armybyrd

iTrader: (4)

I've posted a few threads with no feedback so hopefully the carb section has better results. I've got a 91 350 from a van and 062 vortec heads. This will be going in my 89 firebird the was originally a 305 tbi/t5 car. I've also got a carbed 305 and manual tranny from an 82 z28 with the factory quadrajet. This will be a weekend driver. Before I get my vortec intake I need to decide what carb I'll be using but I've got no experience with carbs. I'm hoping for something user friendly and would appreciate the input.

skinny z

Which engine are you looking to select a carb for? The 305 and the 350 will have different needs. The CFM is directly related to cubic inches, max rpm and engine efficiency.
As for the type, I'm partial to any of the Holley 4150 style regardless of brand. I've used Holley, Barry Grant and QFT all with satisfying results.
The end use will dictate whether or not a vacuum or mechanical secondary is needed although you CAN'T go wrong with a vacuum carb regardless of it's intended use. Perhaps about the only place a mechanical takes precedence is a dedicated racing engine. Up to and including that point, a vacuum carb will provide equal and in most cases, better results. I'm speaking of drivability and fuel economy in particular.

armybyrd

iTrader: (4)

I will be using the 1991 350 with vortec heads. Will I need to use a non computer controlled distributor? Would the 82s quadrajet be non computer controlled?

skinny z

I can relate what I did and I found it to be the easiest and also offer some tunability. I used a non computer controlled distributor as it runs with only one wire. An HEI is about as simple as it gets. I'm not sure if the 91 wiring is easily adaptable to your 89 wiring harness which is why I'd choose to go the conventioanl distributor route.
My 84 had a conventional quadrajet however that was a Canadian car. It's probably a safe bet that the 82 you have is also not a CCC style however I can't say for certain.

Scorpner

iTrader: (4)

A computer controlled carb has additional wiring for solenoids (and you would notice the solinoids). I have no problem with using the Quadrajet, but make sure to check the fuel intake threads and the throttle shaft bore. IIRC, the fuel intake includes the filter that needs to be changed/checked periodically. The Q-Jet is a spread bore which means the primary’s are smaller than the secondaries which is supposed to help with fuel efficiency. Try finding the part number/s on it to identify what you have and then keep googling to find out if it is something you can use. I'm assuming your intake choice is dependent of squarebore vs. spreadbore? IIRC, some intakes allow for both but I would avoid any kind of adapter if you're thinking of switching over at some point. Again, look at some images of the two and research the differences on intakes so that you are familiar with them as well as the adapters. BTW, this is different than the differences in Vortec vs. standard heads.

You are probably going to get a lot of different opinions between the choices of carburetors based on what people are used to tuning. Could search youtube and/or google for actual tuning how to's for each to see what's actually involved. A lot of it is personal choice imo which is why I'm suggesting doing some research on it. I agree on bypassing everything and running a stand alone distributor. I’m not sure if the '82 dizzy will work, but I agree that the '82 Q-Jet should be non-computer controlled.

User friendly would be a new Airgap (7501), Holley, and a stand alone distributor, but that can get expensive. I like the Holley DP's myself.
I think this is the dizzy I used.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/msd-8365

rusty vango

my opinion is ,,,,,if you have no experience with carbs. AND you are going to buy a new one. get a edelbrock/ carter AFB. the reason I say this is, they are simple and quite user friendly. holleys on the other hand ,not so much. they take skill and a butt load of patience to get right. if you want to go OEM,. a Rochester quadrajet is hard to beat.

armybyrd

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for all the input. I've decided to go with the quadrajet since I already have it from the 82s 305, an edelbrock 2116 Intake to go with the vortec heads and I'm still open to cam ideas.

jwfirebird

iTrader: (2)

i have a quad on my shelf, they are not easy to learn on, the holley dp everybody and their brother have had one and its much easier to tune, and none of them work very well without being tuned. i went with a mallory billet drop in because they are only like 150 now and have all the high po features and easy adjustments.

armybyrd

iTrader: (4)

Just order an edelbrock 2116 for my 91 350 - does anyone know the best gaskets to use with this? Also are there any other parts I'll need to use my quadrajet?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

That depends entirely upon what it came out of. If it was an '82 f-body or other passenger car delivered in the U.S., it will be computer controlled. If it came out of a truck or van, it may very well be non-computer controlled.

armybyrd

iTrader: (4)

It's out of a 82 z28 so I guess I'll add a new dizzy to the list. Is it alright to buy used at a junkyard? If so what year should I be looking for?

jwfirebird

iTrader: (2)

if you want to use a junkyard one you may end up replacing the icm/coil/cap/rotor. the one you want would be out of most any 70s chev v8. it will have a vacuum booster can and there are 4 wires, two go back into the dist by the can and the other two the pink goes to the key on and white is tach.

armybyrd

iTrader: (4)

Alright it's too easy to change the coil cap and rotor. Will the wires be different in my car since it was originally tbi?

jwfirebird

iTrader: (2)

the wires in the car might be, i think mine were the same color, on a 2.8 mpfi, but its been so long i cant be certain. i would grab some of the harness from the JY car to make a pigtail, solder and heatshrink the pigtail to the wires on your car

Blacky79transam

Hello everyone I'm in the same predicament i have a 82 z28 Camaro 305 auto trans not sure what trans tho, with a factory quadrajet cc and i would like to upgrade to a non cc carburetor. Going to swap in later a 350 with a t56 but need a better carb for now as well as a dizzy cause of it being cc any help would be appreciated thanks. post here or pm me with details

jwfirebird

iTrader: (2)

blacky- you have a million options. t56 doesnt require any special wiring, the speedo wont work. i just leave a gps in mine, its easy and cheap these days. as far as the carb depends what you want to do. i put a holley dp on mine, very simple to tune. anything you put on it will need tuned to run properly. as far as the ign you can drop in a earlier hei or a hei from summit or jegs. the aftermarket ones are way more adjustable and easy to change. stock ones are cheap. as far as your current setup if it works i wouldnt mess with it till you intend to change the engine. you wont be gaining anything

65panhed

I recommend a Holley 6210 for a manual trans. Maybe a 7002 0r 80555 for an auto trans. My car with the 6210 starts faster than FI and I can tune any parameter of it that I need to.

Blacky79transam

that is why i am wanting to change it it has given me nothing but problems low power and chokes out going up parking garage ramps

mainstreetspeed

hey armybyrd I was following up on your project just seeing how its going . im working on my iroc and switched to carb

armybyrd

iTrader: (4)

Had a little setback. I was taking my 350 apart and the head slipped and broke my foot. I'm on crutches for about 12 weeks :0
Aside from that I'm picking up a powerbulge hood and spare t5 next week. Hopefully this weekend I'll get the rest of the 350 torn down so I can have it prepped at a machine shop. Also have to find a non cc dizzy and quadrajet which I'll most likely pick up at the local pull n pay.

armybyrd

iTrader: (4)

Have you already finished the swap to the carb setup?

jwfirebird

iTrader: (2)

sounds to me like a fuel pump going or something like that. or something wrong with the fuel bowl setup so it doesnt have enough gas tilted. i dont know very much about qjets but i am sure if its not messed up you shouldnt have any issues