horsepower
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
All the things that are bad about the Q-Jet are directly related to it's age. Most of them are in lousy shape with leaks around the throttle bushings, leaks at the bowl plugs and generally gummed up...and potentially bollixed up by a "tuner". Once you get them professionally overhauled you'll need to hunt down both expertise and parts to get them tuned. But...they'll bolt right on including all the factory linkages, vacuum and fuel connections. And you get the tiny primaries for fuel economy and huge secondaries for power...which don't bog if the air valve is set right. I have yet to talk to anyone that's gone this route that hasn't been super happy with the result. 
For a bit more money you get a Holley Street Avenger or better yet the Ultra...great carbs that are easily and precisely tuneable with readily available parts and expertise. There is the addititional expense and hassle of linkages, fuel and vacuum lines - which while is pretty straightforward isn't free and requires a small amount of "fabrication", in that the stock stuff mostly won't work. If folks don't get frustrated with the installation process, then they're also very happy with these
There's no wrong answer here...
For a bit more money you get a Holley Street Avenger or better yet the Ultra...great carbs that are easily and precisely tuneable with readily available parts and expertise. There is the addititional expense and hassle of linkages, fuel and vacuum lines - which while is pretty straightforward isn't free and requires a small amount of "fabrication", in that the stock stuff mostly won't work. If folks don't get frustrated with the installation process, then they're also very happy with these
There's no wrong answer here...
Last edited by billla; Sep 24, 2011 at 11:14 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Shearwater Nova Scotia
I am sure this question is asked all of the time, but I was wondering how to get more horsepower out of my 78 L48. I believe that it only has 190hp, which is okay, I did not buy it to race, but I would still like a little more. Is there any easy/inexpensive way to increase the hp, without altering the car's originality.
The car is completely original, and I don't really want to change that too much....
I just bought this car last week, and I love it. Its my 1st vette. I am new to the forum, it is great to get advise from other vette owners. I have posted a few other questions in the C3 General forum, and am greatful for all of the responses.
RV
The car is completely original, and I don't really want to change that too much....
I just bought this car last week, and I love it. Its my 1st vette. I am new to the forum, it is great to get advise from other vette owners. I have posted a few other questions in the C3 General forum, and am greatful for all of the responses.
RV
The Edelbrock Top Performance kits look awesome, but think I will wait for a while before I dive in and change anything. Let me know what you do and how you find it, and if the alterations lower the value of your original 78 vette!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
What some of us are saying is the issue for new guys is if it has a properly working 4 bl, it's not first change. The money is better spent on other things first for perf.
I have run Carters (not Edelbrock), Q-Js & Holleys & can go very fast w/ any.
I have run Carters (not Edelbrock), Q-Js & Holleys & can go very fast w/ any.
