Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs...
04-14-2003, 11:21 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs...
In the 12 years I've owned my '80, I've tried two different "Performance Q-Jet builders" (The Carb Shop, and Jet Performance). Long story short, I don't ever want to have anything to do with "rebuilt" carbs again. For one, the quality was not there, and secondly, if I give you every ounce of background on the engine, trans, rear gear ratio, altitude, intended use etc, don't you think you could at least get the setup in the ballpark?
With that in mind, I decided to check out Edelbrock's Q-Jets. Sticker shock! I wasn't prepared to see a price in the $450.00 +- range. Hmmm... maybe I'll luck out and find one on eBay. Strike two! Last night's search showed me dozens of people selling their AFB-type carbs, but only one Edelbrock Q-Jet (the 1901, which was made for older cars than mine).
Now the questions:
1) Anyone out there running the Edelbrock 1904 on a ZZ4? Like it? Any recommended mods?
2) Is it possible to get this carb for a far more reasonable price? (my source was Jeg's, where I usually get good deals).
I really don't want a Holley or Demon, and I doubt Lars works on carbs anymore (this is my daily driver now, so that would be impractical anyway).
OK. I'm done. :rant:
With that in mind, I decided to check out Edelbrock's Q-Jets. Sticker shock! I wasn't prepared to see a price in the $450.00 +- range. Hmmm... maybe I'll luck out and find one on eBay. Strike two! Last night's search showed me dozens of people selling their AFB-type carbs, but only one Edelbrock Q-Jet (the 1901, which was made for older cars than mine).
Now the questions:
1) Anyone out there running the Edelbrock 1904 on a ZZ4? Like it? Any recommended mods?
2) Is it possible to get this carb for a far more reasonable price? (my source was Jeg's, where I usually get good deals).
I really don't want a Holley or Demon, and I doubt Lars works on carbs anymore (this is my daily driver now, so that would be impractical anyway).
OK. I'm done. :rant:
04-14-2003, 11:27 AM
#2
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Mar 2002
Location: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Re: Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs... (PartTimeGenius)
It's OK...honest...easy does it...we'll fix you up right!
Option 1: Remanufactured Edelbrock QJets. These are almost-new warranty return units that Edelbrock checks and repairs as needed (with new parts). I have one and it's great. Available from Summit, Scoggin-Dickey, and perhaps Jegs. I paid under 300 bucks for mine.
Option 2: Lars rebuild, and a Lars loaner carb until he finishes the job. I think he still does it, and the loaner should help prevent downtime!
See, I told you that was easy! :yesnod:
Option 1: Remanufactured Edelbrock QJets. These are almost-new warranty return units that Edelbrock checks and repairs as needed (with new parts). I have one and it's great. Available from Summit, Scoggin-Dickey, and perhaps Jegs. I paid under 300 bucks for mine.
Option 2: Lars rebuild, and a Lars loaner carb until he finishes the job. I think he still does it, and the loaner should help prevent downtime!
See, I told you that was easy! :yesnod:
04-14-2003, 11:38 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
Re: Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs... (PartTimeGenius)
I'[m not a big fan of Q-Jets after my experience with my original and also a brand new GM carb. I just installed a new Edelbrock Thunder Series Air Valve Secondary 650 cfm carb on my 74 and i couldn't be happier. Ran great right out of the box and hasn't missed a beat in the month that I've had it on. The Thunder series is just a regular performer with an adjustable secondary valve. You could just go with a regular Performer carb and get the same thing minus the adjustable secondary. I too didn't want a demon or holley for a lot of reasons not the least is that I've heard about a lot of problems with leaks if you don't get them back together just right. I haven't heard a lot of bad things about the Edelbrock other than they don't make as much ultimate horsepower as a holley or demon. I'll trade a few horsepower for reliability any day. Just my $.02.
04-14-2003, 08:45 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: Lake Villa IL
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
3 Posts
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs... (PartTimeGenius)
I'm running an Edelbrock Performer, with an electric choke, and I kind of like it. I've read what Lars has to say about the inherent value of a Q-jet, and I believe him. The Edelbrock flat out sucks up fuel. I can almost watch the gauge move while the car idles. The Q-jet was actually pretty efficient.
The downside of the Q-jet, as you've already found out, is it's difficult to set up correctly. I found it to be easy to take apart and put back together. But when it comes to the finer points, like setting up the float, I was lost. So the carb dumped fuel.
If I were in your spot, I'd pass on the Performer and see if you can get Lars to rebuild yours. The Edelbrock is easy install and adjust, will run like a champ out of the box, and is reliable. But the Q-jet is a better carb, in that it nails the finer points.
my $.02
Good luck with it.
:cheers:
The downside of the Q-jet, as you've already found out, is it's difficult to set up correctly. I found it to be easy to take apart and put back together. But when it comes to the finer points, like setting up the float, I was lost. So the carb dumped fuel.
If I were in your spot, I'd pass on the Performer and see if you can get Lars to rebuild yours. The Edelbrock is easy install and adjust, will run like a champ out of the box, and is reliable. But the Q-jet is a better carb, in that it nails the finer points.
my $.02
Good luck with it.
:cheers:
04-14-2003, 10:35 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Re: Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs... (joeveto)
I'm running an Edelbrock Performer, with an electric choke, and I kind of like it. I've read what Lars has to say about the inherent value of a Q-jet, and I believe him. The Edelbrock flat out sucks up fuel. I can almost watch the gauge move while the car idles. The Q-jet was actually pretty efficient.
The downside of the Q-jet, as you've already found out, is it's difficult to set up correctly. I found it to be easy to take apart and put back together. But when it comes to the finer points, like setting up the float, I was lost. So the carb dumped fuel.
If I were in your spot, I'd pass on the Performer and see if you can get Lars to rebuild yours. The Edelbrock is easy install and adjust, will run like a champ out of the box, and is reliable. But the Q-jet is a better carb, in that it nails the finer points.
my $.02
Good luck with it.
:cheers:
The downside of the Q-jet, as you've already found out, is it's difficult to set up correctly. I found it to be easy to take apart and put back together. But when it comes to the finer points, like setting up the float, I was lost. So the carb dumped fuel.
If I were in your spot, I'd pass on the Performer and see if you can get Lars to rebuild yours. The Edelbrock is easy install and adjust, will run like a champ out of the box, and is reliable. But the Q-jet is a better carb, in that it nails the finer points.
my $.02
Good luck with it.
:cheers:
I appreciate your input on this. It may not have been clear from my long and rambling post, but I intend on staying with a Q-jet; it was just the price of the new Edelbrock versions that was the deterrent. The 1904 I referred to in the first question is the Edelbrock QJet w/ electric choke. It seems to be the closest match for my car.
And, despite my best efforts to get him to move to the perpetually sunny climes of Texas, Lars seems to be content in his Colorado hide-away.
:cheers:
04-14-2003, 10:46 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Re: Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs... (page62)
It's OK...honest...easy does it...we'll fix you up right!
Option 1: Remanufactured Edelbrock QJets. These are almost-new warranty return units that Edelbrock checks and repairs as needed (with new parts). I have one and it's great. Available from Summit, Scoggin-Dickey, and perhaps Jegs. I paid under 300 bucks for mine.
Thanks for draggin' me back from the edge of the cliff. This car frustrates the @#$%& out of me. It's living proof that money massages don't always yield the best results. I checked with Summitt, and they've got the re-mf'ed carb for $357.00 - a $100.00 savings over new.
Option 2: Lars rebuild, and a Lars loaner carb until he finishes the job. I think he still does it, and the loaner should help prevent downtime!
I was under the impression that Lars had taken himself out of the carb rebuild business so he could work on some of his own projects (how selfish can ya get?) :D
See, I told you that was easy! :yesnod:
Option 1: Remanufactured Edelbrock QJets. These are almost-new warranty return units that Edelbrock checks and repairs as needed (with new parts). I have one and it's great. Available from Summit, Scoggin-Dickey, and perhaps Jegs. I paid under 300 bucks for mine.
Thanks for draggin' me back from the edge of the cliff. This car frustrates the @#$%& out of me. It's living proof that money massages don't always yield the best results. I checked with Summitt, and they've got the re-mf'ed carb for $357.00 - a $100.00 savings over new.
Option 2: Lars rebuild, and a Lars loaner carb until he finishes the job. I think he still does it, and the loaner should help prevent downtime!
I was under the impression that Lars had taken himself out of the carb rebuild business so he could work on some of his own projects (how selfish can ya get?) :D
See, I told you that was easy! :yesnod:
04-14-2003, 10:48 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Re: Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs... (page62)
It's OK...honest...easy does it...we'll fix you up right!
Option 1: Remanufactured Edelbrock QJets. These are almost-new warranty return units that Edelbrock checks and repairs as needed (with new parts). I have one and it's great. Available from Summit, Scoggin-Dickey, and perhaps Jegs. I paid under 300 bucks for mine.
Thanks for draggin' me back from the edge of the cliff. This car frustrates the @#$%& out of me. It's living proof that money massages don't always yield the best results. I checked with Summitt, and they've got the re-mf'ed carb for $357.00 - a $100.00 savings over new.
Option 2: Lars rebuild, and a Lars loaner carb until he finishes the job. I think he still does it, and the loaner should help prevent downtime!
I was under the impression that Lars had taken himself out of the carb rebuild business so he could work on some of his own projects (how selfish can ya get?) :D
See, I told you that was easy! :yesnod:
Option 1: Remanufactured Edelbrock QJets. These are almost-new warranty return units that Edelbrock checks and repairs as needed (with new parts). I have one and it's great. Available from Summit, Scoggin-Dickey, and perhaps Jegs. I paid under 300 bucks for mine.
Thanks for draggin' me back from the edge of the cliff. This car frustrates the @#$%& out of me. It's living proof that money massages don't always yield the best results. I checked with Summitt, and they've got the re-mf'ed carb for $357.00 - a $100.00 savings over new.
Option 2: Lars rebuild, and a Lars loaner carb until he finishes the job. I think he still does it, and the loaner should help prevent downtime!
I was under the impression that Lars had taken himself out of the carb rebuild business so he could work on some of his own projects (how selfish can ya get?) :D
See, I told you that was easy! :yesnod:
04-15-2003, 12:15 PM
#9
Advanced
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Tallahassee Florida
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs... (vettfixr)
Vettfixr:
I too am having trouble with my 74 L82 Q-Jet. I had original rebuilt by ex-GM carb mechanic who supposedly knew his stuff. Unsatisfactory!!! I next tried a rebuilt Q-Jet rebuilt by Holley. Still unsatisfactory. Both units would start ok, but then immediately lose RPMs like it was starving for gas. After a 30 seconds of pumping the pedal to keep it running, it smooths out and runs great. Fuel pump has been replace.
I am interested in going to the Edelbrock as long as I can connect all of the vacuum lines as in the original Q-Jet setup. Any thoughts?
Ken
I too am having trouble with my 74 L82 Q-Jet. I had original rebuilt by ex-GM carb mechanic who supposedly knew his stuff. Unsatisfactory!!! I next tried a rebuilt Q-Jet rebuilt by Holley. Still unsatisfactory. Both units would start ok, but then immediately lose RPMs like it was starving for gas. After a 30 seconds of pumping the pedal to keep it running, it smooths out and runs great. Fuel pump has been replace.
I am interested in going to the Edelbrock as long as I can connect all of the vacuum lines as in the original Q-Jet setup. Any thoughts?
Ken
04-15-2003, 01:27 PM
#10
Advanced
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: Calgary Alberta
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs... (vettfixr)
The Thunder series is just a regular performer with an adjustable secondary valve.
[Modified by Apeiron, 11:29 AM 4/15/2003]
04-15-2003, 02:47 PM
#11
Team Owner
Member Since: Feb 1999
Location: Deep East Texas
Posts: 29,077
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs... (PartTimeGenius)
1) Anyone out there running the Edelbrock 1904 on a ZZ4? Like it? Any recommended mods?
2) Is it possible to get this carb for a far more reasonable price? (my source was Jeg's, where I usually get good deals).
04-15-2003, 02:55 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
Re: Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs... (vettfixr)
I have a 1904 sitting on the bench now,but I ran it for 8 years without a problem on the 355.(Except the electric choke quit.)Got 17 mpg's,and could handle the 355.When I went to the 406,again same carb,now with 120,000 miles and never been rebuilt,I experienced fuel starvation at the top end.Hence the 3310 I now run.
I have to admit the Q-Jet idled better,and pulled off the line better,but the Holley doesn't run out of gas on the top.(6500rpms witrh a 406 must suck a ton of gas.)
[Modified by The Money Pit, 7:58 PM 4/15/2003]
I have to admit the Q-Jet idled better,and pulled off the line better,but the Holley doesn't run out of gas on the top.(6500rpms witrh a 406 must suck a ton of gas.)
[Modified by The Money Pit, 7:58 PM 4/15/2003]
04-15-2003, 03:48 PM
#13
Instructor
Member Since: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia Beach Va.
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Long rambling thoughts and questions on Edelbrock carbs... (kenr57)
The Edelbrock 1400, 600 CFM emissions legal carb. Should have all you need to set up as Q-jet. I have had Edelbrocks on at least 4 cars and it performed great. I have one on my 77 with a 1 inch, 4 hole spacer and it runs like a scalded cat right out of the box. These are great carbs. Everything GM put on emissions cars are a compromise, clean air and fuel efficient does not equal max power or any power for that matter. Don't knock Edelbrocks until you've tried one. :D
