have a 71 blazer with a 350ci.,4spd. edelbrock performer manifold and cam and headers with 3.73 rear. Also have an old beater for the ruff stuff The 71' does light off-road and a lot of street miles. Have an old rochester on it now from a 70' buick 455ci. I was considering either a holley street avenger (670cfm)or the edelbrock performer (600cfm #1406). Not doing any severe angles. Anyone have any comments on either carb?
CK5
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holley vs. edelbrock
- Thread starter roadrash
- Start date
I have a 71 with a SB 350 and I currently have the Edelbrock 600 # 1406 and I love the carb. I have had my truck on some serious inclines and have had no real trouble. The only time I can remember I had a prob. was climbing a steep grade and I started to bounce the truck did not die untill I took my foot off the gas but after that it was a pain to start. all in all I have had great success with the carb and the throttle response is good enough to roast my 35" BFG Muds with 4:11 gears so there. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
RingMaster4x4
1/2 ton status
I have a Street Avenger 770 and I like it alot. I have bounced it around alot and it has not given me any problems.
chevyracing
1/2 ton status
They make an off road kit for both carbs to solve all of those problems.
ErikH
1/2 ton status
I have experience w/ both Edelbrock and Holley. I'm currently running Ed's #1405 (manual choke) with the offroad kit, and I have very few complaints even in the high-angle bounces. However, it seems that the big 750cfm Holley double-pumper I had on my Camaro years ago just ran flawless. Perfect idle, tons of smooth power, no vacuum leaks... I can't say the same for the Edelbrock (but the minor problems I'm having are likely due to bad lifters and uneven compression). My $0.02.
'72brett
1/2 ton status
well, if you are not worried about angles, what is wrong with a factory Q-jet?
Beast388
1/2 ton status
Do you have any part numbers for those kits? I searched Holley's website high and low and I only found a few "off-road" parts, like needles and seats. /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif
The problem with the old Q-jet is that it is old and worn out. It has been rebuilt many times. Loose throttle plate, leaking gaskets. Plus it isn't the optimum cfm for my little old 350ci. The Q-jet came off a 70' buick 455ci. I was also kind of hoping for a little technical improvement over the 33year old Q-jet. I know the Holley and the Edelbrock are old designs but I would expect some improvement over the years. Plus the Q-jet is one ugly looking toilet bowl.
chevyracing
1/2 ton status
I got the one for my 750 from NAPA for about 20 bucks. Ir had the bowl baffle and all.
John
John
'72brett
1/2 ton status
hmm, Aren't Chevs y Q-jets something like 700 or 750 CFM? I know they are quiet a bit larger than 600. Well, I am using a rebuilt Q-jet on mine when I swap it this weekend. My air-cleaner is also dropped an inch. that kind of hide its "ugliness" I do agree, they aint pretty!
Beast388
1/2 ton status
Thanks John...
What does Napa call the kit? Do you happen to have Napa's part number? Is your 750 a "3310" or a "4779" Holley?
Ben
What does Napa call the kit? Do you happen to have Napa's part number? Is your 750 a "3310" or a "4779" Holley?
Ben
Rusty68
1/2 ton status
If you decide on a Holley, take a look at my tuning tips on my page. You might find it useful.
http://groups.msn.com/ProjectBigRed/tuningholleycarbs.msnw
http://groups.msn.com/ProjectBigRed/tuningholleycarbs.msnw
Beast388
1/2 ton status
I have a #3310 Holley on my 388 now. Thanks for the info, those tuning tips are good reading!! I am trying to get better mileage and off road driveability out if it. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
Steve_Chin
1/2 ton status
Early Quadrajets are by and large all 750 CFM carburetors. They can be tuned to work with anything from a 6 cylinder 200 CID engine up through a mild 455 CID engine. If the throttle shafts are loose, the throttle body can be bushed. If the gaskets leak, they're not a big deal since they get replaced in a rebuild anyhow. Carburetors rarely just "wear out." They get damaged and their passages get plugged up, but pretty much never wear out.
That said, my 357 is a pretty mild (in my mind, anyhow) build and the 600 CFM AFB clone from Edelbrock couldn't keep up with it. Even after tuning it, it wouldn't run like I knew it could run, so I put a late model 750 CFM Quadrajet on it and tuned that, picked up a tad of bottom end, about 500 RPM of top end, better throttle response, and better fuel economy to boot.
That said, my 357 is a pretty mild (in my mind, anyhow) build and the 600 CFM AFB clone from Edelbrock couldn't keep up with it. Even after tuning it, it wouldn't run like I knew it could run, so I put a late model 750 CFM Quadrajet on it and tuned that, picked up a tad of bottom end, about 500 RPM of top end, better throttle response, and better fuel economy to boot.
'72brett
1/2 ton status
Really, in my opinion the Q-jets are better than anything else. If u want the looks, get a new edelbrock Q-jet clone. The reason people feel they have to bash them is becuase they are more difficult to tune. They were built specifically for them chevy engines. so if you think about it, how can there be a better carb? the holleys and Ed's arent calibrated for that engine (probably) Just spend a little more time tuning the Q-jet and you will be happier in the end. I am only 17 and I have tuned many Q-jets, if I can, you all can! "once again, MY OPINION" (im very opinionated)
Steve_Chin
1/2 ton status
I agree with Brett for the most part. The one thing I don't agree with is getting a new Edelbrock clone. If you want a pretty carburetor, you can always send it off to a specialist like Cliff Ruggles and he can clean it and re-plate it, as well as set it up and build it for the engine combination you're running.
The Quadrajet is a very flexible carburetor. The only major problems that arise in comparison to a Holley would be availability of tuning parts (you can get 'em for a Holley just about anywhere, but they're a little harder to find for a Quadrajet) and a small loss of power in a max-effort engine (something you're not likely to see in any 4-wheeler, save a stadium racer or monster truck).
The advantages of a Quadrajet would be better fuel economy, better low-end throttle response, and better emissions.
The Quadrajet is a very flexible carburetor. The only major problems that arise in comparison to a Holley would be availability of tuning parts (you can get 'em for a Holley just about anywhere, but they're a little harder to find for a Quadrajet) and a small loss of power in a max-effort engine (something you're not likely to see in any 4-wheeler, save a stadium racer or monster truck).
The advantages of a Quadrajet would be better fuel economy, better low-end throttle response, and better emissions.
Installed the Holley. The truck runs great. Just adjusted the mixture and drove off into sunset. Here is my 2 cents. Most carbs do a good job if they are tuned correctly and aren't worn out. The edelbrock Q-jet is probably a good carb but it still is a Q-jet and Ugly. I was looking for both worlds; good performance and good looks. I achieved both with the Holley. Some may like the looks of the Q-jet, that's cool. I don't think a carb cares if it sitting on top of a Chevy or a Ford. It depends on if it is tuned correctly for the right size engine, manifold, cam, heads, exhaust, and your driving style. I say get what you like and tune it to fit your application. O.K. that was 3 cents.
Stroked72Blazer
1/2 ton status
For any one else that might be on the verge of a desision check with www.jetchip.com They are the best when it comes to Q-jets and in my opinion Q-jet is the only carb I'll ever use. how else can you get the fuel milage of a 2 barrel with the perfomance of a double pumper depending on how you drive it. Q-jet came available from 650-850cfm the 850 are hard to find and if you ever get your hand on one hold on tight. I think it was mid 80 1 tons they came on. All the problems you described can be fixed with kits available from jet. Ok, I just added a quarter to the pot.
