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Bang for buck

alextucker

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What do you guys think is the best first step to boosting BHP to a stock 383? Performance exhaust ordered so just thinking about the next performance project, tuning? carbs? Inlet? Headers? Turbo ??
 
IMHO- tuning,inlet,carb,cam,rear gear. "Don't need no stink in' turbo"
 
Back when these were new, guys would just bolt on a set of headers, and a 750 cfm carb, go to the track and clean house on race day. This would be a good start, along with re-curving your Dist. if you haven't done so already. Good Luck
 
Re-curving is getting dist. setup for timing advance to come in a little quicker & limiting how far it goes. I'd go with a different intake first after that. Good carb in picture but not for a street car IMO, especially no choke on it, probably jetted wrong too.
 
It's all about combinations. carb, cam, headers convertor, and gear. It becomes cubic-dollars.
 
Without going inside the motor 1) electronic ignition & distrib, 2) street style alum 4bbl manifold & a 600 to 750 vacum secondary carb, 3) 1 3/4" headers, 4) 10" converter from real good supplier. My '70 Barracuda started as a 383 2bbl single exhaust. Added the EDE DP4B intake, 3310 780 Holley, cheap 1 3/4 headers & recurved the distrib. Worked fine as a daily driver. After I got the "bug", got a drag car, got inside the motor, high compression, big cam, bigger intake & carb, ported heads, fancy converter, just kept spending money.
 
If you go with an AVS/ Edelbrock 750 on a 383 you will need to reduce the size of the accelerator pump spray nozzle. Will also have to play with jets, needles and springs. Once it's tuned it stays that way. This carb gets a bad rap because people usually don't tune beyond what the edelbrock tuning kit supplies. You can get just about any tuning aid you'll need at quadrajetparts.com.
 
Ok great so first step is to find an MSD distributer that suits and adjust the timing etc to get the most from it.

Time to do my research.

Something like this?
https://www.carid.com/1967-dodge-charger-ignition-systems/msd-pro-billet-distributor-86795850.html

Don't think a MSD billet distrib is needed. A Mopar Perf electronic conversion kit is plenty good if you don't have a killer race motor (money spent better elsewhere). If you have access to a qualified auto electronics mechanic, he can limit the mechanical advance in the distributor and then put some more initial timing in, then figure out what total timing the motor wants (likely 32* - 34*). You need a timing tape to be able to read the total timing with the timing light.
 
Re-curving is getting dist. setup for timing advance to come in a little quicker & limiting how far it goes. I'd go with a different intake first after that. Good carb in picture but not for a street car IMO, especially no choke on it, probably jetted wrong too.
I disagree on the choke, I was very skeptical on buying the carb recommended by a pro (no choke) but have learned that my motor definitely doesn't need a choke. Both my car and the car I just bought for my daughter don't seem to like chokes at all. I live in Ohio and have no problems starting in 20 degree weather.

If your car starts easy enough without one there's no reason to have it IMO.
 
For "normal" street use I'd use a "street" carb, not one of those Race carbs in the link that has very different metering circuits. If you don't need a choke, you can always take it out.
 
Don't think a MSD billet distrib is needed. A Mopar Perf electronic conversion kit is plenty good if you don't have a killer race motor (money spent better elsewhere). If you have access to a qualified auto electronics mechanic, he can limit the mechanical advance in the distributor and then put some more initial timing in, then figure out what total timing the motor wants (likely 32* - 34*). You need a timing tape to be able to read the total timing with the timing light.
Oh excellent, the previous owner has an electronic insert rotor replacing the points so is that what you mean? or a full system like this ? https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/dcc-3690428/overview/
 
Oh excellent, the previous owner has an electronic insert rotor replacing the points so is that what you mean? or a full system like this ? https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/dcc-3690428/overview/

I was talking about the setup in your link. Do you have an electonic "box" that's driven by the modified distrib? Boy, didn't realize how much the price has gone up on those kits. The stuff in my garage might be worth more than I realized.
 
The carb you linked is a double pumper, whether or not you decide on a double pumper or vacuum secondary will depend on a few things. If planning on running an automatic, street gears, heavy car, etc then you'll likely want a vacuum secondary. If more towards drag racing where your running steeper gears, a motor that can really propel the car or have a lighter car than maybe the double pumper.
Saying that a race carb isn't best for the street seams odd to me because the biggest difference is more adjustability or tuning options. I've ran a Holley Avenger and a street Demon on my car and the Q series Quickfuel is far better on the street than both of the others. Just know your driving style and your car and go from there. I run a 750 double pumper on my 456 with 3:55s and a 6 speed standard, having tried the others this is the carb for me.
 
I was talking about the setup in your link. Do you have an electonic "box" that's driven by the modified distrib? Boy, didn't realize how much the price has gone up on those kits. The stuff in my garage might be worth more than I realized.
Sorry I'm poor on this end of the vehicle, can you tell from these photos what I have?

100_2415_1343348429_o.jpg 100_2416_1343351919_o.jpg
 
The carb you linked is a double pumper, whether or not you decide on a double pumper or vacuum secondary will depend on a few things. If planning on running an automatic, street gears, heavy car, etc then you'll likely want a vacuum secondary. If more towards drag racing where your running steeper gears, a motor that can really propel the car or have a lighter car than maybe the double pumper.
Saying that a race carb isn't best for the street seams odd to me because the biggest difference is more adjustability or tuning options. I've ran a Holley Avenger and a street Demon on my car and the Q series Quickfuel is far better on the street than both of the others. Just know your driving style and your car and go from there. I run a 750 double pumper on my 456 with 3:55s and a 6 speed standard, having tried the others this is the carb for me.

747, you make many good points. Carb selection sure depends on the engine/drive train combination and main use. Race carbs are surely more adjustable. Take a look at post #17 to see what OP is dealing with.
 
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