HEy guys i just got an 85 Trans am last friday. I took it to my friend who is a good mechanic and told me to get a holley 4160 750CFM carb. I was also wondering if it would be possible to install a a street scoop from summit racing part number sum-g3106-1 it is the one with the three holes that comes through your hood. This car is my daily driver would it be wise to put that in??? Any help would be great thank you guys

what size is your motor, and is there anything done to it

well to my best knowledge(what the guy i bought it from told me) the car is tock i mean there is even the spare with the jack and tire iron also the original 1985 owners manual. but i want to put the new carb in to open her up a little more but there is a nice package deal from summit racing it brings a 600cfm carb, the intake, linkage, fuel lines, gaskets, bolts, everything you need im going to go with that but i dont know how it will turn out. With the scoop can i drive it in the rain is there a filter inside of that scoop??? thanks for the replies.

In my opinion I would hold off for a few weeks/months. Even if it is original, make sure everything is in running order. I bought my 82 camaro back in april and just about now everything is in running order. Sounds like you know good mechanic so this won't be that bad of a problem. But we had to adjust and tweek things to get it in a perfect running order. That kit does sound like a good deal. But the first month I had problems with fuel pump, oil pump, I lost all oil pressure for no reason and broke a push rod, battery has died anywhere between 5-10 times, new altenator, new power brake booster. I am just saying I would drive it around if you don't have a huge sum of cash, a good spare $500 on extra parts to make sure it runs good. If you have the cash, then I would say that sounds like a good deal.

Congratulations on your T/A and welcome to 3rd Gen!

Now, if your car really is "stock" and has never been mucked with, then there will be the cc-q-jet, and cc distro (cc=computer controlled). One cannot simply replace one of those components with non-cc equipment without changing the other. If you replace the cc-q-jet you must replace the cc-distro with a non cc-distro. Then you have to worry about the TCC lock-up. If this is your daily driver, the TCC not locking up is harsh on the tranny. Why do you need to switch to a Holley so soon? Is the car not running well right now? If so, simply switching to a Holley 750 isn't going to help. As TheMonster stated, it would be wise to get your engine running at optimum, and then go from there. One of the best ways to "open up" the motor is with a nice free flowing header/exhaust system. That will get you the most bang for the buck at first. Take it easy, if you know someone who is good with a q-jet that would be the person to talk with. Q-jets are very good fuel mixers, and hold a tune waaaaaay longer than any Holley can. If you don't have much experience with q-jets you may be suprised to learn just how well a properly built/tuned/modified q-jet performs. Give it a chance.

Oh yeah, that scoop you are talking about? Your car isn't fast enough to justify that sticking out of the hood. Besides you'd have to cut up your car! Don't take it too hard, it's just my opinion, and I'm old.

Do you want a poser, or a performer?

If a poser, then go ahead and do what it will take to put the Holley and scoop on. It won't run any faster, will probably be slower, will almost certainly be harder to drive, and in all likelihood will get much worse fuel economy (to say nothing about all of this being completely illegal). By the way, a Holley won't bolt to a stock intake manifold. And, a 750 is way too big for a stock 305. Plus a 4160 is the wrong choice in any case.

If you want a performer, go to the FAQ forum and find the thread about the differences between 305's and performance improvement. You won't see "carb replacement" very high on the list - in fact, it isn't on the list until after other modifications make the car unstreetable. All of that also applies to a 350, if that is in your future.

We're more than happy to help you get more out of your car, but the advice you've received so far is completely backward.

Agreed.

Also I thought it was a 350, don't go with a 750. ='/

"One of the best ways to "open up" the motor is with a nice free flowing header/exhaust system. That will get you the most bang for the buck at first."

Uh, exactly how so?

Aren't headers/exhaust the very first item addressed by you in the FAQ thread suggested?

If the Qjet is there and works fine, leave it alone - its one of the best carbs out there for performance, reliability, and economy - despite what many will tell you. The Holley isn't necessary, and won't gain you anything over the Qjet if its working fine. Also, if you do change to the Holley, you'll need a different distributor as well, as its not compatible with the computer controlled distributor your car would have come with originally.

That said, if you ARE looking for more performance, headers and exhaust system is definitely first on the list. Headers and a good 3" exhaust system will make a VERY noticeable difference in power and sound. Sometimes even boosts fuel economy slightly (sometimes). Theres no downside at all to doing that.

I was referring to the advice he got to put on the Holley.

Won't fit on a stock intake manifold, either.

Yes, this as well... rereading my post, I'm surprised I left that out!