Carby Choices?

[markmark]

I'm looking to replace the Weber 40 DCNF carby on my 1641. I'm after opinions as to what would be a good replacement. The buggy sees a lot of off road use. I was thinking of a single IDF Weber. What are the Empi carbies like?

[Lee]

Why are you replacing the carb you already have? Is it worn out, or is it not giving you the performance you were hoping for? I have heard that a single center mounted Weber setup works great for wide open use (such as racing), but does not have the low and mid range power that a set of duals will give you. I do not have any experience with a single Weber setup, but I have been very impressed by the dual Weber 40 IDF equipped buggies I have driven. That's the extent of my Weber knowledge. My 1600 has a Solex 34PICT 3. Simple, boring, reliable. :driving:

[jsturtlebuggy]

The 40 IDF will work better off the road then the DCNF. It has a better float setup and float bowl vent system that can be improved. Using it as a single does require different jetting than a dual setup. They work well for several people that I know using them on a buggy for street and off road usage.

[mackaymanx]

Here's some info on the empi HPMX carbies http://waitresses.servebeer.com:81/vwpage/hpmx/hpmx.htm

[Lee]

That's a great site on the EMPI "Weber knockoffs"! It reminds me of the Bocar "Solex knockoffs". It's a shame this is what the VW aftermarket has been reduced to.

[markmark]

[QUOTE="Lee"]Why are you replacing the carb you already have? Is it worn out, or is it not giving you the performance you were hoping for?[/QUOTE] As jsturtlebuggy said, the float control on my DCNF is very poor on steep hills. It was flooding that bad the last time I took it off road that the only way I could get it to run was using wide open throttle in first gear. Every time I let off the throttle it would stall. Once I got it back on the road it ran like a dream. The DCNF will deliver good performance on the road but not off road. I was thinking of a single weber because it would be easier to tune and there would be less to go wrong off road. I know that the single weber setup isn't as good in cold conditions. If you don't have to muck around with the dual setup too often I might look at getting something like that. I'm used to the performance of the weber carbies and I'm not sure if the 34 PICT will deliver the same performance. It would feel like a step back. Tell me if I'm wrong.

[joemama]

On my 1915, I have run a single carb, mainly because the body was cut for that, and also because it seemed simpler and therefore more trouble free. I have had 3 different carbs on my engine, the first was a Holley Bugspray, great wide open performance, loaded up on the rough stuff, and generally it was worn out, next I ran a Zenith 32, 2 barrel carb (originally used in the early Porsche in a dual set up), and generally loved everything about it except all out performance, it was simply just too small for my engine, however, it was flawless for the 2 years I used it, probably the perfect size for a 1641. This was the carburetor of choice for most offroaders for many years, and it is still highly regarded and sought after, they can still be found, and rebuild kits are available. Because I needed a larger carb, I am now running a single weber 40IDF, it gives me the top end performance I want, but I am still working at getting it to idle smoothly without loading up, this is because in order for it to not have a flat spot under acceleration, it needs a rich idle mixture, I am getting close to having it right, but jet changes are expensive. I have bought a set of dual 40 IDF, and plan to use them in my next buggy, so if you can wait a few years, Ill tell you how I like that. Seriously, a Zenith 32 would be a great carb for your purpose. Hope this helps.

[5150bossman]

Joemama, if you haven't seen this site yet, it might be of use to you in getting that Weber dialed in. http://www.racetep.com/webtechpage.html

[jsturtlebuggy]

Some of the things that can be done to make the IDF work better are, Open up the accellorator pump nozzles to .75mm Make sure to have at least a 2.00mm inlet valve Booster inserts installed into the secondary veturis Some times drilling a hole 1.7mm diameter in the throttle plate just in front of where the air/fuel ratio screws stick through Setting the float level to 10mm between top of float to inside of top of carb and at drop at 33-34mm Velocity stacks really help Make sure to have the tall main jet stacks The Weber Jet Doctors that CB Performance sell help with keeping dirt out of the idle circuits (full story on them on their website) I install a tube in the stock float camber vent (in between the mainjet stacks) to raise it to keep fuel from sloshing out. I use 3/8 inch steel tubing (what most parts houses here call brake line but use more for a fuel system) I cut it to 1 1/2inch long with a 45degree on one end. Other end is flatten to fit in stock vent hole. I use epoxy to hold it in place. Make sure to use a good air cleaner setup. Aluminum base, the stamp steel one leak all kinds of debris between them and carb.

[markmark]

Thanks for that info. The Zenith carby sounds interesting and I have read a bit about them in "Baja Bugs and Buggies" by Jeff Hibbard. They look like a good choice. The only problem with them for me is that they aren't very common in Australia. I think I might get myself a Weber 40 IDF and modify it like jsturtlebuggy has said.

[joemama]

Thanks guys, I will try some of the suggestions.