Best combination
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Best combination
I have decided to squeeze some more performance out of my 72 small block by adding either a intake and cam, or intake and carb. I don't have enough funds for all three. What would you suggest as the best way to go? Focusing on these three components which adds the most bang for the buck? Looking at Edelbrook or Holley. Is one better than the other? Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,551
Likes: 0
From: No link, No dupe
Re: Best combination (midget)
I suggest changing the intake and cam. Edelbrock offers a matched cam with their Performer Intake, which should give some noticeable increase. I am guessing 20-30 hp. I don't feel buying a carb and intake will give as much an increase, since power is restricted by the cam, heads, and exhaust.
I don't think you can go wrong with Holley or Edelbrock. The debate over which is better is as ongoing as which came first, the chicken or the egg? I will say that the Edelbrock carb is a little easier to tune.
Since you don't have the money for a carb, what about buying a high performance module and coil to complement you cam and intake. May I also suggest looking for these parts on eBay. Often, you can find new parts sold cheaper than the retail price. That will save you some money, and you may have enough to buy something else. Hope this helps!
I don't think you can go wrong with Holley or Edelbrock. The debate over which is better is as ongoing as which came first, the chicken or the egg? I will say that the Edelbrock carb is a little easier to tune.
Since you don't have the money for a carb, what about buying a high performance module and coil to complement you cam and intake. May I also suggest looking for these parts on eBay. Often, you can find new parts sold cheaper than the retail price. That will save you some money, and you may have enough to buy something else. Hope this helps!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,133
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: Best combination (midget)
Go with a cam, it controls everything in the engine. Then forget the intake and carb, go with headers and free flow mufflers. Your q-jet is 750 cfm so it can handle most what you will do with the car. Then later you may want to add a new intake manifold but don't think you will ever need it unless you go all out in the cam department.
tom...
tom...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Best combination (midget)
You need to give your setup, trans. & gears.
Forget the 2102 cam "matched" to what? Expect you know there are many cars, wts., tire dia., etc. A- a heavier car, not Corvette. 2102 is about 1 step over L-48 cam.
Not enough for a CORVETTE. There is no problem matching a cam to your Corvette setup.
Forget the 2102 cam "matched" to what? Expect you know there are many cars, wts., tire dia., etc. A- a heavier car, not Corvette. 2102 is about 1 step over L-48 cam.
Not enough for a CORVETTE. There is no problem matching a cam to your Corvette setup.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
Re: Best combination (Ganey)
Ganey: Is it really a waste of time and $$ to look at replacing cams, intake, and carb without new heads? I've been told the best way to REALLY increase HP is by starting with new heads and that the changes I'm looking to do are only piecemeal and will result in only minor HP gains? If so, I'll wait until the money is there and live with the stock setup.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
Re: Best combination (midget)
Strongly suggest you heed Ganey's words.....esp your cam selection. My "mild" 260H from CompCams has better stats than that one. It was recommended to me by Ganey BTW........ :cheers:
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Best combination (midget)
It's possible to make a dramatic day & night difference w/ stock heads by changing the cam. Esp. w/ a manual trans., so that's nonsense. Good time to change the intake as well, esp. if one does not have Al. to reduce wt., the intake basically adds about 15 more HP assuming you have stock intake.
Have changed cam & gears & beat guys w/ 50% more C.I. (Stock heads, intake, carb., etc. was supertuned.)
:cool:
Have changed cam & gears & beat guys w/ 50% more C.I. (Stock heads, intake, carb., etc. was supertuned.)
:cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 1,382
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Re: Best combination (midget)
Having "upgraded" many small block engines in the '70s, the best
"bang for the buck" is a cam and headers. Then carb/intake.
The "least" return on investment (power gains) are heads.
Thanks
Barry
"bang for the buck" is a cam and headers. Then carb/intake.
The "least" return on investment (power gains) are heads.
Thanks
Barry