Empi twin carb manifold naff design

subheatadey · Dec 29, 2014

Still farting around with getting my engine back in, I have fitted twin carbs using a empi twin carb manifold i drilled and tapped the manifold for the brake servo and balance pipes using the position on the manifold that has extra metal for tapping - guess what once the barbs are in they are directly over the spark plugs making it almost impossible to remove them without having to remove the barbs each time as well.

Anyone had the same issue and came up with a better solution? I know I could re-drill and tap them in a different position but the metal wouldn't be as thick.

Trikky2 · Dec 30, 2014

I used the mig welder to build up the aluminium in the area I wanted to drill and tap. Worked fine.

subheatadey · Dec 30, 2014

Cheers Tricky, yes thats what I think I am going to do too - bugger knows why they cast it like that.

Happy Christmas and have a good new year

Trikky2 · Dec 30, 2014

Indeed, one does wonder how such basic design flaws get through and then never seem to be addressed. My manifolds dont need a balance pipe but they had no provision for a vac takeoff at all. I guess they were designed for beetles which don't have servos.

Seasons greetings,

john the horse · Jan 4, 2015

Just a question, why use a balance pipe as surely if both cars are set the same this will do surely a balance pipe is making up for the difference in the two set up and there both will be running at the others settings or a middle ground , csp inlets are good if not pricey

Trikky2 · Jan 4, 2015

john the horse said:
Just a question, why use a balance pipe as surely if both cars are set the same this will do surely a balance pipe is making up for the difference in the two set up and there both will be running at the others settings or a middle ground , csp inlets are good if not pricey

Agreed. A balance pipe only makes the engine less fussy and easier to tune and keep in tune by averaging things out. It evens out minor differences most noticeable at tick over. If the carbs are correctly set up then a balance pipe isn't doing anything.