Carburetors Carb discussion and questions. Upgrading your Third Gen's carburetor, swapping TBI to carburetor, or TPI to carburetor? Need LG4 or H.O. info? Post it here.

Vacuum secondary or Double pumper?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-19-2018, 02:57 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
klein's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1986 Iroc-Z
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: TH350
Vacuum secondary or Double pumper?

Hi guys i need your opinion on this topic.

I have 86 Iroc-Z that has a swaped 350 SBC with offenhouser intake and Holley 4010 double pumper 600 CFM.

My transmission is TH350, i am not sure about the rear end ratio but the gears are short, my top speed is 120 Mph at 5000 rpm.

Anyway i was thinking to change the carb to a 600 CFM vacuum secondary...Is it worth to do it?

I have no bog or anything the car runs and pulls fine but its very mild close to stock engine, it made around 200 Hp and 370 Nm at the dyno.

The "problem" i have is that when the engine is cold it runs very rich, the smoke hurts my eyes. Also when it warms up and you floor it it always makes a small puff of black smoke when secondaries open....

I thought that vacuum secondary will be better for all around driving and performance...what do you think?

I was looking at Holley 600 CFM street warrior carb.
Old 01-19-2018, 08:28 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Jorlain's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Brainerd, MN
Posts: 667
Received 15 Likes on 14 Posts
Car: '84 Trans Am
Engine: 357 SBC
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 3.73, Torsen Diff
Re: Vacuum secondary or Double pumper?

Better is really in the eye of the beholder. A vacuum secondary carburetor is more forgiving for the most part, but a properly sized\tuned double pumper can work just as well.

The puff of black smoke is likely due to you mashing the pedal - you get a pump shot plus you're cranking the secondaries wide open - which leads to rich condition momentarily. If the carburetor is properly tuned, and with some practice, you should be able to roll into the secondaries without mashing the pedal to the floor (without performance loss).

I'm guessing you just need to tune that carb... and maybe fix an exhaust leak (the exhaust should come out somewhere behind you, not in the cabin of the car). :P
Old 01-19-2018, 10:03 AM
  #3  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
RedLeader289's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 2,482
Received 105 Likes on 86 Posts
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Vacuum secondary or Double pumper?

I'd stick with the double pumper. And properly tune it. No need to spend money for no reason.

I prefer the mechanical action of the double pumper, I know that the secondaries are going to open every time.
Old 01-19-2018, 10:06 AM
  #4  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
305sbc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Fairview Heights Illinois
Posts: 2,426
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1986 Irocz
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.25:1
Re: Vacuum secondary or Double pumper?

If you don't race, then a vacuum secondary carb is a good option. Get one with power valve protection so it doesn't blow out, then learn how to tune and adjust the carb. There are some great books out there for that. Holley has a ton of adjustability.
The Vac carb should be better for your fuel mileage as most of the time the secondaries stay closed and you don't need so much pump shot.
Old 01-19-2018, 10:16 AM
  #5  
Supreme Member

 
skinny z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alberta
Posts: 9,134
Received 629 Likes on 530 Posts
Re: Vacuum secondary or Double pumper?

A few things:
A vacuum secondary can be every as fast at the dragstrip as a mechanical secondary carb. No ifs, ands or buts.
If fuel economy means anything to you, then the vacuum carb is the way to go. Every movement of the throttle adds fuel to the air stream via the accelerator pump. If you have two pumps, you're adding twice the fuel. The problem is compounded with a manual transmission (although I see that's not the case here).

Now, that said, the best thing you can is to invest in a wide band O2 sensor and gauge. Then you can actually see what the tune is and make changes accordingly. You may find that you can bring your double pumper in line and eliminate the overly rich condition. Beyond that, if your mileage isn't to your liking and you know you have a decent tune, then you can make the switch to a vacuum carb.
Old 01-22-2018, 07:48 AM
  #6  
Moderator

iTrader: (5)
 
JamesC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 19,282
Received 93 Likes on 68 Posts
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: Vacuum secondary or Double pumper?

If you haven't completed Sofa's holley tune, check the sticky at the top of the page. My 600 vac was turned so poorly (by someone who supposedly knew what they were doing) that performance and mileage suffered badly. Though winter has halted my tinkering for the moment, the results below speak for themselves:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/carb...ey-tuning.html

JamesC
Old 01-22-2018, 06:57 PM
  #7  
Senior Member

 
pancherj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Central PA
Posts: 706
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1990 IROC
Engine: Rebuilt L98 with H/C/I/Carb
Transmission: TH350 with ATI Treemaster
Axle/Gears: 7.5 with 4.10's
Re: Vacuum secondary or Double pumper?

Timing first...then carb.
Old 01-22-2018, 07:23 PM
  #8  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
NoEmissions84TA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Meriden, CT 06450
Posts: 4,030
Received 511 Likes on 428 Posts
Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: Vacuum secondary or Double pumper?

Originally Posted by pancherj
Timing first...then carb.
And once you get that sorted out, you may want to swap to an overdrive transmission.
Old 05-26-2018, 05:16 PM
  #9  
Supreme Member

 
Schurkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,512
Received 72 Likes on 56 Posts
Re: Vacuum secondary or Double pumper?

Originally Posted by klein
The "problem" i have is that when the engine is cold it runs very rich, the smoke hurts my eyes.
http://www.chevelles.com/techref/Adj...tic_Chokes.htm


Be aware that "eye-burning" exhaust can be from a too-lean mixture causing lean misfire. Misfire for ANY reason will produce high Hydrocarbon emissions, which is what burns your eyes.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MustangBeater20
Tech / General Engine
22
08-01-2015 10:08 PM
'84Z28
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
16
09-30-2012 11:05 PM
atc3434
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
3
06-19-2007 10:58 AM
Josh 91RS
Carburetors
3
03-08-2001 07:12 PM
gruveb
Carburetors
12
02-27-2001 06:39 PM



Quick Reply: Vacuum secondary or Double pumper?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:00 PM.