Hey all-
I was wondering what kind of input you all can give me on doing a carb switch on my Z. I am running a QJet right now with all that vaccum junk and emissions garbage. I want to change my distributor, and switch to a Holley, so I can take all the emissions stuff off. If I do this, will I be able to pass Texas State Inspections. The engine is brand new, and I would have the new carb and dist. I was just curious to know whether i would be able to pass with the new system, or if I have to keep the Q and vaccum crap. Thanks for the help.

 

Do they open the hood during the inspection? Do they know what they're looking for? Do they care what they see?

If the answers to the above are "yes", then the answers to your questions are "no" you won't pass, and "yes", you need to keep the q-jet and emissions "equipment".

If the answer to my first question is "no", the others don't matter and you may pass - depends upon the sophistication of the testing equipment. For instance, some sniffers check for NOX, so you need a functioning EGR; others don't, so if they don't look for it physically, they won't know it's not there by the testing.

Also, the Holley is a squarebore mount, the q-jet a spreadbore. You say you have a new engine, but didn't say anything about an intake manifold. The Holley won't mate to your stock intake, and adapters cause headaches not worth it. However, manifolds are available, such as the Weiand Action+, that will mount either.

Although people on this board with experience dealing with emissions testing in your area can be a valuable resource, you might want to just call or go down and talk to the emissions people and get the info directly. Ask questions such as, "How is the inspection conducted?" rather than "Can I get by with..." They may even have brochures that tell you what you need to know.

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82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/'87 LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, World 305 heads, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere w/open diff & slipping tranny. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.

 

Thanks for the info aobut the bolt patterns on the Holley, that will help me decide what to do. Will the bolt pattern on the Edelbrock match up to my stock intake? Or am i going to have to buy a new intake along with the new carb and dist? thanks

 

Living in Hawaii, I've never had to pass any emmissions tests, but I do know that you can lean your idle and primary circuit fuel mixtures on a Holley enough to run clean and mean for a sniff test. Just turn the idle mixture way down and jet the primaries down two sizes. If they're strict in enforcing the visual inspection, though, you'll never pass with a non-emmissions carb and stand alone distributor.

As far as the carb bolt pattern goes, just buy yourself an aftermarket low rise dual plane manifold. That LG4 manifold will eventually hold you back so much that you'll want to replace it anyway.