Hey guys, I'm looking for input/commentary... It's time to replace the carb on my car. I'm leaning STRONGLY toward a Q-jet, rebuilt. (I want to keep my fuel line.) My argument for the Q-jet is the small primaries for economy, and the capacity for HUGE air flow. The engine is a stock rebuild with some goodies in it. (Cam, Aluminum Intake, Headers). The goal is to put my '72 Riv in the 14's this year, and in the 13's next year. The driveline IS stock, right down to the 2.90something open diff. Well guys/gals, what carb is gonna help me do this and keep me happy with tuning and economy. (I'd rather learn to tune the carb myself) By the way, I might as well get opinions on Giggle Juice, as that's how I'm scheming to get into the 13's (Holley Top Shot, 'cause it's STEALTHY)..the floor is open, and I really do value the responses you guys give me. Nathan
Nathan, Do you still have the original 72 Riv carb? That would be the perfect candidate for a rebuild. It's an 800 cfm Qjet. There are a few guys familiar with nitrous on the board, but I think it would be best that you have an engine designed with it in mind. What are the specifics on your cam and which intake do you have? Did you do any headwork? The heads are going to be a big source of power. There may even be some worked iron ones for sale on the board currently.
2.93 open differential + factory cast pistons + NOS = :ball: You can dump some NOS on factory cast pistons, but when they fail, just don't act surprised. o No: Are your piston cast or forged? BTW, you might as well stick with your Q-jet if you're going to run a dual-plane intake. When the Q-jet is rebuilt (properly), it's hard to beat. Is your intake a dual-plane, single-plane, poS-Divider?
Q jet is the way to go. A lot of people say they are difficult to figure out, but they aren't. I'd love to hear what you plan on doing to get the Boattail down into the 14's because that's where I'd like to get mine to. A posi would be a must to get that low I think.
Steve, the original carb died, cracked base plate as I recall. Right now, I'm running a friend's carb on it. It runs the car, but it's missing things like a choke, linkages, etc. It's also has rods and jets in it for a much faster car than mine. As far as heads, etc, It is stock there too. All I have into it are the bolt ons. I was looking at one at www.i-5automotive.com they said that they'll rebuild one for me that has the front inlet, 800 cfm and electric choke for 300 bucks. So, I'm leaning in that direction...the cam is a TA-212, running stock rockers. The intake is the Edelbrock Performer. Nathan
Yes, they're cast pistons. Most of my money goes to my real life, (family, etc), so I'm limited in what I can do with my car. The $5,000.00 engine rebuild is down the road, maybe on an installment plan (grin). The rebuild I got was a stock rebuild, with the exception of the cam, intake and headers.
I don't know anything about I-5, but I'll give you a hearty recommendation for John Osborn, Q-jet guru extraordinaire... John Osborne Performance P. O. Box 65 [U. S. Mail] 5426 Rineyville Road [UPS or other shipper] Rineyville, Ky. 40162 270-737-4467 email him at JOP455@aol.com He did mine, and he'll want to know EVERYTHING about your setup, from plugs to rear end ratio. Then he'll build up a carb for YOUR car. Very nice work! :TU: I think the final bill was $260+shipping.
Trevor, I'm all for the Q-jet myself, but since I don't know EVERYTHING about carbs, I figured I'd get some outside input. What really turned my head to using the Q-jet was a persuasive little article I read in "Street Rod" some years back. I bought the magazine for the article, and still re-read it every now and again. Stock 1/4 mi time for a 72 Riv was 15.8 @ 88 mph. This is for a stock Riv, non GS, I imagine. So...if I'm running hotter than stock engine (but non-GS heads), I think I might be able to go low 15's. The goal is 14's, and ultimately 13's before I turn it over to my son. He wants the car, and I told him he could have it when he graduates from college. Thankfully, he's only 5. So...in the next 16 years, I want to get the car into the 13's, while also getting double digit mileage on the highway (Gear Vendors Over/Underdrive). Nathan
James, That would be fine, but does he have a core charge, or do I need to supply one? I don't have a salvageable core. (frown) Nathan
OH! - that changes EVERYTHING! Q-Jets are notorious for not liking overdrives...but I'd be glad to HELP you out be taking that nasty ol' gearvendors off of your hands! :Brow: :laugh:
He's got cores to rebuild, mine was REALLY warped from overtightening ou: . Junkyard core Q-jets seem to go for about $20-30 around here, you should be able to find one in a yard near you for $10-15, I'd think. Don't know what he'd want for one of his cores, though. Give him a call and see what he says, he's really easy to deal with!
Oh no, I don't have the Gearvendors YET...but I will have one, and oh yes, it WILL be mine...(grin) Nathan
