I have an L-48 that I plan on installing an Edelbrock Performer intake and either a Holley or Edelbrock carb.
I have talked to several guys and they all say something different about which carb is better. I hear the Edelbrock will get better mileage and less adjustments than the Holley, and others say just the opposite. Any comments one way or the other is appreciated.

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The holley is a performance carb. If you spend the time to tune it, it will probably outperform the edelbrock, if it isn't tuned, it will underperform. It seems to me that the decision should be based on whether or not you want to spend a fair amount of time under the hood in the name of maximizing performance.

Best of luck either way!



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'69 350/350 conv.

I agree...the Holley is more of a performance carb (depending on which model), while the Edelbrock is generally simpler and well give crisp performance and likely better gas mileage. You may well get better pure performance from the Holley, but they are also well known for requiring constant adjustments, maybe just because people can adjust them so much.

Something else to consider...Edelbrock designed their intakes and carbs to be completely compatible...the same goes for Holley and their intakes and carbs. For simplicity, I would stay with both components from the same maker, whichever you decide to go with.

I installed an Edelbrock Performer on my '78 L82 and had my original Quadrajet professionally rebuilt. Due to a bigger cam in the motor it required re-jetting, but the car run fabulous now. I elected to use the Q-jet instead of a new carb because it simplified all the linkage, fuel line and vacuum hook-ups. I'm not the least bit sorry.

I have a '67 Dodge Charger that I installed an Edelbrock Performer intake and 750 carb. Great combination...runs great...lots of torque and better than expected top end.

Edelbrock and Holley make some great products. I've just had more experience with Edelbrock, so I feel comfortable using their stuff. A local speed shop always badmouths Holleys, but they try and push Demon carbs. Maybe they genuinely feel that way, maybe the Demons are simply more profitable for them. I don't pretend to know the answer.

I have used holleys on edelbrock manifolds for some time. I really like edelbrock intakes, but have always had better luck with holley carbs. I have a holley 600 on my 72 vette, with an edelbrock performer intake, that works great. I don't have to constantly adjust it as others say they do. It is constant and reliable. I am about put a edelbrock rpm manifold on it with a 750 holley , with some other modifications, and I think that this will give me what I want.
I am performance oriented and would accept that I have to tinker with my car. I like doing it. But this is one area that once set, seems to stay constant. Chev. used holleys for years on their hi-peformance engines, and they worked well as long as you didn't mess them up.

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tom hargrove

Here's another view: On my ex-L48, I'm running Edelbrock's 795cfm QJet clone on a Performer manifold ... with Performer Plus Cam and Performer heads. (And some other goodstuff, of course) Happy as a clam at high tide with the combination.

Here's why I chose what I chose: Matched performance components, and compatible EVERYTHING (like vacuum ports)with factory plumbing. The car's a DRIVER, so idle - 5500rpm is where I live ... With 3.70's, she hauls ass off the line, too

I really appreciate all the feedback, guys. As I plan on using it as a driver, I think the Edelbrock sounds like the best combo for me. I have a Comp High Energy 268 series cam and hope the 600cfm carb and Performer manifold would handle it. I don't plan on doing a lot of racing, but I do have a heavy foot ever so often....
Thanx again, Larry

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Have you considered a RoadDemon carb? I have a RoadDemon carb bolted to a Weiand intake. I'm happy with that combo...

I know a lot of people don't like it, but for a 600 cfm I would stick with a Q-jet. If they are set up right (which most people don't do) they run great and deliver good mileage. In that cfm range I prefer it to anything else. The smaller primary bores create smooth quick response at low end, good fuel mileage, and the monster secondaries supply all you need at wide open.
Granted I wrenched at Chevrolet for 6 years of my 30 years in this field, so I am a bit biased. But my own observations go to the Q-Jet. You just need someone who REALLY know the carb to set it. Then it's reliable as can be.

I'm going through the same thing that you are Larry. I have the stock configuration on my '73 and the Q-Jet is constantly giving me problems. I have been told by many to rebuild the Q-Jet, but really to get better performance I've decided to change the intake and carb. I've elected to go with the Edelbrock Performer intake and the Edlebrock Model 1400 - 600 cfm carb. The first reason is that the components are matched to each other and is basically a bolt-on and go installation....very nice. It also meets 50 state emissions which in St. Louis we still have to deal with. Finally the EdelBrock 1400 carb is basically a Carter square or spread bore clone and that was one of the best carb ever built. It's easily adjustible by just changing the metering rods and jets....very easy to do. I'll let you know how mine works out when I'm done. Hope that helps...good luck

Following up on this subject - I was under the impression that the Edlebrock carburetors are essentially replacements for the old Rochester Quadrajets.

My '79 L48 has a Q-jet which was rebuilt about 2000 miles and 2 years ago. It doesn't seem to be working ver well so I'm thinking of using a new Edelbrock carb. because a) I figured it would be a direct replacement and b) the new Edelbrock is probably far ahead of my 25 year old Qjet in terms of quality.

Anyone care to share their opinion? Thanks!

Yeah, some of the later Edlebrock's are even sold under the name of "quadrajet". I believe Edlebrock bought the old company and started producing the carbs (correct me if I'm wrong!)

Joe

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Joe Lewis

Joe, I'm with you. I know they bought Carter several years ago and I think they have a licensee agreement to build Rochester Quadrajets, and use the Quadrajet name. They may have purchased Rochester, but I don't know. Maybe someone else has more details. I'm a Holley man.
When it comes to carbs, they do wear over time. The internal parts wear and become loose. Throttle plate shafts wear and cause vaccum leaks. They will eventually wear to the point where you or your local shop will not be able to rebuild them. There are companies like Jet Performance Products, who can help and also offer Q-Jet carbs. www.jetchip.com

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sstanford '76 L48

I'm running a edelbrock right now and I am happy with it,
but I do have a bigger holley on the shelf and was considering rebuilding. You say some times they are beyond rebuild? Is there anything that would stand out that may be a warning sign of a non rebuildable unit? I dont want to waste the money rebuilding it..ya know. Thanks for any help.

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Nate

Nate,
I look for corrosion damage to any of the internal parts and wear in the throttle plate. If any of the moving parts have too much slack or wear, it becomes very hard to tune the carb. Adjustments screws and seats can become damaged and in some carbs are not replaceable. Example: One of the mixture screws was stripped out on my Q-Jet. The prior owner had used silicone to hold it in. That could not be easily repaired. I chose not to rebuild it. Pending the type of carb, they all have their weakness. Holley's throttle plate bases are weak. If you yours is damaged or worn, Holley does not offer replacements(Proform does though).
Disassemble your carb and inspect it for any damage or wear. If you decide to rebuild it yourself, take it to a shop and have them clean it for you. There are solvents available where you can do it yourself, but if you leave carb parts in too long the solvent will do more harm than good. There are several books available to use as a guide for rebuilding carbs. I recommend going to Barns & Noble, have a cup of coffey, and look through the books available for tips and information.

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sstanford '76 L48

I kinda like to keep edelbrock with edelbrock. In all their ads they claim that all their components are dynomatched which makes sense to me. I wouldnt be afraid to keep the stock Q-jet, contrary to what some folks may say I have found them to be outstanding carbs, especially if your not planning on upgrading the cam.