Hey guys, I have been racking my brains here and have decided the best way to get the answer is to post this.
I have a 1987 Trans Am with a 305 4bbl, it isn't the feedback setup any more. The original Q-jet was fried because the previous owner had no idea how to work on cars. Anyways, I have borrowed a carb from my buddies stock car until I can get another. I can get a reman Holley 600 cfm for $300 but it will need a 3/4" spacer plate. I know that space is tight under there. Will this carb fit with a stock intake manifold? Will I have to get an aftermarket airfilter or intake manifold? I have limited funds, so this has become an issue for me.

 

i would think that there should be enough hood clearance with the stock manifold. the stock manifold i took off my car had a very low profile phleum (i think thats whats its called....i am talking about the area where the carb bolts too and directs the fuel air mixture into the rest of the intake), where as the edelbrock performer that i put on had a taller, more of a high rise phleum and it seems to me that the edelbrock was alot taller than stock Q-jet intake (more than 3/4 of an inch). i seemed to have enough room under the hood (i am running the a dual snorkel air cleaner i made using the factory air cleaner). so i would think that the remanufactured holley should fit under there even with the 3/4" spacer. thats my experience, but i could be wrong.

 

Hey Brad, I was told that my best option was to go with an Edelbrock intake, and then I would only need a thin spacer plate for the Holley.I would need an intake with the EGR setup and they are running at about $300-$350 + tax. But it's good to know that you were able to get it to fit. I'll just have to see how it all works out, I guess.

 

If you want an economical non computer controlled
carb , try this . Go to Canadian Tire and have them look up a
Quadra jet for a 69 Chevelle 350 or 396. It is a better alternative
"universal replacement carb" than a 600 holley for your car.

Last time I checked it was dirt cheap compared to other
carbs like your origonal computer feed back carb ($300 to 400). Should be right around $200.

It will bolt right onto your qjet manifold. This is the old style 4mv
type carb. There will be minor choke hookup issues. Jetting will be real close to optimum for your car. Plug the EGR into "ported
vacuum".
If you're going to bypass the computer controlled carb,
you will need to replace the distributor with a vacuum advance '75 to 84 HEI distributor as yours has no built in advance system at all other than the computer.
This way you won't have to bother with carb adapters and hood clearance problems.
You can buy jets, metering rods and any other high-perf parts to fine tune your new Q-jet from Edelbrock in most auto parts/speed shops including C.T.C. But try it "out of the box" first. These carbs are rated at 750 cfm
and when tuned right will outperform a 600 holley on the street,
with better mileage too.

 

yeah those damn performer egr manifolds are way more expensive. see if you can find one used. that would save you a bunch. but seeing as you already dont have a the original computer controlled carb and you are getting a holley, why not just get the regular performer, cause as long as you have a working cataylic converter and the car is tuned properly you might be able to pass emissions anyway. that way you would save a bunch on the intake and it will be easier to find a regular performer used.

 

F-BIRD 88,

that Q-jet carb is only 200 bucks? and they remanufactured ones or what? that seems like a real good deal.

 

I should have mentioned that the original distributor had been replaced at some time before I bought it. Probabley by the moron that wrecked the carb.There was too many amps going to the carb, as my mechanic explained to me. That's what fried it.Everyone that I talked to, I made sure they knew that it was no longer C.C.

 

Yes they are reman's check it out before you comit
your self to a holley and adapter.

My friend and I were in ctc checing ona price for a carb for his
pickup and were shocked by the price so I got the parts guy
to look up a 69 chevelle 396 and it was real cheap.

I used to have a 68 chevelle 396 with a qjet and it found its way onto 3 other cars after the chevelle was long gone.
So I know they are a smooth carb.

 

thats sweet....if i never need a "new" carb i will head right to good olde canadian tire. thanks for the info.

 

$300 seems like a lot of money for a 600 holley.

Generally you can buy a good used one for $100 to $150
and the rebuild kit is cheap, if it needs freshening.

I'd try and go for the Qjet on a Qjet manifold, even a performer.

All carbs go sour when they wear out but its hard to beat a good running Qjet on a mild street car. Especially if ya tweek'em a bit.
There is lots of info on this site the help ya do that.

Good old Newfie Speed- an'- Sport eh!!! LOL