A friend at school has a 68 Le Mans with a 350 HO Pontiac (320 horse out of factory he said), headers, aftermarket exhaust, high rise manifold and open element filter. He has 4.10 gears (I think) with posi and a 3 speed auto. Car's top speed is like 110, so he probably has those gears. Ive been in the car, lots of low end power.

Against my 84 Trans Am. With the 305, I dont think I have a chance. I plan on swapping in a 1971 350 with the following mods: XE262 cam, High rise dual plane holley intake manifold, thinner head gaskets (bumb compression to 9.0:1 from 8.5:1), stock heads (yeah I know, but I'm too poor right now), shift kit, open element air filter with functional cowl induction (currently on car, need to get some pics), 3.23 posi with 4 speed auto, hedman shorty hedders and y pipe,modified carb, gutted cat, and hooker cat back system. I plan on a torque converter but not for at least 3 or 4 months.

I figure power is about equal, I have advantage in weight and aerodynamics, but he has the advantage in gearing and traction. But then again, his tires are a good deal taller than mine, which would help cancel out his 4.10 advantage But he has 275's and Ive got these piddly 235's right now.

I think he's got me off the line, but I think I can at least hang with him and when aerodynamics and high gears start to hurt him, I can pass him and beat him in the 1/4. I wont race him on the street like he wants to, because to tell you the truth the 305 took some getting used to and I feel it isnt safe for me to lay out the 350 anywhere but a track. That and I dont fell like getting arrested. What do you guys think? Desktop dyno gives me 311 horsepower at 5000 and his motor 322 at the same rpm, but I guessed at his valve sizes and cam based on what I found in a PAW catalog for aftermarket heads and a cam that gives power around where I know he has it.

 

He's gonna rip you a new one even if his top speed is 110 hes not gonna go that fast in the quarter and I doubt aerodynamics would be a factor on a drag strip. He yhas gobs more torque so i wouldnt even try it. My guesstimate if he knows what he's doing he'll hit a 14.3-5. If you swap to the 350 you might stand a chance

 

I would prefer 3.23s, 3.42s, or 3.73s. 3.08s in rare cases. I don't prefer them in my own.
If he had 4.56s, he may get air-born.
Careful...:nono: :rockon:
A cool car in both your situations though.