Carburetors Carb discussion and questions. Upgrading your Third Gen's carburetor, swapping TBI to carburetor, or TPI to carburetor? Need LG4 or H.O. info? Post it here.

tuning carburetor on Vortec headed 355

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 8, 2006 | 11:54 PM
  #1  
MattW's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood, Indiana
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: Vortec 355
Transmission: TH-700R4
Axle/Gears: GM Axles and GM 3.73
tuning carburetor on Vortec headed 355

-Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake Manifold
-Holley 670CFM Street Avenger Carburetor
-Ported and Polished Vortec Heads
-XE268 Camshaft Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 268/280, Lift .477/.480
-shorty headers w/y-pipe to 3" hooker catback
-3.73 gears


it has the stock jetting right now which is....primary:65 secondary:68

i have access to a jet kit and secondary spring kit and i am going to the drag strip this weekend and i was just wondering if anyone might have a similar setup and be able to give me a good starting point as to what to change the jets and springs to....i ran a 13.5 with no tuning whatsoever so hopefully i can drop off a couple more tenths if i tune it right.....thanks!
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2006 | 11:58 PM
  #2  
xpndbl3's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,622
Likes: 5
From: Orland Park, IL
Car: 1984 Z28
Engine: SLOW carbed ls
Transmission: TH400 with brake, 8" PTC converter
Axle/Gears: moser 9" 4.11
shut the car off right as you cross the traps and coast to the return road, get your slip then pull a plug and read it. black/grey is rich and white is lean. look for a brownish tan to slightly black color and adjust jetting accordingly. at the track getting as close to a "Square" jetting has gotten the best MPH for me, but yours may vary. jet up or down and launch the same way and remember to change one thing at a time to not confuse where the gains were made. don't go by ETs only mph as that is the indication of horsepower.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2006 | 09:09 AM
  #3  
five7kid's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 46
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Man, if you've got a primary PV and do better at the track with square jetting, you really need to up the jetting by half the difference between the two for your street jetting. The secondaries should be 6-8 jet sizes larger than the primaries, because the primaries have the PV flow added to them when vacuum drops.

Matt, you want to drop 2 tenths? Dump that SA and get yourself a 650 double pumper. I seriously doubt you'll ever get 2 tenths out of tuning the SA. It just isn't a performance carb.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2006 | 11:12 AM
  #4  
xpndbl3's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,622
Likes: 5
From: Orland Park, IL
Car: 1984 Z28
Engine: SLOW carbed ls
Transmission: TH400 with brake, 8" PTC converter
Axle/Gears: moser 9" 4.11
on a double pumper both the fronts and rears have power valves so isn't the flow essentially the same?
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 01:51 AM
  #5  
five7kid's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 46
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Most double pumpers only have a PV in the primaries.
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 03:01 PM
  #6  
xpndbl3's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,622
Likes: 5
From: Orland Park, IL
Car: 1984 Z28
Engine: SLOW carbed ls
Transmission: TH400 with brake, 8" PTC converter
Axle/Gears: moser 9" 4.11
hmmm my 850 double pumper has a power valve front and rear, as did my other 750 that I sold off last season. But I always leave the primaries leaner for the street and go up 4-6 sizes or so at the track for best times and the carb is almost square jetted each time I track it.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2006 | 10:02 AM
  #7  
five7kid's Avatar
Moderator
25 Year Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 46
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
If it has a PV both primary and secondary, then jet it square. On the street, the PV will be closed for cruise, leaning it out sufficiently for non-power conditions.

That's the whole point of the PV.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MustangBeater20
TBI
11
Oct 29, 2022 09:20 PM
84z96L31vortec
Tech / General Engine
7
Aug 20, 2017 12:16 AM
Tinbender59
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
5
Mar 17, 2017 10:50 AM
L98GTA87
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
1
Aug 11, 2015 06:55 PM
84z96L31vortec
North East Region
1
Aug 10, 2015 08:27 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:13 AM.