I've run my Edelbrock Performer without any choke at all for about 5 years without any serious problems. It fires right up when cold but I do have to pump the throttle 5 or so times before I crank it. Once it starts it might try to die for the first 20 seconds. After that everything is fine. The car is a 4-speed and I drive it all winter, down to about 20 degrees F.