Hey guys,

I recently bought an 84 Z28 305 HO, and I'm trying to get it to pass smog here in California. It runs ok but I think the carb definitely needs to be swapped or rebuilt ( its a re-manufactured E4ME Q-jet ). I took the carb out and it looks pretty bad, I would probably need to buy a lot of replacement parts to make it work.

I'm just wondering if I should continue on with the rebuild, or swap it with another carb and if I did, witch carb should I swap it with?

Thanks.

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Your choices of carbs in California:

1. Factory-type computer controlled q-jet.

2. Factory-type computer controlled q-jet.

3. Factory-type computer controlled q-jet.

4. Factory-type computer controlled q-jet.

5. Factory-type computer controlled q-jet.

...

So it seems like I don't have a lot of options.

The main thing I want to know is whether I should rebuild the carb or just buy another one.

Thats a good question. If it was me i would buy a reman from the parts store. I have never been good at rebuilding q-jets. They are proud of them at the parts store btw.

The only option not listed is a swap to a factory EFI system. That is going to get really involved (and probably expensive).

Depends upon how much confidence you have in yourself. All of the instructions will be included in the rebuilt kit instructions. Other parts you may need are a float, choke pull-off, mixture control solenoid, or throttle position sensor. And, of course, that assumes the poor carb wasn't FUBAR'd by whoever rebuilt it before.

The '86 system I first had in my Berlinetta #1 worked very well after I rebuilt it, when I discovered some emulsion tubes had fallen out of the air horn (just tapped them back into place before reassembling the carb).

I bought Berlinetta #2 in California with a fresh rebuilt q-jet on it. The adjustments on it were all screwed up, but somehow they got it to pass smog. But, it was a bear to start cold, and wouldn't stay running when I took it for emissions testing in Colorado (because the engine cooled off while I was waiting my turn in the testing station). After taking it home and setting everything to factory specs, it started and ran like a champ, and passed emissions easily.

I have no clue where the rebuilt carb came from on #2. All I know is once I did what whoever installed it should have done, it worked flawlessly.

So, again, up to you what you want to tackle - a relatively expensive rebuilt carb, or rebuilding the one you have yourself.

Of course, this assumes whatever is wrong with your car is being caused by the carb. You haven't given us sufficient detail for me to draw that conclusion yet.

One of the things wrong with the carburetor is the throttle shaft. It is worn down and loose on the primary and secondary throttles and I read that it should be fixed. I found kits to fix both of them online for around $140. This plus the price of the rebuild kit and any other parts that I may need to buy come close to the price of a newly rebuilt carb.

I'm leaning towards buying a remanufactured carb but I haven't made a final decision.

And also the carburetor isn't the only problem with the car. I need to buy a new catalytic converter and fix the EGR, but the carb is the first on my to-do list.