Mailbag: How to Choose a Carburetor for Supercharged Engines
(image © superchevy.com) Q: I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a supercharger for my 1966 Chevelle. What should I do about my carburetor? Do I need to go larger to accommodate the increased airflow requirements of the supercharger? What else can you tell me about achieving the right carb setup for my application? A:
Mailbag: When and How to Change a Carburetor Accelerator Pump
Q: My Holley-equipped vehicle has a stumble from a dead stop. Someone told me the accelerator pump nozzle may need resized. How do I know if I need to change an accelerator pump and how do I determine the proper size? A: It’s true that one of the most common causes of stumble is not having
Booster Basics: How Carburetor Booster Design Relates to Your Vehicle’s Performance
To truly understand how carburetors work, you first have to know Daniel Bernoulli. Bernoulli was an 18th century scientist who discovered that pressure is inversely proportional to velocity. This principle, called Bernoulli’s Principle, was originally applied toward fluid dynamics (think fuel flow vs. fuel pressure), but it also pertains to airflow. Specifically, as air speed increases,
Carb Science: Two-Circuit vs. Three-Circuit Metering Systems for Race Applications
Before electronic fuel injection’s microprocessors and sensors revolutionized fuel delivery, carburetors fueled high performance machines using mechanical components like metering systems and boosters. Over the years, carburetor manufacturers have developed different metering systems which affect performance differently. According the Quick Fuel Technology, choosing the right metering system setup and booster style is key to optimizing the output and performance
Monday Mailbag: Setting Up a Brand New Carburetor for Optimum Performance
Q: I was shopping around for a new carburetor recently, and I noticed some carburetors being described as calibrated and ready-to-run out of the box. Is there really such thing as a “ready-to-run” carburetor? Don’t most carburetors require some amount of tuning after installation? A: While most aftermarket carburetors are wet-flow tested and calibrated for ready-to-run operation at the
Mailbag: Examining Causes for Sporadic Spark Plug Fouling
Q: I have a mild 383-cubic-inch small block with 9.5:1 compression, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, and 750 cfm Holley double pumper carburetor. It also has a mild hydraulic roller cam and roller rockers. My question is in regards to gas fouling on some of the spark plugs. Specifically, I’ve noticed the fouling only occurs on a couple of plugs on the
Carb Checklist: 9 Performance Issues that Can be Traced to Your Carb
The venerable carburetor is arguably the most recognizable hot rod part. That’s because the carburetor has been the crowned jewel of some of the most revered small blocks, big blocks, HEMIs, and six-cylinders to ever grace our street rods, muscle cars, and vintage haulers. As the centerpiece of old-style fuel systems found on the majority of engines before the mid-1980s, the carburetor plays an
Mailbag: Choosing the Right Carburetor for Supercharged Applications
Q: I plan on installing a supercharger in the near future and I’m not sure what carburetor to use. Do I need to upgrade from my current carburetor to a larger carb to get the most from the blower? Are there any special tuning measures I need to take? A: Much depends on the intended use of your vehicle. If your blown
Mailbag: Diagnosing Engine Flooding and Hesitation
Got questions? We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re talking about engine flooding and hesitation. T.M. Marietta, GA Q: I have a 1983 Chevy K-10 truck with a four-speed manual transmission and 3.08 rear axle gears. It originally had a 305, but the engine was replaced with a crate 350
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