I think the emissions killed the variety of HP cars. The 440 SixPak MoPar cars were killer, no gimmic, and were right there or slightly above the Hemi cars.

 

Hi

I drove my 427 solid lifter engine with different Holleys, 650, 750 & 850 CFM and driving it now with the tripower makes me feel sad that I didn't try that earlier.
Easy to tune, no problems, same power feel, but much better economy when you cruise.

The only thing I could imagine replacing my tripower is a tuned port fuel injection.

Rgds. Günther

 

Yes. But, the TPI just doesn't have the "BLING" that the 3x2's have.

 

Off topic a bit here, but I always thought the 3X2 on GM was refered to a 'Tri-Power' and on a MOPAR it was 'six-pac', like on their air cleaner decal?

 

Back in the day, that is how I remember it. Somebody is evidently a little confused.

 

I've driven the L-36, L-68, and L-71 quite a bit. Call me crazy, but I've found the seat of the pants feel between the L-36 and L-68 more different than between the L-68 and L-71 because the tripower provides you with a vacuum-like acceleration that the Rochester simply does not deliver. That's why the L-68 and L-71 feel more similar to me, even though the L-36 and L-68 are the same basic engine, whereas the L-71 is not. That is why I purchased the L-68. The tuning hasn't been a problem, the car is immensely streetable, and it is as much fun as I could ever ask for. Good luck to the OP. I'd buy my L-68 again in a heartbeat for performance as well as rarity.

 

Heck, you could buy a 390 hp car, spend 3 grand on a tri-power system and make your own clone for less money.

This is EXACTLY what I did with my L-36 except, I went further - I installed the .520 solid lifter cam (435 hp) and added N-14 exhaust.

Since swapping the cam, I haven't really tried to dial this new combination in as of yet due to other commitments. From what little I driven it around, it seems to be very responsive and, promissing.

Go for it!

 

First things first. One shouldn't buy into the propaganda that the BBC Tri-power is a tuning nightmare. All you have to do is disconnect the secondary linkages from the primary, tune the primary as you would with any Holley, and reconnect the linkages such that the 2nds are fully closed at idle without affecting the primary throttle possition. To tune the secondaries, simply install the softest secondary vacuum diaphragm springs (Holley kit # 20-13, two required) which don't cause bog at WOT under load, and you're good to go. How hard is that??? Where many people get into trouble with them is when they try to reinvent the linkage.

Next, comparing factory Q-jet 4bbl carbed engines with factory Holley 4bbl carbed Hi-Perf engines is somewhat apples to oranges. However, it shouldn't be overlooked that swapping trips onto a Q-jet mill greatly reduces throttle opening restriction at WOT, which means less intake manifold vacuum at WOT, which means you get that extra 10 HP thru a good bit of the power band. ...not to mention phenominal throttle response when they're set up right.

Lastly, IMOE a well tuned Tri-power BBC can achieve quite decent MPG, as long as one can keep their foot out of the secondaries. I've achieved as much as 14 MPG city with them on one of the 427 combinations (rect port, no less) I've had in my '78, which is better than the original L82 ever got. How many stock L36's are getting 14 city without an OD?

Bottom line: The Tri-power is obviously not for everyone or best suited to every engine, but IMCO arguments that it's necessarily inferior to the Q-jet simply don't hold water. So, let's try not to sway the OP's decision with the wrong arguments here.


TSW

 

I have 3 duces on my 68 and I don't have any more problems with them as I do with my 72 4bbl. I will say one thing, make sure you have a GOOD gas filter on them, that has helped me more than anything. Keeping that filter change is cheaper than tuning the carbs, or carb! I love mine and they look and run great!!!!!!

 

If you look in the 4 sale section of this site theres a 69 vert, claim is it a matching number L68/ac. The engine is a recent rebuilt but its not in the car nor is the trans,the left rear corner is cruched,easy fix and the price is 21k or best offer,wish I had a extra 20k laying around. Check it out.Oh and the tri-power is a trip to drive