Rochester Quadrajet vs. Edelbrock Performer

[Chevelle454]

I have a 600 cfm electric choke Edelbrock Performer carb new in the box. I am looking to put it on my 1984 chevy caprice which has a quadrajet on it now, everything is stock and intact.

Am I going to run into any problems swapping carbs? Will everything all bolt right about usually? I haven't got a chance yet to really look at the thing. Also, I have a throttle position sensor on the quadrajet, what do I do with that and will it effect how it runs?

I also have a performer series intake. Is that worth putting on over the original GM intake? I don't want to tear into everything if it won't make a very noticable difference. It's a 305 with 102k miles. Thanks for putting up with all my questions...

-Scott

[71Blazer]

I don't know the answer(s), but have you tried the 73-87 message board? Edelbrock will tell you that their matched components do better than stock...

Good luck

[Chevelle454]

I just posted it on that board...

Has anyone ever used this setup on a 305? Right now it sits at 150hp and 240 ft lbs in a full size caprice classic. Do you guys think taking off all smog equipment, putting on the new intake and carb, and getting a free flowing exhaust would help much? I'm trying to do something very cost effective to wake this engine up...

-Scott

[72MARIO]

A free flowing exhaust will be a huge difference. I am no too sure about the intake think it would be a bit better. I would put it on and give it a try also I would use a Insulated carb to intake gasket if you use the performer intake and carb. I have had a Heat Soak problem where the fule boils in the carb and it makes for a hard start when hot. Other than the carb intake and exhaust that's all the reasonable bolt on stuss. Headders are a pain on a DD in my opnion. Good luck and let me know if it makes a difference.

Later Mario

[72MARIO]

Oh..... and I dont think there is any smog stuff that hurts the motor that you could actually take off .

[CHEVYE]

a good q jet is hard to beat when it`s right. i think the edelbrock intake and carb would help a bit. the exhaust will make a big difference though. your gas mileage should go up a bit too.

[Chevelle454]

By smog stuff I am talking about things like the catalytic convertor and the air pump. And what about the throttle position sensor? Will it make the car not run right? Or have no effect at all?

[72402]

The Edelbrock Performer is a square bore style, it will not fit your Q-jet intake without using an adapter. The Edelbrock Performer series intake is designed to accept either carb and might flow more air, but is basically the same height as stock. Honestly, if your Q-jet is in good shape and working right, you probably wouldn't see a noticeable difference in performance. However, the Edelbrock combo might increase your gas mileage a little, if that's an issue.

[jimfulco]

Won't the computer get confused if there's not a carb hooked up to it?

[SweetandLong68]

Square bore (Edelbrock) vs. Spread bore (Q-jet)

If you use the Edelbrock then you will have to get a spacer to adapt to the factory intake manifold if you are trying to use the stock manifold. If you dont want to change the manifold I would just keep it stock because it would be more trouble then it is worth. Now if you are going to change out the intake to the Edelbrock performer then by all means do so and use the Edelbrock carb as well. You will see some difference in power. If you get it right it will run much better as well.

Now about the throttle position sensor I am not sure about. Like I said with all that smog crap on it it might be better to just not mess with the sleeping BEAST! haha

good luck
CHRIS

[shortymac83]

is that motor computer controlled like the olds 307? if it's the same system, you'll have to swap out to an earlier HEI distributor, because if not, the dist. will be in full advance all the time.

there isn't much you can pull that will screw it up. if it's got the AIR pump that runs to the manifolds, make sure to plug the manifold holds with pipe plugs, or you'll get a whistling noise.

STick with the qjet. I get 22-26 mpg on the highway with my 307 on the computer, and never see below 16 average mpg.

[shortymac83]

if you really want to pull it, and if it's the same as the 307 (I'd assume it is), pull the carb and distributor, remove the AIR pump and EGR, and reroute all of the vacuum lines to cut down on a lot. keep the PCV system because it's very good as-is. if you want more power, get a 160* thermostat, free flowing dual exhaust (you'll have to modify the crossmember by cutting it and welding in a plate), add headers (with a 307, mid-70's cutlasses will work for the headers, don't know if a monte would be the same with chevy), and gears. these are little motors, they can use the gear to get them up and moving.

[Hooter]

I think you will definetly notice a difference, especially if that quadrajet is old and sacked (which it most likely is) and all that smog stuff is most likely fuct anyways. You will notice a substantial difference

[dion]

When I changed my 30 year old stock Q Jet and stock intake for the Edelbrock 1406 and performer intake there was a huge difference.

I later bought a rebuilt Q Jet and took it to a speed shop that really knew Q Jets and I have to say it blew the 1406 out of the water as far as performace goes no question about it.

Of course that lead to me putting on a Bary Grant Sped Demon carb and Edelbrock Victor Jr intake , now she runs pretty good

I think you'll be very happy with the Edelbrock carb and intake swap.

[me3]

personally a good Q-Jets secondares will blow an Edelbrock out of the water. My cousin works on funny cars for a living and told me to keep it. the Edelbrock should give some better mpg. but chances are its shot Id swap. personally Edelbrock is over rated but simple.

[Hooter]

I have had a Holley, an Edelbrock and now I have a quadrajet on my 69, out of the other two, the quad has been more reliable I never have to fart around with the thing, and the secondaries give a better kick in the ass in the hauling ass dept, the holley I would be farting around with it every week, but with the quad its like a Ron popiel showtime rotiserie, you set it and you forget it

[SweetandLong68]

It all depends on the initial setup and tune.

In the simplicity department the Edelbrock wins hands down over pretty much any other carb. Just take one apart and you will agree immediately.

Holleys are great for big power motors....750 Double Pumpers etc...

Quads are ok at best in my opinion. Alright for a stock motor but not much else IMO. And the things are blessed ugly to look at on a beautiful motor otherwise. Just IMO mind you. I have seen quads make good power and in the capable and knowledgeable hands of someone that knows them well they can be super carbs. But just not for me. I have trashed many of them any will continue that tradition.

lata
CHRIS

[mrein3]

I took a brand new 2101 manifold out of the box and a brand new 1406 out of the box and put them on my new 383 last week. I have done NOTHING to the carb. And it runs better than any 4bbl I have ever owned.
Every quadra junk I've owned didn't work right. I ran one Holley - never again.
I thought on the new engine I'd have to mess with adjusting the idle mixture screws or something on the Edelbrock but I haven't had to touch it. Not once.

[68speedalert]

Obviously you don't have emmisions laws in MN.

Either do what shortymac83 suggests or nothing. It may work with the old dist. You asked about the tps. It will run. 'Check engine " lite will be on all the time. Old dist is electronically advanced by the ECM(computer). I don't know if it will still advance right without the tps.

You haven't said what you're trying to improve; performace or gas mileage. Keep stock for mileage. Driven right you can get 25 mpg if the system is working right. Performance wise it MAY help to change as suggested.