I need a little help. I know some of you have 73's & 74's with the 454. If you upgraded the carb and manifold with more modern stuff, did you notice a difference ? Did you have problems with hood clearance ? And lastly what combo did you use. There are a few manufacturers out there and I'm getting confused  (not hard to do) My engine is stock and if I consider adding a cam etc it won't be anything wild. I just want to slightly improve performance.

Thanks                                                                                                                                                                                         

What you can do is check out companies like Edelbrock and Holley...they each manufacture intakes, carbs and camshafts (in Holley's case...Lunati since they have the same parent company). They have charts that give you matched cams, intakes and carbs for the performance you want. They should also tell you how to measure your clearance to make sure your combination will clear a stock hood or if you'll need a different hood.

Of course they all want you to buy their product, but you can certainly mix and match cam manufacturers, etc., as long as the specs are the same, but you might get a better price getting all the same.

Thanks Gunslinger, I just remembered that AfterShark had posted a way to take the measurements for clearance. Once I get that done I'll start comparing suppliers

I read the thread in which Tumarr mentioned Edlebrook intake and carb combinations.  The previous owner had replaced the original exhaust with dual 2 1/2 in stainless pipes.  The carb is worn and not performing very well.  I have been looking at Edlebrook all winter and trying to figure out a good combination for the engine.  Could someone please educate me.  I was looking at the Performance eps #2701 intake with the 650 Thunder series carb #1806.  Would that work?  Which distributor would work best with it?  Is the air gap intake that much better and if it is who sells the drop base filter housings?  Thanks in advance.

The Performer EPS with a Thunder Series 650 AVS should be an excellent combination for a small block. I have an Edelbrock Performer with my original Quadrajet rebuilt and re-jetted to match the cam in the motor and am very pleased with it.

What the Air-Gap intake does is provide the carburetor with a cooler charge of air, and cooler, denser air provides better combustion. How much noticeable difference it makes in your car would be hard to say. If you have the stock cam in the motor, I'd say the difference between the Performer EPS and the RPM Air-Gap would be minimal, but there. Whether you have the L48 or the L82 engine would make a difference in how much performence difference you feel.

By changing to the Edelbrock from your Q-Jet (if that's what you're replacing), you will need to modify your fuel line and filter from the fuel pump to the carburetor. Edelbrock makes a fuel line and filter specifically for doing so, and it gives a professional look as well. If you have a/c, you'll need to install Edelbrock's proprietary a/c idle drop solenoid on the carburetor as well. Summit Racing and Jeg's carry all the parts you'll need for that.

You can use your stock HEI distributor as long as it has no problems that would require its replacement. You can improve it...I did mine by installing a Pertronix HEI tune-up kit with a new module, coil, cap, rotor, and advance weights and springs. MSD, Summit and others have similar kits for HEI. If you want to replace the entire distributor, MSD, Pertronix, Summit, Mallory, Accel, Proform and others sell them.

For the drop base filter housing, check Summit Racing or Jegs, as well as a local speed shop for them. They're very available...just decide what diameter you want.

Thank you Gunslinger.  Hope to meet you someday.  I'll be ordering the parts later this week.  I'll let you know the results in about a month.

[QUOTE=Gunslinger]The Performer EPS with a Thunder Series 650 AVS should be an excellent combination for a small block.



[/QUOTE]

He's got a 454, wouldn't a 750 carb be more in-line?

Warbird who started the thread has a 454. I was answering L82Vette77's question.

You are correct though...a 454 would need a 750 or 800 cfm carb or run out of air capability pretty quick.