nice carb upgrade from the quadrajet
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
nice carb upgrade from the quadrajet
Hey, I have an 1981 Vette with the stock Rochester quadrajet. Can anyone give me advice on possible adding another carb that will give me better performance. Or tell me a good carb. company that can supply me with my original rebuilt. Thanks ahead of time.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Can't answer your question unless we know if you still have the 1-year-only ECM, etc still operational (or not). If you do, you must rebuild the stock carb or find another just like it. If you do not have the stock ECM, etc. working, you MUST replace the carb....otherwise, it will always run rich and crappy.
Since you have a spread-bore intake, it would be best to put a NON-electronic Q-jet back on the engine. Rebuilt and set up properly, the Q-Jet will perform equally or better than any other carb you might select.
Since you have a spread-bore intake, it would be best to put a NON-electronic Q-jet back on the engine. Rebuilt and set up properly, the Q-Jet will perform equally or better than any other carb you might select.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 881
Likes: 113
Can't answer your question unless we know if you still have the 1-year-only ECM, etc still operational (or not). If you do, you must rebuild the stock carb or find another just like it. If you do not have the stock ECM, etc. working, you MUST replace the carb....otherwise, it will always run rich and crappy.
Since you have a spread-bore intake, it would be best to put a NON-electronic Q-jet back on the engine. Rebuilt and set up properly, the Q-Jet will perform equally or better than any other carb you might select.
Since you have a spread-bore intake, it would be best to put a NON-electronic Q-jet back on the engine. Rebuilt and set up properly, the Q-Jet will perform equally or better than any other carb you might select.
If you have already dumped (or will dump) the ECM, you'll also NEED a different distributor; like fitted to 74 thru 80 C3.
this one https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-93440806
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 979
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Since Lars does not do the 81 ECM Qjets and associated Distributor, I would ditch that bad boy, saving everything for posterity, and consider Holley 4175 650 CFm vacuum secondary Qjet replacment carb like I have had since 1985...great carb that runs great, relatively simple, easy to tune, easy to rebuild and makes the same power as the factory qjet......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
If you have an auto transmission, and ditch the ecm, you will also have to install another way for the transmission torque converter to lock up. You could install the vacuum operated switch from a 1980 or I believe there are switches available from the aftermarket.
If the ecm is still operational, it still should control the torque converter lock up, even if the carb and distributor are replaced.
If the ecm is still operational, it still should control the torque converter lock up, even if the carb and distributor are replaced.
Last edited by mark79,80; Sep 27, 2020 at 03:15 PM.
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Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
When you say "better performance", what do you mean by that? If it runs fine right now......leave it alone. BUT, if it has issues.....convert everything to 1980 specs and live happily ever after.
There are many threads about this......do a search.
Jebby
There are many threads about this......do a search.
Jebby