Edelbrock Performer Series vs. Thunder Series

[jdheff1982]

Hello again,

I am curious, is there any difference between an E-Performer vs. an E-Thunder carb? Reason I am asking, I plan on replacing my tired performer 600 and have been liking the thunder. However, a remanufacturered thunder is about $70 more than a performer. From the descriptions, the thunder has some differences and is 50 cfm larger than what I have now. If I am looking for performance orientated, which carb would I want to choose?

Thanks!

[INSIDIOUS '86]

from your stats shown in your sig your engine looks like it should like a bigger carb, imho a 700-750 should foot some performance gains vs the 650 in you sig or 600 in your post idk which is what you have on there.

[jdheff1982]

Sorry, it is a 600 (#1405). I hadn't updated the sig when I discovered what I actually had. I get good, snappy response from the 600 as is. In fact, I meant someone today who builds motors that told me bigger isn't always better. He thought that I should back down to a 500 cfm carb. I honestly don't know if this is true or not. He also thinks I have a late 60's early 70's corvette motor. Again, don't know.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

snappy throttle is from the added velocity from smaller sized throttle bores i have the base thumpr cam in mine and a 750 barrygrant, with your compression and cam and a good flowing exhaust a 650 should be good for daily driving and performance, a 500 would be great for a bone stock 305 so imagine a 650 on a bigger heavier breathing engine wouldnt be far out of line at all

[Pyrotechnic]

Basically, the Thunder series claims a little more air flow, but the big difference is the secondary air door is adjustable which is a nice feature. On the Performer, the only way to adjust the opening point is to take out the air door, and add or subtract weight from the counter weights by either drilling or adding lead.

I've run the AVS and it is a good carb. The endurashine finish is really nice if you pay extra for it.

Honestly though, if you want something performance oriented, a Holley is the way to go.

[jdheff1982]

Thanks for the response. Am I going to find any difference in performance between an E-Performer vs. an E-Thunder? That is what I am wanting to find out. If the difference is minimal, I'll get the 600 E-Performer. If I get some gains going for the E-Thunder 650, I'll get it instead. I am trying to justify spending $290 on the E-Thunder vs. $220 on an E-Performer.

Thanks.

[jdheff1982]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

Basically, the Thunder series claims a little more air flow, but the big difference is the secondary air door is adjustable which is a nice feature. On the Performer, the only way to adjust the opening point is to take out the air door, and add or subtract weight from the counter weights by either drilling or adding lead.

I've run the AVS and it is a good carb. The endurashine finish is really nice if you pay extra for it.

Honestly though, if you want something performance oriented, a Holley is the way to go.

Holley's are spread bore aren't they? If so, won't I need an adapter to make it work with a square bore?

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

Basically, the Thunder series claims a little more air flow, but the big difference is the secondary air door is adjustable which is a nice feature. On the Performer, the only way to adjust the opening point is to take out the air door, and add or subtract weight from the counter weights by either drilling or adding lead.

I've run the AVS and it is a good carb. The endurashine finish is really nice if you pay extra for it.

Honestly though, if you want something performance oriented, a Holley is the way to go.

+2 on the holley, but an extra 50cfm will be noticable but only if your punching it, and the ability to fine tune is great, so it comes down to are you willing to spend the extra cash going just a bit faster or ok where your at now?

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by jdheff1982

Holley's are spread bore aren't they? If so, won't I need an adapter to make it work with a square bore?

holley is square bore as well

[jdheff1982]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

holley is square bore as well

I just saw that on summit. The Holley reman. carbs are more expensive than the Edelbrocks. What makes a Holley better at performance?

[Pyrotechnic]

The Thunder seemed to have a smoother transition into the secondaries than the Performer. It's a the difference of a sprung air door that can open gradually vs. a weighted air door that flops open all at once.

The Peformer is a mid 60's technology carb, a copy of the Carter AFB and development pretty much stopped after the much improved Carter AVS came out in the late 60's. It is a good simple carb though. The Thunder just borrows the air door from the AVS, but it's still an AFB body.

The Holley have been used in racing for a long time and are still being developed to this day.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by jdheff1982

I just saw that on summit. The Holley reman. carbs are more expensive than the Edelbrocks. What makes a Holley better at performance?

holleys usually have mechanical secondarys that open up no matter what speed your going plus most have dual acceleration pumps so when your at a standstill you can absoulutly mash the throttle and have no hesitation or bog plus the ability to have a four corner idle system is extremely handy when dealing with a lopey engine

[jdheff1982]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

holleys usually have mechanical secondarys that open up no matter what speed your going plus most have dual acceleration pumps so when your at a standstill you can absoulutly mash the throttle and have no hesitation or bog plus the ability to have a four corner idle system is extremely handy when dealing with a lopey engine

Those are some good points as my engine is lopey. It'll take some time before I can get a Holley.

Are the Street Avengers similar to the E-Thunder?