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oldskool · 08-08-2020, 11:08 AM

When it comes to '77 Pontiacs, there are lots of body choices.

Thru the years, there have been LOTS of '77-'78 Bird Stockers that have been very competitive.

BUT, because of the big hp factor on the '77 400, when running a Bird body, non-Bird bodies are obviously much better choices. There have been quite a few '77 Lemans Stockers. I think Dave Ribeiro still runs one that Bob Michael built. And Wayne Larsen runs one that has been passed around.

The '77 GP that Don Himes ran is still active. As far as I know, Bob Michael has the only '77 Catalina that has been built. As I've probably mentioned, I'd like to run a Can Am clone. Just think one of those would look cool, as a Stocker. As far as I know it would be another one-of-a-kind.

I assume that for those who wanna run a '77 Bird, the 350 engine might be a little more competitive. But, even the 350 gets a 4 hp handicap, if you run it in a Bird Stocker. Mike Morgan has certainly done well with it in SS, @ 246hp.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...3&MAKE=Pontiac

In non-Bird bodies, the base 400 is competitive, at it's current 260hp factor. How long will it remain at 260hp ? I suppose that depends on whether anybody runs quick enuff with it to make noise.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...4&MAKE=Pontiac

My guess is that if you wanna run a 400 powered Bird, it would be better to run it as a '78 model, using what Mark Yac calls the "big cam" engine. It's only 7hp more, 290hp vs 283hp.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...7&MAKE=Pontiac

From lookin back thru the race records, I've seen that several guys have switched between claiming a '77 & a '78 Bird. I assume this is so that they could run the most competitive combo, when considering the NHRA hp factor for each engine, at the time.

Have probably asked this, but don't remember the answer. The '77-'78 Pontiacs can run the larger Q-jet, which street guys call an 800cfm. The '74 model (except for the SD455 engine) Pontiacs must run the smaller 750cfm Q-jet. There has obviously been LOTS of Q-jet testing, thru the years. So, aprox how much ET gain would the larger Q-jet make, on similar 400 Pontiac Stocker engines.

http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...1&MAKE=Pontiac

There have been so many competitive '77-'78 Bird Stockers, thru the years, it's hard to pick just 1 or 2, or even just a few. But, just from the research I've done, Dave Ribeiro's Bird comes to mind. It held a nat record for a couple of years. Out on the West coast, Bill Edgeworth's Bird was also a record holder. I can remember when Ryan Warter raced it & was trying to help sell it. Anybody know if it is being raced nowadays ?

So many more come to mind. You can go to DRC & look at the Stock Q-lists from the US Nats, & find lots of quick '77-'78 Birds. Seems I remember seeing a Don Holmes Bird high on the Stock Q-list. Won't try to name 'em all.

At the 2000 US Nats, Don Holmes was #2 @ 1.269 under, & won K/SA, in a '78 Bird. Dave Edwards was #5 & won L/SA, in a '78 T/A. While we're there, Danny Ashley won N/SA in a '74 GA.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2000#indextop

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2000#indextop

The Indy Q-lists & class winner lists, are always very interesting to me. I like the '03 Indy lists.

Dave Edwards had the highest qualified Pontiac. He was #17 @ 1.133 under. Also won his class. There were some other notable Pontiacs on those lists. Don Himes won his class, in his '77 GP. Scott Burton won his class, as did Mike McGinley. The Biondo Bird was on the Q-list, as was Kyle Riley & Bill Rink.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2003#indextop

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2003#indextop

@ Indy '08, apparently Ryan Warter drove Bill Edgeworth's '77 to the #10 position @ 1.196 under, and won his K/SA class. That was also the year Todd Hoven was #7 & won G/SA, with a '72 GTO.

https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2008#indextop

You can add 9 pics to a post. I may see if I can find pics of 9 good '77-'78 Bird Stockers, to post. Some of these are the same car, with different owners. Most of these cars have been mentioned & pictured in this thread. But, here they are, again. Some guys may see this who would never look thru the entire thread.

Anyone with pics of '77-'78 Bird Stockers I haven't mentioned, please post info & pics of those Birds. Also, anyone who'd be willing to give us the history of any or all these cars are welcomed, & even encouraged to do so.

Between all these Birds there have been many race wins, class wins, & records set. They are part of Pontiac Stocker history. As a real Pontiac freek, I am very proud to post info & pics of these cars !

PS: As ya'll can see, white seems to be the preferred color for '77-'78 Bird Stockers.

08-08-2020, 11:08 AM	#3
oldskool VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: The Land of Bayous, Boudin & Crawfish Posts: 1,668 Likes: 223 Liked 748 Times in 363 Posts	Re: Best Pontiac Powered Stockers When it comes to '77 Pontiacs, there are lots of body choices. Thru the years, there have been LOTS of '77-'78 Bird Stockers that have been very competitive. BUT, because of the big hp factor on the '77 400, when running a Bird body, non-Bird bodies are obviously much better choices. There have been quite a few '77 Lemans Stockers. I think Dave Ribeiro still runs one that Bob Michael built. And Wayne Larsen runs one that has been passed around. The '77 GP that Don Himes ran is still active. As far as I know, Bob Michael has the only '77 Catalina that has been built. As I've probably mentioned, I'd like to run a Can Am clone. Just think one of those would look cool, as a Stocker. As far as I know it would be another one-of-a-kind. I assume that for those who wanna run a '77 Bird, the 350 engine might be a little more competitive. But, even the 350 gets a 4 hp handicap, if you run it in a Bird Stocker. Mike Morgan has certainly done well with it in SS, @ 246hp. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...3&MAKE=Pontiac In non-Bird bodies, the base 400 is competitive, at it's current 260hp factor. How long will it remain at 260hp ? I suppose that depends on whether anybody runs quick enuff with it to make noise. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...4&MAKE=Pontiac My guess is that if you wanna run a 400 powered Bird, it would be better to run it as a '78 model, using what Mark Yac calls the "big cam" engine. It's only 7hp more, 290hp vs 283hp. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...7&MAKE=Pontiac From lookin back thru the race records, I've seen that several guys have switched between claiming a '77 & a '78 Bird. I assume this is so that they could run the most competitive combo, when considering the NHRA hp factor for each engine, at the time. Have probably asked this, but don't remember the answer. The '77-'78 Pontiacs can run the larger Q-jet, which street guys call an 800cfm. The '74 model (except for the SD455 engine) Pontiacs must run the smaller 750cfm Q-jet. There has obviously been LOTS of Q-jet testing, thru the years. So, aprox how much ET gain would the larger Q-jet make, on similar 400 Pontiac Stocker engines. http://www.classracerinfo.com/Engine...1&MAKE=Pontiac There have been so many competitive '77-'78 Bird Stockers, thru the years, it's hard to pick just 1 or 2, or even just a few. But, just from the research I've done, Dave Ribeiro's Bird comes to mind. It held a nat record for a couple of years. Out on the West coast, Bill Edgeworth's Bird was also a record holder. I can remember when Ryan Warter raced it & was trying to help sell it. Anybody know if it is being raced nowadays ? So many more come to mind. You can go to DRC & look at the Stock Q-lists from the US Nats, & find lots of quick '77-'78 Birds. Seems I remember seeing a Don Holmes Bird high on the Stock Q-list. Won't try to name 'em all. At the 2000 US Nats, Don Holmes was #2 @ 1.269 under, & won K/SA, in a '78 Bird. Dave Edwards was #5 & won L/SA, in a '78 T/A. While we're there, Danny Ashley won N/SA in a '74 GA. https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2000#indextop https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2000#indextop The Indy Q-lists & class winner lists, are always very interesting to me. I like the '03 Indy lists. Dave Edwards had the highest qualified Pontiac. He was #17 @ 1.133 under. Also won his class. There were some other notable Pontiacs on those lists. Don Himes won his class, in his '77 GP. Scott Burton won his class, as did Mike McGinley. The Biondo Bird was on the Q-list, as was Kyle Riley & Bill Rink. https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2003#indextop https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2003#indextop @ Indy '08, apparently Ryan Warter drove Bill Edgeworth's '77 to the #10 position @ 1.196 under, and won his K/SA class. That was also the year Todd Hoven was #7 & won G/SA, with a '72 GTO. https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCS...r2008#indextop You can add 9 pics to a post. I may see if I can find pics of 9 good '77-'78 Bird Stockers, to post. Some of these are the same car, with different owners. Most of these cars have been mentioned & pictured in this thread. But, here they are, again. Some guys may see this who would never look thru the entire thread. Anyone with pics of '77-'78 Bird Stockers I haven't mentioned, please post info & pics of those Birds. Also, anyone who'd be willing to give us the history of any or all these cars are welcomed, & even encouraged to do so. Between all these Birds there have been many race wins, class wins, & records set. They are part of Pontiac Stocker history. As a real Pontiac freek, I am very proud to post info & pics of these cars ! PS: As ya'll can see, white seems to be the preferred color for '77-'78 Bird Stockers. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by oldskool; 08-09-2020 at 07:10 AM.