Clone or not, it still looks good in the pics. 69 Camaros are what I'd call a "rich man's hot rod".
It is a 355 with ported polished 194 heads. 4sp with a M-22 rock crusher.
Just so you know, "194 heads" is a general term for a set of heads with the 1.94 intake. Some heads even have 2.02 valves and all the time that's what people call them, instead of by the casting numbers. If you ever pull a valve cover, look for the head casting number, it will usually be between the valve springs and will look something like this: 333882. Then you can go to nastyZ28.com and find out a bit more info. Not all small block Chevy heads are good heads.
BTW, the M-21 is not a "rock crusher" that would be the M-22.
Very true. In fact, most don't know that, the M22 was the top of the line trans for big blocks and high hp small blocks. The only difference is the M22 has less angled teeth that give it a distinct whine, hence why they call it an M22.
OK M-22 then.. I know the tranny has some low gears in it.
The M22 and M21 trans both used the same ratio of gears, 2:20 1st, and I can't remember the rest, they did have an M20 that had an even lower 1st gear, like a 2:52.
Of course I can only hope you actually have a Muncie in there, they also had a weaker 4 speed known as a Saginaw. I bought a 71 Nova once I was told had a Muncie 4 speed, I didn't know the difference at the time or how to tell one apart so I bought it.....turned out to be a Saginaw, after that I started granny shifting it in hopes of not breaking it. Car did run like a bat out of hell though.
Sorry if this sounds stupid, but I was told your car will over heat if you do not run a stat. I was told the water needs to spend a certain amount of time in the radiator to efficiently cool.
I haven't heard of it overheating by not running a T stat. If anything I have heard not running a T stat does not allow for complete combustion due to too low of an engine temp, anyone else heard of this?