I have an 83 K5 with 350 motor. My mechanic went over my carb and it's still running bad. Do I get a new carb or go fuel injection? If carb, what brand/model do you recommend? If fuel injection, what are my options and costs?
Thanks in advance...

 

Fuel injection is big $$$ compared to replacing a carb. There are many quality carbs out there for much less money.

 

Indeed, after checking prices, carb seems to be the way to go. From what I'm reading Holey looks like a good choice. Any recommendations on brand and the exact model to go with? There are also many choices for replacement specs and I have no idea what the 83 K5 350 silverado model would need.

 

Find out what the specs are on the stock carb and then find a Holley that has close to the same specs. Or call Holley themselves, I'm sure they can definitely put you on the track to the exact carb that would work with your engine.

 

for years i tried messing with edlebraks and could never get my trucks to run right, retuned and rejetted them and still had issues. finally shelled out the money for a holley and my truck runs great.... but it still had to be tuned out of the box. you just need to find someone whos good with this kinda stuff

 

Went to Holley website and they've got a truck carb that looks like it really performs well off road. That may be the ticket.

 

seems no manufacturer has a direct replacement for the quadrajet and in so. cal. it won't pass smog unless it's the quadrajet. So, option 1: get carb rebuilt, but from the horror stories, there are few out there that can do the job right...any suggestions?
Option 2: fuel injection. any suggestions?

 

There's really not much to rebuilding a carb. Some small screws, and a few gaskets. Find your self a good manual, or write up online, and do it at the kitchen table!

I had a super cheap quadrajet on my chevelle for awhile. Took it apart and cleaned it, new gaskets, and I had never been in a carb before. And, when I got it back together, the car ran! Pretty good, too!

I eventually got a 600 cfm Holley, which the only complaint I have is the electric choke. If the car is stopped for short periods, maybe 15-30 minutes, it cools off enough to activate the choke. The car is still plenty warm, and doesn't need the choke, and no amount of fiddling and adjusting can get it right.

The old "divorced" choke on the 2bbl Rochester worked so much better! For years I've threatened to just put a manual choke on there and be done with it!

 

Step into the current century, learn your craft, and do the planet a favor. There are so many EFI 350 chevys in junkyards its pathetic. Find one and swap parts. Then you can show your contemporaries how smart you are.

 

Hey, now! There's nothing wrong with some old school tech! Fuel injection can be more efficient, but I've never been left stranded on the side of the road, or had a vehicle fail to start because of a carb issue. I have with fuel injection problems, though.

I guess I just prefer the low tech simplicity of a carb. Heck, I would rather have a good old fashioned points distributor than an electronic one!