Which carb/intake combo should I get???

[MN86_4winns]

I just ordered my long block today from Raul at RapidOMarine ('87-'96 350 w/roller lifters, water pump, electric fuel pump) and I need to get a different intake. I'm trying to stay under the 300hp limit of my Alpha 1 so no vortec heads but don't mind getting close to 300hp.

I'm considering going with an aluminum intake as I live in Minnesota and the boat will never see salt water. Is there any reason I shouldn't consider an aluminum intake?

Which carb/intake will provide better performance in low to mid rpm's?

Intakes: Edelbrock Aluminum Performer #2104 or Chevy high-rise #14097494

Carb: Edelbrock Marine 600 cfm #1409 or one of Holley's 600 or 650.

Any other carb/intake recommendations?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

Which carb/intake will provide better performance in low to mid rpm's?

Performer 2104

Edelbrock 600 cfm 1409

 

[John_S]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

I would agree with Reel Poor's selection. If you were trying to squeeze the most out of your top speed, the Edelbrock Performer RPM or Cast-iron highrise would be fine, too.

I think there is a thin plate needed to seal the square bore carb to that intake. Edelbrock sells it, but might come with a new manifold or carb. Just check, so you don't have to reorder.

You will need a new flame arrestor, fuel line, and throttle bracket. I'd get the biggest K&N arrestor that would still fit under your doghouse. Fuel line you can have made or puchase from Merc. The 4brl throttle brackets can be had at Merc, too. Watching and bidding on Ebay might save a few $.

Also for a roller cam, I believe you need a different gear on the distributer. You don't need a different fuel pump rod, since you went electric.

Unless, the builder has gone to something more than the marine cam or above stock compression, your HP is probably close to a pre-vortec 5.7LX. About 250/260 HP at the prop. I doubt that they would have gone with any radical cam or much higher compression, so you are probably easily under the 300 alpha limit.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

Since you didn't go witht he vortec heads, the above combination will put you right where you want to be.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

here is a link for the carb. best price I found.

http://www.speedunleashed.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=19707

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

I too would go with the Edelbrock combination. There are also good prices at Summit Racing. Here's the link:
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=EDL-1409&N=700+115&autoview=sku


While the perfomer intake is designed for a spreadbore carb, there is enough "meat" around the opening to fit a square bore carb on there with no adapter needed.

 

[MN86_4winns]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

Thanks for the recommendations and nobody went nuts about the word "aluminum".

The engine I ordered will have flat-top pistons and bored .30 over.

Also for a roller cam, I believe you need a different gear on the distributer.

I'll check into the distributor gear, I know on trucks your need a brass gear for a roller cam.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

I have an Q-Jet aluminum Man on my saltwater 350. Edelbrock 600 with adapter for the spredbore. Just run a Pencil Zinc in it in one on the 3/4 NPT sender holes. Might need to cut it down so it doesn't bottom out. I've had no trouble in years.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

Thanks for the recommendations and nobody went nuts about the word "aluminum".

That's because the chances of you boating in Saltwater in Minnesota is rather Slim............

 

[John_S]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

Fishermark,

The plate I am talking about is not an adapter. It was an aluminum square bore open plate, maybe around 16-18ga, with carb gaskets on both sides. I thought I read that in my Edelbrock 2104 install guide. I have recently sold that manifold. I checked the online manual on the Edelbrock site. While the online instructions are not as detailed and cover numerous manifolds, it does not list the plate I am talking about. So either I'm crazy or its not needed/required.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

I didn't mean to sound contradictory regarding whether or not it needs an adapter (I'm not sure what plate you are describing). It is close at the rear opening as to whether an adapter is required or not. I have a Performer intake on my 56 and I used to have a QJet on it (spreadbore). I bought a Thunder Series Edelbrock (squarebore - same as the performer series of carbs) and was able to install it with no problems. The instructions said it may or may not work depending upon variations within castings, etc. That's why I said there should be enough "meat" back there.... but it would be good to check the actual fit and see if an adapter would help.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

Here is a typical adapter:

Is this the plate you are refering to?

 

[John_S]

Re: Which carb/intake combo should I get???

The bottom picture is what I reverring to. Personnaly, I wouldn't use the adapter in the first pic.