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Mar 30, 2004 | 12:36 AM

nicole81

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

From: colorado springs colorado

advice

new to the vette world, i love it already. i have an 81, with a few problems, but a good solid start. what about the q-jet? everyone says junk it, but the vette mechs say i can't cause of emmisions, any suggestions :chevy

Mar 30, 2004 | 12:40 AM

SanDiegoPaul

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 10,362

Likes: 5

From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!

Re: advice (nicole81)

Qjets are good carbs, only problem they are prone to is a vacuum leak at the throttle plate shaft. A good rebuilder will put new bushings in the throttle plate and get rid of that problem.

A bigger MUCH bigger issue with that carb is finding a tech that really understands it. Not one that can tune it with a gas analyzer, but rather, a competent mechanic that knows Quadrajets. Lars, here on the forum has the rep for just that kind of thing.

I used the new version of that carb, the Edlebrock Quadrajet. Edlebrock now owns the tooling they purchased from Rochester, so they really do still make Quadrajets. They are available for many generations, just check Summit for pricing.

Mar 30, 2004 | 12:45 AM

nicole81

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 5

Likes: 0

From: colorado springs colorado

Re: advice (SanDiegoPaul)

summit huh? thanks, for some reason the edlebrock name makes me feel better. i'm not so mechanically inclined, but more than willing to learn and definatly apperciate any advice. thanks :flag

Mar 30, 2004 | 02:53 AM

Desertdawg

Race Director

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 16,483

Likes: 1

From: The Only Corvette in Gila Bend, Az.

St. Jude Donor '09

Re: advice (nicole81)

Help might not be that far away,
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=785692

You just need to buy a six pack or 4 and go see "LAR's, Wizard tuner". He lives in your neighborhood.

And welcome to the Corvette Forum. :seeya

Mar 30, 2004 | 05:14 AM

Yeller81USNRet

Racer

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 386

Likes: 1

From: Grafton WV

Re: advice (Desertdawg)

The Q jet on our 81s is computer controlled and you can not just junk the carb and install another carb without some futher modifications.. There are a lot of folks here that are a lot more qualified than I to tell you what else needs to be changed.
Be careful before you decide to Junk that Carb....
:steering:

Mar 30, 2004 | 05:43 AM

71coupe

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2001

Posts: 2,429

Likes: 14

From: CA

Re: advice (nicole81)

The best Q-Jet tuner/rebuilder in the country is in your state. His name is Lars and is a regular on the forum. I think he rebuilds carbs for beer :D

Welcome to the forum :cheers:

Mar 30, 2004 | 06:35 AM

phxraptor

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 930

Likes: 1

From: Phoenix Az

Re: advice (nicole81)

I emailed Lars some time ago about rebuilding the Rochester on my 81. Unless he has changed his stance he told me at that time he does not do computer controlled carbs. :cheers: :seeya

Mar 30, 2004 | 08:34 AM

page62

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 7,456

Likes: 2

From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas

Re: advice (nicole81)

In the '81 model, the carb idle mixture, the distributor advance, and the transmission torque converter lockup are computer-controlled. You need to keep all of this if you have emissions testing in your area. However, if you decide to scrap the carb, you need to think about how what you're going to do about the other computer-controlled components.

For example, I helped a friend replace the stock carb and manifold with an Edelbrock manifold and Holley carb. At the same time, the distributor was replaced with an Accel HEI unit. There was a significant performance increase, but the car would have a hard time passing any sort of emissions inspection...

Good luck!
:seeya