cyveiliog

I am working on my father's 1981 stock L81 Corvette. He wants to replace the thermoquad with an aftermarket edelbrock square bore. Do you guys think that there is enough hood clearance to use the carb spacer adapter that takes the car for spread to square bore? Would I need a drop air cleaner or would the stock one clear with the spacer? Opinions?

qwank

why would he want to do that? A quadrajet is 100 times better than an Edelbrock carb

cyveiliog

Many reasons. That's not a debate that I'm going into right now. I'm just looking for hood clearances.

scottyp99

Are you aware that you'll also have to replace the distributor?

Scott

cyveiliog

Will the edelbrock 2101 fit under the hood without causing any issues? That would solve my spacer problem...

cyveiliog

Yes, I figured that the distributor would be an automatic replacement with either an MSD HSI or a basic '75 model OEM HEI. There are quite a few out there.

scottyp99

OK, just wanted to make sure you were aware of that. Also, yeah, a 2101 should fit under your hood easy, it's not much taller than a stock manifold at all. I can't speak from experience, as when I bought my '80 'vette, it already had a 2101 and an aftermarket air cleaner. I have never dealt with the stock air cleaner.

Scott

bigvette1

With a small block that should not be a problem. I have a BB and can run an adapter that is I believe an Edelbrock and measures 7/8" to 1" - square to spread bore intake. I think you will also find lots of posts about changing the intake to an Edelbrock performer, if desired.

Use a drop base aircleaner and measure the clearance before you shut the hood to make sure. Use kids play dough and put 3 cones on the air cleaner and slowly lower the hood with your stock filter. Don't slam it shut if there might be a problem. You need at least 1/2" of clearance to compensate for engine motion. If you are tight go to the auto parts store and start looking for the 14" cleaner but in a smaller height.

However, again repeating an earlier post - a good running Q-Jet will out perform the Edelbrock. Search for posts and talk to Lars G at
V8fastcars.com and get his papers on rebuilding and tuning the Q-Jet.

qwank

You're wrong. the ECU controls ignition timing in all '81s and California only 305s in '80

The Carter/Edelbrock AFB design is even older

qwank

So please tell me how timing is controlled then. There are no weighs or vacuum advance on an '81 distributor

cyveiliog

Scott: Which air cleaner do you have? I've been having issues finding an aftermarket one that is low enough. Thank you!

scottyp99

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cal-198195/overview/


This is the air cleaner I have, I believe. I think the base is 7/8" dropped. I have an '80 'vette, stock hood, 2101 intake, Holley 1850 carb, 1/8" thick adapter, 1/4" thick insulator. I have enough clearance that I am going to try a 3 1/2" filter element soon.

Scott

spikebot 81

To end all doubt on hood clearance. Just installed 7101 edle rpm intake, 1411 edle 750cfm carb and edle 1221 air cleaner asmb. The standard hardware store wing nut just touched the hood. Installed a 1/4" nut and washer and have 1/2" clearance from the tallest point of the air filter lid. This install is on 81 with stock hood.

scottyp99

OK, the RPM is a bit taller than the Performer, and the 1221 air cleaner base is only a 5/8" drop, so if your running a Performer and a 7/8" dropped base air cleaner, you should have plenty of room. Probably talking somewhere around 1/2" more clearance than RPM and 1221.

Scott