Pros and Cons intake carb replacement upgrade.

[WigglesTheHoly]

I've been thinking about projects that have a great cost/results ratio since we are starting to save back money for our up coming family addition in October. The one I've really been looking at is replacing my original intake/2 barrel carb setup to an edelbrock performer with a 1405(i think that was the number) 4 barrel carb. what are everyone's thoughts? Is it worth it or would it just be a waste of my time. The current carb needs a tune up and I was looking to dress my motor up without having to pull it. Although I would still like to go through a 400/454/350 to replace the original motor that is in it with 94k on it. I would like to pull the motor eventually so that I can say i have the original motor in great condition if/when I would go to sell to buy a swb.

[sumran]

Originally Posted by WigglesTheHoly

I've been thinking about projects that have a great cost/results ratio since we are starting to save back money for our up coming family addition in October. The one I've really been looking at is replacing my original intake/2 barrel carb setup to an edelbrock performer with a 1405(i think that was the number) 4 barrel carb. what are everyone's thoughts? Is it worth it or would it just be a waste of my time. The current carb needs a tune up and I was looking to dress my motor up without having to pull it. Although I would still like to go through a 400/454/350 to replace the original motor that is in it with 94k on it. I would like to pull the motor eventually so that I can say i have the original motor in great condition if/when I would go to sell to buy a swb.

What engine do you have? Intake and carb is a good upgrade. 4bbl is much better than two and will save fuel if you keep your foot out of it most of the time. The exhaust system shoud be considered in the upgrade. What you have may be fine, but if it is a stock manifold with single pipe setup, you won't get as much benefit from the intake/carb upgrade.

IMO there is not enough value to the original engine to justify storing it. If it sits out of the truck for a substantial amount of time, it would need work. They are easy to find if someone wants to replace it. You can get reasonable performance out of most of the motors that came in these trucks. Invest a little time and money in it until it makes you smile, then run it.

[WigglesTheHoly]

350 with 350 trans

[Restrorob]

IMO,

Throw a kit in the carb you have and keep stuff'n money away for that family addition, You never know if you might need that little extra.

Also, If your plans are a engine rebuild/upgrade later, what you buy now could limit what engine you get or how you build it....SB vs BB/stock vs built....

[WigglesTheHoly]

Later on being probably 3-5 years out on the rebuild/replacement.

[tucsonjwt]

What are you trying to accomplish? In my experience, a properly rebuilt and adjusted stock Rochester carburetor with stock engine provides reliable starting and running with the best fuel economy (although you will always be driving a gas hog). The only mod I like is a manual choke which is more reliable and predictable than a hot air or electric choke (about $15). Others posting here will disagree, but most mods return little or no value on resale (sometimes lessen resale value) so you just transfer $$ from your pocket to a parts supplier. If you derive value from more performance, that is a different story. Each to his or her own.

[WigglesTheHoly]

I do see more performance as a plus. For instance when pulling a trailer or a camper. Another idea is I have a TBI setup I could throw on it as well.

[85Bowtie]

I don't think the performance gain is worth it unless you change your cam and exhaust. Even then, you can't go with even a "good" cam unless you get into the heads/CR. Save your money.

[Pop's C-10]

Clean & paint it up. Save ya coin

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

What are you trying to accomplish? In my experience, a properly rebuilt and adjusted stock Rochester carburetor with stock engine provides reliable starting and running with the best fuel economy (although you will always be driving a gas hog). The only mod I like is a manual choke which is more reliable and predictable than a hot air or electric choke (about $15). Others posting here will disagree, but most mods return little or no value on resale (sometimes lessen resale value) so you just transfer $$ from your pocket to a parts supplier. If you derive value from more performance, that is a different story. Each to his or her own.

I fully agree...

[pmpski_1]

Wow, I opened this thread thinking I would be in the minority to say save your money. I agree with RestroRob - figure out exactly what you want in 3-5 years and start saving coin for that. You may change your mind 3-4 times between now and then

[fast75]

listen up buddy, if its performance you want, you are gonna spend some money, big money. you can do it on the cheap with what you have in mind. a performer intake with a 650 carb, headers ( make damn sure you get them with a 3/8 flange to eliminate blowing header gaskets) and performance exhaust. i used 40 series flowmasters. the key to horsepower is making the engine breathe. you can do this for around a grand. i could have built my engine alot cheaper if i had know about this site beforehand. there are alot of VERY knowledgeable people on here that can answer ANY question you may have. if i can be of any help, please feel free to contact me. oh yeah, congratulations on your new addition.

[russgt]

85 bowtie hit the nail on the head. You really will not see much of a performance gain going to a 4 barrel without at least upgrading the cam to something a little hotter. I personally would wait for the rebuild/upgrade. Since you know that money will be a little tight and want to do this in the next 3 years or so, take this time to start collecting parts for that build.