I have an 81 C3, and am thinking about putting an aftermarket carb/ intake on....preferably edelbrock or holley, what parnumbers are recommended, as I live in California, and don't want to get in trouble with the smog nazi's, lol. This car is a daily driver!

On the same subject...I am going to rebuild the 350, and want to get about 300 horses out of it....any ideas, to pull it out of the 350 I already have (don't want to buy an LT1, or a LS1...nor do I want to swap the engine. I want to keep my carbed 350 sbc (original engine) in the car, and just want some more SMOG LEGAL horsepower. Everyone at the parts stores, is giving me too much bs...so I thought I would ask here...a bunch of vetteheads like me! Ideas of head, and cams willbe really helpful!

Performance heads, headers, duel exhaust, intake manifold, and your ready to go. Look at Summit Racing or Jegs Racing.

Ken Styer

For what it's worth --

'73 with .030 overbore 350 = 355 cu in.
stock crackshaft & connecting rods
AFR 190 cc aluminum heads, 72 cc combustion chambers milled (by AFR) to 64 cc
Speed-Pro coated, hypereutectic dished pistons, 9.4:1 compression ratio
Comp Cams hydraulic lifters
Comp Cams pushrods
Comp Cams roller rocker arms, 1.6 ratio
Comp Cams X-Treme Energy cam XE 256 (fairly mild)
Edelbrock Performer EPS dual plane manifold
Edelbrock Thunder series AVS 800 cfm carb (#1813)
K & N filter with X-Treme top
Comp Cams X-Treme Energy torque convertor (XE 268)
TH 400 transmission with shift kit
3.55 rear gears
Hooker competition 1 5/8" headers (3" collectors)
dual exhaust

dyno results of 303 rear wheel hp
depending on who you listen to, this would equate to 364 - 379 at the flywheel
408 lb-ft torque

Previously had the Edelbrock Performer manifold and their 600 cfm carb (#1406). Dyno at that time was 274 hp rear wheel.

Because it's licensed as an antique, I don't have to take it for emissions. But, just for fun, had a shop do a "sniffer" test and they said it would pass without a problem.

Hope this helps.

|UPDATED|4/9/2004 7:02:38 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Hey 73 Pearl Orange,

What fuel pump are you running? I have the same carb, and a stock fuel pump. I noticed the inline fuel filter is never full. Normal?

Hinz 73

Had the stock fuel pump and kept getting a "stumble" at about 5,200 rpm. My performance guy correctly diagnosed it as fuel starvation and suggested a higher output pump. Went with the Edelbrock Performer #1721 (110 gallons per hour, 6 psi) and the Moroso fuel pump push rod. Cleared up the problem immediately. Have changed to an 800 cfm carb and have noticed something similar, although not quite as bag. It now appears it's due to the fuel filter being too small. Talked with Edelbrock and they recommend going with a Russell Competition fuel filter as the flow will match the pump. Redoing the line from the pump to the carb. Have all the parts, just waiting for better weather to try it out. Hope this helps.

Thanks. Yes, I am having the same problem and am in process of upgrading the pump to the performer 1721. Glad to hear it helps. Bigger fuel filter is a good idea also.

Aloha.

If you live in Cali. then smog will be an issue. Since I work for a parts manufacturer then there are several things that I can advise and others you will need to investigate.

You can change anything you want, but it must pass carb.....duh!

Lets take headers for example. There are two styles that we make, full length that have all the emission hookups. These are considered 49 state legal. Meaning in 49 states if you go to have it smogged and they see headers all of the original emissions equipment needs to be hooked up and the headers better have provisions for them.

The other set it a 50 state legal header. This header, typically a shorty style as this is the easiest way to retain the catalytic converters, has been certified to pass or not alter the emissions of a vehicle in california so they assign it a carb EO #. You should know what this is since you live in Cal. Depending on the part this number will be visible either on the part or the manufacturer provides a decal that can adhered under the hood to show its legal. If the decal or number is present they can't say crap to you about that being an illegal part not certified for that vehicle.

However that does not mean you will pass Emissions, it means you will pass inspection. IF you fail to pass emissions it could be due to another problem.

So The best advice for you is to find parts that have an EO Numbers. Most Manufacturers have some parts that have them.

Fuel Air Mixers, I mean carbs. This is one area that is a grey from what I have been told. Holley does have replacement carbs that are certified 50 state legal and have a CARB E.O. #. On the other hand I have friends in Cal. that say that as long as your going 4bbl to 4bbl then your fine as long as it has all the emission hook ups on the carb and have passed emissions with no problem. Then I have others that have told me to put the original carb back on the engine just to pass and then swap it back off for the other 364 days out of the year.

I've been told you can do dual exhaust in california, but you must have a cat installed in each pipe.

Obviously to pass emssions, its going to come down to how well the carb is tuned in so your not overly rich and having the right parts with the right documentation to get you through.

I hope some of this makes sense and doesn't confuse the matter.