For Immediate Release: October 25, 2000 

A MODERN T/A WITH HINTS OF YESTERDAY- WELCOME BACK THE 421 SUPER DUTY

DETROIT - In the varied world of automotive histories, the Pontiac one is steeped in performance and well-storied. As power output ramped up to stronger levels throughout the industry in the period of the early sixties, the shiny crest of PMD on the front was a good sign that a car could be great fun - not just your everyday transportation. One of the powerplants that helped Pontiac metal prove its mettle on the streets was the 421 Super Duty.

Wanting to tap into a bit of that rich past while utilizing a 21st century platform, Morgan Motorsports put together this 2001 Trans Am MMS 421 SD that makes the LS1 engine a blast from the past.

The parameters set down were that the power would have to 1) come from natural aspiration - no turbocharger, supercharger or nitrous oxide in use here, and 2) be in the output range of 600 horsepower. No small feat, indeed.

Starting with a sleeved block resulting in a 4.125" bore the MMS team installed a SCAT billet crankshaft. ROSS 2618 alloy pistons sit atop Callies forged I-beam 6.125" rods. The MMS224 camshaft spins around Comp Cams' pushrods, R lifters, valve springs with titanium retainers and an MMS valvetrain shim kit. Cylinder heads are heavy breathing MMS Stage III's producing an 11.7:1 compression ratio.

Induction is by way of an MMS/GNdesign composite intake and a ported throttle body. Oxygen first enters an MMS/GNdesign cold air induction system and passes through a Granatelli Motorsports MAF meter. Expelling it all starts with MMS 1 ¾" equal length long tube headers, continues to a 3" Y-pipe and hi-flow catalytic converters and then into a 3.5" catback MMS system.

To the lightweight aluminum flywheel is attached a Centerforce Dual friction clutch with MMS shim kit and fed by a modified master cylinder. Fast and light continues with the B/M Ripper shifter and ACPT carbon fiber driveshaft. When it was all done, Z-Industries calibrated the computer.

Underpinning pieces include Global West tubular upper A-arms and an adjustable coil over kit at the front while the rear features Global West tubular control arms, panhard rod, adjustable weight jack kit with specific springs, Trak-Link torque arm and subframe connectors. All these work together with the Firebird's 1LE double adjustable shocks placed at each corner.

Immense 14" Baer brakes quell forward motion in a major way. Super wide 18" x 10" Racing Hart wheels are shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 tires in the massive size of 295/35-ZR18.

GNdesign handled restyling the curvy body with more radical front and rear fascias, rocker additions and rear spoiler and Prototype Network.com took care of the paint application. The leather seat backs call out with embroidery to remind would be passengers that the MMS 421 SD means business. Noting its rarity, a dash plaque includes the respective serial number.

Estimations are for 625 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque. Natural aspiration never felt so good.

 

 

 

This article and was obtained from www.media.gm.com.