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Hello!
Im wanting to replace my 2bbl carb with a 4bbl... what would i have to buy.. i went to my local parts store.. (lordco) and they said they didnt know what i needed.. just wondering what would be the easiest way to set this up myself. i already know ill need a new intake manifold. what type should i get as well as maybe part numbers? I read somewhere that i should change my cam as well?? do i need to do this?

Thanks so much..

First off we need to know what engine you have and any other modifications. Without knowing that all I can say is that you will need a proper intake manifold. generally a 2 plane style is best for the street. You'll also need a new air cleaner, most likely a low profile one since hood clearance is a issue with these cars and you might have to modify your accelerator cable. Edelbrock makes some nice street friendly 4 barrel carbs in various cfm ratings. A cam change is not mandatory but you have to think of an engine as air pump and match everything together for your intended rpm range and usage. Give us some more info about your setup.......

I have a stock 231 V6 with a 2bbl edelbrock carb.. i believe thats stock as well..

Ok, I am sure the Buick guys will chime in. My guess would be a small 4 barrel like a Edelbrock 500cfm

all stock,, holley calls for the 390 cfm, craig

Speaking a stock 231 motor here...
4brl Edelbrock or Holley intake manifolds can be found on Ebay for reasonable. 390 to 500cfm 4brl as mentioned will work great with the stock cam although there are several 'cook books' out there for matching everything up for top performance. You will need the correct accelerator bracket for the V6/V8 Buick which came on dozens of models for dozens of years. As mentioned some sort of low profile air cleaner. The four barrel will definitely wake up the 231. Also add a decent performance coil to lite up all the extra gas. Its all knee bone connected to the thigh bone kinda deal =)

To start off with we need alittle more info to help you out. I am assuming you have the stock 77 231 V-6 in your car.

You are going to have to do alittle research to find out if you have an Odd fire or Even Fire engine. Buick V-6's were

Odd Fire engines in 1975 and 1976

In 1977 they made a mid year change to even Fire Engines, so depending on when your car is made it could have a Even or Odd fire engine (the split as about 66% odd fire 33% even fire)

1978 were the same as the late 77 Even Fire engines

and 79-87 231 engines were all Even Fire with many improvements Including better flowing "High Port" Heads, and exaust manifolds.

So if you have a Even Fire engine you have quite a few options, including a stock used Buick 252 Manifold, New or Used Edledlebrock, New or used Holley, or even a Used Kenne Bell.

But if it is an Odd fire engine you will be limited to a Holley, Offenhouser, or extreamly rare Kenne Bell odd fire intake.

Use the search on this site for some good prior topics on this subject. We have gone over this a couple times in the past on how to ID a odd/even fire engine.

And just so you are aware by simply bolting on a 4bbl intake and carb you will only gain 5-7 HP and only if the carb is tuned correctly. Also a new Intake gasket will be needed, and what gasket you need is also dependent on the even/odd fire issue.

If you want to get the best around town performance upgrade for your car for the $$$ I would start with a rear gear change. Most 231 Powered H-bodies have a 2.56 rear axle gear for gas milage. I would suggest swapping the highway gears out for a set of 3.08 (so they will fit your carrier) or if you can afford a new axle carrier a set of 3.42 gears. But you would have to take your car to a reliable shop to do this.

Sorry About the long post, I can be long winded at times. But you do need to find out the EVEN or ODD fire thing before spending any money on parts.

thanks you so much for the info!! the only reason i want to do the 4bbl carb is to make this thing go.. in the future i want to put a v8 in it.. but thats way down the road when i have some money... any other ideas are great fully appreciated!

I purchased a Kenne Bell number 1 intake and am not sure if I got something that will fit the needs. The car is a 75 Starfire with odd-fire 231. I want to improve the performance, but want to keep good low RPM performance. The way this intake looks gives me the impression that it will kill my low RPM but provide really good mid to high RPM.

Googled the heck out of this and didn't find much about this intake.

If so, what are some available intakes for the odd fire 231 that will fit my wants?

Thanks,
Ken

My Kenne Bell book says the Number 1 is good from idle to 9,000 rpms. Says it will help even stock motors with its smooth and even runners....

Monzamaddogger wrote:My Kenne Bell book says the Number 1 is good from idle to 9,000 rpms. Says it will help even stock motors with its smooth and even runners....

Thanks,
That is what I want to hear. What carb did you use?
Ken

ok my fiasco of swapping heads, intakes and such building an engine on my sister in laws first car, 79 Buick Regal.
SO GM in it infinite wisdom made 4 different engines before the Iteration for GNs
75-76 use one in take, 77-78 use another and 79-80 use another. And then 81 up.
Swap around heads or intakes will either leave it leaking air or water.
ASK ME HOW I KNOW.
We decided to swap on a Edelbrock 4 bbl intake and picked up an electric choke 1850. WE did drop jetting down in front and went with two stage PV. Worked fine, with a first time driver with red hair, big boobs and nice smile she ran 70 every where she drove, got 17.8 mpg. Now I could get it up to about 20 driving easy but for a th350 car it ran and got ok mileage. Idiot kid who git it added a 2bbl adapter, and v6 adapter and sold holley and still got 18-20 driving easy.
WE had car looking good, got it for $200, spent $350 on 231 rebuild. My brother used water hose to wash out cooler openings as trans fluid was dripping out,,,he thought it was supposed to have coolant going through it.
YEAH.