First published in the February 2026 issue of Street Machine
“Over nine years ago, I flew up to Rockhampton and shipped this 1974 Firebird Formula 400 down to the Gold Coast.
“It was running a stock 350ci Pontiac engine, TH400 and 10-bolt diff. I eventually replaced the 350 with a period-correct 400ci Pontiac mill.
“It was fun for a while cruising the streets, but it really wasn’t going to scare anyone. So, I chose to follow the masses chasing more power and go to an LS.
“Now it has a built-for-boost 370ci LY6 cast truck block with a Callies crankshaft, Wiseco BoostLine rods, CP pistons, MLS head gaskets, a Brian Tooley turbo camshaft and Tremaniac CNC LS3 cylinder heads.
“The valve covers are from Swiftek Engineering in Queensland and are one of a kind. Now we needed to build a whole car to suit the new direction, so we ordered an FTI Stage 4 TH400 with transbrake from Summit Racing, and a matching 9in billet converter.
“It also has a braced 35-spline housing, Strange billet HD Pro centre, Truetrac, 3.5:1 gear ratio and 11in disc brakes.
“It’s riding on Outlaw Drag Intensity wheels – 17×4.5 on the front and 15×10 out back, wrapped in Nankang 165/75R17 and PSR 275/60R15 rubber, respectively.
“The car’s first outing to Cleveland Dyno to see Scott Hoffman saw it make 660hp on pump 98, and 801hp on E85 to the hubs before we ran out of ethanol content.”
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