Hey All,

Well...I've been consistent my whole life in that I learn everything the hard way. I rebuilt my 4 BBL QJet from scratch and replaced virtually all the components with new and upgraded ones from a calibration kit. I was having issues with the choke housing linkage and a missing choke rod. Was able to find a local shop that I could ship it to for repairs that I just wasn't able to do. Place had good reviews and has been in business for many years (40 or so). Obviously in my emails to this guy, I must have pissed him off as he kept trying to get me to do a rebuild and all I needed was the housing and choke rod fabricated and fixed. Guess he didn't like my responses as I have not heard from him in 2 weeks. Giving it a bit more time under the assumption he's busy before my temper gets the best of me.

Anyways, my question is if I end up not going with the QJet and decide to upgrade, I'm leaning towards Edelbrock or Holley. Since the bores are different on a QJet from the latter, I know there are some adapter plates and such that I will need to also consider. My QJet is also a manual hot air choke and not divorced or electric. Anyone have any experience with replacing a manual hot air choke QJet with either Edelbrock or Holley? Can I stay stock with it or are there modifications I have to do?

 

Call Cliff at www.cliffshighperformance.com if you want good Q-jet parts, kits or him to do a total rebuild. My Q-jets all work perfectly. Choke tubes are available from almost any Olds parts supplier (Fusick). Personally, for the street, I do not think you would be "upgrading" to junk the Quadrajet. So you have been let down by someone who supposedly is a Q-jet expert. Maybe not the expert you thought.

 

On my '72 Rocket 350, I couldn't get my original Q-Jet to run right so initially I switched to a Holley 600 w/electric choke on an Edelbrock Performer intake. That Holley failed me, got another 1 and it failed me too! Switched to the Edelbrock Performer carb (Q-Jet replacement), 600 w/electric choke. Took it right out of the box, bolted it on and never looked back...love it.
Ironically, you need to run at least a 1" spacer for Edelbrock carb linkage to clear Edelbrock intake . Beyond that, I'm very happy with it. Just gotta run a line from coil to electric choke and securely cover port where mechanical choke went into intake.

 

Get the new Street Demon. Based off the Thermoquad but is an all new casting. It will fit spread bore and square bore intakes. You can also get an aluminum or polymer main body.

 

+1.

- Eric

 

I agree and love the Qjet. The Street Demon, if matched to your combo, should equal the Qjet mileage wise. Remember, the Thermoquad was Carter's answer to the Qjet. Triple stacked venturi, small primary bores etc. Add in new non worn castings, that is a huge bonus. Plus an improved choke and no special tool for the air door. I would get one myself but 625 cfm is too small for my plans. It will be perfect for a near stock 350.

 

I was just reading that a new 725 CFM street demon is to be available soon (actually said March 2013). I thought demon was in trouble or gone... are they back?

 

Really? I might consider it. It still might be on the small side.

 

Q-Jets can't be all that bad.....attend an NHRA race and wander into the pits. Then, look under the hoods of the GM cars running Stock and Super Stock; trust me, a LOT of them will have Q-Jets. My buddy has one on a '66 442 that runs 10 flat and CAN run in the 9s if he so wished. Call Sparky---he will set you straight.