does anyone know where i could get...

[team pontiacrazy]

A 455 engine with over 1000 horsepower/parts to upgrade to over 1000 hp
A roll cage for a 84 trans am
17" weld rims for 84 trans am
slicks for it
A nitrous kit big enough for 2 20lb bottles that will fit

want to break into drag racing, was hoping to get a deal on parts, and any tips would be appreciated.

[MrPbody]

Exactly how much knowledge do you already have concerning the Pontiac V8? 1,000 HP may be a bit much to "break into drag racing". That would indicate maybe 1,000 lbs. of torque, too!

Building any factory block Pontiac V8 to that level of power is a roll of the dice. We've found the large journal blocks (421, 428 and 455) are at a serious disadvantage over the 400 block. Once power goes beyond about 750, they tend to crack between the main cap bolts (in the bulkhead, not the cap), along the oil holes for the cam bearings. You can "fill" the block (we use either "HardBlok" or Moroso's filler) and that helps some. Adding 4-bolt caps (splayed if possible) also helps SOME. The 400 block is going to last longer than the 455. The "cure" is an IA-II block from AllPontiac.com. Our Pontiac makes over 1,800 HP without issues with that block. The "Tiger" head is also the best currently available anywhere. Like any high-end race part, it needs to be "fit" to the application by a professional engine builder. No backyard stuff here!

Wanting the added displacement of the 455 is no problem. Eagle and others supply a "stroker" kit that increases a 400 to 461 (.030" over bore). We have street guys running this combo on 93 octane, deep into the 10s, no adders. Some of the daily drivers are under 11.50.

Forged cranks in a vcariety of strokes are also readily available, which has changed only in the last couple of years. Before that, it was "cast" or "custom billet".

It doesn't matter what "color" the engine is (orange, F-blue, P-metallic blue...) , making over 1,000 HP is not going to be cheap. Making it LIVE will increase that cost significantly.

First things first. Get Jim Hand's "How to Build Max-performance Pontiac V8s" published by SA Designs. Though it's mainly aimed at the streeter crowd, it is full of CURRENT (key word) information regarding the ol' Injun. You can learn a lot about current trends and how to make the thing "live" at today's power levels. The Pontiac has a reputation for breaking rods and blowing up. Power has never been an "issue" (GTO didn't earn its reputation from LOSING...). With modern parts and techniques, this reputation no longer applies. In many ways, we can make a Pontiac toughrer than a BBC at the same level.

Glad to know you want "traditional" Pontiac power for your race car. Welcome aboard! E-mail me directly at

[email protected]

I'll get you in touch with some of the best Pontiac racers in the country. BTW, our shop is responsible for the engine in "Dirty Bird" (FKA Drunken Injun), the quickest and fastest Pontiac-powered car in the world! (at least this month, subject to change, as there are several "high-end" projects approaching completion)

Jim