Best Economy Carb??????????? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mark25 · 08-20-2002, 06:06 PM

going to put a 700R4 in my truck and going to install a new carb at the same time. which would be the better economy carb?? the edelbrock Q-jet (#1904, 795 cfm) OR the edelbrock Performer carb (#1406,600 cfm)??????? i called edelbrock and they said the Q-jet hands down due to the smaller primary jetting (.073 in Q-jet vs. .098 in the performer). i asked about the tuning the #1406 down a little and they still said that the Q-jet would be better on gas. looking for a little real world experience. this is on a 3500 mile GM Goodwrench 350. what ya all think/experience?????

**COBALT** · 08-20-2002, 06:20 PM

I would have to agree with them, but only if your Q-jet is rebuilt correctly with the right float configurations, correct needles, and solid throttle plate bushings to make it nice and smooth transition from idle to WOT. In otherwords if it's clean and ready to run they're right. If it's a rundown piece of crap, that's constantly breathing tar and gum from the fuel then the Performer would be better.

Bamm · 08-20-2002, 06:34 PM

I bought a new holley 600cfm 4160 a year and a half ago and it has never given me the first problem. I only regret that I didn't step up to the 750 cfm 4160 for just a little more. i don't think gas mileage would be much different unless you have a lead foot and then it's gonna stink anyway.............JB

mikep · 08-20-2002, 06:45 PM

I drive with my foot in it all the time. I filled up this afternoon and was getting 13mpg around town with 3.54 gears. I have a marine spec quad which is jetted a bit on the rich side but has GREAT throttle response and low end torque.

Gordo · 08-21-2002, 05:03 PM

Bolted the 1406 out of the box on to my 350 with a 700R4 and 3:73 gears and traveling light at 55-60 mph I got 19-20 mpg. I have no complaints.

68 Suburban · 08-21-2002, 06:20 PM

I have a 1406 that is tuned 2 steps down and I get 15+ mpg at 75-80 mph.

Patch · 09-22-2002, 08:51 PM

What size jets did u install to tune down two sizes? Thanks....

71402BB · 09-22-2002, 10:12 PM

Patch I think it's just going to be a matter of playing around with the jetting on yours! All motors are going to run/ like it a little different even if you where to run the same carb on 3 differnt 350's with the same spec! So my suggestion is just by a few different jets and see whice one works the best wit h your carb!

tom hand · 09-22-2002, 10:14 PM

I agree with the techs, a new q-jet will hands down give the best MPG. IF you drive with a light foot. If you like to hear the secondarys open, it will be no better or worse than the 1406 because it is a bigger carb. The overdrive transmissions are the only way to get any real mpg out of these trucks and then only on the highway. I could tow my 72 with my 2001 and get better mpg than driving it. LOL

Michael A. K. G · 09-23-2002, 11:12 AM

I know this isn't quite what you asked for, but the best MPG "carb" would be a TBI unit, even out of the junkyard (late-70s Cadillacs seem to be a good source for these). The difference between a shoot-in-the-dark unit and a feedback unit is immense.

Carburators almost always provide the wrong amount of fuel for conditions, and do it in a mostly liquid form. Fuel injectors do just the opposite.

08-20-2002, 06:20 PM	#2
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	I would have to agree with them, but only if your Q-jet is rebuilt correctly with the right float configurations, correct needles, and solid throttle plate bushings to make it nice and smooth transition from idle to WOT. In otherwords if it's clean and ready to run they're right. If it's a rundown piece of crap, that's constantly breathing tar and gum from the fuel then the Performer would be better. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

08-20-2002, 06:34 PM	#3
Bamm Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amelia, Virginia Posts: 2,921	I bought a new holley 600cfm 4160 a year and a half ago and it has never given me the first problem. I only regret that I didn't step up to the 750 cfm 4160 for just a little more. i don't think gas mileage would be much different unless you have a lead foot and then it's gonna stink anyway.............JB __________________ 1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS

08-20-2002, 06:45 PM	#4
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I drive with my foot in it all the time. I filled up this afternoon and was getting 13mpg around town with 3.54 gears. I have a marine spec quad which is jetted a bit on the rich side but has GREAT throttle response and low end torque. __________________ No truck :-(

08-21-2002, 05:03 PM	#5
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	Bolted the 1406 out of the box on to my 350 with a 700R4 and 3:73 gears and traveling light at 55-60 mph I got 19-20 mpg. I have no complaints. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

08-21-2002, 06:20 PM	#6
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	I have a 1406 that is tuned 2 steps down and I get 15+ mpg at 75-80 mph. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

08-20-2002, 06:06 PM	#1
mark25 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Vassar,Ks 66543 Posts: 375	Best Economy Carb??????????? going to put a 700R4 in my truck and going to install a new carb at the same time. which would be the better economy carb?? the edelbrock Q-jet (#1904, 795 cfm) OR the edelbrock Performer carb (#1406,600 cfm)??????? i called edelbrock and they said the Q-jet hands down due to the smaller primary jetting (.073 in Q-jet vs. .098 in the performer). i asked about the tuning the #1406 down a little and they still said that the Q-jet would be better on gas. looking for a little real world experience. this is on a 3500 mile GM Goodwrench 350. what ya all think/experience????? __________________ '72 C-10 Cheyenne Super, 402/TH400, Bucket Seats, tilt, tach, AM/FM & shoulder harnesses and a ground up restoration

09-22-2002, 08:51 PM	#7
Patch Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 709	What size jets? What size jets did u install to tune down two sizes? Thanks.... __________________ Patch

09-22-2002, 10:12 PM	#8
71402BB now thats a true COON DOG Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Franconia, NH Posts: 1,977	Patch I think it's just going to be a matter of playing around with the jetting on yours! All motors are going to run/ like it a little different even if you where to run the same carb on 3 differnt 350's with the same spec! So my suggestion is just by a few different jets and see whice one works the best wit h your carb! __________________ current project 67 402BB stout th350 3.08's with a locker. Plan on tubs 18.5's out back! (thanks Burnsman!) 71 SWB Stepside, was a 250, now is a 402 Big Block with 4 speed and 3.73's ( was crushed by a tree, bed sold, motor pulled) was my first truck!... oh well... 72 LWB 4x4 350 4-speed 3.08's posi wearing army olive drab green (SOLD!) 68 BURB 50TH LOOKALIKE work in progress, soon to have 250-I6 with a 3-speed on the tree 4.11's and posi ( currently sitting in back yard tarped awaiting time, $$$, and lots of love!) 67 1 TON- work truck 396 sm 420 4-speed, flat bed 4.57 gears "big red" (my first landscape truck, very rusty and crusty! but still gets the job done when needed!)

09-22-2002, 10:14 PM	#9
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	I agree with the techs, a new q-jet will hands down give the best MPG. IF you drive with a light foot. If you like to hear the secondarys open, it will be no better or worse than the 1406 because it is a bigger carb. The overdrive transmissions are the only way to get any real mpg out of these trucks and then only on the highway. I could tow my 72 with my 2001 and get better mpg than driving it. LOL __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

09-23-2002, 11:12 AM	#10
Michael A. K. G Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: California central coast Posts: 126	I know this isn't quite what you asked for, but the best MPG "carb" would be a TBI unit, even out of the junkyard (late-70s Cadillacs seem to be a good source for these). The difference between a shoot-in-the-dark unit and a feedback unit is immense. Carburators almost always provide the wrong amount of fuel for conditions, and do it in a mostly liquid form. Fuel injectors do just the opposite.



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