Although this topic likely has been discussed several times, under suggestions from my friends (Pontiac, Chevy and Mopar owners) they want me to steer away from the Q-jet and get say an edlebrock (at least of all the others one I've had before was suggested). I'm probably going to ignore them and was already planning a rebuild (with someone suggested by this site). But I figured I'd entertain the question with a post to the board. I like the small primaries and large secondary of the Q-jet and figure it may result in some real nice street manners when the foot is also in agreement with that goal. I'm not so excited with the square bore. The car is not going to see the strip. The build up will be a 70 350 (9:1CR code) slight bump up in cam spec, headers, gasket matched heads/intake. The carb/distributor will be sent to the experts for a rebuild/recurve to match. I'm not smart enough just yet.
I don't think you can go wrong with a well set up Qjet. They just work. The Edelbrocks are quirky. ________ Gay **** trai
If you are using a stock intake manifold it is hard to beat a Q jet as the manifold is already set up for the choke. If you are using an aftermarket al intake you will have to use an aftermarket choke. This could be a reason to get an Eldebrock carb with an electric choke but a Q jet would still work without it. The warmer the climate and the less you use the car the less the reason to need the unit with an electric choke.
When my 455 was not running right--the guys here suggested a new/rebuilt QJ---I got a correct # carb for my year rebuilt by a pro and it made all the difference in the world---also you WANT a choke setup! I live in a warm climate but that automatic choke starts EVERY time and works great Pete
I run an edelbrock sans the choke and have no issues whatsoever with it. S-divider intake also. 2 or 3 pumps and vroom. Even in cold (relatively) weather. Plus every one I have every bought which is about 4 now was an out of the box bolt on and drive operation. I really like 'em.
Thanks for the input! This is an April to Nov New England driven car and for fun (Under 2500miles per year based on insurance of course...) so the electric choke is not that critical although would be nice on cold night starts. The intake will liekly be stock as I don't think I'll benifit from that swap given my build relatively mild build other than weight and cosmetics. Maybe I'll try both at some point.
I'm planning on getting my '73 800cfm qjet rebuilt for my 455 build and putting a manual choke on it cause the lark is my daily driver and I live in northern Illinois, where we get very short summers. How does that sound? By the way, anyone had experience with these ones rebuilt by JET-electric choke? http://store.summitracing.com/partd...919007+4294891681+4294901827+115&autoview=sku
Few carbs were as well designed as the Q jet. It has different circuits for each engine operation mode, and the choke system is hard to beat, unless you do not understand it. I suggest the electric choke system, especially if the incoming air preheat system does not work correctly, or if you will run an aftermarket air cleaner. Another thing to remember is that, once the unit is properly calibrated, it will stay that way unless something breaks. I enjoy tinkering with a carb as much as anyone, but once I get the calibration right, any changes due to poor design are merely a piss-off. Ray
always have always will love Q jets. Just a quickie backyard rebuild on the one in my Cutlass and it drives way better than either Edelbrock I used to have. I'm not even talking about a rebuild done by someone who really knows what they are doing. Edelbrocks always work fine out of the box but I just don't like the way they drive. I had my choke wired open on my Ebrocks as well and they do start easy in warm weather but so what? Plus Q jets look better as a bonus despite how shiny a Ebrock is.
Just remember Edelbrocks were designed for a Chevy. You cannot even run your stock fuel line but have to Mickey mouse it.
From being a member of this board for so long, and reading threads on carbs, I've decided if I get my car running again (street use) I'd definitely go with the Q-jet... unless I decide on a homemade FI system
Q Jet all the way. They may not have any flash appeal, but great for performance. I ran Holley's for years because that's what everybody ran. I moved to the Q Jet for my race car and ran quicker. Stayed with them since.
I love my Q-jet . Spent some time doing some mods and tuning and it works great even with no choke . The car sits a lot without cranking , but a few pumps from the pedal and its ready to go , cold , hot , humid or dry weather .
Q-Jet Go buy the Rochester Carburetors Book, most auto parts stores sell it. It is a HPBooks by Doug Roe. It has everything you could ever want to know about them including how to make them perform as well as any race carb. There is a racing section that I duplicate in my Q-Jets that brings out performance that will rival Fuel Injection. I have been building drag vehicles for 30+ years. Duplicate their race carb instructions and you will have no flat spots, NONE. Takes me about 4-5 hours to do up a race carb. Build your carb for your application. My carbs now have instant response all the time from any throttle position. From a dead idle my Electra or GS will virtually instantly break the tires and both have posi. My Electra now gives me 16 mpg running #74 jets and AX rods and runs 13.9. Buy the book and follow the instructions. There is even a section on the electric carbs of the late 80's. MIkey
Thats a great book . I have it and followed it on several builds , following the race build up is the best route . I have a Skylark with 350 and best time with Q-jet is 11.92
Doug Roe I have the Doug Roe book and used it on a rebuild. It did help. Now the tuning part I'm still eons away from being good at it or comfortable to figure out why it does this or does that when running it. I want to drive more this summer than tinker :grin:, so I'm going to stick with the Q-jet, but just have a different one rebuilt and tuned by an expert for different engine combination I'm trying. Thanks :TU:
Good luck with your carb . Getting the tuning right is not a quick nor easy job . Just be patient and keep working with it and then you will get the performance you are looking for .
Hey Matt , These guys are right about the Q-Jet . Great Carb , especially for the street . Don't sell yourself short on the Carb rebuild or the Distributor . There is sooo much info here it's unbelieveable ! Get Doug Roes' book about q-Jets and there is another new Q-jet book available for about $25.00 , can't remember the author but apparently it's more in depth than Dougs book . If you can lay your hands on a "core" Q-jet from a chevy (fuel outlet points to the passenger side and are more common than ours ) Tear it down and get the feel of one . Then rebuild your own . They're actually pretty easy after the first one you do . I had Hagerty's Insurance on my 64' Chrysler 300 a few years ago . They had great rates , and NO mileage restraints . Sucks when some company can tell you when and how far you can drive . Steve
