Stock 400

[72GTO]

Ok i have a stock pontiac 400 in my 72 gto and i need some ideas to boost up some more power... not expensive as a supercharger or any of them jus little things that would cost around 100-200 the most, and how much more power would it give... thanx guyz

[macktoschool]

I'll assume the engine has been recently rebuilt to stock, or has fairly low miles. Pumpiing up a tired engine is kind of like kissing your sister (you not me, I might like it If you only have money for one thing, I would suggest a set of headers. I always work backwards for performance bolt-ons ~ Headers - Intake - Carb. A Big Carb, and a crappy intake is a waste. Big Carb, good intake, stock exhaust, is also a waste. The faster you get rid of spent fuel, the quicker you can fill it up again. Figure 10-15% per item. Good Luck.

[MrPbody]

Very few, if any performance modifications can be made for less than $200, regardless of what kind of car you have.
Macktoschool's ideas are pretty good. Start with the exhaust, and work your way up...

[72GTO]

well what i was thinkin was buyin a holley 650, my dad is gettin custom exhaust put on wit headers, umm wat else would be a good idea??

and about the enginer i was thinkin of gettin it rebuilt but i have no idea if it ever been rebuilt but its runnin strong may i say

[72GTO]

jus for the info i have a rochester quadrajet 4bbl ( i believe its 4bbl ) on it right now

[72GTO]

jus for the info i have a rochester quadrajet 4bbl ( i believe its 4bbl ) on it right now

[MrPbody]

72, Check out Jim Hand's new book "How to Build Maximum Performance Pontiac V8s". It's available at most book stores now, as the initial rush to get one has passed. It will tell you everything you need to know to build a Pontiac that spanks anything in its' class, and live a long life in the process. If you're buying headers, don't buy them based on price. You get what you pay for. Three-tube jobs aren't any better than factory manifolds, except for bragging rights. Hooker is simply the best. Horsepowr and chassis fit are what headers are all about. Shorties are a joke, and cheepies won't make the power.
BTW, for the nay-sayers, there were 22 pontiac-powered cars (real Pontiacs, not "Big Chief") at the U.S. Nationals last week at Indy. In the stock and super stock classes, Pontiacs that were entered won virtually ALL their classes. There were three Pontiacs in the final 8 in stock, and two in SS. One made it to the final round in SS. A Buick Apollo with a 350 Buick (NOT a BOP engine OR Chevy) took Top Eliminator in Stock.
It sure was fun watching Greg Anderson stomp a Hemi with his Big Chief Grand Am for the Pro Stock win!

[1977moneypit]

I agree with macktoschool...for the money theres not really much more you can do other then just get in more fuel and get out more fuel. If your not planning on taking it down the quarter mile you would be better off just getting a new carb (but dont go too big (if you do itll just feel "sluggish" and you wont get good mpg), new intake, and headers/exhaust system (I reccomend true dual exhaust with 2 chamber 40 series flowmasters...they are the original ones and will give you a great sound without too much interior resonance)...anything more then that and youll have to do other things as well...putting a shift kit in the tranny (automatic) and maybe some gears in the rear...but then again thats getting a little $$$ up there...GOOD LUCK

[Tikibuilt]

I found a long time ago in my school days a cheap source of power, as mentioned prior, are headers, electronic ignition, good carb and intake combo. The cheapest power, literally, is advancing the cam timing 4-6 deg. Some engines really respond to this, watch temps and knocking though. They make an offset keyway for the crankshaft/harmonic balancer if you prefer not to get back in the timing chain.