My '67 has original the 289 (2V). I was going to get it rebuilt keeping it original. I'm kinda 2nd guessing myself, thinking it would be better to go ahead and change intakes and go with a 4 barrel carb. A third option would be to keep the intake & 2 barrel and maybe change to a mild cam, but I don't know how beneficial that would be either. I'm not building a racer, I just want something with some decent pep. Any thoughts?

 

IMO,a change in camshaft would probably be more noticable than going from the 2V to a 4V carb. However, with a change in camshaft, you may also require more fuel, and hence a 4V carb!

So, do both!

 

Assuming your "original" engine is in good shape just putting on a 4 barrel won't be too noticable. It won't make your car a racer and the only positive to it for you would maybe be at wide open throttle. Just rebuild the 2v for ease. It only takes an hour or so. Those carbs are as easy to rebuild as changing your spark plugs.

 

The previous comments are mostly correct but neither address the "wow factor" that you get by seeing a nice 4bbl, aftermarket manifold and air filter on the top of your engine. You will see some performance increase but not as much as other mods. If you do headers with the 4bbl you'll see a big performance increase.

 

A 4 barrel can actually get better gas mileage than a 2 barrel, that is as long as you keep your foot out of it. I know like that will happen. I had a 600 holley on mine and it did get better mileage than before i put it on.

 

A 4v swap by itself is noticable, and beneficial. A cam swap with the 4v will net better results. A stock cam costs just as much as a slightly stronger cam, and any type of cam swap should be accompanied by a valve train upgrade (springs especially) anyway.

 

Call Pony Carbs and ask for John. He'll have a great suggestion for a cam for your idea.

My car is a '65 with a stock 2 barrel 289 that I swapped on a stock 4 barrel intake from '66 / installed a Autolite 4100 that had been rebuilt by Pony Carbs and did the spreadbore conversion on it / went to Tri-Y headers to a dual exhaust.

Noticable difference even without a cam change - and when you put your foot in it you get the other two barrels kicking in. Cool factor is a plus...