Holley Brawler Carb

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The PIG Smith
Posts: 506
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 10:54 pm
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Holley Brawler Carb

Post by The PIG Smith »

I've been trying to learn more about Holley's new line of econo-carbs, Brawler.

As I understand, these Brawler carbs are an earlier Holley design using an off-shore (China?) cast body and other parts.
By using an earlier design, means this Holley carb is not a brand new carb, but a cheaper version of an older carb.

However, from what I read, folks that use them are liking them.
So, my question is would my fellow FSJeepers recommend them?
Would a 600cfm model work well on an AMC 360?
Wonder if over time, it would continue to work well?
...meaning, would hold up like its full priced cousins?
Is it worth the extra coupe hundred dollars for a current Holley Carb, like a Truck Avenger?

As always, your comments, suggestions, recommendations, opinions and flames are welcome.
Bryan Smith
Fort Wayne, Indiana
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
- 75th Anniversary Edition - 1941 Trim Package - Recon Green --Daily Driver
1986 Jeep J20
- Super clean rig from the AZ/CA state line -- Current Project
1982 Jeep J10
- Has become a Long Term Project.
1981 Jeep J20
- Commercial flat bed - Lost in a Divorce --gone
1987 Jeep J20 Pioneer
- Former Rick Bielec aka Ricbee plow rig. Major rust!! --gone

IFSJA Member #1933 Joined November 30, 2001
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REDONE
Posts: 2678
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:48 pm
Location: Lakewood and Bailey, CO

Re: Holley Brawler Carb

Post by REDONE »

Straight from Holley:
ABOUT BRAWLER

Brawler carburetors are precision machined and hand-assembled by craftsman right here in the USA. The Brawler family of carburetors include models for your daily driver to your race car. These carburetors work hard just as their name implies- just raw bare knuckled performance that you can rely on. Don’t let the budget-friendly price fool you, the Brawler development focused on the performance you want and not the pretty box that it comes in. Brawlers come with the latest technology in air/fuel calibrations for today’s street or race engine demands. The Brawler family of carburetors are all made from light-weight aluminum components and are available in both vacuum and mechanical secondary models. They offer all the tunability that you would find from more expensive carburetors in the market, including four-corner idle adjustment on all models.

This part is legal for use on Uncontrolled (Non-Emissions Controlled) Vehicles or Racing Vehicles.

The following vehicles are considered Uncontrolled (Non-Emissions Controlled) Vehicles:

1965 and older U.S. manufactured California Certified vehicles
1967 and older U.S. manufactured Federally Certified vehicles
1967 and older Foreign manufactured vehicle
Racing Vehicles are vehicles that are used exclusively for racing or other forms of competition that are not registered and that may never be used on the street.
There's only one issue I'm concerned with and can't find an answer to in my quick search just now. The parts catalog specifies between "brawler" and "Quickfuel" parts, so I'm thinking the brawler is proprietary (parts don't interchange). With this is mind, it could be a challenge to get the brawler optimized for bouncy and off-camber driving, if that's in your expectations. I couldn't find any options for float style or spring loaded needles, or really anything other than jets and kick-down linkages.

Past that, it looks to be a quality piece of Made In USA hardware. :-bd
79 J-10 (Honcho Mucho) KE0LSU
304/Performance Fuel Injection TBI/MTA1/SP2P/Magnum rockers
T18/D20/D44s&4.10s/33" Mud Claws
Grizzly Locker Rear
4" front spring drop, 5" rear shackle flip
Chevy style HEI (ECM controlled)
Dolphin "Shark" gauges in a fancy homemade oak bezel
3/4 resto, rotting faster than I've been fixing it.

RamJetFSJ
Posts: 431
Joined: Fri Mar 22, 2013 12:36 pm
Location: Carpinteria, CA

Re: Holley Brawler Carb

Post by RamJetFSJ »

They are cast over seas (from recycled aluminum cans most likely), then machined and assembled in USA. I would not call that Made in USA. - I have heard good things about them though also.
80 Wag in 73 attire, Ram Jet 350 power
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tgreese
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Location: Medford MA USA

Re: Holley Brawler Carb

Post by tgreese »

Don't know about the Brawler, but the conventional Holleys have a lot of issues on the trail. There is a plenty about this here and on other forums if you search.

JMO - there is so much information online and so many different products, you may as well go EFI. The price of a new carburetor will get you half-way there. Someone like Bill Hamilton will put together a custom system for you - very little development work needed on your part. Or choose one of the packaged "self-tuning" EFI setups.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
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The PIG Smith
Posts: 506
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 10:54 pm
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Re: Holley Brawler Carb

Post by The PIG Smith »

REDONE wrote:With this is mind, it could be a challenge to get the brawler optimized for bouncy and off-camber driving, if that's in your expectations.
No, that is not my goal today.
I want to get my truck running and drivable.
...just a simple goal of on dry payment of moving under its own power.
If a carb was the only issue, then I would step up to the Truck Avenger and call it done.
However, I have a lots of nickel and dime items that is holding me up.

For me fantasy upgrades like a nice offroad carb or EFI, lift springs/shocks, winch/bumper, etc...will happen, later.
I need to get it running and move on to other projects.
Trust me, dirt will happen, as maybe someday coming to Ouray for an Invasion Event.
I would like to make it girly enough to participate in the Hot Rod Power Tour.
Bryan Smith
Fort Wayne, Indiana
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
- 75th Anniversary Edition - 1941 Trim Package - Recon Green --Daily Driver
1986 Jeep J20
- Super clean rig from the AZ/CA state line -- Current Project
1982 Jeep J10
- Has become a Long Term Project.
1981 Jeep J20
- Commercial flat bed - Lost in a Divorce --gone
1987 Jeep J20 Pioneer
- Former Rick Bielec aka Ricbee plow rig. Major rust!! --gone

IFSJA Member #1933 Joined November 30, 2001
User avatar

Topic author
The PIG Smith
Posts: 506
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2011 10:54 pm
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Re: Holley Brawler Carb

Post by The PIG Smith »

tgreese wrote:Don't know about the Brawler, but the conventional Holleys have a lot of issues on the trail. There is a plenty about this here and on other forums if you search.

JMO - there is so much information online and so many different products, you may as well go EFI. The price of a new carburetor will get you half-way there. Someone like Bill Hamilton will put together a custom system for you - very little development work needed on your part. Or choose one of the packaged "self-tuning" EFI setups.
I thought about EFI and looked hard at Holley's Sniper EFI system.
$1000+ is a little bit out of my budget for now.
I also have parts and pieces from GM TBI trucks to maybe go with a MegaSquirt system or complete it with parts from "International Harvester BIll".

Chasing ideas like this is where I get messed up...
Image
Bryan Smith
Fort Wayne, Indiana
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited
- 75th Anniversary Edition - 1941 Trim Package - Recon Green --Daily Driver
1986 Jeep J20
- Super clean rig from the AZ/CA state line -- Current Project
1982 Jeep J10
- Has become a Long Term Project.
1981 Jeep J20
- Commercial flat bed - Lost in a Divorce --gone
1987 Jeep J20 Pioneer
- Former Rick Bielec aka Ricbee plow rig. Major rust!! --gone

IFSJA Member #1933 Joined November 30, 2001
User avatar

tgreese
Posts: 7117
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:31 am
Location: Medford MA USA

Re: Holley Brawler Carb

Post by tgreese »

Nothing wrong with the 21xx and 2V manifold. Get'er done!
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
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