Tell me about twin carbs

[LeeME3]

OK so my stock 1600TP runs fine and doesn't struggle TOO much on the hills (living in Lincolnshire helps!) but I'm always looking for ways to make her more driveable in modern traffic conditions.

For a relatively small outlay a lot of folk seem to have gone the twin carb route...certainly it seems a better idea than a 1641 upgrade. Would probably switch to electronic ignition at the same time - not for performance reasons so much as no need to set up points and improved year round starting.

So, what are folks views on twin carb set ups? The last thing I want to do is take my standard carb off which at the end of the day does the job and replace it with something that will give me trouble and be a pain to set up, but, equally, if it is a straightforward way of getting a bit more 'driveability' into her then I'm all for it.

Also, VWH seem to offer 2 alternatives, a Weber https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/AC129K1411/weber-34-ict-carb-kit-t1-2-tp-or-use-ac1297411/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and an EMPI https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/AC1297411/empi-34-epc-carb-kit-t1-2-tp/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; which look very similar but £100 difference in price...again, any opinions / experiences welcome!

Thanks all!

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

The empi is a cheaper copy of the webber, they are for all intensive purposes the same!

It is really important with ICT's to drill and tap the manifolds and add a bit of 1/2" hose between them as a balance pipe. Really helps with the running.

electronic ignition wise, do you have a vac adavance dizzy or a 009 style at present?

 

[StuF]

Alex - do you sell the linkage and carb filters separate?
Have a set of Webber 34's but no ancillarys other than manifolds

 

[67westy]

I hjave just been down this route but with a new 1641 engine at the same time so it's a little difficult to say how much of the performance increase was from the carbs but it is much nicer to drive. I fitted the 34 ICT kit from eurocarb, http://www.dellorto.co.uk/shop/weber-dual-34ict-carburetor-kits/type-1-dual-port-twin-weber-34-ict-carburettor-kit-csp/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; a little pricier but the CSP linkage is meant to be much better and so far has performed really well.

If you do get the carbs check the jetting before you fit them. Chances are the emulsions tubes are wrong (F6 seem to work well in mine) and a rolling road is less likely to stock the emulsion tubes. One fitted get it tuned properly and you should see a decent increase in driveability. If you are in lincolnshire I took mine to Dennis Vessey at Barnetby http://www.vessey-classic-car-services.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't know if the heritage carbs are genuine weber carbs or empi copies, Alex may be able to clarify. The ones from eurocarb are genuine webers

 

[67westy]

Alex beat me to it

 

[LeeME3]

The empi is a cheaper copy of the webber, they are for all intensive purposes the same!

It is really important with ICT's to drill and tap the manifolds and add a bit of 1/2" hose between them as a balance pipe. Really helps with the running.

electronic ignition wise, do you have a vac adavance dizzy or a 009 style at present?

Thanks Alex - when you say 'cheaper copy' does that mean not as high quality in temrs of manufacture and parts used? £100 is a nice saving but equally it's not a huge price to pay for better kit.

As for current set up wrt electronic ignition I actually can't remember and am away from the bus for a few days...suspect it is a 009 though...

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

The empi is a cheaper copy of the webber, they are for all intensive purposes the same!

It is really important with ICT's to drill and tap the manifolds and add a bit of 1/2" hose between them as a balance pipe. Really helps with the running.

electronic ignition wise, do you have a vac adavance dizzy or a 009 style at present?

Thanks Alex - when you say 'cheaper copy' does that mean not as high quality in temrs of manufacture and parts used? £100 is a nice saving but equally it's not a huge price to pay for better kit.

As for current set up wrt electronic ignition I actually can't remember and am away from the bus for a few days...suspect it is a 009 though...

They are exactly that a COPY, Its then personal preference in my mind as to which to go for. A lot of people dont like Empi as the image is of poor quality, I know lots of people running them with no problems at all. So it is really down to you. There isnt a increased return rate of Empi over Weber!

Worth replacing leads and Coil at the same time:

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/AC998149/pertronix-electronic-ignition-bundle-for-009/?crumbStartPage=1&crumbStartRow=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

Alex - do you sell the linkage and carb filters separate?
Have a set of Webber 34's but no ancillarys other than manifolds

Yes we do:

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/AC1299002/airfilter-pod-style-2-1-16/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and :

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/AC129435220/linkage-weber-ict-for-t1-2/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or:

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/AC129944/linkage-csp-bellcrank-type-1-for-34-ict-s/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hope that helps!

 

[StuF]

Alex - do you sell the linkage and carb filters separate?
Have a set of Webber 34's but no ancillarys other than manifolds

Yes we do:

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/AC1299002/airfilter-pod-style-2-1-16/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and :

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/AC129435220/linkage-weber-ict-for-t1-2/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or:

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/AC129944/linkage-csp-bellcrank-type-1-for-34-ict-s/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hope that helps!

Awesome - cheers!

 

[spanneredmonkey]

if you can stretch to it get the CSP bell crank linkage, easier to set up, less messing about setting backlash and less parts to wear, after having both set ups on 34icts the bell crank was much better and easier to work on, Hertitage were doing a good price on them when I upgraded

 

[StuF]

CSP linkage is the one I was going to get - tried putting the EARLYBAY code into the VW Heritage checkout but there was no discount applied?
Is it applied directly to my account maybe?

*EDIT* applied directly to my account - 2xfilters and a linkage = £115 result! 8)

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

CSP linkage is the one I was going to get - tried putting the EARLYBAY code into the VW Heritage checkout but there was no discount applied?
Is it applied directly to my account maybe?

*EDIT* applied directly to my account - 2xfilters and a linkage = £115 result! 8)

Glad we could help :mrgreen:

 

[Zcat7]

To answer your original question, I went from a 1641 on an original carb to twin Solex 40s. For me it was a remarkable upgrage, more power, could drive up a hill without hiding my face from the people walking past me on the pavement and better fuel economy!
I don't even think the Solex 40s (Kadrons) are the best carb solution either and a pair of twin chokes will likely improve idle and initial throttle response, which is what I would have done at the outset if I'd realised. You get a thing called "robbed vacuum" with single chokes on this engine config and it's due to firing order, which leaves cylinders 1 and 3 short of suction to draw the fuel charge in until you get the crank whirring at a few revs.
Wouldn't go back personally and can't understand why VW waited until the Type 4 engine to do this as standard (manufacture costs?)