C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Carburetor choices

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 4, 2004 | 08:36 PM
  #1  
Mr. JZR's Avatar
Mr. JZR
Thread Starter
7th Gear
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
Default Carburetor choices

Hey guys,

I'm trying to decide which carburetor to buy for my 1973 Vette.

350 L-82 motor with stock carb. and intake. Trying to add a little more umph! Already running 2-1/4" exhaust pipes with airturbines, so I thought a 700/750 cfm carb was in order.

Any suggestions on a Holley that would fit would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2004 | 08:50 PM
  #2  
glen242's Avatar
glen242
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Default

Originally Posted by Mr. JZR
Hey guys,

I'm trying to decide which carburetor to buy for my 1973 Vette.

350 L-82 motor with stock carb. and intake. Trying to add a little more umph! Already running 2-1/4" exhaust pipes with airturbines, so I thought a 700/750 cfm carb was in order.

Any suggestions on a Holley that would fit would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Adding a new carb to a stock vehicle will not improve performance unless the present carb need rebuilt.

Holly is not the where all, be all, that many make it out to be.

I am assuming that you have a Q-Jet.

Get some technical books on how engines operate. A Q-Jet is at least 750 cfm, and because of its design, will work on a stock 350, where as a Holly 700-750 will probably overcarb the engine.

If a rebuild is needed, check with Lars.

BTW, what are exhaust airturbines?
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2004 | 09:58 PM
  #3  
mandm1200's Avatar
mandm1200
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Default

I got to agree with the above. A good working Q-jet is fine. A bad working Q-Jet is a different story. I would suggest a 600 or 650 cfm Holley if you want to go that route. A 750 is pushing it even for a high performance, high rpm 350. Going from a 650 to 750 may get you 2 or 3 more horses, but the car will definetly have a better punch at 1500 rpm with the 650.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2004 | 10:37 AM
  #4  
BigBlockk's Avatar
BigBlockk
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 1
From: North Bend Ohio
Default

You would do better to get a set of headers on this engine. Then put turbo mufflers and 2.5" exhaust pipe all the way to the rear bumper. Tune your carburator to match this combo, you may find this is all you need.

If not, then take the heads off and get a street port job done on them. While the heads are off you really should change the intake manifold with something conservative form Edelbrock. A cam change would be real easy to do while the heads and intake are off. Don't go wild here, just a little more lift and duration than stock. Retune the carburator to match the new air flow characteristics of the engine.

This is going to have you in the 320 to 340 horse power range. You'll notice that that nasty old Quadrajet carburator is still there. If you need more than this put a blow through turbocharger on it.

Recalibrate that nasty old Quadrajet to work with the blower.

Hope this helps.

BigBlockk

Later.....
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2004 | 11:13 AM
  #5  
73jst4fun's Avatar
73jst4fun
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Default

Your stock Q jet is rated at 750cfms and can work fine with a good tuning. .I changed the intake to a high rise and was running a Holley 780 vacuum secondary with a good tuning and it ran just fine before I went the cam, heads, headers, and other goodies route....

Last edited by 73jst4fun; Dec 5, 2004 at 11:39 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2004 | 11:33 AM
  #6  
chuck d's Avatar
chuck d
Pro
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 713
Likes: 1
From: plymouth mass
Default Holley Carb

I am running a Holley 600CFM single feed on a LT1 intake on my 350. I have a 650 double pumper but never installed it. Oh, I have a Comp 268H cam too. The 600 works out great but I am still tempted to try the 650.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2004 | 12:00 PM
  #7  
SteveG75's Avatar
SteveG75
Race Director
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,040
Likes: 672
From: FL
Default



You will see zero increase with a new carb if the Q-Jet is working OK. If you need to tune the Q-Jet, I recommend Lars' papers at www.corvettefaq.com .

My combo: .030 over 350, Edelbrock RPM heads, Edelbrock 2101 manifold, Crane HR276 roller cam (~214/222 @.050), Hooker sidepipes, and a retuned (using Lars' info) Quadrajet.

I get 20 mpg on the highway at cruise and have no traction in 1st or 2nd. Best of both worlds.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2004 | 12:23 PM
  #8  
Mr. JZR's Avatar
Mr. JZR
Thread Starter
7th Gear
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
Default

Thanks for all the input!

Yes, I do have a Q-jet on right now but it runs poorly. My problem occurs up in 3rd and 4th gear at high rpms. When I start to accelerate quickly it begins to bog down, but if I let off and slowly accelerate it works just fine...weird (kinda like it's running too lean)

I did find a refurbished Q-jet for $269.00 but wasn’t sure if I should just bite the bullet and buy a new Q-jet?

I will take some pictures of the airturbines
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Dec 5, 2004 | 12:59 PM
  #9  
ngcolby's Avatar
ngcolby
Pro
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 732
Likes: 1
From: Green Lake Wisconsin
Default

I'd get ahold of a rebuild kit for your q-jet and also get Lars' paper on how to tune it. You should be good to go at that point.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2004 | 01:05 PM
  #10  
Solid LT1's Avatar
Solid LT1
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Default

Originally Posted by chuck d
I am running a Holley 600CFM single feed on a LT1 intake on my 350. I have a 650 double pumper but never installed it. Oh, I have a Comp 268H cam too. The 600 works out great but I am still tempted to try the 650.
The Holley 4776 (600cfm) and 4777 (650) carbs have the same venturii bodies the only difference is the 1.5" dia throttle blades on the 600cfm and the 650 has the 1 11/16" dia throttle blades. I would run a 650 because you should not experience and fuel signal loss as the veturii diameter and booster venturii are the exact samt for both carbs. The only time I have used 600cfm Holleys is on the old Chevy Z/28 Xram intake as you are fighting for fuel distribution and signal at every stage of the game with this intake (NASCAR 390cfm double pumper work well on this intake with a "little" 302.) The L-82 actually has a decently sized cam and should run well with a 650cfm Holley and if you have a 4 speed you may want to look at the Brodix HVH 1016 intake to keep your hood clearance and "trick" cold air intake set-up.
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2004 | 03:53 PM
  #11  
SteveG75's Avatar
SteveG75
Race Director
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,040
Likes: 672
From: FL
Default

Originally Posted by Mr. JZR
Thanks for all the input!

Yes, I do have a Q-jet on right now but it runs poorly. My problem occurs up in 3rd and 4th gear at high rpms. When I start to accelerate quickly it begins to bog down, but if I let off and slowly accelerate it works just fine...weird (kinda like it's running too lean)
Sounds like your air valve spring has gotten weaker over the years. If the secondary air valve opens too quickly, you get the dreaded "Quadra-bog". This is very sensitive to adjustment and you don't want to crank on it or you'll break the spring. Use Lars' paper and try tightening the spring by about 1/12 to 1/8 of a turn.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Carburetor choices





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:45 AM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE