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Predator Carbs: Anyone got one or heard about 'em.?

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Old 11-19-2000, 06:38 PM
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Car: 91 RS Convertible
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 peg leg
Predator Carbs: Anyone got one or heard about 'em.?

This question is just out of pure curiosity. I've always thought that these carbs looked neat. I was wondering if they were worth a damn, and if they were a pain in the butt. thanks

james
Old 11-19-2000, 06:41 PM
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Heard of 'em and seen pics of them...sure. They're not at all streetable from what I understand...pretty much a race car/novelty showcar thing. Course...I speak from no experience.
Old 11-19-2000, 11:14 PM
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Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
The constant velocity carb isn't a new idea. Harley started using CV carbs around 89 and Predator was using it before that. The old SU carbs from the 50's also used the idea. Instead of a butterly it uses a slide that opens and closes the venturi. This allows a variable apature depending on fuel demands.

I've seen some on a few race cars but that's about it. I'm sure it has advantages over a typical Holley but more people know how to work with a Holley than a Predator.

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Old 11-20-2000, 02:42 AM
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Car: '82 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: TH400 4,000 stall
Axle/Gears: Currie 9", 4.56 gears
My auto body/painting instructor has one just setting around his garage... he's thinking of putting it on his 350 blower motor for the hell of it. Engine is going in a 37 chevy coupe he's working on
Old 11-20-2000, 12:02 PM
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I hear that theyre tricky to tune from a guy that has one.
Old 11-20-2000, 12:19 PM
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Car: 91 RS Convertible
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 peg leg
They seem like they would be easier to tune than most carbs, because they seem simpler. What makes them tricky or not as streetable? Isn't there a 'street' design?
Old 11-20-2000, 05:10 PM
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: Blown 355 Small Block
Transmission: They always break!
He is right the Predator carburators are probably the easiest to tune. Because you require no tuning at all for them. Ive put one on a mild 350 without any problems.

In power they are comparable to Holleys WITH THE RIGHT MANIFOLD. They are ugly but get the job done.
Old 11-20-2000, 09:09 PM
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Car: 91 RS Convertible
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 peg leg
Which manifold is the right one? This may be my backup plan if I get frustrated during my TPI swap.
Old 11-21-2000, 04:09 PM
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Car: 91 RS Convertible
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 peg leg
Anyone got any ideas? I'm seriously considering this.
Old 11-22-2000, 08:21 PM
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I've always thought about getting one of those...they look taller than standard carbs though...anybody know about this? I've got a 4" cowl hood, but with an RPM intake, 1" carb spacer and 4" filter it's a tight fit.

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Old 12-03-2000, 03:48 AM
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Car: 87 IROC
Engine: LB9 for the moment
Transmission: T5
I had a friend that had one on a 383... every thing we tried was in vain... then we were told that if we got a blower it would work great... we put a holley on it and went out and had some fun...

zroc
Old 12-10-2000, 11:45 PM
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Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: Blown 355 Small Block
Transmission: They always break!
Don't quote me on this but from experience any manifold that doesnt respond well with holleys will respond well with a predator. Specially single plane manifolds.

They tend to work great with little to no vacuum
Old 12-11-2000, 07:19 PM
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My mechanic had two on a 6-71 blower. 600 horsepower 350 I believe. It was a pro-street car, an 87 Camaro. I believe these carbs are 1-barrel designs.
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