Which carburetor would you go with?

[buckeyecharger]

So here is my scenario. I am in need of a new carburetor for my 69 Charger. I would like it to run like a top and have some get up, but I want to keep original look. Currently have this set up:

Engine- original 383, rebuilt by previous owner. Nothing real exotic, .40 over, original intake and exhaust manifold(s). Not sure on cam or heads.
Carburetor- original Carter 4bbl. In drastic need of a rebuild!
Air Cleaner- original non-silence.
Trans- original 727 auto.
Rear- Nothin special, one-wheel peel. Going with sure-grip eventually, either 3.23 or 3.55

I have read a lot on here and it seems about even with the Holleys and Edelbrocks. What would you go with?

[projectanimal]

Ours came with the carter which we tried to rebuild, but ended up throwing a newer eddy 800 on!   

[Mopar Nut]

I was in the same situation two months ago. Same carb as yours with a backyard mechanic rebuild done. I decided to go with Holley, I always had good luck with them. I almost bought a double pumper 650. Two weeks ago I found a super deal on a new six pack set up for a 383. 

Another good one is a Proform.

[Kern Dog]

Holley carburetors were used on some 383s by Ma Mopar. People forget that Carter wasn't the only 4 barrel carb for Mopars.
The Holley is great for its almost infinite ability to be modified and tuned.

[Cooter]

Holley...."Heart and soul of performance".

[bill440rt]

The key words in your post were that you "wanted to keep the original look". In that case, IF your carb is original then I voted rebuild the original Carter.

[Cooter]

"Original Look" can be interpreted many different ways...
1. Original look meaning No tunnel rams...
2. Original Look meaning No inline, dual fours
3. Original look meaning Able to keep original air cleaner
4. Original look meaning able to run on original intake, or aftermarket aluminum intake that "appears" to be original..

[bill440rt]

Right. I interpreted it as I saw it. Plus, the added picture of his mostly stock original appearing engine, sans rad & distributor caps. 

[tan top]

think if it were me !!
  original look !!  rebuild the carter ,   or  put a edelbrock on sort of similar looking  ,  

maximum tune ability should you start messing with the engine radical mods cam heads intakes etc etc converter  fit a holley   ,     holley   so much tune ability & parts etc 

[buckeyecharger]

To clarify "original look", I want to keep original appearance, keep the air cleaner, not have a bulky carb sticking out from under it.

But here's the ultimate, boost performance but keep the original appearance. I like the aluminum intake idea, if it appears original and I could paint it orange. Would this be a single plane or dual plane? I'm looking for more go at the start, not at 4k rpm.

Thanks for all the responses so far, keep em coming!!

[bill440rt]

If you're swapping intakes, to retain an original look you could go with an old Eddy CH4B (have to find it used, it's out of production, but they can be found). Second choice if you're looking for low-end performance would be the Eddy Performer. Both of these are dual plane intakes. You will have hood clearance issues with a Performer RPM with the stock air cleaner.
If you plan on a carb swap, the Eddy carbs are Carter based so they have that original "look", although they are bright.
Or... you can just rebuild the original carb and be done with it. Looks like you have a very original engine compartment.

FYI, here's a shot of my '68 engine. Looks somewhat stock, right? It has an Eddy 800 carb (fattened up), a CH4B intake, Eddy RPM aluminum heads, MSD box & coil, Firecore plug wires, etc. Most passerbys at shows really don't know the difference.
Good luck!    

[1970Moparmann]

Bill, didn't know you had a 68 also... NICE

Nice job on the engine compartment.  Did you put the MSD under the dash? 

Very stealthy.

[buckeyecharger]

Thanks Bill! Yes, yours does look stock, thats exactly what I'm going for! Where did you put the MSD box? Would 800 cfm be to much carb for my stock heads? Does the original throttle linkage match up? lCan't do the performer, I want to keep the air cleaner. I will probably start looking for a ch4b now. I'm in no hurry so I should be able to get one somewhere.

[bill440rt]

The MSD box is hidden under the driver's seat. Ran the harness thru an un-used grommet in the firewall, right below the M/C. It's then taped up into the engine harness so it's hidden. Ballast resistor is bypassed but dummy wired so it looks stock.
You CAN use a Performer, but not the Performer RPM due to hood clearance. The Performer clears just fine. I had a Performer before swapping to the CH4B. Yes, the stock throttle and kickdown linkage bolts up. There are probably better dual plane intakes out there, but those are the only ones I have experience with that I know will clear the hood and also give a mostly stock appearance.  
An 800 could be a bit much for a mostly stock 383, but the 650 or 750 might be a better match.

[Paul G]

How much do you like to "fiddle" with things? The Holley and Holley style carbs are top performers, but not necessarily so right out of the box. An Eddy will run good right out of the box and perform well enough. If you want to set it and forget it use an Eddy. If you want top performance and like to "tweek" things get a Holley, Proform, Quick fuel, etc.

Rebuilding your stock carb is probably the best solution for your stock appearing set up. But rebuilding it and getting it to run right may be just as difficult as "tweeking" a Holley.

Just my opinion. 

[A6USMC]

My 383 sounds similar to yours, my Engine builder and Sumit suggested a 650 cfm carb. My first on was a Demon  and when I was done with its problems, I bought a Holly 650 last year and am happy so far,,,,,Brian

[ACUDANUT]

Holley. Forget MSD and go with Chrysler's ecu.

[4cruzin]

I would probably use a proform carb . . . Have had pretty good luck with them so far . . . .