Landracing Forum

Tech Information => Technical Discussion => Topic started by: lsrjunkie on March 02, 2015, 01:55:18 PM

Title: Carburetors...
Post by: lsrjunkie on March 02, 2015, 01:55:18 PM
Just fishing around for input. Things are progressing nicely on my project, and I'm trying to decide what I will be running for a carb. I am leaning toward a Holley style mechanical four barrel, such as a Mighty Demon, Quick Fuel, or a Pro Form. What have you guys run and what do you like the best?
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: Harold Bettes on March 02, 2015, 08:06:08 PM
Please consider that all carburetors are merely organized leaks and as such, it is up to the individual using them to make sure the things work correctly. The result is not brand loyal nor type dependent. The higher the density altitude, the more importance is the circuit that controls droplet size. :roll:

Everybody that has a set of screwdrivers and a numbers drill set (including miniatures) does not a carburetor tuner make.  8-) :-( :evil:

If you can get on a dyno over there in Grand Junction, you might be surprised how close to Bonneville conditions you might get during the tuning process.

Regards,
HB2 :-)
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: Leadfoot on March 03, 2015, 08:56:57 AM
Holley Dominator works for me.
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: kiwi belly tank on March 03, 2015, 11:17:13 AM
The fact you are asking for input on carbs tells me you are not a carb guy & like Harrold just said, they are only as good as the tuner. I have no idea of what you're building but if you can run a self learning TBI, do it.
  Sid.
 
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: fordboy628 on March 03, 2015, 11:41:42 AM
What is it going on?
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: Milwaukee Midget on March 03, 2015, 12:29:55 PM
I'm only somewhat familiar with the Holley offerings, but what I would be looking for is the choice that gave me the quickest and easiest route to rejetting and adjustment. 

We were fortunate, in that we used a Weber, and Mark had a boatload of jets and emulsion tubes at his disposal.  During dyno work, we were able to rejet and test in less than 5 minutes between pulls.  It's my understanding that turnaround on a Holley is somewhat s l o w e r than that.

At that point, anticipate what you're likely to see at Bonneville and limit the number of choices.  I want to say we saw adjusted air densities from 6000 to 7200 feet on any given day. 

I expect Harold is right - you should be able to get a pretty close dial in at 4500 feet.   
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: lsrjunkie on March 03, 2015, 01:41:27 PM
Sid, my carb experience has been limited to mostly daily driver applications and a few warmed over hot rods. I'd love to run any type of EFI, but my understanding is that class rules won't allow it. My biggest concern will be ease of tuning, hence my leaning towards the Holley type of carb. In my experience any adjustments on that style of carb aren't terribly tough with the carb installed. FYI, I plan on running XO/GCC.

Fordboy, I am building a 320" GMC six cylinder. Stock cylinder head with some port work, and a plenum type intake.

There's a couple of pictures, http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,12252.330.html towards the bottom of the page.

MM, I agree 100% Tuning the carb in the shop or on the dyno is one thing, but I want the same ease of tuning on the salt.
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: fordboy628 on March 03, 2015, 02:58:19 PM

Fordboy, I am building a 320" GMC six cylinder. Stock cylinder head with some port work, and a plenum type intake.

There's a couple of pictures, http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,12252.330.html towards the bottom of the page.


There are more knowledgeable carburetor guys on the board, than I am.    Especially for modified Holley stuff.    But having said that, some advice:

A)    If you are going to dyno test, weld small 1/8th NPT bungs in the top of your intake runners.    Being able to record vacuum during "pulls, (even 1 tap at a time) may prove "insightful".     BTW, do not presume 3 separate vacuum gauges will read identically, if you go that route.    Pay to have any you use, calibrated.

2)    Choose your carb size based on measured flow of the carb, Vs theoretical engine air capacity * x % Volumetric efficiency, in the rpm range you intend to use.   This will give you a low/high number to select a carb.    You will need someone experienced with your engine to suggest a probable V/E %.   Or, you will need to flow the whole inlet tract, and then run a computer simulation based on the flow/displacement/geometry.

d)    If you don't know how to do the above, BUY & READ "Performance Automotive Engine Math" by J Baechtel.    Also BUY & READ "Engine Airflow" by Harold Bettes.

HB2 or Dynoroom may be able to recommend a carb size from their experience.    But be prepared to do the math on your own anyway.     That way you learn something.
 :cheers:
Fordboy
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: lsrjunkie on March 03, 2015, 03:58:21 PM
Fordboy, As always you have the information inquiring minds want to know. Thank you very much! You're recommended reading has been purchased and is en route. Here's to hoping I can learn a little about this whole going fast business.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: 1leg on March 03, 2015, 08:36:15 PM
Stick with the traditional Holley in the race models. The proform and quickfuel are made in china and seem to have out of the box performance issues. Would be a good idea to check out the offering of some carburetor shops that work on NHRA stock and super stock car carbs they also hot rod the holley carbs.
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: wobblywalrus on March 03, 2015, 10:19:17 PM
Vizard wrote a book on tuning Holley carbs.  It is in print.  I saw a new one on the book shelf a few days ago at Barnes and Noble here in Oregon.   
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: lsrjunkie on March 04, 2015, 09:33:51 AM
Thanks 1leg, That's good information to know.

WW, I'll keep an eye out for that book. I'm all about learning something new. Thanks for the tip.
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: WOODY@DDLLC on March 04, 2015, 09:58:19 AM
Amazon or http://www.cartechbooks.com/david-vizard-s-how-to-super-tune-modify-holley-carburetors.html
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: Leadfoot on March 04, 2015, 10:50:23 AM
Call Patrick at Pro Systems Carburetors.
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: Stan Back on March 04, 2015, 12:43:05 PM
Well, hope I don't step on my . . . , whatever here.  I believe you can run a self-adjusting throttle body f.i. in XO/CC.  You're not running Classic, as there are no Classic Comp Coupes.  You're not running Vintage -- as you've stated.  Maybe DW will confirm this for you (us).
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: lsrjunkie on March 04, 2015, 01:26:23 PM
Boy Stan, that would be pretty nice if I could. My "interpretation" of the rules may be off. Guess that's why there is contact info in the rule book for the tech officials...
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: lsrjunkie on March 04, 2015, 02:02:10 PM
Just another instance of yours truly putting the cart before horse...

Thanks to Sid and Stan I just had a nice conversation with Mike Stewart. A carburetor may not be in my future after all.
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: Peter Jack on March 04, 2015, 02:50:04 PM
PM sent and I think I'm going to send one more!  :roll: :roll: :roll:

Pete
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: Stan Back on March 04, 2015, 04:25:11 PM
Me, too.
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: Harold Bettes on March 04, 2015, 04:50:43 PM
lsrjunkie,

Heads Up -  :?
 
PM sent relative to this subject material..... :-D

Regards,
HB2 :-)
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: will6er on March 04, 2015, 10:33:12 PM
Joe-

I also misread or misinterpreted the rule book.
You can run anything in non-vintage classes.  (Sect. 2.A.1 Last paragraph)
 Your body won't qualify for vintage and your engine won't qualify as classic.

Keep it up

Will Willis
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: Stan Back on March 05, 2015, 12:05:07 PM
. . . and there are no Classic Comp Coupes, anyway.
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: jacksoni on March 05, 2015, 12:20:16 PM
Joe-

I also misread or misinterpreted the rule book.
You can run anything in non-vintage classes.  (Sect. 2.A.1 Last paragraph)
 Your body won't qualify for vintage and your engine won't qualify as classic.

Keep it up

Will Willis
Why does his engine not "qualify as classic"? Engine swaps are allowed in GC and Alt, in fact are part of the definition there of. the no /CC  issue has been covered. If he does go to EFI then yes, goes to Modified category and can't run XO.
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: Stan Back on March 05, 2015, 02:37:35 PM
The car's built as a Comp Coupe.

There are NO Classic Comp Coupes.

Vintage engines (XO) don't have to adhere to the Classic or Vintage engine rules when running in Comp Coupe (and Lakester and Streamliner for that matter).
Title: Re: Carburetors...
Post by: lsrjunkie on March 05, 2015, 02:41:57 PM
Exactly Stan!

It took some correspondence with Mike Stewart for me to figure out the same thing.

My understanding of the rules in the "modified" category is this, The more modifications that are done to a car, the more the class changes. For example, a gas coupe would be a car with a non stock engine swap. An altered is the same car with the engine setback farther than stock and the grill and headlights removed. And a competition coupe is is all of the above with the front of the car stretched out to next week.