Help with U/SA

[Billy Nees]

It's about time somebody did one of them! I've had one of those sitting on an engine stand for years. I don't think that it's a great combo but I think that it can be decent. Don't over cam it and don't over gear it. It doesn't make a lot of compression so keep the cam duration on the small side to start out. It also doesn't have a lot of carb to work with so your peak RPM will probably be in the range of 6200 to 6400 RPM. It probably is going to want a really small header too. Probably even as small as 1-3/8 primary and less than a 2-1/2" collector. Might even try a 8 into 1 header if there's room underneath. At least 2.75 low gear trans.
When you're working on really restricted engines just remember one thing. It can't make horsepower because you can't spin it so try to make torque. Whatever you think that you need, that is probably too big. Not like an average race car.

[Bobby Zlatkin]

Although I've probably been doing this as long as Billy Nees, it's obvious to me that he knows more about it than I do. I feel that I just learned something. Or maybe it just reinforced things that I thought I knew.

[Jim Wahl]

I was pitted right across from Billy at G-ville and only talked to him a couple of times during the whole weekend. I wish I could have sat down with you Billy and chewed the fat for a while! Billy has forgotten more than the average guy knows! next time Billy, next time. Jim

P.S. I hope Don is feeling better! Get well soon Don! We love you! Jim

[s10stocker]

I would def. go with the Metric with 5.38s and the 92.5 ro 30x9 radials. You can run those tires over 40psi. Will put you around 6500-6600 from 100-102 through the traps. Keep it cheap as possible and see where it lands. Maybe better than you thought. I was curious on the carb though. Can it be a dual jet or is it the computer carb.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by s10stocker

I would def. go with the Metric with 5.38s and the 92.5 ro 30x9 radials. You can run those tires over 40psi. Will put you around 6500-6600 from 100-102 through the traps. Keep it cheap as possible and see where it lands. Maybe better than you thought. I was curious on the carb though. Can it be a dual jet or is it the computer carb.

It's a U/SA car! You're looking at 91-92 mph in the lights.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by s10stocker

I would def. go with the Metric with 5.38s and the 92.5 ro 30x9 radials. You can run those tires over 40psi. Will put you around 6500-6600 from 100-102 through the traps. Keep it cheap as possible and see where it lands. Maybe better than you thought. I was curious on the carb though. Can it be a dual jet or is it the computer carb.

It doesn't have to be a feedback carb. You just need a 1.21 venturi dual jet. Basically ,it's the front half of an 800 Q jet.
You guys DO know ,you're going to have to put a custom 12 bolt in that car, in order to be able to play with the gears?
I'd figure out a baseline on the ratio, and then ,when you go lower and don't pick up 60' but lose MPH, go back to where you were!
BTW, if you're not too deep into that car, I'd back right out of it ,and into a 78 Camaro 305 2 GC 2bbl car .
You could use the 8.5 rear that comes in them.

[Bill Bogues]

Thanks to everyone for replies on U/sa. Will probably ask for more help as we get further along with this thing.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

It doesn't have to be a feedback carb. You just need a 1.21 venturi dual jet. Basically ,it's the front half of an 800 Q jet.
You guys DO know ,you're going to have to put a custom 12 bolt in that car, in order to be able to play with the gears?
I'd figure out a baseline on the ratio, and then ,when you go lower and don't pick up 60' but lose MPH, go back to where you were!
BTW, if you're not too deep into that car, I'd back right out of it ,and into a 78 Camaro 305 2 GC 2bbl car .
You could use the 8.5 rear that comes in them.

If you're looking to build a "dime rocket" then I would absolutely agree with Mark. There's no cheap way to put a rear in a Monte Carlo that will give you any gear selections. I think that both combos have about the same overall potential.
The only other thing to consider (other than having a car vs. finding and buying a car) would be the difference in weight between the two. The Monte Carlo has to weigh only 3170 to make U/SA while the Camaro has to weigh 3770. I like towing light cars.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

If you're looking to build a "dime rocket" then I would absolutely agree with Mark. There's no cheap way to put a rear in a Monte Carlo that will give you any gear selections. I think that both combos have about the same overall potential.
The only other thing to consider (other than having a car vs. finding and buying a car) would be the difference in weight between the two. The Monte Carlo has to weigh only 3170 to make U/SA while the Camaro has to weigh 3770. I like towing light cars.

Valid point, Billy.
I actually didn't realize the hp rating on the 267 was that low.
It might be worth a shot for someone willing to spend the money on the rear end.

Maybe some math major could analyze the specs and give us a hp and torque potential.?

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by Jim Wahl

I was pitted right across from Billy at G-ville and only talked to him a couple of times during the whole weekend. I wish I could have sat down with you Billy and chewed the fat for a while! Billy has forgotten more than the average guy knows! next time Billy, next time. Jim

P.S. I hope Don is feeling better! Get well soon Don! We love you! Jim

Jim,catch him on a road trip when he's alone and go for the ride.Then just fly home afterward.
It is an adventure riding with him on a long run.So far I've survived two road trips.Half
the fun is him trying to keep the Geo at 50 MPG on the trip.