A few questions regarding the Weber...

[87DXHatch]

I have a DX and I am getting sick of my carbuerator... so I would like some info on the Weber.

First off, how hard is it to install?

Second, because I live in a cold environment in the winter, is that going to cause problems?

How much of a performance increase would I expierence and how much of a fuel economy loss would I experience?

How much are they and how are they shipped? (Carbs can't be flipped...)

Any other information regardiing them would be appreciated too.

Thanks all

[CARBurn]

These carbs can be flipped, its only not supposed to happen with the Keihn carburetors for what ever reason.

Their prices can range from 350 to 400 depending on where you look (speed shop, net, etc). Try webercarbs.com or nopi.com for a quote.

No hard to install, just have to remove all the existing vacuum lines but keep on the brake booster and vacuum advance diaphragm from the distributor.

Then you have to tune it so it can run, there are instructions with the box on doing this or you can get some one to help you(like I did).

It gives a good performance and good fuel economy. My fuel economy it seems the same or a little better than with the stock carburetor. You will really feel the performance in the 3000 to 4000 rpm range and gives great pull.

Hope that helps.

[87DXHatch]

That all sounds good but my main concern is about the cold weather part... I mean, I don't want the car to run until October and then just die because the Carb can't handle cold.

Also, I heard something about it not having a fast idle or something like that... does that mean it drops right down on the RPMs like fuel injection?

[CARBurn]

I don't know how it will perform in the cold since I have only installed it this past spring. You might want to PM Phydeaux to ask him how it performed since he has had his longer.

As far as fast idle, you don't lose it during the conversion, you keep it. Mine kicks in just like on the stock carb.


...does that mean it drops right down on the RPMs like fuel injection?

Explain what you mean like FI?

[87DXHatch]

Well, on my parents 99 Van and my dads '89 truck after you start it the rpms go to like 2000 then instantly drop to like 750... that's what I meant by like fuel-injection.

Could someone ship a used one? Or is it just the weber design that allows it to be flipped? I saw something about the weber that said you could make a CAI for it... is that correct?

Thanks CARBurn for all your info

[1989 DX R]

yeah its just our POS carbs that can't be flipped. The Weber is a definite upgrade in all aspects. Go for it.

[CARBurn]

Oh, that's what you meant. Well yeah, if it is cold outside or the engine is cold at least, the fast idle will engage and go up to around 2500-3000 rpm, then the car warms up and you tap the pedal and it comes back down to idle (850-750 rpms).

You can probable find a used one on like Ebay, the only thing to worry about is it to make sure you have all the linkages and the adapter plate that allows it to fit on your manifold.

There is a cold air intake for the weber, go to webercarbs.com for the part # and price.

Hope that helps.

[87DXHatch]

Any other tips/suggestions/advice regarding it? Is it as reliable for starting as the Honda carb? Would I still have to pump the pedal once before starting? Are they as prone to having problems as the Honda carb?

Thanks

[CARBurn]

It is not hard to start, is acts like all carbs do when they get tempermental. Occasionally, I have to pat on the pedal(only pump it once) to give it gas to start and I also get dieseling(car continues to run after turning off), but the dieseling I attribute to fine tuning the linkage, which I have not yet. No problems, outside of that, but I've only had it on for a little over 2 months.

Only other advice I would give you is to make sure the linkage is right, so you don't have any binding.

Other than that I like this carb, makes the engine bay look so much simpler.

[87DXHatch]

How much technical knowledge is required to make this thing run?

Would any mechanic know what's up or would I have to go to some Weber specialist if I had problems getting it tuned right?

I saw people rigging up pulleys and stuff for the throttle or something...what's the deal with that?

Ummm, what's a linkage? :D

Thanks, Carburn

[PhydeauX]

Its not bad in the cold, you want to give it a bit to warm up, but it's fine after that. I was running the carb with the manifold heater bypassed and didn't have much trouble. The linkage is what attaches the throttle cable to the carb. There is little electrical knowledge required. If you get one with an electric choke (DGEV) then you need to hook up one wire from switched power to the choke breaker. If you have one with a fuel cut solenoid (DGEV-ICU I believe) then you also have to hook up the solenoid to switched power. The carb is a much simpler design then the stock carb, the is less to go wrong, but you will have to make adjustments when the weather changes.

A few things to watch out for:

1. If you have an auto, there is no linkage available to hook up the tv cable for the auto trans, you'll have to modify one.

2. (This applys to the manifolds with the brass pipe sticking off the back, I'm not sure of the modle years, and I'm also not sure if this applys to the other manifold design) There is an error in the design of the base plate to manifold gasket that will allow coolant to pass from the manifold heater into the intake. If you look at the gasket supplied with the kit it has an oval hole with a channel leading away from one end. Make a new gasket with no channel and everything will be fine.

andy

[87DXHatch]

What do you mean by "a few adjustments when the weather changes?"

Do you think this would be a do-able project for a 17 year old who has had very little experience with cars and car maintainence?

Thanks for all the info, I will end up saving all of this when I am satisfied.

[POS carb]

i suggest you get a bigger fuel pump, there's a great one I posted last month, it's like 72gph and 5 psi and CHEAP!! :)
I'll try and find it again

[87DXHatch]

If I install a Weber, could I get a front strut bar now that the huge airbox is out of the way?

I remember a while back someone said that you had to adjust it like every morning before you start the car... is that correct?

Is the Weber easier to troubleshoot/fix when something goes wrong with it?

thanks

[87DXHatch]

All right, I figured out that my next two checks from my two jobs are going to net me around $500 so I think I am going to buy a Weber.

Could someone tell me if this is the Weber that will work on our cars:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1843872039

If it is, ummm, could no one else bid on it :D

I figured with the extra money I would insure my Moped and use that to get around while my Car is apart.

Can someone tell me about how long this project should last? Does the Weber come with instructions on how to install it and tune it?

And could someone answer the questions of the previous post?

Thanks very much for all your help. I figured that once I started installing it I would come on here with all my questions about details...

[CARBurn]

Yeah, get it...get it now, I wish I could have only spent 76 dollars on it!!!!

Isn't that the one with the water choke?!? Mine has the electric choke, hmmmm.


Originally posted by 87DXHatch
If I install a Weber, could I get a front strut bar now that the huge airbox is out of the way?


Nope, you still have clearance problems since the weber and the stock carburetor are at about the same height. I'm thinking you could fabricate one that looks like the strut bar used on late 80's model toyota's that could be used since the bar extends back towards the firewall and not overhead like the regular strut bars do.


I remember a while back someone said that you had to adjust it like every morning before you start the car... is that correct?

I'm not sure of that, but I've only had my for less than two months. I can usually start her right up every morning. It might need a little adjusting now, but I know all I have to mess with is the idle mixture screw and/or idle speed. Phydeaux might know more about the right time to adjust it since he has played with his longer than I have with mine.


Is the Weber easier to troubleshoot/fix when something goes wrong with it?
Pretty much, there is only one vaccum line going to it, not like 20 with the stock carburetor.

The project took me about a week, only because I blew a head gasket on my original motor and had to swap another one. Actually it should only take a couple of hours (4-5, I guess)and that is mostly spent on removing the old vacuum lines and plugging them.

[87DXHatch]

CARburn,

First let me say what a phenominal help you have been for answering my questions. Thanks. A lot.

Next, does the Weber come with instructions? I looked at A20A1's engine bay pictures and the Vacuum boost box is like totally gone! I would love to get rid of all those freaking vacuum tubes and "Domesticate" my engine bay.

Also, is that the fuel line that is steel braided in his pictures? Your's looks different.

I think I will move on that weber then... and hope that with your guy's help I can install it right.

Kinda nice when you're a teen and you don't NEED your car every day.