Stock '69 318, t-quad vs q-jet vs holley vs edelbrock?

AJ/FormS said
IMO
the changes that you are contemplating, at zero mph, will not help performance at all. In fact, when you install a spreadbore carb, you are likely to lose performance until the secondaries open.

There is a certain amount of truth to this and it starts with the primary size of the spreadbore carb vs the carb it replaces.
Chrysler small block engines that came with the spreadbore carb were initially small primary unit which were replaced by the larger primary units. Do you fart checking and you’ll see the change over on 340/360 engines. The 318 will benefit from the larger primary carb when used in a performance application.

AJ/FormS said
The torque peak of your stock 318engine should occur at or near 3000rpm, perhaps a little sooner with the 2bbl.
Which will then occur, if your car has the typical 2.76 gears, at close to 28/30 mph. Horsepower does not increase all at once, but starts at 1hp, then 2 then 3 and so on, increasing with rpm. If your changes make 15/20 hp, this won't happen until about 4400 rpm. When you install the 4bbl, if the tires do not spin, this will be at or near 40 mph.

Because the engine is making more power the drive train tends to hold onto the gear before shifting. This is an adjustment on the transmission linkage. EZ fix

AJ/FormS said
In other words, you can expect the power to BEGIN at 28/30 and peak at 40, in first gear, with a stock convertor, and 2.76 gearing.

Define power. What or which power? I’m about to argue this a lot.
The statement is fundamentally flawed. But has truth elements behind it that you don’t mention.

AJ/FormS said
I bet that is NOT what you're expecting.
I bet, you want performance, right from the take off.
If that is true, then yur gonna need a higher than stock stall, and performance rear gears, and I recommend a double-pumper carb

Excellent ideas minus the double pumper IMO, but if you (the reader) can make it work, have at it!

AJ/FormS said
If it was mine;
Since I know this is what I would want from my combo, and
since I know that your combo will need the higher stall and gears anyway,
I would just do that first, and save myself the disappointment.
Both of these work together, starting at zero mph, and
because the tires will now spin,

Stock tires tend to give up the traction ghost early. LOL

AJ/FormS said
the double pumper will make it easier to control the power, without surprises. Expect to have to install the biggest tires that fit and you will need a Limited Slip.

Always my favorite look. However, the VS carb can be tuned to not deliver the power so early. Then again, self control of the gas pedal is a better and easier way to limit tire spin.
Get to know your car!

AJ/FormS said
If you do not go this route,
that's fine, but at least do this;
With the current combo, and with fresh oil in her, time your first gear performance from zero mph to whatever speed gets you ~4400rpm. Run the test 3 times and record the best time. This will be your minimum target with any and all changes.
Then, after whatever change you make, run the test again and record the results.

Thumbs up!

AJ/FormS said
In conclusion therefore,
I recommend,
both a higher stall, AND gears in the range of 3.91s plus/minus one gear size, plus the Limited Slip and big-boy tires.
I like a good rowdy Dirt-Jerker2800 TC.
When you do the gears, you will need a new speed-o gear.
When you do the hi-stall, you might as well install a shift kit; and because I can, I would also rebuild the trans.
When you install the 4bbl, you will want to upgrade the trans anyway, and this will want a new governor arrangement; and she will want a free-flowing dual exhaust.
If you contemplate a cam-swap, to anything with over 40degrees of overlap, she will want headers. I would not stay with the 318 logs , after the 4bl goes on.
Having done these kinds of swaps since the 70's,
these are my opinions.
You will not hurt my feelings, if you start with the 4bbl. In fact, if you post your time-trials, you can prove me wrong! ; and I'm Ok with that too; all I ask is that you be accurate and honest.