quadrajet recommendation for my '76 T/A

[poncho via]

Was just wondering what you guys would recommend since there are a couple of rebuilt Qjets out there that I'm thinking of buying and eventually having modified by Cliff. The thing is I need to get this car running very soon so I will install shortly after purchase.

The car: 400 with lightly ported small chamber #16 heads, Street Dominator intake, Comp 230 degree @.050/.480 lift cam (not my choice), headers with good ex. sys, and the factory shaker (now functional) with a much improved customized K & N style air filter combo, 5 speed trans & 3.23 gear.

The candidates: #7041251 RC Qjet from a 1971 350 to 455 Olds
                          or a #9043 Qjet from a 1974 Pontiac
Thanks for any and all help

[Cliff Ruggles]

Neither one.  I would spend the time/funds to obtain a 1976-1979 Pontiac q-jet.  Couple of reasons for this.  They are large cfm, correct intlet location, linkage, type of choke, vacuum fittings, large front vent for the shaker base.

They are also the later design with APT, and large cfm.

I use a 1977 Pontiac q-jet on my own engine, 455 making just under 600hp.  The part number is 17057274.  To date it has outran, dyno and at the track, every aftermarket carburetor we've tested it against.  Beat them in fuel economay testing as well.

The later Pontiac cores are still quite common, and can be purchased for reasonable prices.....Cliff

[poncho via]

Thanks Cliff, I will abandon my original options and start looking for the one you suggested.