231 carb options

[pontiacgp]

They can last awhile if not beat on, but they are neither powerhouses nor fuel sippers, just cheap to make. If the OP wants to make his car faster, a powertrain swap is the only worthwhile option. Trying to do anything other than upkeep to a 231 is a waste of money. The issues with making power with a 231 are low compression ratio, restrictive heads, lack of performance parts for the N/A versions, highly restrictive exhaust manifolds, and being a 90 degree V6. After those, you have the weak TH200 with no OD, restrictive single exhaust, lame 2.41 rear gear ratio, and weak V6 suspension springs.

It is wishful thinking of the OP to think emission or computer deletes will improve his car's performance at all as they won't. Such deletes will only worsen his MPGs and waste money and time. The true problems preventing performance improvrment are all major ones that are easist to fix by a powertrain swap. The OP should keep his car stock and if he wants to go faster then he will need to start saving up for a powertrain swap. However, the OP can work on improving his suspension, brakes, and body repair and reinforcement now to get the car ready for a swap later on. To go faster with a V6 car, you will need to add either a turbo, two extra cylinders, or even both.

he's satisfied with the engine and that is nice to hear that someone is happy with what he has....

Cool any suggestions on a non ccc carb that would be good for 231? I'm not looking for power just want a reliable everyday cruiser

 

[Javi702]

I’ve been happy with the rebuilt dual jet I put on my 81 3.8. It’s no powerhouse by any means but a good cruiser with enough power to get out of its own way but then again I didn’t build this one to be fast.

Is this with the ecm delete? If so how does it run?

 

[Javi702]

My 1983 Bonnewagon came with a 231 and it was totally CCC. I was intent on putting a 1979 Pontiac 301 with a manual trans in there so I took that '83 231 and put it in my 1981 Malibu wagon for a mileage-miser set-up. I was able to find a 1980 Dual-Jet non-CCC carb in a junkyard from a Pontiac something. It needed to be from a Pontiac because of the carb/trans linkage. There IS a slight difference. Also the 1980 had the electric choke which I wanted. I also found a non-CCC Buick V-6 HEI distributor from an unknown year car but it worked great. I then yanked all the CCC stuff out and never looked back. Well, until the crankshaft snapped in half. But that is another story.

So with the ecm gone how does it run? Is it smooth or horrible like ppl on the thread say?

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

My goal isnt increased power at all...I just want a smooth running cruiser my intentions for the car is a lowrider so trying to beef up the engine will be useless to me I just want to know my options for carbs and since i deleted my ECM I'll need a non computerized one right? So I'm just trying to see my options and what else is involved that's it

In that case, you should have kept the ECM as CCC carbs run smoother than non CCC carbs. Its one reason why I retained it in my SBC V8 swap. To delete the ECM you will need a non CCC carb, a non CCC Dist, and a method for controlling transmission lockup. A lot of money in parts for a conversion that results in more negatives than positives.

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Is this with the ecm delete? If so how does it run?

No it still has the ecm

 

[Bonnewagon]

After I yanked the computer stuff it ran great. BUT- I knew what I was doing with HEI timing, carb jetting, and overall tuning. In fact I basically tuned it to 1980 specs which was the last year before CCC. The T-350 had a lock-up converter which I used a a toggle switch to activate. Lockup was worth about 300 rpm at highway speed. It was weak but economical and since gas was $4 a gallon then it was a smart move. Until the crank snapped halfway across New Jersey on a beer run.