Depending on who you are, the title of this post might be worse than this sounds. But, what do you do if your friend's 3-cylinder Geo Metro can pull away from your car? I was in my Chevelle and my friend was in his 3-cylinder Geo Metro. We slowed to about 10mph and then hit it up to the speed limit which was 50mph. He was pulling away and I just barely pulled ahead before we let off at the speed limit.

I've never asked or done this before, but now I'm curious. Can someone dyno what I have?

355 cid
Stock crank and rods, with flat-top piston (2 valve reliefs).
Crane 272H10 Energizer Cam
39734874 heads with no work (75cc, small valves)
GM intake with 2-bbl Rochester (~390cfm).

I know I don't have much obviously, but I'm 'supposed' to have 245, so says GM from back in the day, but I don't know.

What are the wheel numbers with a 2.56 rear, TH350, and stock converter (1600-1800ish stall I believe)?

I've got plans to build a new engine so I don't need any tips or anything, but just would like a ballpark of what I'm running...maybe possible ET/MPH if anyone has time (car is prolly ~3800 with me in it, stereo, sound deadner etc). This is greatly appreciated, thanks.

A Holley 600 or Qjet,Performer intake,headers,and losing the 2.56's would do wonders..

Those 2.56's gotta go....

I used to have an all stock 1977 Monte Carlo..the lasyt of the big MC's... 4300 lb BARGE...GM in thier infinate wisdom intstalled 2.56's and 27in tall tires on it.Honestly it wasnt capable of anything over 3500 RPM.... Talk about a slug... That Metro would have blown it away...

I couldnt live with it anymore and installed a set of RG 3.23's in it.... BIG difference in driveability and acceleration....still not a rocket but far better than it was.... With the 2.56's I used to have to give it about 1/3 rd throttle just to leave a stop sign....with the 3.23's it required barely touching the throttle.

I agree with Mr 4 speed.... you need gears and a modest 4bbl.

Yep, the 2.56 gears are your problem. Horsepower only works once the car is in the power-band. With 2.56 gears it takes quite a while for it to get there.

Not to mention the fact that your pushing about double the weight he is. A good gear and new intake combo will do wonders.

this might give ya n idea.........i ran a 79 camaro with a bone stock 305 ci 2bbl carb with 130,000 miles on it.......with a 1600 stock stall and a th350 tranny with the great 2.56 gears...........this combo was great for a best of 17.80 e.t. around 80 mph cant remember exact mph........but i do remember during the bracket race i was up against an 60 something dodge swinger that had a 225 slant six that ran 22 sec. 1/4 mile......i lifted on the gas and slammed back down reall fast because i was passing him.........lol on the track.......and my car ran a 18.20 sec e.t. back in the days ...lol

and i had another car 79 camaro with 350 in it 9.0 to 1 small rv cam stock heads and exhaust system.......the engine was all stock with a/c on it except for the cam.....had q-jet 4 bbl carb............and it had 2.41 gears it ran consistent 16.10-20's e.t.'s with a best pass of 15.90 in the cool of the night and after the intake was iced down........and the car sat for almost two hours......other wise it was a lower 16 sec ride...........

i would say you fall somewhere in this area...mid to high 16 sec 1/4 would be a good guess..............

about every 350 smog motor from the 70's dropped in a chevelle or camaro in basic stock form has seem to at least run in the 16's somewhere............most others with carb ,intake, headers, and cam "upgrade"....seem to find higher 14's and 15 sec. 1/4 mile times as a norm.....

hope this helps..........

I remember way back when a friend's VW pulled away from my Camaro...turned out I only had the throttle misadusted and was opening about 1/2 or less. This was a stock 350 (but it had a 4BBL) with 2.73:1 gears. Fixed the throttle linkage and WOW! She ran good then! My friend didn't believe me when I told him that I was only at about half throttle...