The reason I went with the Torker 383 was due to its basic design of more even mixture distribution to the cylinders, volume-wise, than the normal dual planes of that era. Which was the reason behind the original Tarantula intake it was based off of. The Torker was more mid-range oriented than the Tarantula, being made from a discarded Tarantula manifold found in Edelbrock's scrap heap by an employee who needed something for his SBC ElCamino. When it ran better with that one, discarded for less lower rpm horsepower on the dyno, then the Torker series was born.
In more recent times, we've learned more about single planes vs. dual planes in how they act and can be tweaked with plenum dividers and such. But still about every cylinder getting an equal air charge, as modern FI intakes seek to do. Just as we've learned much more about lobe centerlines on camshafts, with time. At the time, the "equal mixture distribution" orientation was the latest, greatest thing for ultimate power, too.
I always liked the TQ much better than the QJet, if for no other reason than you don't have to remove the accel pump arm (with a hammer and punch) just to get the airhorn off. In some respects, it's a hybrid metering rod carb. Why? In the throttle body, there is a long,skinny "flapper" which is run by a cam attached to the primary throttle shaft. It touches a rounded-end rod on the bottom of the power piston (which runs the metering rods up and down against spring pressure). So, unlike the prior AFB and AVS carbs where the power pistons were independent and worked ONLY against spring pressure, the flapper/cam/rod arrangement is a default lean mixture regulator, no matter what. Didn't realize what it was or did for years, but probably had to be related to emissions or such?
To be sure, the TQ looks impressive with its "high tech" float bowl material, physical size, and just the way it looks. MUCH larger float bowl capacities than the QJet, too! But it's also a bit taller than a similar Holley 4bbl.
When I saw that Holley's Street Demon carb had so many similarities to the TQ, including the line feeding the accel pump housing, I was amazed and impressed. Gave credibility to the prior thoughts I had about how good the TQ design was. I suspect that if Carter was still in business, there would have been an "infringement" lawsuit happening, or a request for "licensing" of the design, at least. But I'm glad Holley did that, with a few changes to make it a more useable carb.
Just some thoughts,
CBODY67
