TurboFORCE Revival Project

Project Update 1: Current Project Status

The good news is:
  • The Original H-O TurboFORCE is installed and functional. Thanks to John Clegg for supplying the original kit componnents. Also thanks to Bud Brownell for help with parts fabrication and general wrenching. Also thanks to Roy's Carb Factory for two Pontiac QJets being used in this project.
  • The 400 is back from the machine shop (Motor Mission Machine in Las Vegas) and is being assembled (by me). The 400 is stock except for TRW forged pistons (Thanks to John Clegg for both the 400 and pistons), 1965 GTO Armasteel crank (thanks to John Colaw who donated it since the stock 1973 400 crank was non-N and non-A), and HC-01D cam & lifters (thanks to Ken Crocie who donated it).
  • A TCI torque converter was picked for TurboFORCE by Larry Maxwell and has arrived, ready for install with the 400.
The bad news is: Murphy struck again!
  • Unseasonable rain during February (NHRA WinterNationals were rained out, etc), caused unplanned delays. Since dust turns to mud here in Pahrump, NV, one needs a 4X4 to get around, not a RWD TurboFORCE equiped Firebird.
  • After the rain quit, the driver side door refused to unlatch. Another several days lost getting it open without major surgery, i.e., sawz-all to the striker as was suggested by more than one.
  • The stock, tired 350 in my test 1976 Firebird "Gave up the ghost" during the first test run with the cast production air pressure bonnet. It still runs, but is knocking and blowing smoke.
  • Because of all of the above, particulary the last point, I don't have any GTech performance numbers to post. I did measure the rear end ratio and it is 2.41:1 non-posi. It will never be drag-strip quick, but will probably run 180mph (theory only, not me driving!).
Despite Murphy, the test 1976 Firebird with the fresh 400 equipped with the cast production bonnet and TCI converter should be running again inside of a week. Besides, this gives me a further opportunity to clean out more desert dirt and 28 years of accumulated grease from the engine compartment, et al.

There should be another update soon!

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