Engine tweaks - 1600 AS

[T2-Nate]

Another one from me :lol:
I'm working on my engine, I've recently discovered a cracked cil. head, so I'm gonna be replacing those two, but I've been reading this article on aircooled.net:

http://aircooled.net/gnrlsite/resource/articles/mods.htm

See how he's enthusiastic about those 1.40 rocker arms? I'm tempted to shell out on those if they give an advantage.

Also, my engine is gonna stay standard, I've bought me an Empi dizzy with electronic ignition, with similar advance curve to a 009.
I'll be equipping it with a Bosch blue coil also, silicon wires and NGK plugs.

One thing I'm wondering about is what options I have when I want to stay single carbed - Limitations in my country concerning engine tuning :twisted: force us to drive standard engines, or at least standard "looking" engines :roll:

So I'd like to hear your thoughts on the possibilities I have here...

I thank you very much!!!

 

[speedwell68]

IMHO, unless you are going for twin carbs and decent exhaust I wouldn't bother. In my experience those EMPI 009 dissys are awful, I know several people that have them and have had nothing put problems since day one. They eat points. I'd go for a stock vacuum dissy, you engine will run much better with a stock one.

 

[halfpint_fighter]

What about a progressive carb. It mounts in the middle like a standard carb but is bigger!?!

 

[pete nice]

Any gas flow work you have done to the heads will help. Even with the stock carb.

You could try using 1.25 rockers, as a 1.4 might not do mush good with a single carb.

 

[T2-Nate]

Damn, I already bougth this Empi dizzy!!
I thought it would be pretty good, cause Empi has a rather good name doesn't it?
Anywhere here's the description:

EMPI CENTRIFUGAL ADVANCE DISTRIBUTOR WITH ELECTRONIC IGNITION

EMPI now offers a brand new distributor similar to the original 009 Bosch distributor. The distributor has the same advance curve as an 009 and instead of points an electronic ignition has been installed. Flawless ignition performance with no points to "bounce". Must be used with a internal or external ballast resister coil. It comes complete with O-ring and a high luster ball burnished type finish.

9442 Distributor W/Electronic Ignition Installed

 

[speedwell68]

Damn, I already bougth this Empi dizzy!!
I thought it would be pretty good, cause Empi has a rather good name doesn't it?
Anywhere here's the description:

EMPI CENTRIFUGAL ADVANCE DISTRIBUTOR WITH ELECTRONIC IGNITION

EMPI now offers a brand new distributor similar to the original 009 Bosch distributor. The distributor has the same advance curve as an 009 and instead of points an electronic ignition has been installed. Flawless ignition performance with no points to "bounce". Must be used with a internal or external ballast resister coil. It comes complete with O-ring and a high luster ball burnished type finish.

9442 Distributor W/Electronic Ignition Installed

EMPI had a good name in the 60's and 70s, but now it is just mass produced chinese rubbish. These days that have a reputation for making low quality reproduction rubbish. The best ignition system you can have with a stock carb is the standard VW vac dissy. Any. 009 will create a flat spot at low revs.

Weber progressives are ok. But they don't get over the problem of the stock VW carb being mounted that far away from the cylinder head. You'd be much better saving your money and going for a pair of Weber 34 ICTs. IMHO

 

[Tofufi]

Damn, I already bougth this Empi dizzy!!
I thought it would be pretty good, cause Empi has a rather good name doesn't it?
Anywhere here's the description:

EMPI CENTRIFUGAL ADVANCE DISTRIBUTOR WITH ELECTRONIC IGNITION

EMPI now offers a brand new distributor similar to the original 009 Bosch distributor. The distributor has the same advance curve as an 009 and instead of points an electronic ignition has been installed. Flawless ignition performance with no points to "bounce". Must be used with a internal or external ballast resister coil. It comes complete with O-ring and a high luster ball burnished type finish.

9442 Distributor W/Electronic Ignition Installed

Have to say I'd agree with everything Speedwell68 just said.

Anything with Empi written on it that can be bought brand new today is probably deadful quality. Especially the Chrome tinware.

On the other hand, I love the original empi floor mats I have in my beetle.

That distributor is probably nothing better than a shelf ornament - certainly won't make it run very well.

If I were you, I would start saving for twin carbs.