Carburetor Recommendations

[Organism_ike]

So I've finished up the rebuild of my 305 finally, but now It's time to trash this quadrajet and get a new carb. The quad ran nice and I have it all tuned, but the fuel filter housing is leaking and the throttle shafts are worn so I need to move on. I'm just looking to see what brand and size you guys recommend. I just havn't tried enough carbs to know whats the best run for your money.
I care more about economy than power, but am not trying to build a dog of a motor either. I would think 4 bbl Vacuum Secondaries under 700cfm is probably my best option, but I am leaning toward the Edelbrock performer 600cfm and I don't think its a VS. Want to stay with electric choke. I know many will say buy another quadrajet, but honestly I'm trying to buy a used carb and I can only trust a re-manufactured quadrajet. Also, I'm tired of constantly going back and tuning, and I have heard that Holley's are like that sometimes. I'm not sure how they compare to quadrajets though.

Vehicle Specs:
1983 305ci bored .030
Dished Pistons
Mostly Stock 416 Iron Heads
9.5:1 Static Compression
RV Camshaft
2101 Performer Intake
Long tube open Headers
TH350 2.73 10-bolt
Stock 15" Wheels

Let me know if you need any other info.

[terryj]

I replaced the Q-jet on my 350 with the Edelbrock's Performer 1406, never looked back. It a whole lot easier to adjust.

[Shyguy]

It seems this a subject where you will get many opinions. I guess it depends on what people have had good luck with.

I am running a Holley 1850 on my 454, it is a manual choke though. Many say it is too small for my engine, but the engine seems to like it. My truck has a 454 backed by a SM-465 and 3.73 rear gears.

My son likes the Edelborcks and has good luck with them.

[Organism_ike]

Originally Posted by Shyguy

It seems this a subject where you will get many opinions. I guess it depends on what people have had good luck with.

I am running a Holley 1850 on my 454, it is a manual choke though. Many say it is too small for my engine, but the engine seems to like it. My truck has a 454 backed by a SM-465 and 3.73 rear gears.

My son likes the Edelborcks and has good luck with them.

I know, people typically just recommend what they've had good luck with. I always used to recommend quadrajets because that's all I've had experience with. I'm mainly just looking to see what carbs people would not use. I've really only heard good things about the 1406, so I'm going to keep my eye open for one on Craigslist. Other than that and the popular holley's, I don't know any other specific carbs to look for.

[Rufton]

I've been pleased w/ edelbrock 600 cfm 1405 on sb. I'd buy it again. Gets good hwy mpg and good seat of the pants performance.
I happen to prefer manual choke.
I find edelbrock tuning and maintenance easier than autolite, quadrajet and stromberg.
Don't know how carbs compare regarding heat soak.

[mrolds88]

I've always been partial to the Qjets. However its the early ones. Not the electronic ones. A Qjet takes a little time to set up, but when done, they work well. I know we have scared our share with the derby cars I have tuned.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I would do a properly rebuilt Q-jet first, but if you must have a highrise intake a Edelbrock.

Skip the holley till your making big power. They can run great, but they require more time.

[mgchevyparts]

Is your intake a square bore? If so, a Edelbrock 1406 (electric choke) will work perfectly

[Redcap]

I'm partial to Edelbrocks for my street-driven, workhorse stuff. It is true they leave some power on the table, but they are very simple and reliable.

Now, if I was racing or had a serious weekend-warrior/stoplight-brawler...well, I'd bite the bullet and get someone to show me around a good Holley.

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by mgchevyparts

Is your intake a square bore? If so, a Edelbrock 1406 (electric choke) will work perfectly

He has a QJet on it right now so I would assume it's a spreadbore intake?

Edit: The part number he listed shows the intake as being drilled for both square flange and spread bore.

[meatwagon83]

put a good quadrajet on it, thats going to get your best mileage

[WDE86]

I'm also running a quadrajet on a sb 350. Would an Edelbrock 1406 bolt right up to the existing manifold on my engine or would I need to swap that out also? I believe the qjet is an electric choke.

[Remon.]

If your current manifold has square bore then is does. With spreadbore you can use an adapterplate (20-30$)

[WDE86]

Originally Posted by Remon.

If your current manifold has square bore then is does. With spreadbore you can use an adapterplate (20-30$)

Thanks!

[Malo83]

Can't beat a well tuned Qjet.

[wilkin250r]

I like the idea of a spreadbore carb, I've heard great things about the Q-jets. However, my personal experience with Q-jets has been nothing but bad, can't tune, can't find anybody locally that knows how to tune them either. And I'm not new to carbs, I can rebuild an Edelbrock with my eyes closed. Still can't get that dang q-jet to tune properly.

My 1406 might not be the most powerful or most fuel-efficient, but it's never given me even an ounce of trouble. It doesn't even have the choke hooked up properly and it still never fails to start.

[Recian]

I'm in the same boat as ike. I've thought about putting the 1406 on my truck with the edelbrock alum. intake. Has anyone done that on stock and had a noticable gain? I'm sure with headers and duals it'll open the truck up even tho I like how quiet it is right now. Also what mods would be required to make the edelbrock fit? Just to know before getting in there.

[Blackpony]

I would go with a 600 Holley vs personally. I had a 1406 on my truck with the 305, best mileage I could muster was around 11-12 hwy. I had to replace the accelerator pump multiple times, was a pita to get started in the winter and all around ran like crap. I bought a new Holley put it on and made a few small tweaks, and oh man what a complete different truck!! Mileage immediately went to 15-16 hwy, cold starts were cake, truck was a ton smoother etc. everything was all around better. Not to mention tuning a Holley is a ton easier if you need jet changes etc. in the 4 years it was on my truck before the ls swap, I never once had to touch it except when I added the ac kickup solenoid. A couple quick tweaks and back on the road like a champ.
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[INSIDIOUS '86]

Q jet holley and edelbrock when you tune the fuel curve the same will fuel the same. Qaudrajunk in the trash is a good idea. A Holley 600 is easy to tune and reliable. Fuel mileage will be about the same. A 500cfm holley will prob be ideal
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[Jabes1]

My vote... spend the money on a wideband to monitor your afr's. You have the Q-jet already, so hit up the yards and pick over the Q-jets for different rods, jets, springs. I'm not going to say put them in your pocket, but I'm pretty sure you could acquire them for next to nothing. Get a good rebuild kit from your local supplier or even eBay. You can lean the primary's out to the 16's to run it lean under cruise and increase mileage. A nice HEI with Vac advance hooked up and nice advance curve will help as well... Getting back on track, your secondary's you can swap jets and rods to richen it up when WFO, shoot for 12.5:1. These just take time like anything else... if you cant get the Q-jet to run right, go for a 1406 or the 500cfm model. Since you will already have a wideband you can tune the Edlebrock in the same manner. Ed's are super easy to tune with a wideband and you can see exactly what you're doing when you make changes. I know its going to sound archaic, but get a book on it... a lot more in there than boring print and a google search will provide.

[Stepside Man]

One of the biggest mistakes people make to is to over carb your engine. Unless you are going to be turning 7000+ the most you would ever want is a 600. I have used all three types mentioned here. Hard to beat a well tuned Q; and After that I have run Holleys. From a 390 on a straight six to a 600 on a small block. Vacuum secondaries are a must.