Vacuum or mechanical secondary on a 360 with 4spd?

[NorthGaAire]

Looking for real world feedback from FSJN users -

Should I put a 4bbl carb with vacuum secondaries or mechanical secondaries on a 360 with a 4spd? I have watched the Holley and Edelbrock videos on carb selection and have heard their advice on using one with mechanical secondary.

Thoughts, recommendations?

[dodgerammit]

I've always heard general rule of thumb is vacuum secondary on street vehicles.

[Stuka]

For a manual transmission I hate vacuum secondaries. They work really well with autos because they work in conjunction with the transmissions kick down.

With a manual they can open up when you don't actually want them too.

[NorthGaAire]

Leaning toward a 600cfm Brawler with mechanical secondary from Summit on a 3731 performer intake.

[BenD]

I installed a edlbrock rpm intake with a 600 cfm vacuum sec. holley and i love it. 360/4sp stock truck not built, yet.

[JeepManiac]

Vacuum secondaries when tuned right actually make more average torque because the engine is only getting what it actually needs. Torque takes a hit when all 4 barrels open when the engine doesn't need it. Mechanical secondaries open regardless of actual engine load.

I haven't heard vacuum secondaries work with a kickdown. Kickdown connects to the throttle and tells the trans what to do, not the other way around.

I have a healthy 454 with a 750 VS carb in my J20, and soon I'm rebuilding it as a nasty 496 and I'll still be running a VS carb, but an 880 from quick fuel.

[fsj454]

I am running vacuum sec. 780 cfm holley on my 5 speed stick . ALL GOOD

[Stuka]

Vacuum secondaries when tuned right actually make more average torque because the engine is only getting what it actually needs. Torque takes a hit when all 4 barrels open when the engine doesn't need it. Mechanical secondaries open regardless of actual engine load.

I haven't heard vacuum secondaries work with a kickdown. Kickdown connects to the throttle and tells the trans what to do, not the other way around.

I have a healthy 454 with a 750 VS carb in my J20, and soon I'm rebuilding it as a nasty 496 and I'll still be running a VS carb, but an 880 from quick fuel.

I didn’t say they were controlled by the kick down. I said they work in conjunction with it, which is to say that they better function with an auto. When the trans kicks down and the RPM jumps up, the secondaries may open depending on throttle input.