I wanted to introduce myself, and have a question!

Hey All

Just decided to join a forum to talk cars. I recently bought a 1979 Firebird. The car is kind of a mutt. It was originally a V6. Now it has a 455 Big Block in it. Also has a 4 speed manual. Anyway, my question is: Does anyone know the stock horsepower/torque of a Pontiac 455? I just want a general ball park of how much this car has before I get a dyno run done. All I know is the tires squeal when you stomp on it, so it must be high in torque (455 motor). My avatar is the vehicle I bought. I also wanted some opinions on add this for the air filter and cutting a hole in the hood for it to stick out of -
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/mrg-6658.jpg


Anyways, your opinions would be greatly appreciated!

PS - I have been told that it doesnt really belong on a firebird, but I just love the look.

welcome to the forum and if you cut a hole in the hood and put that on there you cant drive it in the rain and you have to hook the throttle up to it. dont do it, its not worth it. and you have to have almost 400 hp. just geuss, you know whats done to the motor

Well as for the rain, the car won't ever be driven in the rain. And I love that it hooks up to the throttle - the red circles open up when you hit the gas. Im not sure exactly what has been done to the motor. It has an edelbrock manifold and a holley carberatur from what I can see. I'm just learnin all the car terms :)

How do you think it would look?

400hp? Really? Wow. I need to get it on a dyno.

i think after 74 they did not have the 455 in it stock any more. so i bet it is not stock. but a stock 455 around that year had about 325hp. But i bet it has more than that since it is not stock. It is probly around the 400 mark if it has good mods.

Ah okay. I'm sure theyve done something to it. I just wish I knew how to tell. I guess a dyno is the only way to find out. What do you think of that air filter?

no, i say get a shaker hood.

no, i say get a shaker hood.

:1:! FTW, really. get the same hood thats on his avatar.. with the chicken on the hood too.

As cool as that air filter looks I just wouldnt do it because what IF you have to drive in the rain? Just seems like an inconvinience..

dont cut a hole in the hood please.the car seems pretty nice, theres no reason to do that.i agree that a shaker would look good, and appear stock.cutting a hole in the hood and putting that thing on is something u do to a model, not ur own car.and just because its a 455 with an edelbrock carb doesnt make it 400 hp.it could be a 455 out of a gas hog emissions era grand prix or something.of course the tires r going to squeal.even the weak 455s had nice torque.its 455 cubic inches in a small car.can u find out what the 455 engine came out of?

Get a stock 79 T/A hood with the shaker scoop and bottom half of the aircleaner too. On the 79 T/A I owned I had velocity stack sitting inside the aircleaner & scoop (8" tall one) and JC Whitney had a kit you instaled in the scoop after you cut the fake grill out of it. The kit had a block off plate that was opened and closed with an electric motor via a toggle switch you mounted in the car...a very nice arrangement.

Welcome to AF Ashborn.

please don't cut up the hood, it'll most likely just end up looking tacky anyway

welcome

you all really think so? hmm... as far as the engine, i have no clue what it came out of. its probably the fastest car ive driven next to the 6.1 hemi 300c srt 8. as far as 0 - 60 anyway. thats about all i know. maybe ill get it dynoed on thursday. well ill decide on the hood. if i do it, ill put up a pic .. i just dont know if i want a shaker, everyone has em