72 upgrade

nm9stheham said
Just my IMO, but 4 BBL is not the way I would go at all for what you name; daily driver, mpg, and performance. As said, the engine breathing is not there for a 4 BBL to be used; a 2 BBL is better for general driveability and even the 1 BBL is not being used to full breathing at lower RPM's.

If you want performance improvements, then
- start with a mild cam; if you stay with a torque cam (more lift with a wide lobe angle), then you can keep the mpg OK and still have a good performance improvement at low to middle RPM's with a small carb.
- shave the head .050 or so for an easy CR improvment; the stock CR is just at that point where even a .5 point CR increase will make a big torque difference

For MPG, look seriously in the 4 speed manual with OD that came in the Dart Lites and Feather Dusters. That will give you the best mpg improvements you can get in that car, and yet you will be able to use 1-3 gears for fun. (I drove one for years....28 mpg in the interstate at 65-70 mph wiht a 2.76 rear axle)

I don't live that far from you so when I get my new torque cam in in a few weeks, you can visit and see the difference.

I agree with everything you said. The only reason I like the idea of a Q-Jet is, Super six setup are going for too much money, in my opinion, and good carbs are hard to find. You can buy a used offie manifold for less then a super six manifold. The Offie can be used with the stock exhaust manifold, so you still have manifold heat. The Q-jet has very small primary barrels (smaller then the super six carter 2bbl), this will allow for good low speed drivability and fuel economy. Granted the secondaries are overkill, but they are "on demand", and will only open the amount needed. It will definatly require tuning.