Carb options on a 81 2.8 FWD

[wroberts]

Well I'm considering replacing the stock carb on my 81 Skylark Convertible.
However being new to this type of mod (I usually just a stock kind of guy) I'm in need of some help. I'm considering doing this upgrade now as the mixture control solenoid is bad and I can't see spending $100 to get a new one. It would seem to me that it would be better to spend $100 in some upgrades.

Here seem to be the most popular carb choices
Holley 4160 390cfm
Holley 5200 350 cfm
Weber dual 38

Now can I bolt these to my existing intake or do I need to an Edelbrock Torker II or Offenhauser manifold intake as well?

I'm going upgrade the heads with the H.O ones from from an X-11, they'll get ported and polished (winter 05/06), and eventually get a CAM, Headers, Exhaust. But these are all further out projects, I'll need the Carb to work with stock stuff this summer.

Does replacing the carb mean that I'll need to redo the ignition as well since I'll strip out a lot of ECM connections? If so how is this done?

Thanks,
Will

[geoffinbc]

Go with the weber. Everyone loves the weber.

The ECM and ignition is a simple fix. Gut it and replace the distributor with a mechanical/vacuum one. Done!

[wroberts]

replace the distributor with a mechanical/vacuum one.

Forgive the dumb question, but where do I get one?

[geoffinbc]

S-10's and Camaros had them before 1986 in federal emission vehicles

[wroberts]

Somebody just posted this in the for sale section.
Would this work?
-Edelbrock Torker II intake
-Holley 390cfm 4 bbl carb (actually tuned and rebuilt)
-Electronic Distributor (new cap and rotor)
-Stainless Steel vacuum line (carb to dist) custom bent for this app
-Holley FP gauge
-NOS wet injector plate with 150hp jets (between carb and manifold)

[donk_316]

It will work fine. Youll need to jet the carb down as its jetted a little rich on a 3.4L so I would bring the jets down from the 49's that are in it down to maybe a 46? 44 even?

I was also going to change out the accel cam to something a little less aggressive. but thats not such a big deal. You can tune this carb for mileage or performance.

The dist is recurved also.

[X11_STE]

Will, for your dizzy you can go with the S-10 or camaro's with vacuem advance BUT they WONT be HEI (High Energy Ign.). HEI is the best way to go and the best chances of finding a V6 HEI vac advance is to find an EARLY '80 Citation in the bone yard. Myself, I got lucky when I bought the car off Jason H. It already has the carb, intake, and dizzy and I'm not letting any of it go (dizzys are too hard to find!! )
Jeremiah

[geoffinbc]

Will, for your dizzy you can go with the S-10 or camaro's with vacuem advance BUT they WONT be HEI (High Energy Ign.). HEI is the best way to go and the best chances of finding a V6 HEI vac advance is to find an EARLY '80 Citation in the bone yard. Myself, I got lucky when I bought the car off Jason H. It already has the carb, intake, and dizzy and I'm not letting any of it go (dizzys are too hard to find!! )
Jeremiah

Yes they are HEI they just use an external mount coil. But they put out the same power.

[X11_STE]

HEI in cap coils look cooler!!

[RacerX11]

Subjective looks aside, the small-cap external-coil HEI's leave a lot more room for air cleaners, allow more options for aftermarket coils, and are more plentiful than the first-year X-body units.

Marty

[X11_STE]

Subjective looks aside, the small-cap external-coil HEI's leave a lot more room for air cleaners, allow more options for aftermarket coils, and are more plentiful than the first-year X-body units.

Marty

Marty,
Looks aside, it doesnt matter how you dice it, your GOING to have air cleaner/ hood clearance problems. As far as aftermarket, there is just as many performance parts for one as for the other but I would think the in cap coils would be more reliable because theres less wires to fuck with. I will conciede that first year units are harder to locate (Its the lucky dog that does).
Jeremiah

[wroberts]

I've seen a couple pics of these in X-11's, and with the bump out for the cold air intake on the hood they just barely fit. Anybody got an idea of how much taller this setup is? I don't plan on modifing the hood right now. Will it fit under a standard X-Body (or A-Body) hood?

[X11_STE]

Will,
I dont know exactly how much taller this set-up is but with the X-11 hood, you have approx 1/2" between the top of the carb and the bottom of the hood scoop (raised part of the hood). On my car I have an air cleaner ass. from a 3.8litre turbo (according to the sticker on it). I have no idea what car it came from, came with the car. But basicly its a REALLY flat piece with a snorkel off the side w/ a conal air filter.