best carb for OFF ROAD performance on a 360

[robselina]

hey guys,
wondering what you've tried and liked (and hated for that matter) when it comes to carburetor swaps for the 360. I know that 500-600 cfm units are popular for on road use, but I've also read a couple of posts from guys who have not been happy with their performance on the trail. Any good suggestions or should I stick with my stock unit?
Vehicle in question is an 81 Wag, strong stock 360 with dual exhausts, no emissions crap.
Thanks!

[Brown Bear]

The 2150 is a very good offroad carb. Can handle alot of off camber stuff. As for best, the Demon seems to be getting rave reviews.

[Dutch]

I 2nd the motion on the 2150 as an excellent stock carb. Many people buy aftermarket expecting waves of power increases only to find out that I just ain't so. Now if your talking looks... well that Demon carb is pretty cool. Myself... the Edlebrock 1406 with offroad needle and seat. Very easy to adjust, virtually bolt-on and relatively inexpensive (vs. Demon or Holley) to own.

Dutch

[Rockwagon]

Pro-Jection or stock 2150

[dublt]

Yea, the Motorcraft is very hardto beat. But if u want a 4bbl, try a Quadrajet. Iknow, Iknow, hard to tune,lotsof parts, but once u understand 'em, they're beyond great :D

[derf]

Best carb might be the stock 2150. The 2150 has the altitude compensator circut advantage over the 2100. When it's working, it can take you from near sea level over the passes at Ouray (13K feet+) without having to tune it. It handles all the angles and comes back asking for more. The 4350 is just as capable while having the extra capacity for top end performance.

That being said, some aftermarket carbs are really good. I don't know about all of them but I know a little bit about the more common ones.

#1 in my book is the Holley Truck Avenger. Purpose built for off roading, I have yet to make mine stumble, load up or otherwise act up no matter what angle I put it at. It does require a bit more tuning every once in a while, especially as you change altitude but for a purpose built off road carb, it's hard to beat. The only reason I like it better than a 2150 is the added capacity at higher RPMs I have plenty of top end power at higher RPMs on the highway without sacrificing anything at the low end.

A close second is the Rochester Quadrajet and all it's derivatives (Edelbrock, Jet, others make copies/rebuilds). It is one of the better stock carbs for off road use. Several guys in my 4x4 club have GM engines with QuadraJets on them. They all go anywhere they want with little or no carb trouble. The only problem for us is that you need adapters to make it fit to anything besides a GM engine.

Third is the new Edelbrock "off road" version of it's carb. They didn't do as much with it as Holley did with the Truck Avenger so it's not quite as capable. But it's not bad.

Next in line is the standard Edelbrock/Carter AFB style carb. Adding the spring loaded needle and seats as well as very carefull tuning will get adequate off road performance.

Last in line is a standard Holley. They're good for the street but that's about it.

[robselina]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've been pretty happy with the stock Motorcraft. I had it rebuilt and tuned in January and she's been running like a champ since, on and off the pavement. It can always be better though right ;) I'll look into your suggestions, thanks again.
Rob

[Stuka]

My factory 4350 was sweet offroad. It just sucked for the street. But offroad I was never able to get it to stumble or load up.

[blt2krl]

I'll have to say the Holley Truck Avenger. I have wheeled it at all extreme angles and it never stumbles. It is the BEST mod I have done to my rig.

[Smooshy]

I really want a truck avenger although if you know what you are doing you can honestly get a regular old holley to good pretty good. People who say nay just dont know how to work on em... My 2150 on my chero does really good but seems to lack power, dunno, maybe I dont know how to work on it :D

[River Beast]

I've used Edelbrock and Holley..... I went back to the 2150.....

I may have to try the Truck Avenger soon.... ;)

[Damage, Inc.]

What about altitude?? I've got the 4350 on and am VERY concerned when I go to 13K feet.

Anyone have experience??

[Stuka]

I only went to 9800ft with my 4350. But it has a altitude compensator, if the compensator works you shouldent have any probs so long as your fuel lines are routed correctly.

[River Beast]

Damage,

If you remember... I crapped out at 11,500 with my 2150..... vaporlock though..... other than that I can't tell you about the 4350 ...not yet anyway... ;)

[Damage, Inc.]

Oh yeah, I remember. I wasn't there, but the pictures were priceless. I wasn't sure if you were running the 4350--now I know.
Thanks, again.

[billyrb]

I would say make the following changes:
1. Edelbrock performer intake
2. Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb
3. PAW cam or summit cam
4. Edelbrock off-road needles & seats for the carb
5. TFI upgrade or DUI ignition system

All in all, it'll cost you roughly a grand, but you'll have one of the best running rigs around. JMHO.

[derf]

Originally posted by River Beast:
Damage,

If you remember... I crapped out at 11,500 with my 2150..... vaporlock though..... other than that I can't tell you about the 4350 ...not yet anyway... ;) Yours didn't have the altitude compensator. I mentioned that when we were looking at it. I think it was a 2100, not a 2150.

[robselina]

coolness. I'll check out the 1406 with the off-road kit and the holley. I really want to do a cam and a TFI upgrade too, like you suggested Ryan, but I don't think it's in the cards just yet. Maybe I should look into TFI first, since that's not too expensive and stick with the motorcraft until I can swing for the holley or edelbrock.
Thanks dudes,
Rob

[Heimeken]

Rob,

I too have the 1406. Only problem I had at 13K feet was flooding at steep angles which I think I can fix by adjusting the floats even lower(already did some as part of the off-road needle and seat kit).

One thing about the edelbrocks is that it takes a while to tune it correctly for your rig. They are usually way rich stock.

[jode]

Originally posted by Stuka:
My factory 4350 was sweet offroad. It just sucked for the street. But offroad I was never able to get it to stumble or load up.I'll second that....never stumbled...even when sitting on rear bumper...or nearly rolling sideways....but I tried to rebuild it and it betrayed me...now I am learning just why people go to FI - my maestro? ...the Carter AFB.

It suck so bad offroad that....well...it sucks....