Hello,

Does anybody have any thoughts about which carb is better on a B18 for daily driving, a Weber or the stock SUs. Nobody around here drives a 122 so it's hard to get an opinion.

Hello...

I wouldn't say there is a "great debate" or "holy war" on the subject, but you will find those who will align themselves with the stock SUs and those who will align themselves with the single Weber conversion, both having arguments for and against one or the other.

For the sake of argument, I'll assume you're referring to the Weber DGV/DGAV/DGEV carburetor conversion for comparison since that seems to be the conversion most go for in lieu of the stock.

These two articles from VClassics may provide some guidance:

http://www.vclassics.com/archive/weber.htm
http://www.vclassics.com/archive/stoichio.htm

My overall impression from experience is that the Weber isn't so much an upgrade as it is a side-step. Before the recent engine transplant on my '68, it ran with a B18 w/ a Weber DGV (118K mi) and was a fine daily runner for putting about. The '67 I had a couple years ago had a pair of cleaned (but not rebuilt) SUs on a B18 with 257K mi, and the car ran like a top despite being a much more worn engine. From my experience with the two types, I can definitely agree with the author on two of his statements:

1. The Weber was more simple to tune and you didn't have to tinker with it afterward despite season changes. Not that the SU's were hard to tune, but they're just a bit more involved.

2. The SU's were more responsive on the throttle, and it felt like I had more power at the higher end than I felt with the Weber.

So I guess for daily driving, either do just fine. The Weber is supposed to be more economical, but I've found them to be about the same (Problem with that comparison is my SUs needed rebuilt and were not as efficient as they could have been, and on the Weber I've tended to run its mixture little rich for performance, thus making it less economical than intended).

Just out of curiosity, what attributes would you consider good in a carburetor? What would be your expectations?

- Dan

I guess the attribute that I am looking for is reliability. Speed means nothing to me. When I drive the 122 I drive like my Grandmother. Well, she probably drove just a little faster. I am not a total purist but if stock equiptment is just as good as aftermarket, I would just as soon leave it stock.

Thanks Abacaxi79,

I was wondering the same thing. I have had a lot of old timers telling me to "get a weber," but I have heard nothing compelling enough for me to change. Me and my SUs are just getting to know each other.

Don

I had both my '67 and '68 at the same time for a few months and I kind of wish I had swapped carbs between them before I sold the '67 off. I had been led to believe that the Weber was an upgrade and that what I had in the '68 would be superior, hence not doing the swap. Besides, the SUs I had were very worn and would've required a bit more of an investment than I would have wanted to sink into them at the time.

I'd venture to say the reliability of either one shouldn't be an issue. Serviceability may be another thing...the old SUs were used on a lot of older British cars so you'll find people in those circles that know how to work with them. The Weber is a more recent design with applications on lots of more relatively recent Japanese and smaller American autos (okay, 70's & 80's Japanese/American cars as opposed to 50's & 60's Brit, hehe). The SUs haven't been in production for decades, and I think Weber only recently stopped production altogether in the last couple (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that).

If your SUs aren't giving you any troubles right now, I'd say stick with them and save your money.

Now that I have a bit more money to throw into my car, I had considered purchasing a set of renewed SUs. As it stands now, the Weber provides inadequate breathing for the new engine that was recently swapped in (B20, cammed, big valve FI head). The SU's would be a great improvement over the Weber that's currently on there since there's better breathing on the intake, but I'm going to a dual Mikuni bolt-n-go setup that has gotten a lot of good feedback. It uses a more modern larger-engine motorcycle carb from their lineup that works well on the B18/B20 application. I'll post some stuff up on here when I cross that bridge, hopefully in the next month or so.

- Dan

I would always side with the su 'cos if you up the power on the motor you only need to fit different needles (20mins if your slow) the full rally cars put out 150bhp with rejetted stock SU carbs

on all other cars its a re-jet which means a big stripdown, i have twin su's on my '64 and have just had a full kit to rebuild them for £60 its a genuine SU service part and its not new old stock but brand new.

The only thing i didn't do was have them linebored but i have the bushes from the kit so that can still be done - there is no play in the butterfly shaft so it seemed pointless.
SU for me on this car

druid,

Where did you get the kit?

Don

Maybe "serviceability" was the wrong word choice. You're right that the parts are still around for rebuilds and the like. What I meant was more that there are fewer and fewer people out there, except in more esoteric circles, that are familiar with the SUs (rebuilding, refurbing, and troubleshooting/tuning) than I would imagine with something that came out more recently. Of course if you are already familiar or are looking to learn to do it yourself, that's all a moot point. :)

- Dan

i bought the kit from amazon cars, e-mail is sales@amazoncars.co.uk the website is amazoncars
the telephone no is 01379388400. proberly will export but if u email them they may recomend one in the states. its only a small box so shipping should be cheap.

les

Druid, thanks for the info.

Don

Hey folks

Another good place in the US for repairs and parts is www.sucarburetors.com they have been helpful for me.

cheers

Thanks for the link TypeIIPersonality I will look them up.

Don