Hey guys, I know this isn't F-body related but I was wondering a few opinions on some Old School Muscle cars. I picked up a completly original 1970 Olds Cutlass Conv. with a B.O.P. Rocket 350 and was wondering what you guys think would be good upgrades as far as performance is concerned? We took it to the track last weekend and only managed a 16.8 in the quarter. Not looking for 12's here just something with a little more muscle. Thanks

 

You have an Olds 350. You have a BOP transmission.
HEI distributor with curve kit.
11" converter
4:10 gear
Rebuild the QJet and buy some QJet tuneup parts from Edelbrock..metering rods hangars and main jets.
Replace the old exhaust with something nice and mellow 2 1/4" - 2 1/2" with an H pipe.
Flowmaster has a nice A body kit for headders that sounds good.
Don't spend the money on an Edelbrock performer as its basically the stock intake in aluminum.

 

Should I rebuild the carb or replace it? It has a 2-barrel right now on it. Thanks

 

You need a 4 barrel, qjet is ok, but harder to tune. I like the vacuum secondary Holleys.

 

Gee everyone is picking up Abodies left & Right. I just picked up a 72 Buick Skylark Vert.

 

Qjets are easy to tune. Just pick up a copy of "Rochester Carburetors: Tune, Rebuild or Modify" by Doug Roe.

 

No joke! We just made a trip to Chicago tonight and on the way, I seen a '70 Cutlass EXACTLY like the one we just picked up. Same color paint/top/interior and everything. It was wierd.

 

I would go with a q-jet also ive always like those carbs. Its always funny to have a friend think that they are crap and then to buy and edelbrock and have it work worse.

 

I did buy that book when I bought a 67 442 back in my military days ~ 20 years ago. Still have the book. I had done Holleys, wanted to mess with a qjet. Power piston springs, hangers, needles, jets, pull offs, blah, blah. It was an ok carb, but I like Holleys better.

Just pick a power valve that stays closed at idle, jet it for best et, choose the softest secondary spring that won't cause a bog. The ability to adjust float level externally/pull the inlet needles out the top for cleaning on a Holley makes it superior to the qjet all on it's own.

 

The QJet is the closest thing to efi drivability and economy in a carb. Once you set float level(s) and install a fuel filter inlet maintenence is not necessary. Don't get me wrong, I love holleys and I have a garage full of them and service parts, but for this guys nice stock cruiser a QJet is a great choice.