Another sniper question - which kit / config

[IT Cowboy]

I found a mechanic that knows his carbs and older vehicles and he says the throttle link bushing on my Quadrajet is worn out and probably causing a vacuum leak. I found a bushing kit from Cliffs for $75 plus the carb probably needs a rebuild kit. For the cost, time and expense I an considering throwing on a Holly 1406. Any thoughts or virtual beatings to be had.

[Steeveedee]

If you think you can do the reaming of the throttle plate and installation of the throttle pate bushings, good on you. I had those done by a local shop, since I didn't want to buy Cliff's kit for a one-time job. Rebuilding a Q-Jet is dead simple. Buy Cliff's book; there are things you will learn that will stand you in good stead. I didn't make any modifications that Cliff shows in his book, as my carb is dead stock on a dead stock engine. I did end up putting on an electric choke, though. Checking that there is a vacuum leak at the throttle shaft is easy- just squirt carb cleaner at the primary throttle shaft on both sides- left and right. If the rpm changes, the baseplate is worn and needs the bushings. The secondary throttle shaft does not need bushings, btw.

ETA- you engine will run great with the new carb, because it is new. But it won't actually be calibrated like the general's engineers spent many sleepless nights making sure the settings were correct.

[guyryan100]

As a fellow IT pro, I'll share what I decided about carbs/EFI kits - hope it helps.

An EFI system is definitely an upgrade. Having computer control and an oxygen sensor in the exhaust gives EFI capabiliites a carb just wont have, and its fun to integrate newer tech into old tech.

But I think its a step 2. Don't skip step 1 of understanding how your cab works including basic tuning.

Remember when you learned to drive a manual transmission, and it put you into an elite club of auto enthusiasts who knew this advanced capability? Tuning a cab puts you in an elite group of classic car enthusiasts. And once you replace your carb with EFI, that opportunity is lost.

EFI is an expensive upgrade that will provide some benefit but on the list of upgrades there are many that have a larger benefit both for improving drivability/reliability and learning.

Before I put in an EFI I would consider (in no particular order):
* Power brakes
* Power steering
* LED lights (inside and out)
* Relays for headlights
* Upgraded stereo
* overdrive transmission
* fix leaks
* sway bar

Im still working through that list and hope to do EFI after I get these items done, that in my view have a faster return on the time and money invested. And some of them are techy :-)

Owning a truck our grandparents designed means learning to master the tech they perfected. Carbs are easy enough to learn and get you into that exclusive club everyone wants to be in of elite classic car enthusiasts.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I'd pay GM engineers by buying a vehicle with the stuff already trouble shot.../old man

I've heard the Chev TPI system works very well. Had a friend with a mid-80s Corvette and he loved it.

But I'm not sure where you could find one these days, or what it would take to retrofit the system to an older truck.

[IT Cowboy]

I think the Sniper efi will work with either a spread bore or a square bore intake using an adaptor plate - can anyone confirm this?

[MikeB]

Did you get a price from Cliff Ruggles for rebuilding your carb? There sure is lots of Q-jet love from the guys who have them.

As for the Edelbrock 1406, you should be looking at the newer 650cfm AVS2 #1906 instead. The differences are the annular boosters which are great for throttle response, and adjustable air valve secondaries. It's doubtful you'll even need to tune it, except for idle mixture and choke adjustments.

As for a Holley, I'd go with an 80457SA (single inlet) or 80458SA (dual inlet). Either might need a bit of fine tuning, though. They are both on sale now.

[RunsWithScissors]

Originally Posted by IT Cowboy

I think the Sniper efi will work with either a spread bore or a square bore intake using an adaptor plate - can anyone confirm this?

I can confirm. I bought the Sniper2 squarebore and running it on a SBC400 with a spreadbore intake. Tuning is dead simple, basically learns everything itself.

HOWEVER, I wish I had bought the speadbore. I miss the Quadrajet sound.

[IT Cowboy]

Originally Posted by RunsWithScissors

I can confirm. I bought the Sniper2 squarebore and running it on a SBC400 with a spreadbore intake. Tuning is dead simple, basically learns everything itself.

HOWEVER, I wish I had bought the speadbore. I miss the Quadrajet sound.

Did you need an adaptor plate or just a spacer or thicker gasket? Also do you have a TH400 trans and need to do anything with the kick down switch or porgramming? The Sniper Quadrajet is only a Gen 1 though and not the same programming and tech as the 2