79 Formula a.k.a where I have been all summer...

[Todd Stahr]

Since I managed to pay off the repair bill on my 467, I decided to stuff it in the car I intended it for when I bought it. I sent it back to Butlers to get fixed because someone dumped gravel down the carb bending 4 valves and punching #1 intake valve through the head in two spots. it wasnt pretty but they fixed it and man does that thing run.

Since its a drag car and I am not exactly flush with mountains of cash at the moment, I did a quick rebuild and paint like the red TA that ended up yellow. This one had much less rust, and I wasnt terribly concerned with the dents since it just has to look presentable going down the track or cruising by making noise. I dont do this with every car, but here lately the budget has left me with two choices, do it cheap or dont do it.

Here is the start point. Previously it had run mid 11s with a mild iron headed 455, and even though it was lightened a bit was still 3700lb. 





This is the engine when I first assembled it in 05 while stationed in Charleston SC.

[Todd Stahr]

So I got to sanding, and enjoyed the smurf boogers from 3 layers of blue paint. Had some heavy pitting on the passenger door, trunk lid, and a small spot on the roof. A bit of rust in both lower quarters, but nothing as bad as the yellow TA. Small patches and easy fixes for the most part, and a bit of POR15 on the pitted spots after spot blasting it.






I got tired of all the body work I have done the last four years and dropped the engine in and hooked it all up. Also I fabricated a radiator support from aluminum angle stock I salvaged from a satellite TV dish.

[Todd Stahr]

After body work epoxy primer and more filler, just to smooth it out some. Shot some high build on it and blocked it down once, and it almost covered the filler edges. Some of it still shows through the color coat, but its just a toy, not a show car. What can you expect for a $140 paint job anyway?

Here it is in primer.



And the blue single stage implement enamel that buffed out quite nice.

[Todd Stahr]

It took me a while to get the spoilers, mirrors and other small parts sprayed, as well as getting the cooling system and trans cooler sorted out. It still needs a ton of work, like the cage installed, seat brackets fabbed, and other small things. But it moves under its own power and I still havent opened it up to see what it will do. Just a couple small burnouts not even getting into the secondaries on the carb. I'll get it to the track next summer and see what it will do, I have all winter to get the small stuff done.

[Todd Stahr]

Lastly, the youtube video of a quick rev in gear.. Didnt even come close to opening it all the way, primaries only here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGcr4Sh9lUU

[gorin002]

is this a drag racer or pro street machine ?

[ThunderChicken]

LOVE the blue, LOVE the motor.  Can't wait to see the numbers!! 

I'm all about stock in a street car, but I have a very healthy respect for a builder.

[Todd Stahr]

Its a drag car that I can drive on the street, it makes around 700hp/tq and the car is under 3000lbs now, still about 3100 with me in it.

I have other birds I plan to restore, a 10th Anniversary TA, a Y84 79 TA, and a 72 455 HO Formula, but the rest are getting worked over engines, and one is getting suspension upgrades along with a torque monster stroker, probably the 71 Formula. Its rare i leave anything stock, Im not much of a date coded hose clamp type.

[gorin002]

can t wait to see more updates
so seats be divrint to in the drag bird
or be all stock ?

[4SPEED]

love it. when I was in my teens I built  a drag car out of a 79 t/a. it took me 7 years to build it. I sold it 3 years ago to start my business. wish I had it back.  I didn't have the cash then to put a 400 or 455 in it so it got a stroked 383 sbc. about 500 hp. th400 trans rev man shift trans brake 6000 stall. here is a few pics of it

[gorin002]

niceeeeeeeee! So you drag race it ?

[SpankinElroy]

That machine looks like a whole lotta fun at the strip....and I would take that $140 paint job every day of the week....well done

[4SPEED]

no I never did. people asked me, how fast is she. I'd say don't know. go's 0-60 really really fast thou.  prob high 10's low 11's. I sold it 3 years ago to start my business. but get to see her every year at the Nats.

[Todd Stahr]

Thats a cool TA, there are plans to build something similar with one of the other 2nd gens I have laying around. Always wanted a tube chassis super light street car with lots of power. This Formula isnt going to get cut up, I have others in worse shape that would make a better shell. Might do the Vantura or an A body instead of a bird, but the 77 Formula would make a nice big tire car.

It dosnt cost that much to build a healthy Pontiac if you do it right. While I have quite a bit of cash wrapped up in the particular engine, most of mine are low buck builds that make decent power. The old engine was a 455 with 670 heads that ran mid 11s, I had $2700 in it and it lived through 7 years of bracket racing and street driving. It had 4.11 gears and a 5800 rpm shift point, so it was out of rpm by 1000ft. I put 3.42 rear under it and it picked up .2 in the 1/8th mile, probably would have run bottom 11s in the 1/4 with the 3.42s.

Its too late in the year for me to get to the track, the white stuff is coming soon. With luck next year I will make it to a track and hopefully not get kicked off after one pass. There are lots of updates that need to be done, and too many of them require buying parts, like axles, C clip eliminators, 5 point harness, and stuff like that. I dont have deep pockets, and lint isnt worth much these days, so it might be a while before I can make a complete pass legally.

[gorin002]

if i may tod so there lot more than just a large exhaust pipe ?
pair of large tires right