Judges

[DaJudge]

THey did in 71. A little too much too late. The heads are round ports and the intake is an aluminum one just like the 70 RA IV. John Sawruk has stated at conventions that this is one of the most underated Poncho motors around. I have to agree with him my old 71 Judge ran very well and they finally put a 12 bolt in it. ( I know they put a 12 bolt under the 70 455's as well)

[gtaa9]

Yeah I know about the 71 455HO better than the 70 455HO by far.But being the first year of the 455 Pontiac should of built a better 455 in 1970 what is done is done I guess.

[yellowjudge]

The 455 HO for 71 is a super mtr. A better street mtr, is hard to find.

[gtaa9]

I've noticest that the 71 455HO is rated at 335hp and the 70 455HO is rated at 360hp.I realize that the 71 455HO is a better motor with the roundport heads and the exhaust ect but the 70 455HO has more horsepower than the 71 455HO what gives here?

[DaJudge]

The 1970 Ratings were gross hp ratings with the engine on a dyno. The 1971 Ratings were changed to net hp ratings. That is at the rear wheels with accessories on. All of todays cars are still rated at net SAE. I feel the 71 455 HO was underated due to increasing insurance costs at the time. 1970 to some but definitely 1971 was the end of the Musclecar era. The 70 455 was transplanted from the big car line and dropped into the GTO. More than likely a decision by Pontiac so that when being compared to other car lines like the 440 Mopars and 454 Chevy's Pontiac could say "Me Too" in regards to a big displacment motor.

[gtaa9]

The 70 455 motor is big but from what I've seen in quarter mile times the 455 was alot slower than the 400 RAlll&lV.I know that theres gearing involved but with alot more torque with the 455 it should be doing better I think I saw a time of 15.0 at 97mph in the quarter mile.

[JLP]

The '70 had a 10-1 CR and the '71 had a 8.4-1. Both were gross rated. 360 & 335. '71 also had a net rating of 310.

In '70 same engine as in GP had 370 rating. Just a different body.

My insurance agent still nicked me for a 50% surcharge because the engine was rated at 300 hp or more. I just didn't have to pay based on GTO rates just T-37 on the basic rate.

[gtaa9]

I dont know if I've asked this question or not but with the new GTO out in the market again,do you think the Judge option will be available?

[Charley Lillard]

I don't think net hp ratings are at the rear wheels. I think it is at the flywheel with all accesories like alt, ps,and ac running.

[JoeG]

You thunk right....