i'm running a carb setup right now, but the holley is old and tired, plus the vac sec. arent working right (something i could fix, but dont know if i really want to at this point). i've been looking to go to a qjet setup for a little while and even have a qjet sitting 1/2 way through a rebuild. however, after talking to a few guys who've been doing this for awhile, i was told there are some qjets that are better than others when it comes to street/strip cars. i know jets, rods, hangers will make a difference, but are there certain non-cc qjets that lend themselves better to tweaking/modding/etc? one recommended to me was off a late 60s camaro. any other ones that would be a good place to start? or should i just get an inexpensive rebuilt one (i have them at work for as little as $100) and play from there? thanks

 

The late 60s ones are the ones to get.

The best core I know of is 7029202.... came on 69-70 350s with double-hump heads; mostly in Impalas, station wagons, Malibus, things of that nature.

The carb is not particularly associated with the sheet metal, except for its calibration sometimes being adjusted for car weight. It doesn't have to come from a Camaro.

You don't want ANY 70s or newer carb (704- #, or 170- anything), because it will be too smogged to be of any use; or a carb off of any other brand of car, because of things like fuel line fitment, choke hookups, etc.

 

thanks for the help. seeing as i can get one of these freshly rebuilt for about $100, thats sounds like what i'll probably do. also order up some DR's and a couple hangers, and i should be good to go.

any other suggestions?

 

I wouldn't completely write off the smog-era Qjets, there were some very nice ones to be had IMO, particularly those with the adjustable primary rods. While it's true that in stock form they were completely smogged out, it takes relatively little to make these carbs run hard.

-B

 

well, at the moment i'm not too concerned with emissions because CT doesnt have any (at least for the time being). i have an egr manifold that can be used just in case, but not a big issue. overall, i'm hoping to maintain the gas milage or get a little better than what i have now. my 600 cfm 4160 is a bit tired out and i dont really care to work on it anymore. i also dont have money to get another holley/demon/bg/etc at the moment, but want something other than whats on the car. i know a lot can be done with these things in the right hands, and i can get one for around 1/3 the price of any of the aftermarket stuff. i also do own the Doug Rowe book, so i'll be doing a bit of reading for some tricks. the car's nothing crazy, but deffinately much more motor than stock (sbc 400, edelbrock performer, full exhaust, summit cam 1103, th350, the unfortunate 882 heads). so i think i'm somewhat on the right track.

please feel free to correct me/help me if i missed something

 

Late '60s, like RB said.

The late '60s Qjets that were on big blocks are the best ones... they flow more than regular Qjets IIRC. Something like 850cfm.

But those are on engines like the 325hp 396 and the Impala 427. I wouldn't count on one of those lying around at Buck's Auto Parts.