Club 80-90 Forums

Evening all,

Well MOT completed today and our 1981 CU engine van passed (just).

Emissions, as always, were an issue. So the guy I let look after our camper, took it in adjusted before and adjusted afterwards to get her through.

I currently have the original twin carb Solex setup. The left hand carb is running rich - but the other is fine. My guy 'had' recommended a single Weber conversion, but having done a little research myself he said this was the cheap option. He has now recommended a twin Weber conversion (although he has also offered twin Empi too). Basically he will fit what I want, but does not seem keen on refurbing the Solex carbs -as this does not always solve the issues (He has indicated he has done this many times and has let down customers because having spent money the Solex carbs would still not run correctly).

So what are the opinions on different new Carbs? Twin Weber? Twin Empi? Cost is always a consideration.....

Thanks

Mike

Hi,

Been through a similar process myself (with 1.9DG rather than air-cooled though), as the single weber I had on there was beyond repair.

You could rebuild the solex's - no reason why they wouldn't be good if it were done right. Sarran1955 (https://club8090.co.uk/forum/memberlist. ... ile&u=9864 is your man to advise on this. The key as I understand it is getting the throttle shafts rebushed, as they get worn and leak air so you can't get the carbs balanced and set up.

Don't go single weber, it will be thirsty and hard to get set up - this is probably the worst option!

If you go replacement twin carbs you have three conventional options:

1) Dellorto DRLA's - Eurocarb do all the bits (http://www.dellorto.co.uk/merchandise/p ... tionID=116), you can often pick up rebuilt carbs off Ebay. Quite a lot of cash, but seem to be widely accepted as the best twin carb option. No longer made though, so impossible to buy new out a box.

2) Weber IDF's - essentially the same as the dellorto's, available in the same way. Quality varies, as manufacture has moved from place to place over the years. Forget which ones are good and bad, but a quick internet search will reveal all. Pricey.

3) EMPi's - direct knock-offs of the webbers, but made in China. All webber parts fit. Internet is full of woe with these, mainly because the early ones were rubbish. Since then quality seems to have improved, with second and third generation ones seeming to work fine. Cheap. Very very cheap!

So, having weighed up options and decided that I didn't fancy going second hand / recon and couldn't stretch to a set of the good (Spanish?) webbers, I bought a set of Empis off VW Heritage. From the serial number on them, they were from a batch that had been tested prior to sale, backed up by residual fuel in the chambers. As far as my searches went, all those available for sale in the UK new are from the newer batches.

They fitted fine, and once I'd got them set up they do 26 mpg on average. Power is well up, but that may be simply that at the same time I rebuilt the engine! Only slight downside is that they don't have a choke, so can be a bit of a pig for the first 30 seconds or so of running.

If you are getting a garage to fit you'd need to budget for the kit, a few hours to build it on and then a couple of hours on a rolling road to get the jetting right.

I suspect that you may find that even with the cheapest new carb option it will work out cheaper to rebuild what you have....

Cheers,

Alex

Thanks Alex for the comprehensive reply.

The guy I use, will charge £150 to fit whatever I choose. He seems to be a fan of the Webers and he did mention about buying Webers manufactured from a certain country ( I cannot remember which countries were good and which were bad!). So, I suspect he is well aware of the varying quality concerns.

I notice there are the IDF carbs and the ICT carbs on the VW Heritage site. IDF, as you recommend, seem very expensive so I would probably settle for the ICT (unless someone strongly advises against this??). I am not particularly after stronger performance or economy - and suspect any new set-up would give me both over what I am currently doing......

The EMPI kit does look interesting though (although it is £180 more than the ICT Webers)

Do you suffer from any starting problems in the colder months due to not having a choke? Or do you just give it some throttle to keep it running at the start? Any other downsides?

I have a little time to decide as he cannot really start until after the 'season' - so I will be making final decision come late September.

Thanks for your help - I was expecting to find something in the WIKI or more frequent questions on this subject - but alas no.


Mike

Hi,

Sorry about that, I assumed you were after the twin barrel twin crab, rather than single barrel twin carb - not sure why I did?!

The advice would be the same really, that the webbers are more pricey than the Empi knockoffs. However, the EMpi's still get mixed reviews so it may (if you get a dodgy set) cost you more in the long run unless you are happy to tinker yourself.

In terms of lack of choke, I give the throttle two pumps and then start - it tends to start first time. If its cold it needs to have 30 secs or so to warm up, or it lacks any sort of power. May be a bit spluttery and poppy, but this goes quickly.

Not aware of any downsides, other than that they do need balancing from time to time (but so do the solex's!)

I'd agree than anything will be better than the old carbs you have on. Others on here will suggest that you get the twin throat twin carbs as it does give much more power, but that will come down to personal choice.

Cheers,

Alex

Thanks!

Just about to get our 2.0CU booked into to get the twin Weber set-up.

Any final advice or wisdom - or shall I just get it done?

Mike

I've had twin 34 Webber on our 1800 type 4 for a few years now. Vast improvement over the solexes. No chokes but starts much better even in the cold or damp you just have to catch it right when starting and give it a couple of minutes to warm! Performance and mpg slightly better just stay away from empi 'sport's exhausts.
Can't vouch for suppliers or quality as mine were old ones bought off the late bay forum. I fitted them crudely, got it running and found a guy that could set them properly (I'd spent all my pocket money ). I'm also running electronic ignition which also helps.
http://Www.dellorto.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just to update this thread.

I have had the twin Weber ICT 34 carbs fitted about a month ago.

The mpg is about the same as before (not measured but just a feeling.... sorry for the vagueness here!!) , but the power difference is great. Some hills which I was struggling up at 25mph are now tackled with 'relative' ease (35mph+) .

Starting and initial running (no chokes) can be a 'little' spluttery. Even leaving to idle for five minutes, it can be a little tricky pulling out of our driveway and heading uphill. (so I now usually turn right and go down hill )

I have been told they will probably need balancing every year - but with the performance gain and extra usability I am not too concerned. We have now booked three weekends away camping and really looking forward to it....

The fit in the engine bay is good (no mods required to the engine bay lid) and they 'look' really good.

Thanks for the advice given and hope this helps others looking!!


Mike