Just when we thought LS engines couldn’t get any more impressive, along comes a fourth-gen Pontiac Trans Am with a host of accomplishments. Particularly, running a 9-second quarter-mile on a high-mile, stock-bottom-end original 5.7-liter LS1 V8 engine and 10-bolt rearend (say that five times fast). Considering that the original LS1 engine powering this Trans Am has more than 200,000 miles clocked on it, this fourth-gen seems to be running extremely strong on what is arguably a simple combination for running high 9s in the quarter-mile.
For starters, the build consists of OEM 6.0-liter 317 cylinder heads and a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission swap, and a stock 10-bolt rearend.
The owner has upgraded to a Brian Tooley Racing Stage 2 turbo camshaft in conjunction with a complete On3 turbo kit which features a 78/75 turbocharger. Moreover, the car is currently tuned for the use of E85 on the factory ECU, which necessitated the upgraded fuel components such as a single Walbro 450lph fuel pump and larger Bosch 210 lb./hr. fuel injectors.
Though the car is pushing just 13 pounds of boost, the owner admits that his 9.82-second pass at more than 139 mph was made leaving off of the footbrake on zero boost. Judging by his 60-foot (1.51) we’d venture to say there’s plenty more left in this combination.
Of course, the question we find ourselves asking is: What is bound to go first? The stock-bottom-end LS1, or the stock 10-bolt rearend? Will we find out before the car goes low 9s on the same combination? We hope so!