[unruhjonny]

I just perused the results for the 2015 PSMCD, and I thought that I might start a fun little thread here;

First the link:
http://www.psmcdr.com/17.html

I was wondering if anyone would chance speculating at the best manual transmission & engine setup for me.

My car was built as a 3.55:1 geared, L78/Muncie three speed car with nothing that I can think of to add weight (besides PS & PB).

I have the option for this even to run as either a L78 or a L74 car;

• L78: 067 cam, "log" manifolds, dual snorkle air cleaner (I have it all).
• L74: 068 cam, 'ram air' manifolds, 'ram air' aircleaner (functional through hood of course; again, I have it all).

I can run either a Muncie three speed, a wide ratio, or close ratio muncie four speed - all were optional (and I have them all).

• 3 speed: 2.42/1.58/1.00
• M20: 2.52/1.88/1.46/1.00
• M21/22: 2.20/1.64/1.28/1.00

(I am thinking that the Muncie three speed is a close comparison to the TH350; th350= 2.52/1.52/1.0)

Any differential gear set is permitted;
I am inclined to run 3.90:1 after a brief ride in a '68 RAI Firebird (I have the correct speedo adapter already).


My experience so far:

I have never run either of those cams;
I believe my car had a 066 cam in it when I bought it as a RAIII (less carb; YZ engine, #12 heads, ra manifolds) car;
When I rebuilt the RAIII, I went straight to the (illegal for this event) 744 cam.

I have only run a close ratio muncie in my car c/w 3.55:1 gears - which I have been told time and again is a bad match;
I have only spoken to three people who have run Muncie three speeds, and every one of them said that it was faster than a four speed.

I will likely setup my car with the numbers & date correct engine once I get the body work ect finished. Then around the time that I build a second engine purely to run at the PSMCD, I will get a second 12 bolt setup with 3.90's - so I have ample time to ponder the specifics of my combination...

I am understanding that the 067 cam is better suited for more low end torque versus the 068...

I understand that the 1970 D-port Firebird RA manifolds offer much less of an advantage than one might think...

I am seeing that the highest "hp" cars aren't necessarily the fastest - it seems to be more about setting up the car just right.

I realize that I would be at a disadvantage by keeping the manual transmission (I haven't raced much, so I will be my own worst enemy on consistency vs my dial in) - but I'm ok with that..

I am thinking that the first of these three combinations might be the best setup:

1) L78+3.90's+3 speed
vs
2) L78+3.90's+wide ratio four speed
vs
3) L74+3.90's+close ratio four speed

Thoughts?