I just purchased an 82 firebird and its completely original and in perfect condition. I wanted to ask if i should take off the q-jet and put a 650 holley carb on it. My goal with this car is to make it faster and more powerful than what it is now. Mid 15's and 160hp. I have already gotten a 3 inch exhaust system (flowmaster) an edelbrock RPM intake and am thinking about getting this 650 holley carb. If anyone has any input or suggestion, it would be appreciated. Thanks

 

With a proper engine under it, the stock carb is capable of quicker/faster times/speeds than a 650 Holley.

 

That Qjet will breathe 780 cfm, and its one of the best carbs made.

If you already have a Qjet and it works fine, leave it there. Its not losing you any power.

Now, if that manifold you got is a square bore, then you might need to go to a holley just so you don't have to use an adapter, but if you can keep the Qjet, then keep it. Its a good carb.

Do you have headers? Those will help you ALOT more than a carb will.

 

i do have nice headers. I have extreme energy headers 262h. So i have that covered. Ive just heard so much about each of these carbs. i personally really like the way this quadrijet runs. Anything else to maybe help a bit with some horsepower?

 

Air cleaner. The stock single snorkel is a flow killer.

Ignition coil and control module are often weak. The aftermarket covers that pretty well.

Port the stock heads, have the intake seats cut for 1.94" valves. New valve springs and retainers.

Higher stall torque converter to let the engine get up into the cam power band immediately. Higher number ratio gears in the diff.

After all that and what you've listed, you could consider a little better intake manifold like the Weiand Action + or GMPP q-jet manifold.