predator carbs ?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 510
Likes: 5
From: Pipe Creek TX
It has been 10-15 years since I've dealt with any of these. If I remember correctly ; the carb works very much like the secondary side of a Q-jet.
I believe there is a vacumn air valve on top and a mechanical on the bottom. I can't remember how we changed the mixture. Did it have jets or slide needles?
This design prevents over carbing so to speak ; only lets the engine have what the vacumn single sends the venturie.
From what I remember , they worked fine on a tunnel ram drag race engine a friend of mine had..
I do not know why they did not become more popular ; other than I think they cost more than a Holley in the beginning.
I believe there is a vacumn air valve on top and a mechanical on the bottom. I can't remember how we changed the mixture. Did it have jets or slide needles?
This design prevents over carbing so to speak ; only lets the engine have what the vacumn single sends the venturie.
From what I remember , they worked fine on a tunnel ram drag race engine a friend of mine had..
I do not know why they did not become more popular ; other than I think they cost more than a Holley in the beginning.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Very little info availible.
Only short description 'bout Predator Carbs in most carb books. But advantage is simplicity and almost no tuning. Disadvantage - $500 each. They do sell a street model that has idle circuit. And tunig is mostly changing cams and/or cam curves.
Good luck. cardo0
Good luck. cardo0
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
had one on a 4X4 once, not the best thing for street driving (seen worse, seen better). one real good backfire will rip the rubber backfire flappers (of couse they fall into motor when this happens) so that could be better.
they do great at WOT though, would be good for a drag car/ mud bogger, anything where your foots on the floorboard most of the time.
all in all, I'd rather have a Holley
they do great at WOT though, would be good for a drag car/ mud bogger, anything where your foots on the floorboard most of the time.
all in all, I'd rather have a Holley
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by ol,RJ
had one on a 4X4 once, not the best thing for street driving (seen worse, seen better). one real good backfire will rip the rubber backfire flappers (of couse they fall into motor when this happens) so that could be better.
they do great at WOT though, would be good for a drag car/ mud bogger, anything where your foots on the floorboard most of the time.
all in all, I'd rather have a Holley
they do great at WOT though, would be good for a drag car/ mud bogger, anything where your foots on the floorboard most of the time.
all in all, I'd rather have a Holley
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
Originally Posted by comp
did your have the street kit installed ?????
yes it was one of the later versions with street kit.
it wasn't bad, probably could have used more adjusting by someone who knew what they were doing. as I recall the tip-in was ok, every once and while it would buck after decellerating/rolling back into the throttle (only did it rarely).
for off roading they were the thing to have. I don't think I'd put one on a vette though, plenty of cheaper holleys that would work just as good (and come closer to fitting under the hood, I think that predator was about 8" tall).
RJ
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by ol,RJ
yes it was one of the later versions with street kit.
it wasn't bad, probably could have used more adjusting by someone who knew what they were doing. as I recall the tip-in was ok, every once and while it would buck after decellerating/rolling back into the throttle (only did it rarely).
for off roading they were the thing to have. I don't think I'd put one on a vette though, plenty of cheaper holleys that would work just as good (and come closer to fitting under the hood, I think that predator was about 8" tall).
RJ
it wasn't bad, probably could have used more adjusting by someone who knew what they were doing. as I recall the tip-in was ok, every once and while it would buck after decellerating/rolling back into the throttle (only did it rarely).
for off roading they were the thing to have. I don't think I'd put one on a vette though, plenty of cheaper holleys that would work just as good (and come closer to fitting under the hood, I think that predator was about 8" tall).
RJ
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
yep, it was a auto with stock converter.
actually it was on a jeep pickup, slightly mod'd 360ci motor (headers, intake) with 31" tires.
can't recall what year it was (this was back in 1989-90) might have been a 79 jeep.
actually it was on a jeep pickup, slightly mod'd 360ci motor (headers, intake) with 31" tires.
can't recall what year it was (this was back in 1989-90) might have been a 79 jeep.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,490
Likes: 0
From: A high school diploma fixing what a college degree broke TN
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
When they first came out a friend who was very much into anything "gimmicky" bought one.He ran it on a 350 in a 1970 Camaro,and it gave impressive launches (no bog) but seemed to lay down after the eighth mile.We later confirmed this at the track,switching from a Predator to a Holley picked up two tenths on a tunnel rammed 350 in a 23 altered.The first guy bought the cams and kit to make all the changes in tuning,but they never seemed to live up to their potential. 
