David
Kawallek's 1981 TA Street Car
David bought a 535
cu.in. assembled shortblock from Butler Performance
(Dave likes to do some of his own engine work but wanted us
to do the shortblock blueprint and assembly). He also bought
a set of our CNC
Wideport Edel. heads, ported Victor Intake and all other
parts to finish the top end. David received everything he needed
for a complete 535 cu.in Engine in one crate from Butler Performance,
including ignition, valve covers, Evac Pump kit, etc. Below
is a spec sheet and letter Dave sent to us:
Make
and Model |
Pontiac
|
Firebird
Trans-am
|
Year |
|
1981
|
Weight
with Driver |
¾
Tank of Fuel
|
3908
|
Fuel
Required |
|
114
Octane
|
Engine |
Butler
Performance
|
535
Cubic Inch Displacement
|
Power
Adder |
|
None
|
Air
Cleaner |
K&N
16” with 1” Drop
|
For
Dominator Style Carburetor
|
Carburetor |
1150
CFM Holley Dominator
|
Book
Racing
|
Intake
Manifold |
Butler
Performance Ported Edelbrock Victor Dominator
|
Ported to
Match Wide Port Heads
|
Fuel
Pump |
|
Mangna
Fuel Quick Star 300
|
Fuel
Lines |
|
Steel
Braided
|
Regulator |
|
Holley
Large Port
|
Cylinder
Heads |
|
Butler
Performance Edelbrock CNC Wide Ports
|
Rocker
Arms |
T&D
Shaft Rockers
|
1.60
Ratio
|
Valves |
|
Ferrea
6000 Series Valves
|
Engine
Block |
|
IAII
Iron Block
|
Pistons |
Ross
|
Flat
Top
|
Rings
|
|
Total
Seal Classic
|
Compression
Ratio |
|
13.3:1
|
Crankshaft |
Crower
Billet
|
4.50
Stroke
|
Connecting
Rods |
Eagle
H Beam
|
ARP
2000 Bolt
|
Camshaft
Make and Type |
Comp
Cams
|
Solid
Roller
|
Cam
Specs |
Ground
On a 112 LSA
|
Installed
@ 108 L/C With .440 Lobe
|
Distributor |
|
MSD
Pro Billet
|
Amplifier |
|
Crane
HI -6
|
Coil |
|
Crane
|
Total
Timing |
38
Degrees
|
Locked
|
Headers |
Hooker
2” Primary
|
Model
#4202
|
Exhaust
System |
Dr.
Gas 3 1/2” X Cross Over
|
Over
Walker Race Magnum 3” Mufflers Torque Tech 3” Tail Pipes
|
Transmission |
Turbo
400
|
Forward
Pattern Manual Valve Body
|
Converter |
Continental
10”
|
4700
Stall
|
Shifter |
Stock
Pontiac
|
Slap
Shift
|
Rear
End |
|
Moser
Ford Nine Inch
|
Rear
Gear Ratio |
|
3.5
|
Posi |
Trac
Tec Detroit
|
Locker
|
Axles |
|
Moser
35 Spline
|
Brakes
F/R |
|
Wil
Wood Disc
|
Wheels
F/R |
Weld
Racing
|
Pro
Star
|
Tires
F/R |
Goodyear
Invecta GL Front
|
Mickey
Thompson ET Drag Radials 325x50 Rear
|
Suspension
Front |
Stock
GM Springs Sway Bar Removed
|
Carrera
90/10 Drag Shocks
|
Control
Arms |
|
Stock
Upper and Lower Control Arms
|
Suspension
Rear |
Cal-Trac
Split Mono Springs
|
Competition
Engineering 3 Way Adjustable Drag Shocks Set At 50/50
|
Traction
Devise |
|
Cal-Trac
Traction Bars
|
Best
ET |
9.92
|
137.27
MPH
|
Best
60 Foot |
|
1.46
|
Video links |
Video
number 1
|
|
David
writes:
Car is driven occasionally just for fun- at normal cruising
the car seems like a real pussy cat. The exhaust is relatively
quiet and with the Drag Radials it really handles quite well.
The car rarely ever exceeds 180 degrees while cruising around,
even in 95 plus degree heat. I do drive the car to the track
every time and me and my Mopar buddy lay claim that we are the
fastest street driven cars that are naturally aspirated that
race at our local track. That says a lot about the two most
unsuspecting cars that are not either a Chevy or a Ford, and
when people look under the hood to see a Pontiac engine in the
bay after laying down a fast pass is just priceless!! Just the
few passes I have made this year with the new engine have just
totally surpassed my expectations. I thought I would have to
change the converter and gear and really work over the suspension
to get it to run a nine second pass. I do plan to change these
things in the future just to see how quick I can get this car
to run but for now I am very pleased. I have been purchasing
parts from the Butlers for many, many years and have always
been satisfied with the products and the service. The attention
I received and advise on my latest project was no different,
David is probably tired of me calling every other week just
to keep him updated on how the car is doing. Butler Performance,
thank you for all your help over the years and being someone
a person could count on when it comes to parts or performance
help and advice.
Thank you,
David Kawallek