C3 - 1981 Quadrajet Carb

[Eric Roberts]

I recently purchased this vette. I do not believe the carb has ever been rebuilt as I can tell some performance issues related to the carburator. How effective is a rebuild? What is a reasonable price to be expected to pay if it is done? If I were to elect to replace it with a different carburator what brand and model number would be suggested?

Thanks, Eric

[John Chesher]

Re: C3 - 1981 Quadrajet Carb

As you may know, the '81 has a 1-year carb design where it is computer controlled. The next year, they went to fuel injection. (I have an '81). I have rebuilt pre-81 quadrajets with good success. I have been told to not even attempt an amatuer rebuild of the '81 carb. If you want the original carb, search the archives here or on corvetteforum.com for Lars (can't remember last name.) He is supposed to be THE MAN for rebuilding these carbs. Everyone raves on him. If you want something brand new and don't care about originality, you could go with an aftermarket carb, but beware that you'll have to firgure out ways to get all the vacuum hoses you have today hooked up to it. FOr example, the steel vacuum line coming from the power brake booster will not screew into the smallout outlet on the carb. If you plan on staying close to a factory setup, I would stay with the factory carb. I would only go with the aftermarket carb if you have many other custom updates in the works, as the tweaks you'll have to make just aren't worth it for only a new carb. Just one man's opinion though...