[groove9028]

Hey! I'm a proud owner of a 1975 Mach I and new to this forum. After searching and having no luck, I was wondering if I have to change my intake manifold to put on a Edelbrock 4-bbl 600cfm carb. (instead of the stock 2-bbl). Or can i just bolt on a new carb?

In doing so, what kind of performance gain am I getting from swapping out the 2-bbl? Will changing the carb alone and or the carb/intake give me any performance gain? I have an aftermarket exhaust and muffler and I'm planning on putting headers.

I'm just trying to give the ol' 302 some pep. Nothing too hi-perf. I appreciate any of your suggestions!

THANKS!

Jay

[dragorphan]

To install a 4bbl carb you will need to find an four bbl intake. If you are looking for modest gains a factory intake from a 83 to 85 5.0 would be perfect. you would be able to install the carb and retain all emissions equipment. the one thing to look out for are many of the intakes that I have seen are cracked near the rearmost bolt holes on both sides. If emissions is not a concern you can run one of many dual plains. I would use the edelbrock preformer 289 with a 500cfm carb. To see a bigger gain true duel exaust with high flow mufflers would be a big help but no more than 2 1/2 inch without headers and a better cam and heads. good luck

[74stang2togo]

Mustang Monthly magazine did a 2-bbl to 4-bbl swap on a 289 a couple years back.

Changing out JUST the carburetor, intake manifold, and air cleaner was worth about 40 horsepower if memory serves (been awhile since I read it.)

That was a stock 289 they did that on. Doing the same to a stock 302 would yield a similar result.

I don't have dyno numbers to prove it, but I know for sure that the swap to an Edelbrock Performer 289 intake, Edelbrock 600cfm carburetor, Dynomax headers, and dual 2.5" exhausts with Flowmasters woke my car up more than I ever imagined. The car went from squealing a tire "maybe" in 1st gear to burning rubber all the way up past 80mph if I floor it from a dead stop and don't let up. (Tires finally stop squealing and smoking somewhere around 65-70 on the speedometer, and I'm running taller tires than stock, meaning it reads slow).