[stealthy1991]

I have a 73 vette and have been given a 350 vortec engine with about 325 horse. I've been hearing I can't use my stock air cleaner but want the car to look as stock as possible. I've been searching the internet and getting mixed info. If I get a low rise manifold and use a lower air filter will I have enough clearance? I have a stock quadrajet on the car now that works great. Would I be able to use it? Thankful for any input.

[ap72]

A Performer RPM should work, I would also get your carb tuned for your new engine or get a new carb, for a good no fuss carb an Edelbrock 1406 works great.

[matts37chev]

RPM might be too tall

[stealthy1991]

I am partial to Edelbrock carbs but have had good luck with Quadrajets. It's all in the metering rods.

[matts37chev]

regular performer intake and the Q-jet would be a good combo

[stealthy1991]

Thanks Matt, I think I would be more comfortable tweeking on the Quadrajet.
Used to tweek Thermoquads on Mopars and they seem to be similar.

[matts37chev]

most guys dont give Q-jets the credit they deserve
mostly do to lack of knowledge on tuning them correctly
they are a great carb if done right

[stealthy1991]

I've had bad luck with Holleys. I think its just working with what your comfortable with.

[stealthy1991]

Will my valve covers from my old engine work on the vortec heads?

[artsvettes]

This may help you. I put a 355 with vortec heads in my 77 corvette. I used a GMPP intake manifold 12496820 it is for a spreadbore "Quadrajet" carburetor. You need to go with a electric choke carb with this manifold. So your 73 carb won't work. I have a drop base aftermarket air cleaner. And it all fits under the stock hood.
And no your stock valve covers won't work but the C4 covers look good on vortec heads. With some pre planning work on the intake you can retain the distributor and ignition wire covers
http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r...eswap002-1.jpg

[454C10]

edelbrock rpm intake will not fit under a stock 73 hood. L88 hood, yes.

An edelbrock performer with a q jet is a good choice. especially since you say your q-jet runs well already

would also be a good idea to convert your points to electronic. The 73 distributor has a mechanical tach drive so can't just switch to a hei (unfortunately).

[eloc431962]

I had the edelbrock performer on my 74 with a holley carb. I shut the hood and Right in the center of the hood spider-ed the hood had to redo it. And i checked just wasen't done checking it and for some stupid reason i shut the hood to back it out of the garage.
I stuck one of those old well the one in the pic below. I used it for awhile till it popped through the cab and it caught on fire and i threw it away.
Whatever you put on it consider a good drop bottom plate for the filter. JMO
And i don't recomend the type filter set-up in my pic to anybody

Cole

[cobalt327]

Read the following thread from the guys at the Corvette Action Center forum- http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...k-75-hood.html

You will need a drop base filter and a not-too-tall filter element and things will work fine. Keep the Q-jet- especially if it now works well. You may need to do some minor tweaking, but otherwise it, too, will work fine.

If the new engine is going to stay below 5500 RPM, you can use the Performer and a taller filter element.

[eloc431962]

Originally Posted by cobalt327

Read the following thread from the guys at the Corvette Action Center forum- http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...k-75-hood.html

You will need a drop base filter and a not-too-tall filter element and things will work fine. Keep the Q-jet- especially if it now works well. You may need to do some minor tweaking, but otherwise it, too, will work fine.

If the new engine is going to stay below 5500 RPM, you can use the Performer and a taller filter element.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Cole

[F-BIRD'88]

Start by measuring the available hood to air cleaner clearance of your stock corvette air cleaner on your stock motor. Now you have a baseline to work from. The performer rpm manifold will fit if you use the 60`s era 427 BBC air cleaner 1970 350 LT-1. corvette air cleaner. These have the lowest profile, allowing the most hood clearance.