I've got a stock(to my knowledge) '72 350 that will be getting a set of headers, new mufflers, and a 4bll intake/carb. (Did I mention it came in 2bll form?) I may put in a mild cam: http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=2347&gid=297, and maybe a valve job on the heads but that's about it.

I had considered a Q-jet carb but those seem to come at a premium. Both Sparky & the Carb Guy want $500 for theirs. I've read here that Edelbrocks are crap and I know Bigjerr runs a Holley, so that's where I am on that, just wondering if it should be the 600cfm or 750?

But back to the original question... which intake best suits my build, a regular Edelbrock Performer, one of the Holley's, or something else not mentioned.
Any and all opinions and advice are welcome as I'm at a loss.
Thanks in advance.
Walt

 

Performer maniflod is a good choice go with either a Q-jet or a Holley both are good choices. 600 cfm with a mild cam is a good choice

 

I agree that the Edelbrock Performer is a good intake. However, I don't like Holley carburetors. IMHO, the Edelbrock carburetors are built better and easier to tune.

 

I respectfully disagree. I have been using Holly carbs for 30+ years and find them easy to tune and rebuild. I am currently running a Holly 770 on my 455 and it has no hesitation what so ever and is a great performer. Just amounts to what a person is used too.

 

Summit has reman Qjets for $300. For your stated application, I would use a stock iron intake (non-egr type). Seals well with the stock gasket, and Sam Murray runs this combination in a 72-F85 in J stock, holding the record at 11.37 sec.

 

I think that is what it boils down to. I've heard of numerous people using both Holleys and Edelbrocks succesfully. Truthfully, if you could get a Q-jet I think you would be happier. They are the way to go.

 

Quadrajet.

 

Thats no fair a father (Oldsguy) and son (Olds64) teaming up on one Holly fan

 

Well, I'll jump in as Holley fan #2. I have a 670 Street Avenger on my 9 to 1 355 and a 750 vac secondary on my 10.4 to 1 355. Extremely easy to tune and IMO very reliable. I will never understand how they got this rep for "getting out of tune" Do the jets expand or contract?? I won't say that the off idle throttle response or mileage is better than a Q-jet. Performer intakes are available used for around $100, they weigh less look better and IMO perform better than a stocker. I ran some tests and on my 9 to 1 355 with a 210/216 cam the car was more responsive and a touch quicker with the Performer over the RPM. Also, I have used the stock turkey tray gasket several times with a Performer with no leaks. If you can get a stock 4 bbl intake for free, snag it and use the money you save getting Sparky (or whoever) to professionally set up you Q-jet.

 

Thanks to all for the advice. I've got my eyes out for a Performer but most folks have the RPM style. Are the Jegs/Summit rebuilt Quads done right? As in the same neighborhood as Sparky's? Nay end up purchasing the intake if I can't find one soon.
Thanks again

 

What you are paying for (at least a big part of it) at Sparky's and the other carb resto guys is all the nice new plated parts and recolored carb body. They do nice rebuilds also but that price is for EVERYTHING...part of which you shouldn't worry about too much (the fancy replated/colored parts).

At this level you are probably splitting hairs when it comes to carbs as all those mentioned typically get good reviews for tune-ability, street manners, etc (QJet, Holley Street Avenger and Edelbrock). I think vacuum secondaries would be the way to go with your setup.