Hi all,

OK, would really appreciate input.........I have a 1984 Trans Am (46K miles) that needs a new intake gasket and carb rebuild. The carb needs a complete rebuild (according to the dealer) coz of the higher elevation change from Milwaukee to Denver. Intake gasket replacement ($500) and carb rebuild ($520) total is over a grand. So an alternative I thought would be to buy Edelbrock aftermarket intake and carb (total cost approx $380) for more power and also being cheaper than dealer tweeking my original carb with untouched factory plugs.

However, there is 2 wire connection on the original carb in front of the primaries that has no where to go on the Edelbrock. Car has passed emissions good for 2 years and state may do away with testing soon anyway. What can I do to make this great Edelbrock work???? All other connections appear to have a place to be with the swap with some minor adjustments I can understand by myself. But this 2 wire connector is frustrating.........

Thanks for all input and suggestions! Need some help!

 

I think your dealer is trying to shaft you. An Edelbrock carb wouldn't give you any more power. If anything, you might even end up with less. Swapping the intake is the same amount of work as changing the intake gaskets, and there's no way it should cost $500. Your carb doesn't need to be "rebuilt" for a change in altitude either.

 

Dude you can get the gaskets for 12 bucks and a rebuild kit with instructions for less than 20 and I agree you don't ne to rebuild the quad just tune it unless it's never been done an you got a s#$% load of miles on it.

 

I'm considering taking the heads and having them ported and polished also. Would like to use the Edelbrock or other aftermarket that is easier to tune. The Qjet has the idle screws in the back and its not the friendliest carb. Dont think Pontiac could have made it much more difficult for the shade tree mechanic. Trying to get more than 190HP stock without spending too much. I would like about 250+. Exhaust is still like new and would hate to change to a better flowing one.

Thanks for the comments, keep them coming, Ill figure out something!

 

The Qjet doesn't have the idle mixture screws in the back, they're in the front. Headers and a cam would be the first place to get power from, not the carb and intake.

 

If you are or have moved to Denver, the stock carb is the only one that will pass the emissions visual inspection.

There is no way a stock carb needs to be rebuilt because you're moving to a higher elevation. It either needs to be rebuilt or it doesn't - the computer makes the altitude change adjustments for you.

And, ditto on the power thing. I'm still running a stock carb, on a bigger engine, with a bunch of power-making improvements. Don't fall for that "new carb for more power" baloney.

 

Maybe I will first start by replacing the intake gaskets myself and then go from there (havent decided if using the new intake yet). Thanks for the suggestions. I agree that it shouldnt cost so much just to have someone replace them at a dealership, even though there is alot of stuff to remove or move aside for access.

I also had thought about replacing the cam, but hesitant to mess with a low mileage engine. I might just break the 200hp mark with the new intake and get an adapter for the stock carb for it. Headers is another good idea for more.

Ill try and keep this thread updated. Im not afraid to tackle this stuff in my garage, but cant say I have much experience more than tune ups. Thanks for the support.

 

Ok if you want to get rid of it but I have found that except for some of the more expensive carbs like demons and such Qjets if properly tuned will blow away the competition now that's my opinion before anyone on here blasts me but I have 3 qjets on cars and they really run no bogging just outright zoom zoom.

 

The intake won't make much of a difference. A few horsepower, maybe, but until you do something about the exhaust and cam, the intake is pearls-on-a-swine.

Is this an L69 (VIN code G) or LG4 (VIN code H)? Getting an LG4 over 200 HP isn't too hard, but intake and carb change aren't required to do it - exhaust and cam (and air cleaner if LG4) are.

 

Bolting a squrebore carb like the Eddy to your original factory QJet intake is a bad idea. The factory intake is a 4-hole design below the carb that really only matches with a QJet (tiny primarys, huge secondaries)- adapters are available but don't really address the basic mismatch very well. Change from a QJet and you should change to an aftermarket manifold that can take a square bore carb at the same time.

Besides, if you're going to an aftermarket non-computer controlled carb you'll also need to ditch the factory computer controlled HEI distributor for an earlier non-computer controlled HEI distributor or it won't run right (computer throws the penalty flag and dials in a very tame ignition curve, amongst a few other bad things). You'll end up with less power regardless of what carb you use, and worse drivability and mileage too without changing the distributor.

If all this sounds like more than you want to tackle then stick with the factory computer controlled QJet system and just get it running right. You can change the intake gaskets yourself for almost nothing except your time. Rebuilding the Qjet, even at a professional shop (one that actually knows what they're doing with a comptuer controlled QJet- most don't), should not cost you more than $200. If you want to take a whack at it yourself you can buy a basic rebuild kit for $35 from any auto parts store. However, on top of that you have to know what you're doing to check the electronic parts (TPS sensor, Mixture control solenoid, electric choke) plus how to adjust these things properly or you're likely to screw it up bad. Computer controlled QJet are not for the novice. I could teach you how to do it in about 3-4 hours, but not over the internet- it only works hands-on (beleive me I've tried it over the internet- it ain't a good way to learn).

As was said above, the factory computer controlled carb leaves little or no power on the table if it's running right.

 

sorry it took so long to respond. you all convinced me to use my stock carb and it makes sense. originally i didnt want to mess with it too much since it still had the factory plugs in it and made me feel like i would destroy features in the car that are original.

ill place my stock QJet on my new intake after rebuilding it, or having it rebuilt. it would also clean up my engine. paid a hundred bucks for a new intake so it should be worth it anyhow on a low mileage engine to breath better- even if just a little bit. dont really want to do a cam, but considering upgrading the exhaust to a borla or other.

thanks again

 

yep, i forgot to mention that i have the L69 engine VIN G

 

yup, its a great idea. i may find someone here in my area to walk me through my first carb rebuild some weekend