Author Topic: carburator choice?  (Read 1275 times)

Offline lorax

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carburator choice?
« on: October 13, 2021, 05:38:47 PM »
1st is this the best section to ask? 2nd assume someone must have already discussed this.
seeking advice on rebuild or buy new Quad jet, get Edelbrock or Holley, up grade to Holley sniper EFI or equivalent.

thanks for any advice,
William

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: carburator choice?
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2021, 06:58:55 PM »
Technically, this should be in performance or fuel systems but you probably couldn't find what you were looking for by misspelling carburetor.

You can't beat upgrading to fuel injection, especially with our current administration helping fuel costs sore over $4.00/gal. You will also benefit from maximum performance gains as well.

As far as carburetors go, Q-jet helps you with originality if you are seeking a period correct truck. Edelbrock helps you with cost-effective and simplistic easily tunable carburation.

Ultimately it's up to the size of your purse and your goals.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline SilverMiner

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Re: carburator choice?
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2021, 08:55:56 PM »
1st is this the best section to ask? 2nd assume someone must have already discussed this.
seeking advice on rebuild or buy new Quad jet, get Edelbrock or Holley, up grade to Holley sniper EFI or equivalent.

thanks for any advice,
William

First and foremost - what year truck and what engine do you have? It is important to know.

I would suggest that if you still have access to the original QuadraJet and have not extensively modified the engine, the factory Qjet is the quickest and cheapest route to optimal performance and fuel economy. Despite the known quirks of the Qjet (mostly overblown), those problems pale in comparison to getting an aftermarket carb or EFI system to work as reliably or as cheaply.

The strongest recommendation would be to NOT buy a replacement Quadrajet, particularly from an online supplier. The odds that it will be calibrated for your particular use is very, very small. This is the reason Qjet swaps rarely make folks happy. Each and every Qjet was set up for very specific circumstances across the range of engines that GM offered, even assuming you get something from the same year. Just because the carb fits on the manifold, connects to the fuel line has the proper mounts on the throttle doesn't mean it will be appropriate for your application.

HOWEVER, if you are up to the task or have the financial means to buy an EFI solution it certainly is preferred. But read through the multiple threads on this site and many others so that you fully understand what you are getting into. It really, REALLY depends upon what your goals, time, and finances will allow. Once again, the fastest and cheapest route to baseline operability is to purchase a high quality rebuild kit from a supplier such as Cliff Ruggles at cliffshighperformance.com and put your original carb back into service. If you've made changes to the engine that could impact the calibration he will assist with the correct modifications.

Converting to EFI or an aftermarket carb such as Edelbrock or Holley isn't a bad idea. It just may require more effort, time or expense than you would like to deal with.

How do you intend to use the truck and what is your goal?

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: carburator choice?
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2021, 12:48:04 PM »
Technically, this should be in performance or fuel systems but you probably couldn't find what you were looking for by misspelling carburetor.

You can't beat upgrading to fuel injection, especially with our current administration helping fuel costs sore over $4.00/gal. You will also benefit from maximum performance gains as well.

As far as carburetors go, Q-jet helps you with originality if you are seeking a period correct truck. Edelbrock helps you with cost-effective and simplistic easily tunable carburation.

Ultimately it's up to the size of your purse and your goals.


I see what you did there Vile, gas prices make me "sore" too. Reaching $5.00/gallon the the land of fruits and nuts.  >:(
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: carburator choice?
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2021, 06:20:47 PM »
I went to Home Depot yesterday. I took the orange truck and bought a bunch of lumber and filled up the tanks. I am sore today  ;)
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10