what carb?
 

running a beefed up 396 BB on my 1967 camaro. i wanted know whats the best option of carburetor? edelbrock or holly? if so what series? street car not a track car.

I have used both and the Holley allowed the car to be more responsive and the car made a few more HP with it also.....

The correct SIZE is every bit as important as the brand. Carburetors are just "dumb" air / fuel mixers (not really).... and they depend on vacuum and air velocity etc. So if it's a STREET carb not an all out max effort race car... I'd use 85% volumetric efficiency for your calculation.

CFM = Cubic Inches x RPM x Volumetric Efficiency divided by 3456


396 X 6500 X .85 ÷3456...... 633 CFM

For a 396.... I'd run a 700 or a 750. You're always actually better off with a carb that is SMALLER than you are with a carb that is too big! Too big leads to poor response - poor fuel milage - and a sluggish motor.

Most of the factory "hi performance" 396's ran a Holley 780.... as did the 427's of the "day". My tri-power 427/400 hp ran triple two barrels that were 1150.

Remember that back in the day - fuel was cheap - and gas milage was HORRIBLE..... I prefer to think about how little time I spend driving a street car at wide open throttle.... versus just light throttle cruising.

You asked about brand..... Holley was the carb GM put on the hi performance BBC's in their hay day.

Thanks that was very helpful

Holley's web site has a tool for calculating what carb you need. Fill in the blanks and it will give you an answer.

Oh, and Holley is a much better carb.