Carb interchange?

[C3 crazy in MN]

Hi All,
I have a 1977 L48, and I'm anticipating that eventually I'll be looking for some easy mods to the engine to boost the whimpy 180hp to something more respectable. I know one of the main differences between this engine and its more powerful cousins is the compression ratio. Other than that, what else is different? Could I gain any advantage by using a carb from another year? Any other ideas?

Thanks for the ideas!
Jeff

[Mike B.]

Re: Carb interchange?

How about cutting the heads a bit?

[Duke W.]

Re: Carb interchange?

Pocket port/port match the heads, multiangle valve seats, retard the cam 4 degrees, raise the CR to 9.75:1 (will require switching to premium fuel), do something about the single bead bed catalytic converter exhaust system that generates over 10 psi backpressure.

Do some searching on this forum.

You don't need a different carburetor (The Q-jet flows 750 CFM @ 1.5" Hg.), and there are no "easy modes" that will improve performance other than backdating the ignition map to mid-sixties base engine spec and switching from ported to full time vacuum advance, eliminating the heat stove, and rejetting the carb as required.

Duke