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Mon Nov 08, 2004 4:09 pm

I have a 76' super beetle and I want to convert to a carb setup. I have a fairly good idea of what I'm going to need but, lets hear what you all have to say.
I know I'm going to need a dual port intake?
Should I go with 1 or 2 carbs.
What size carb(s) should I be looking for and do I have to change the cam or distributor for this. Someone once told me that the vacum pressure was different and the difference was because of the cam.

Does anyone have any of the things I'm going to need?
Does anyone want my FI system. It works fine. I'm just intimitated by it.

Mon Nov 08, 2004 6:18 pm

Will a dual port carb manifold bolt right up to this engine. Will there be a performance decrease if I go to a 2 carb Weber 34 setup?

Tue Nov 09, 2004 10:12 am

Recently my FI system 78 would not start. After 2 months of unsuccessful troubleshooting, I had a local VW guy switch it to carb. He installed a dual set of Solex 34 pict carbs with electric choke, and redid the manifold area, also put in a type 4 exhaust and smaller psi electric fuel pump. He removed the catalytic converter and the whole EGR system.

Everything else is stock: distributor, plugs, alternator, gas tank...

As a result, the car starts much better, performance is increased by about 10-15%. Mileage has decreased significantly but remains at 20-25 mpg. Also, I am leaking much less oil.

It's my understanding that 34 pict dual carbs are a safe carb set up for a 1600 stock beetle because if you go bigger, then you're facing cooling issues. My bug is not running hot at all.

I definitely would recommend that kind of set up

Tue Nov 09, 2004 10:32 am

Dr Chris wrote: Does anyone want my FI system. It works fine. I'm just intimitated by it.

I'd be interested in it if the price was right.

Tue Nov 09, 2004 3:42 pm

Why fix it if it ain't broke? I'd leave the FI on until you had a problem. Even then I would stick to the fuel injection. If you are intimidated then take it to someone who knows VW's. That FI system is fairly simple and it is reliable. Most problems are vacuum-leak related. I say stick with the FI. Just my 2 cents.

Tue Nov 09, 2004 3:58 pm

With the Bentley and Bosch FI manual, it's plenty to trouble shoot an FI system. But when those wires get cracked or get poor connection, good luck finding or fixin' anything.

I would agree, go to carbs only if the FI system is letting you down. It's a good system and fairly easy to work on with just a test light and a voltmeter.

Tue Nov 09, 2004 4:49 pm

I also agree. I don't doubt the system's reliability 30 years ago. But, as time goes things start to wear. On my bug it looks as if nothing has ever been changed. You have to question the condition of the components. I have already replaced two mass air flow sensors, parts for this system are hard to find, and expensive. Things are going to start breaking and I'm concerned it's going to break at the worst time. Like the summer.

If something starts to act up I can spend hours diagnosing the system with my crude tools. Yes, a technician could easily find and fix the system, but that comes with a price. Why spend the time and effort on something when there is a much simpler alternative. For years I have worked with carb's on many different applications, and this seems like a wise cheap alternative. Gotta stick with what I know how to fix.

Wed Nov 10, 2004 9:05 am

Man, that FI system used to keep me awake at night, first fear it would break down, then when it did, countless hours spent thinking.

Carbs = sleep like a sheep