[Uncle Phil]

I have a 77 Firebird Formula I am re-doing. I don't want to make it a "race car", but I would like some suggestions on how to "beef it up" a little without going into the motor very much. I just put duals on it with Flowmasters, and that seemed to help quite a bit. I want to keep it close to stock.

How about a cam? I've heard good and bad here.

How about a different carb? I have the factory Q-Jet right now.

I don't really want to add headers.

Car runs really good right now, and sounds really good. Just looking for some ideas on a little "tweaking" to get some extra HP without a major overhaul.

Thanks for any help!!

Phil

[Uncle Phil]

I have a 77 Firebird Formula I am re-doing. I don't want to make it a "race car", but I would like some suggestions on how to "beef it up" a little without going into the motor very much. I just put duals on it with Flowmasters, and that seemed to help quite a bit. I want to keep it close to stock.

How about a cam? I've heard good and bad here.

How about a different carb? I have the factory Q-Jet right now.

I don't really want to add headers.

Car runs really good right now, and sounds really good. Just looking for some ideas on a little "tweaking" to get some extra HP without a major overhaul.

Thanks for any help!!

Phil

[nosliw]

probably the easiest thing to do to increase performance is adding a K&N or other high-flow air filter.

how many cfm is the q-jet you have on now?

[LouisianaGuy]

Well sounds like your on yopur way to some decent performance gains. The next thing i would do would be to remove the Distributor and send it to Sun Tuned and have him rework it for you. Those older distributors are calibrated to emission specs and are tuned for good gas mileage nad lower emissions. Sun Tuned can make it right and you will knotice a seat of the pants improvement i can almost guarantee that.
The next order of business it to take that old Q-Jet and send it to Cliff R. or Carb king and have them work their magic on it, this will make a noticeable difference in performance as well, because those carbs are calibrated for emissions as well, and cliff can tweak it for performance.
And if all of that doesnt satisfy ya and you wana go a little deeper you may consider having the heads milled and ported a little bit.
Mike

[Uncle Phil]

To Losliw:

I am not sure on the CFM for this carb. Is there a place on the carb where I can find out?

To LouisianaGuy:

Can you send me any info, or numbers where to contact the distributer and the carb guys that re-work these??

Are you saying th Q-Jet is a good carb if it is re-worked??

Thanks!!

Phil

[bmpmdf]

My 77 Firebird that I am going to be selling soon has a 1970 350 with #11 heads,an Erson CAM; 228/228 DURATION AT .050" LIFT, .472/.472 lift on a 110 LSA. It has a 3.42 posi rear, with 4 tube headers, (I still want to shoot whatever nutcase that designed the third tube going right over the back three bolts when there is plenty of room to drop the tube down like the others!) 2 1/2" exhaust, 350 th with mild convertor. It seems to run well, but I do need to change the advance in the distributor. I have a Performer intake with a little 600 holley carb. Now if you don't want headers, I would at least put the Ram Air repo manifolds on it with the larger outlet. Also, with the cam, a vacuum booster is a good idea so the brakes don't fade under about 1500 rpm. Otherwise it makes a desent ride with some power.

[Uncle Phil]

Here's a couple of other questions:

Would headers make a significant difference?

Would I do better just buying a good performance distributor that is already set to run good, as opposed to re-doing my original one?

Sorry to ask so many questions. it is good to talk to people who ACTUALLY do know about these cars.

Thanks!!

Phil

[Jagtec1]

I have a 350 in my 69 Lemans. It is .030 over, with 47 heads, a Crane cam 216/228. It has a B&M 2400 converter, crappy 3 tube headers ( I agree with bmpmdf on the bolt thing!)2 1/2" X-pipe, to Dynomax weldeds to dumps, and a 3.55 12 bolt. It has a Holley 600 CFM carb with HEI. See my time below. It is a strong runner, but it is still just a 350! I think headers would do you some good...and check your timing. You may not have enough advance. I run at 20 Initial and 35 total, but it is becoming just a track car! I'd shoot for 35-36 total if you can. I'm learning just like you, and have gained much knowledge from the people right here on the boards!

[nosliw]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Uncle Phil:
Here's a couple of other questions:

Would headers make a significant difference?

Would I do better just buying a good performance distributor that is already set to run good, as opposed to re-doing my original one?

Sorry to ask so many questions. it is good to talk to people who ACTUALLY do know about these cars.

Thanks!!

Phil <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

to your other post- try and get as many numbers off the carb and go to the manufacturors web site and see what you can do there.

yea, headers do make a noticable difference. the only problem i have with them is that getting them to fit is a pain in the butt and they get really hot.

[Uncle Phil]

To Nosliw and everyone else:

Thanks for all the info. The heat issue with the headers was why I didn't want to add them.

This is a great forum, and I appreciate all the info. I will check out the numbers on the Q-Jet.

Phil

[LouisianaGuy]

Yes the Q-jet is a very good carb when it is calibrated correctly, it will provide excellent power with good gas mileage and driveability, not to mention once you adjust it you wont have to do it again for a long time like you would a Holley. I have worked on cars from the late 70's to mid 80 that are running Q-jets and still have the factory seals over the adjustment screws, this is testiment alone to me that the Q-jet is a very good carb, not to mention i had Cliff do one for me and it was extremley nice and reliable.
I wouldnt bother getting an aftermarket dist, you will just probably end up having to recurve it as well to get it tailored to your combo. Just let Sun do it for you.
There are links on the board here to Cliff R. and just post and ask for suntuned...hes kind of ellusive, but i think that is just because he stays so busy fixing out broke ass distributors and doesnt have alot of time to check the boards.
Mike