Edelbrock carb or other?

[stephen4785]

I finnaly got the stang(65 GT) back on the road and got to fully test it out(new motor,had to let it break in).It seems like its got a lack of power for whats been done to it.I dont have any dyno numbers or track times.Iv been told by a few other guys that a demon or holley would run better than my edelbrock 650.I talked to the guy I bought it from and he said that it seemed like when he put on that edelbrock it didnt have as much go.I wish I had some numbers to post so I could get some good opinons if its about right.The motor is a .040 302 with hyp. flat top coated skirts pistons,total seal gapless rings,high volume oil pump,double roller timing chain,comp cam 280H(280/512) hyd.,comp cam hyd. lifters,comp cams 1.6 roller tip rockers,comp cams double valve springs,vavlve shims,viton valve seals,1968 351W heads,edelbrock performer intake (no not a rpm),edelbrock 650 carb,mallory unilite distributor,mallory 8.8 wires,ford motorsport coil,stock manifolds,h pipe,crappy mufflers(P.O. had "super turbos" put on), and stock tranny.

 

[6Stang7]

Holley’s and Demons are more performance oriented then an Edelbrock performer carb. How big of a difference will you see is hard to say. I am guessing here, but I think your problem might be that your intake isn't the right one for the cam that you have (I think that is the same cam my boss has in his race built motor, and if it is, then it is a high RPM with a good amount of valve overlap). If this is true, then your intake is basically preventing your cam from bring out its really performance. Also, your carb probably isn't jetted for this cam, also hurting your performance. What I would suggest (and anyone correct me if I am wrong) is that you should get a new intake (performer rpm ) and either get a jet kit for your 650 and jet it, or get a Demon that will satisfy your cams needs.

 

[D.Hearne]

Your intake and exhaust are BOTH holding your motor back. You need a better intake than a stock type Performer, either an RPM or a factory aluminum high rise like the old C9OX or the newer Ford A321 to let it breathe. Your motor also needs headers. What "stock" transmission are we talking about here?

 

[stephen4785]

1965 C4.Thats what Iv been thinking about the intake and exhaust.I knew that the cam was to big of a setup with the currnt mods but a friend gave me the cam and it was brand new.I installed it with the plans of installing a new intake,exhaust,converotr,gears,and some AFR heads but Ill have to wait untill I get the money.
I think Im gonna get a performer RPM,demon carb,and header back ehaust system before too long.

 

[Max Power]

What your are running now is a hodge podge of mismatched parts, no offense. A Demon or Holley wont help with that intake, and even if you switched intakes to match the carb, you are stuffing air in but not letting it out. Your heads and exhaust are really holding you back.

It's usually a lot cheaper to assemble a well orchestrated package from the start.

 

[jikelly]

What your are running now is a hodge podge of mismatched parts, no offense. A Demon or Holley wont help with that intake, and even if you switched intakes to match the carb, you are stuffing air in but not letting it out. Your heads and exhaust are really holding you back.

It's usually a lot cheaper to assemble a well orchestrated package from the start.

I think Max's statment is correct. You will need to do something about your intake heads and exhaust before you will see any HP gains from using the cam you have installed. I had a little less cam than you (268x comp cam) but I installed it with an weland stealth manifold, headers, 2.5 dual exhast and was very happy with the performance of that combination of parts on my 351w.

Initally I had a set of 89 Gt heads that had been pocket ported for extra flow, but I later installed a set of CNC ported early small block ford heads with much larger ports. Really I think the engined pulled harder when the pocket ported heads were on, but that could be due to the fact that I just haven't retuned my 750 edelbrock carb since the install.

 

[D.Hearne]

While the statements about your heads being a bottle neck with that cam , you also have to remember that , that cam WILL work with the stock heads. You WILL see an improvement with a better intake, carb and headers. You just have to keep in mind that even with stock heads, the intake, carb and headers will make a difference, just the gain you'll see won't be as big a gain you'd get with better heads. If you can't afford better heads, by all means go ahead with the carb, headers and intake, you won't regret it.

 

[stephen4785]

I realizied from the start that the cam I used is to much for the setup.I thought the carb would be ok but I know Im wrong now.The reason I used the cam is because Im planning on installing a new intake,heads,headers back exhaust and new carb.The cam I used was given to me and it was still in the box.So I figured instead of buying a smaller cam,then installing a bigger cam after Iv done the other upgrades.The stang is a daily driver so I really couldnt do everything I wanted to in the time permitted.

 

[ratio411]

Edelbrock Performer (no not a rpm)...
Edelbrock 650 carb...
stock manifolds...
crappy mufflers...

You pointed out your problems.
The Edelbrock carb is flat performance wise.
The intake is actually milder than stock.
The manifolds... Ugh! Just get some LT headers.
Turbos sound good, but do flow less.

Another note on the intake, it is totally out of sync with that cam. It is out of breath before the cam even comes on.
Weiand X-Cellerator... that is your best choice.
Dave

Edit:
IMO you will get the biggest bang with LT headers and intake. The carb will help too, but not as much. If you are on a budget, get the intake and LTs first. You will be amazed at what just those 2 mods do for you. In the end, just working on the few things I pointed out, I think you will be very happy with your performance.

 

[65 fastback]

I wouldn't throw out the carb just yet. First, replace the exhaust manifolds with some headers and 2-1/4" - 2-1/2" exhaust. Then swap out the intake (quick cheap weekend project). See how that's working for you before you swap the carb.

I've got the Edelbrock 600 on a fairly warmed up 302 and am very pleased with it. The Edelbrock's are very easy to tune. You might squeeze a little more out of a Holley or Demon, but you need to be pretty good at tuning a carb.

Just my thoughts,
Tim

 

[ratio411]

You might squeeze a little more out of a Holley or Demon, but you need to be pretty good at tuning a carb.

I agree with everything you said except "You might squeeze a little more..."
The fact is you will squeeze alot more.
Pretty good when two people can agree on an entire statement except one little word...
Dave

 

[jikelly]

I have been very happy with my Edelbrock carb but from what a hear you can squeeze more power out of one of them Demon carbs. Unfortunatly getting a Demon would squeeze my wallet beyond what I can afford. The guys are right about your heads you could save changing them until later and should see gains with a new intake and some headers.

 

[MONTTU]

WHY ??

I have been reading these forums for a while. Everybody are tossing carbs and chancing to another. Have this car been on rolling dyno with sensors connected? If not, it is foolish to change parts when carb is not adjusted properly. There is propably 20-40 HP to be gained with less money than price of carb. Yes, get the headers, toss the manifolds. No, 650 carb is not too small, it is enough to serve 350-400 HP.

 

[MONTTU]

I have been reading these forums for a while. Everybody are tossing carbs and chancing to another. Have this car been on rolling dyno with sensors connected? If not, it is foolish to change parts when carb is not adjusted properly. There is propably 20-40 HP to be gained with less money than price of carb. Yes, get the headers, toss the manifolds. No, 650 carb is not too small, it is enough to serve 350-400 HP.