ago
Sweet car. Is the engine stock? Any mods?
pontiacgtoguy 3 years ago