[Keith Tedford]

Bruno, it was the earlier Ram Air motor with the turbo 400 balanced, blueprinted, headers. I read once where there were fewer than 100 built with the automatic. I have no doubt that these cars in the show will take the beating, unless a shift is missed. The Chevies can even handle that. I've done it myself as far as going through the gears. Miss a shift in a 428 CobraJet and you have a good chance of putting a rod out the side of the block. In the late '60s the 428s around here spit rods and the L78s dropped valves. Stock big block Pontiacs didn't like the 6K+ rpm. This could create a basket of scrap. It was pretty common for these engines. I just don't want someone else doing it to my stuff. I didn't really test my cars until I was thoroughly used to them. I've never had two 4 speed cars that shifted or felt the same. I'd certainly never go out and pound on a fresh car, especially someone elses. I only know one person that I have enough confidence in to let him beat on my car and be sure that it will live. He doesn't have a TV show unfortunately. I'd like to see all these cars run with headers and slicks for some meaningful times. Unfortunately, good traction could break some very expensive parts. I'll probably be watching the show and cheering the old Pontiac along. I do have my darker Pontiac side.