81 vette
12-26-2014, 11:49 AM
#1
Cruising
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81 vette
Was thinking about rebuilding my original carb on 1981 stock Vette but looks to complicated. Thinking of just buying new carb but do not know what kind would match up and if I can get one that would boost performance. Would appreciate any help
12-26-2014, 11:58 AM
#2
Drifting
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Forth Worth TX
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Lars Grimsrud is the guy to rebuild your quadrajet, but I'm not sure if he rebuilds the latter year carbs. Do a search on the forum for "Lars" and you'll get a ton of hits. You can contact him here, V8FastCars@msn.com
Just bolting a new carb on to your car will not boost performance. You will not gain any HP unless you modify the heads, intake, cam, exhaust, etc..
Just bolting a new carb on to your car will not boost performance. You will not gain any HP unless you modify the heads, intake, cam, exhaust, etc..
12-26-2014, 12:16 PM
#3
Race Director
Other than a rebuilt Computer Command Control Q-Jet, if you still have the computer in your 81, I don't think there's too many after market options.
Just swapping carbs, isn't going to have much effect on the performance of your car. The Q-Jet has a bad reputation in some circles, but actually it's a pretty good carb. A Holley may be easier to re-jet, but it wouldn't have a significant effect on performance.
Just swapping carbs, isn't going to have much effect on the performance of your car. The Q-Jet has a bad reputation in some circles, but actually it's a pretty good carb. A Holley may be easier to re-jet, but it wouldn't have a significant effect on performance.
12-26-2014, 07:15 PM
#4
Race Director
Get the original carb rebuilt. Swapping it for another make is a problem just waiting to happen.
If Lars does not want to tackle it....I have had great success with ALL AMERICAN CARBS in Florida.
DUB
If Lars does not want to tackle it....I have had great success with ALL AMERICAN CARBS in Florida.
DUB
12-26-2014, 08:58 PM
#5
Instructor
12-26-2014, 09:20 PM
#6
Replacing the original would be a huge mistake , if you are basically leaving the original engine in the car and stock.
Most after market carbs are junk made or rebuilt in Mexico .
The quality of your original part is better than any shiney new stuff .
Do yourself a big favor, Send it to a well known reputable rebuilder such as Lars.
Same for other engine items .....the OEM were of high quality and worth rebuilding.
Most after market carbs are junk made or rebuilt in Mexico .
The quality of your original part is better than any shiney new stuff .
Do yourself a big favor, Send it to a well known reputable rebuilder such as Lars.
Same for other engine items .....the OEM were of high quality and worth rebuilding.
12-27-2014, 04:20 AM
#7
Replacing the original would be a huge mistake , if you are basically leaving the original engine in the car and stock.
Most after market carbs are junk made or rebuilt in Mexico .
The quality of your original part is better than any shiney new stuff .
Do yourself a big favor, Send it to a well known reputable rebuilder such as Lars.
Same for other engine items .....the OEM were of high quality and worth rebuilding.
Most after market carbs are junk made or rebuilt in Mexico .
The quality of your original part is better than any shiney new stuff .
Do yourself a big favor, Send it to a well known reputable rebuilder such as Lars.
Same for other engine items .....the OEM were of high quality and worth rebuilding.
12-27-2014, 06:09 AM
#8
Team Owner
If your engine still operates with the Computer Command system, you don't have many options. The carb, distributor, computer and oxygen sensor all work together and are managed by the computer. The carb is a one-year-only unit which has a solenoid operated fuel mixture device in it. So, changing the carb will mean that the system no longer is operational and it will be in 'basic' mode permanently.
You could dump all of those one-year- only parts and run the engine like all the pre-computer cars; but that would mean buying another carb and distributor (as a minimum).
Suggest you rebuild the carb to keep all working as intended. If yours is original build, it's not that hard once you have the proper rebuild kit and instructions on how to set it up. If the solenoid mixing unit is 'toast', they can still be obtained from the right sources. And someone on this Forum should be able to give you that source info.
You could dump all of those one-year- only parts and run the engine like all the pre-computer cars; but that would mean buying another carb and distributor (as a minimum).
Suggest you rebuild the carb to keep all working as intended. If yours is original build, it's not that hard once you have the proper rebuild kit and instructions on how to set it up. If the solenoid mixing unit is 'toast', they can still be obtained from the right sources. And someone on this Forum should be able to give you that source info.
12-27-2014, 02:08 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Boca Raton Florida
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+1 for rebuilding the one you have. Its no more complicated than a regular Quad, takes a couple special tools but not hard to make or buy them.
Many horror stories in here about the condition of "Rebuilt" carbs in here, you literally do not know what your going to get: mismatched or incorrect parts, bent needles, damaged parts etc...
Many horror stories in here about the condition of "Rebuilt" carbs in here, you literally do not know what your going to get: mismatched or incorrect parts, bent needles, damaged parts etc...
12-27-2014, 09:06 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
I had my 81 Carb rebuilt by a GREAT shop in Jacksonville Fl - National Carbs. They did a fantastic job and it ran great the second i bolted it up. I highly recommend.