Edelbrock Carburetors

Edelbrock Carburetors for Pontiac V8s: Simplicity Meets Performance

1. The Performer Series: Reliable Street Power¹

The Edelbrock Performer Series carburetor (such as the 1406 600 CFM or 1407 750 CFM models) has long been the go-to for street enthusiasts.² These carburetors offer a square-flange design, making them a common choice for use with popular Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM intake manifolds on Pontiac engines.

Key Features of the Performer Carburetor:

• Two-Piece Design: Featuring a two-piece, all-aluminum body, the Performer carb is resistant to warping and allows for easy tuning and maintenance without needing to drain fuel or remove the carburetor from the manifold.³

   

   

• Metering Rods: Edelbrock utilizes easily changeable metering rods to transition between fuel circuits, allowing for part-throttle and cruise tuning in seconds without the complexity of jets or power valves.⁴

   

   

• Backfire Protection: There are no power valves to blow out, making the carburetor more resilient to engine backfires.⁵

   

   

• "Holds a Tune": Once tuned, the Edelbrock Performer is famous for holding its calibration, providing consistent and reliable performance day after day.⁶

   

   

• Sizing: The 600 CFM and 750 CFM units are ideal for most mild-to-moderate street-performance Pontiac V8s, ensuring excellent throttle response and a wide powerband up to approximately ⁷$5,500$ RPM.⁸

   

   

2. The AVS2 Series: The Next Generation of Drivability

The AVS2 Series represents the evolution of the Edelbrock carburetor, designed to deliver improved drivability, particularly in the critical off-idle and cruising ranges.⁹ The AVS2 is a strong recommendation for Pontiac owners who prioritize smooth, near-EFI-like street manners.¹⁰

Annular Flow Primary Boosters:

The most significant upgrade in the AVS2 is the inclusion of annular flow primary boosters.¹¹ Unlike traditional downleg boosters which simply dump fuel into the venturi, the annular booster features eight equally spaced orifices that surround the primary bore.¹² This design delivers:

• Superior Fuel Atomization: The fuel is atomized (broken into a finer mist) more effectively, which eliminates the common "flat spots" or hesitations often felt when transitioning from idle to the main throttle circuit.¹³

   

   

• Quicker Starts: Improved fuel delivery aids in quicker starts, even when the engine is cold.

• Better Low-End Throttle Response: This improved atomization greatly benefits the Pontiac V8's potent low-end torque, making the car feel more responsive in everyday driving.

The AVS2 is available in sizes such as 650 CFM and 800 CFM, making it suitable for both moderate and highly modified large-displacement Pontiacs (like the 455 or stroked 461/468 ci engines) running Edelbrock RPM intake manifolds.¹⁴

3. The VRS-4150: For Race and Ultra High-Performance

For builders at the extreme end of the performance spectrum, Butler Performance offers the Edelbrock VRS-4150 Race and Performance Carburetor.¹⁵ This model sheds the traditional Edelbrock design for a race-ready, four-circuit architecture commonly associated with other high-end racing carburetors (e.g., Holley 4150-style).

• Race Features: The VRS-4150 is designed for ultra-high-performance and racing applications, featuring adjustable idle bypass air, fully adjustable intermediate fuel circuits, and larger fuel bowls to prevent fuel slosh under hard cornering and acceleration.¹⁶

   

   

• Dyno Proven: Butler Performance often dyno tests and utilizes these larger units (e.g., 750 CFM and 850 CFM) in their top-tier engine combinations, demonstrating their ability to match the power output of other major race carburetor brands.

By offering the full range of Edelbrock carburetors—from the easy-to-tune Performer to the race-bred VRS-4150—Butler Performance ensures every Pontiac V8 build, regardless of its intended use, has an expertly matched fueling solution.