I intend on having my Buick Wildcat as a daily driver, and I was curious what was your guys' experiences with throttle bodies? Do they increase fuel mileage and performance enough to justify installation? If so, which throttle bodies would you guys recommend? -Thanks
Just don't anybody say PJIII, did anyone notice how long it took a bunch of guys to tune this "self tuning" system? It's not self tuning, maybe that's why Hot Rod omitted it from it's latest article on self learning systems, not even a mention. There are better systems out there i.e. Accel, Holley. Jmo.
Take the time to research the topic! (Re: Throttle Bodies) Dear errickrb and V-8 Buick members, As Silvester the cat once said: S-s-s-s-s-s-simple . . . . isn't it!! o No: Alas, there is a reason why this sort of stuff is consider "High Tech." It is all reasonably new and perhaps is the ultimate classic car example of "your mileage may vary." Just to give you an example, I spent a good long time researching EFI for a big-block Buick engine for my 65 Buick Special. Some of the V-8 Buick threads I got tangled with include: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=220954 http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=221935 After all this research (and some more on the http://www.teambuick.com/ website) I got discouraged and reverted to the Quadra-Jet. Only later, Jim Weise (who is building a big-block Buick engine for me) recommended a EZ-EFI system that I was finally convinced to switch and only then after another "considerable bit of back and forth:" http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=232278 I would urge you to take your time and take a look at all the issues involved. It is an expensive upgrade so getting your money back with improved gas mileage is going to take years. You don't say which Wildcat you have. That too might make a big difference. The Quadra-Jet carb is the gas mileage champ and is very hard to beat. You might consider other moves to improve your gas mileage. If it is possible, switching to a transmission with overdrive is a very clear winner. Take the time to research V-8 Buick to see what your choices are. I'm happy with the choices I've made for me, but my situation is very unique. You'll also help yourself by describing more clearly how your car is equipped and what sort of choices you are willing to make to improve fuel-economy. There is a lot of sharp fellows on this forum, but they need to understand the specifics of your car to make good recommendations. Best of luck and Love your Buick!! :3gears: Cheers, Edouard :beer
Re: Take the time to research the topic! (Re: Throttle Bodies) If your driving regularly takes you across drastic elevation changes or you really are driving 12,000+ miles per year. If you aren't doing both a set up and maintained Q-jet will serve you well.
Goodness! Reading those links remind me a good deal of a 1981 (or 1980?) car and driver article regarding increasing gas mileage in your older car through the use of special high-efficiency (I imagine smaller) carburetor. They essentially stated that unless you have very unique circumstances (very long commutes) it just was not cost effective to switch to those new-fangled carburetors. After about three or so pages, they essentially just said don't drive your car as hard. I have a 1969 Buick Wildcat with a 455 and a ST-400 transmission, 4 door, as mentioned in my signature. I do have a Rochester Quadra-Jet. My car also has the dual-exhaust setup, although I believe it has stock headers. Well elagache, my intentions with this Buick are actually quite similar to yours. I have every intention of making this car a true daily driver, to use my Buick for both commuting and vacationing. I'm rather cash-strapped (full time student) at the moment but I do have a good deal (not relative to you guys, but to the general population) of experience with working on automobiles, such as switching out transmissions and whatnot. And boy, do I love my Buick. I was thinking when my automatic transmission decides to quit, I would replace it with a Muncie 4 speed. Thank you for all your input, really.
Re: Take the time to research the topic! (Re: Throttle Bodies) Didn't they produce carburetors or some sort of accessory that would automatically adjust fuel/air mixture relative to altitude? Adjusting your carburetor is just a matter of turning your lean/rich screw in such a way which maximizes rpm correct?
Re: Take the time to research the topic! (Re: Throttle Bodies) That's only for the idle, cruise and power adjustments are made seperately. I had the same desire for my '72 Cutlass. I put multiport EFI on it along with a 200-4R with lockup. I can run it real lean with the EFI so I also put Catalytic converters on it. It's a convertable so it's great being able to cruise and not smell fuel. Nostalgic looks with new age technology. Jmo.
Save up for what will help the most? (Re: Throttle Bodies) Dear Errickrb (and V-8 Buick members), Well perhaps I should offer the following encouragement. My wagon was my transportation in college and is still kicking 15 years later. My college days weren't exactly brief either as I ended up getting a PhD and it . . . . wasn't a short one! :af: So hang in there and hang on to your Buick!! Sooner or later you'll have the means to do what you want. The word on V-8 Buick is that you really cannot do much better than the venerable Quadra-Jet for dependable fuel economy. We are all hurting over gas prices, so perhaps you should invest your time more than money and see what you can learn about tuning the car up to get the best you can with the carb you have. If its been a while, perhaps you could invest in having the carburetor rebuilt. That's a lot cheaper than any EFI system and might bring you close to the same fuel economy. My trusty wagon has gone all sorts of places without the benefit of EFI. From Lake Tahoe to the deserts of Arizona. As a student, you may not have the comfort or convenience of EFI, but you shouldn't feel that the car can't make the journeys that are the genuine "informal education" that everyone should make while in college. Like everyone, you should try to prioritize your expenditures. There is no doubt that the world situation is darn right bleak and those of us with classic cars will see more and more pressure to economize and marginalize our cars. However, that makes a good case for waiting on EFI in a way. This is evolving technology, and with this sort of pressure, hopefully the manufacturers will come up with more economical systems. The major automakers are feeling the squeeze, so we should see a "trickle down" effect in a few years - if the world lasts that long!! If you can, consider making your first major investment in a transmission upgrade. There are aftermarket 5 and even 6 speed manual transmissions with overdrive that will really save you a lot of fuel on the highway. The biggest advantage of the big-block engines is that they have so much torque that they don't need to turn nearly as fast to keep you moving. However, to take advantage of that you need a transmission that will bring down into the lower RPMs while cruising at 70. I decided to go the automatic route, so I don't know about about this. However, there are certainly experts on this board who can help you with this! Good luck with your Wildcat and by all means - Love your Buick!! :3gears: Cheers, Edouard :beer
