Upgrading carb E2ME to E4ME ... What else do I need?

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TX762

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 28, 2016
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Good day folks,

I'm planning to upgrade my El Camino's computer controlled 2 barrel to a computer controlled Quadrajet. Here's what I know I need to replace to get it done:
1) Quadrajet - National Carburetors reman E4ME
2) 4-bbl intake manifold - Speedmaster Holeshot (EGR)
3) Fuel hard line to pump - probably will replace this with barb adapters, fuel hose, and inline filter
4) Carb base gasket
5) Intake manifold gaskets
*6) Air filter housing
*7) 4bbl throttle bracket
*8) Good reason to swap carbs

What else should I look for before diving in? Are there any brackets or fittings that I will need to change to get the Quadrajet? Will my old Dualjet's air filter housing fit the Quadrajet?

Thank you for your input,
TX762

* Added after receiving replies
 
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Oct 14, 2008
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No the air filter housing will not fit.
 

Clone TIE Pilot

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Aug 14, 2011
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Are you putting a Qjet on a V6? First off you don't want a reman qjet, stay away from them. What you need is a qjet rebuilt to factory specs, not reman specs. You will need a throttle cable bracket for Qjets. A djet, aircleaner will not fit on a qjet.
 

TX762

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 28, 2016
6
0
1
Are you putting a Qjet on a V6? First off you don't want a reman qjet, stay away from them. What you need is a qjet rebuilt to factory specs, not reman specs. You will need a throttle cable bracket for Qjets. A djet, aircleaner will not fit on a qjet.
1982 267 V8.

What is the difference in reman spec and factory spec and how would I tell the difference?
 

MrSony

Geezer
Nov 15, 2014
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1982 267 V8.

What is the difference in reman spec and factory spec and how would I tell the difference?
Reman spec are almost always set up for a 350+ chevy. And they all have chevy style fuel inlets. And most of them are warped or very poor castings. You're better off getting a professionally rebuilt one for the same price. I suggest you give Everyday Performance a shout and see what they got. They had a '78 Buick 350 carb lying around. Redid everything on the inside (I opted out of the 100% refinishing and replating, sleeper look. And cheaper). 333$ and a week later it showed up. They test and tune them too.
 

TX762

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 28, 2016
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And they all have chevy style fuel inlets.
I've only seen side inlet on any E4ME Computer Controlled Quadrajet. Are there some that have a different (front) inlet? That would certainly make things easier since the fuel hardlines on my current Dualjet setup is running to front inlet.
 

MrSony

Geezer
Nov 15, 2014
6,791
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Des Moines, Iowa
I've only seen side inlet on any E4ME Computer Controlled Quadrajet. Are there some that have a different (front) inlet?
Yes. Buick Olds and Pontiacs (with buick olds and pontiac engines) had front inlets. So if one is doing a resto or stockc type mods it won't look right. Doesn't really matter, its a personal preference. But reman qjets are generally shitty.
 

Bonnewagon

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
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Sep 18, 2009
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Don't do it. Been there-done that-got a T-shirt. I'm betting you have a dead rear end with something like 2:41 gears. That little engine, with those dead gears, will never make any power. A Dual-Jet is perfect for it. Now, if you want to wake that baby up- change rear end gears. Find a complete rear with 3:23 or 3:42 gears. Cost will be about the same and you will be amazed what that engine can do.
 
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Clone TIE Pilot

Comic Book Super Hero
Aug 14, 2011
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I've only seen side inlet on any E4ME Computer Controlled Quadrajet. Are there some that have a different (front) inlet? That would certainly make things easier since the fuel hardlines on my current Dualjet setup is running to front inlet.

Buick 4.0L, e4me Qjets have side inlets like Chevy. Olds e4me have straight fuel inlets, but they won't work well on a Chevy.

Remanufactures do weird things to Qjets, like using mis matching components and plugging idle air bleeds for a generic tune. Lars over at Corvette forums has a laundry list of the crap reman companies do to Qjets. Not all of it is fixable. There isn't much a novice can spot, look for a reman label, Holley is one of the worst Qjet butchers. Really shiny hardware or Phillips screws instead of torx, are red flags, shiny hardware means a polished turd. Also look at the casting code, only way to know for sure if a a carb is rebuilt correctly is to open it up and inspect it.
 

TX762

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Apr 28, 2016
6
0
1
Don't do it. Been there-done that-got a T-shirt. I'm betting you have a dead rear end with something like 2:41 gears. That little engine, with those dead gears, will never make any power. A Dual-Jet is perfect for it.
Bonne, I believe I know where you're coming from there. But I also believe I'm past the decision point whether or not to do a 4 Barrel, on to the point of how to make it work. I've done some research on this engine and its capabilities and I've done some research on the difference in capabilities of the Dual Jet and Quadrajet. And both antidotal and numerical data indicates that I should not expect any performance increase from the swap, but that is not the point of this swap either. The Quadrajet and holeshot manifold will be used later in this car on a 350, but at this point I need a reliable carburetor so that I can get the car moving around some to discover and diagnose other issues on the chassis. In the throttle ranges that I will be using in the next year or two, the secondary butterflies will rarely to never open. The CFM of the primaries is the same or slightly less than that of my current Dualjet. This is by no means intended to be a performance upgrade at this time, it is a usability and scalability upgrade.

And while I've done a little bit of research on the difference between the two carb, I have absolutely no first-hand experience. And that's why I'm here, to hear from guys like you who have got their knuckles greasy on this beast. Got any tips on what to watch out for or how to make it work best?
 
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