Carb options
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 240
Likes: 38
Carb options
Which is easiest to tune and upkeep, Q-Jet, Carter-Edelbrock, or Holley and any experiences with the Chinese knock-offs? Going carb today and not looking back. The last carbed car I had was a 1978 Olds Delta 88 with the factory Quadrajet that I never had to touch but was totally stock, before that a 302 Mustang II with a used Holley 650 vacuum secondary but that was 30 years ago. Ran good though. tbh never changed jetting on any 4 barrel car carb hence the topic.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
I've had Q-jets, and Edelbrocks but no Holleys. My experience was mainly with Edelbrocks. They will run good out of the box, then you can "tune" them if you want with different rods, but I never saw a difference in 0 to 60 times, and I bested my fuel injected Camaro's fuel milage. I had a very expensive rebuild done on a Q-jet, it was fine as delivered. The latest carb I bought is an Edelbrock from a pawn shop. All I did was lower the idle, it runs perfect. Starts instantly, electric choke opens fully after about 5 minutes, and settles into a smooth idle (with a admittedly small factory cam)
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 699
Likes: 162
From: Huntington WV
I've always liked Q-jets for street use. The off-idle and part-throttle response is great as well as fuel economy when you want it. If you have a pretty modded car and race alot then I would go with a Holley double pumper. Jet changes are easier and good parts availability but you can forget economy. So, Holleys for tuneability and racing, but QJs on a mild to stock engine that spends most of it's time on the street. Set it and forget it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2022
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Likes: 38
Guess I should have added the engine specs, stock 1984 350 that may be replaced with a 383 in the future. Might put in an RV cam before the 383. No intake manifold committed to yet, looking at a high rise or air gap unless that'll hurt off-idle response noticably.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,501
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From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Edelbroks are redesigned webbers. They are very friendly as far as tuning goes. Holleys are easy, but to a novice they can be tricky to tune.
If you get an air gap, you will not fit it under the hood. A low rise intake and a dropped base air cleaner 'might' fit under the hood.
If you get an air gap, you will not fit it under the hood. A low rise intake and a dropped base air cleaner 'might' fit under the hood.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 400
From: DFW TX
In my experience.... Tuning Q-jets is a lost art, Edlebrocks are really good out of the box for street use but suffer performance wise higher in the rpm range, Holley, easiest to tune for power but the worst on fuel mileage.
When I had my SBC S10 Blazer I modified the throttle linkage on a Holley and an Edlebrock to easily accept my throttle cable. The Edelbrock was for daily driving and tooling around and when I wanted to race or take it to the track, 10 mins to swap on the Holley. There was a 2-3 tenths difference between the two and that was with the same AFR at WOT.
Now if you could get a good Q-Jet with a proper tune, they are the best of both worlds and man do they sound good! But figuring one out on your own if it isn't right out of the box can be really tough. You might have to find a Q-jet guru and send it off with really good specs about your combo to get it right.
When I had my SBC S10 Blazer I modified the throttle linkage on a Holley and an Edlebrock to easily accept my throttle cable. The Edelbrock was for daily driving and tooling around and when I wanted to race or take it to the track, 10 mins to swap on the Holley. There was a 2-3 tenths difference between the two and that was with the same AFR at WOT.
Now if you could get a good Q-Jet with a proper tune, they are the best of both worlds and man do they sound good! But figuring one out on your own if it isn't right out of the box can be really tough. You might have to find a Q-jet guru and send it off with really good specs about your combo to get it right.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 240
Likes: 38
Edelbroks are redesigned webbers. They are very friendly as far as tuning goes. Holleys are easy, but to a novice they can be tricky to tune.
If you get an air gap, you will not fit it under the hood. A low rise intake and a dropped base air cleaner 'might' fit under the hood.
If you get an air gap, you will not fit it under the hood. A low rise intake and a dropped base air cleaner 'might' fit under the hood.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 189
Likes: 73
From: Christiansburg Va
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 189
Likes: 73
From: Christiansburg Va
What brand is it? Also I see that it has no heat crossover which can lead to drivability problems till the engine warms up, especially if you drive it in colder weather.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 240
Likes: 38
An off-brand.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Du...k/185514230239
True but I'm on the Texas gulf coast where summer heat is an issue with carb percolating.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Du...k/185514230239
Also I see that it has no heat crossover which can lead to drivability problems till the engine warms up, especially if you drive it in colder weather.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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On the earlier story of a big block 65 Impala engine explosion; a friend of the shop put a Mazda rotary in a Triumph Spitfire and during the first start it flooded raw gas into the muffler which exploded and lifted the car a foot off the ground blowing gravel everywhere!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
