Im getting my engine rebuilt and am undecided about which carb/intake manifold to use. I've been told holley carbs tend to need to be played around with constantly but reliable. Then I have heard edelbrock performer rpm carb and intake is the best bet for the most power I can get. I just want something that will give me the most horsepower without having to be jacked with on a regular basis. Please give me your thoughts on which i should use. By the way, its a 350 rocket. Thank you.

 

What about the Quadrajet? Very reliable and plenty of power for street driving, GM too.
It seems like the Edelbrock carb is used more along with their Performer manifold than anything else around here.

 

i have a holley 650cmf on my cutlass & im not impressed. I think im going to put the quadrajet back on!!

 

you will find most answers about carbs wrapped around personal preference. I have used Holley carbs for years and have always had good luck with them. The Quadrajet is a good choice as well. What I have heard and read on the edelbrock is not good. Just my opinion

 

The first questions you need to answer are, what have you done to the engine and how do you intend to use the car? The Qjet is probably the most sophisticated carb ever built for the street. The triple venturies make for a very strong metering signal. The air valve secondaries allow a single carb to accommodate a wide range of engine displacements and RPMs. The Holley is mainly a W.O.T. carb. It is much less flexible in partial throttle operations. I have personally never been successful at totally eliminating the part throttle bog. The Edelbrock is an updated Carter AFB and is also an air valve secondary carb like the Qjet. Personally, I'd just built the Qjet.

 

Depending on your horsepower range, there's a nice qjet for sale right now on here.

 

I have 2 350's, both with performer manifolds, both built pretty much stock spec but, one runs a q-jet and the other runs an edelbrock carb....no comparison really! Q-jet car runs much better and has much more power if you can believe it!

 

My 98 has a Holley on it, I hate it!, it can't keep the adjustment for a smooth idle and always seems to run rich. The original QJet is in my box o' parts, I'm gonna rebuild it and put it back on.

Had the same experience with one on my Firebird, performance sucked until I returned the Q...

 

I have a 670 Street Avenger/Performer on my 355, and I like it just fine. But, if you don't like tuning, and you already have the Q0jet, just get it rebuilt, the cost will be about the same ($350) and all the linkage will bolt right up.

Like Joe asked, what are the specs and goals? If it is a low comp stocker, the Performer is a better choice, IMO. If it has higher compression and a little cam, go with the RPM.

 

Alright thank you everyone. Im going to look for a q-jet right now and hopefully my search comes up good. Thanks for your advice.

 

I have a 1968 Olds 350 .030 over with 11.1 comp hydraulic cam and edelbrock rpm intake port matched with #6 heads ported. I have an Edelbrock 1407 750 cfm carb and I Love it. Set it up once and leave it!!!!! Car is Very Consistant, and very easy to tune. Hope this helps.

 

I just had my Old school Holley 750 rebuilt. I had a shop do it and it only cost $90.00. A quad at the same place is $300.00. All Carbs tend to be good when there new and or freshly rebuilt. I think allot of the bad times with Carbs comes from used and dirty Carbs. For power My holley double gives me plenty. It has never needed adjusted and has been great. It's old school and even used example's of my Carb sell for $400 to $500.00. I also just went to a Vintage drag track and 90% had Holley carbs.

 

I have had or am currently having one of all three carbs, honestly the way I drive I couldnt tell you the difference in performance, but when it comes to starting my car on a cold morning the QJ is the winner over edelbrock for best choke, start it and walk away, my EDBRK was very tempormental. This week I got a holley street avenger carb and the verdict is still out, I have started it with high 30s and it keeps the car running but the true test wont happen intell next winter. Mabey its me too, I may just suck at tuning carbs.

 

I've used 2 Edelbrocks in the last 4 or 5 years. One on my Olds before going EFI and another on my brothers' 68 Stang. Wasn't impressed by either of them.

The original Qjet is always an option but don't forget the Barry Grant stuff. They're about the same price as a Holley Street Avenger but seem to work better. I've installed three in the last 2 years or so. No issues, and they were a definite improvement over what they replaced.

 

I chased vapor lock and fuel starvation issues with the E-brock before I switched. I have no choke on my 670 Holley, removed the butterfly, and even on cold mornings it starts right up and idles. Q-jets are fine carbs, and probably the best choice for a daily driver where you are not looking for the last little bit of performance.

 

Power, And mileage? Q-jet hands down.
The holley 850 DP will be 2 tenths faster than a q-jet, but you use a lot more fuel.
750 Holley DP...ran the same as a good q-jet with fine secondary needles, on our old race car.
The nice thing about the Edelbrock (AFB really) is that it will run on anything, and it will run like it's just another day. Even if you bent a valve.
Did not run as hard as our q-jet though.
Jim

 

This is what I've heard

Q-Jet sucks

Edelbrock make a great intake manifold, their carbs, if you want something shiny, knock yourself out

Holley Best one for making power

Personally I liked the Edelbrock, but my next project I'm thinking a Holley. It will be covered by the air cleaner anyway

 

I prefer Qjets, they work good and I'm glad to hear the positive feedback on them here. I heard alot of trash talk about them but most of it is bologny. Carter AFB's would be my least favorite. The Holleys I have had over the years have worked great. I never had a Edelbrock.

 

Forget what you heard.
What have you experienced?
I have nothing but praise for the Q-jet, and I have run them.
I have also run a Carter AFB (The DESIGNERS of the "Edelbrock" carb) 600/750 comp series.
I have also run the Holley 650/750/830/850 and spreadbore 650/800.
Never ran an avenger series, so I don't know.
The 830, 850 Holley will make more power, so will all the LARGER units.
They won't get near the mileage.
Twist a wrench on a q-jet. You will be happy you did. I you do not know how to twist a wrench, you too can say they suck.
MY Opinion-Cause I did it.
Jim

 

i love Q jets! i just can't tune one worth a flip. if you have someone that can tune one it will be hard to beat. the problem is that a good Q jet rebuilder is hard to find. the other problem is that you want a Qjet for an engine that is close to yours and not just any Q jet you find. the very little i know about a Q jet is that the spring on the (i think it is called) power piston is most likely bad or if you changed your cam it will need a softer one. the other thing i know is that the plugs on the bottom of it need sealed with a good epoxy.

i am far from an expert but these are two reasons that alot of people think they are junk.

 

http://72.22.90.30/phpBB2/viewtopic....ight=quadrajet
Call SMITTY! He is in Ohio.
http://www.mjproformance.com/
Jet performance also sells power piston springs.
jetchip.com
http://www.deanoscarbs.com
JB Weld for the well plugs.
Hope this helps.
Jim

 

I founds this cool link that shows a lot of the stuff about the well plugs. Helped me understand it big time!

http://www.stratagaz.com/Quadrajet/Q...et_7029202.htm

 

I have run Q-jets on my race car...as fast as 11.43...also many Stockers running in the 10's with Q-jets.

Great carb for fuel milage and power.

I build them as well and have several cores in stock...let me know if you don't find what you are looking for.

Danny