Distributor help: 1974 Porsche 914-4 (1.8 LITER/CARB CONVERSION)

[Windisch]

G'day all. Question for the tech-savvy 'Teeners' concerning distributors. I tried to find out what the make and spec is on the body of my dizzy in use on my dual-40mm-IDF carb conversion set-up but could not see any part number or 'brand' on it (dizzy-in-car...not taken out and removed). The dizzy has an electronic ignition and uses a Bosch Blue coil.

I recently came across a thread on the PELICAN PARTS 914 tech forum on 'ideal' dizzies for carbureted 914s and was curious about what my presently installed dizzy is, since there seems to be a consensus that Bosch 009s are to be avoided on a carb-conversion, opting instead for a preferred 050 dizzy, so as to ostensibly eliminate backfiring and exhaust 'popping'.

Although I have the dual Weber 40 IDF set-up (the car came to me this way), I am not necessarily interested in extra speed or raw power, preferring a smoother, more moderate response on the road. While the dual Webers most likely are overdue for some attention (balancing, synch and idle/main fuel jet etc inspection), what's the prevailing view on using a 050 dizzy for a 914-4 twin-carb system? Good, bad or irrelevant? What's the supposed benefit of using a 050 dizzy with twin-carbs? Thanks.
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1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
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Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...

[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...]

[Glenn]

The 050 is the "009" of Type 4 engines. Better quality than the Chinese 009 but not much better. The curve is very linear.

I'd suggest the CB Magnaspark or 123 which are both programmable and can be optimized for your engine.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

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עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[Windisch]

[Glenn]

[Windisch]

[Glenn]

[Windisch]

Aha! The old profit motive. Illuminating, to say the least!
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1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
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Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...

[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...]

[Root_Werks]

Always had nice results using a SVA distributor, providing you have vacuum ports. The transition off idle is smooth.

I've only read about folks using the 123 units, no experience myself.
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When I set my timing, why do I flush, then take a pee?

[Windisch]

Thanks for that input, RootWerks. I've had some experience with Bug dizzys and removed the 009 my current Bug had on it (from a previous rebuild) to replace it with the SVA unit (which also worked quite well), but never really had to delve into the mechanical functions of 412/914 type engines, before, despite having had several 914s in past years. [They were all in perfect daily driver shape, hence I never paid much extra attention to the engine room, sad to admit.]

This time around, I'm being forced to take an intimate 'dive' into 914 mechanicals due to having acquired a 1.8 liter car with the dual-Weber twin-throat (40IDF) set-up, and to some extent it's like riding into Injin Country! without any knowledge of the tribal customs therein (poor analogy, perhaps, with apologies to Indigenous Peoples, LoL). Dual-Weber carb conversions replace any inherent FI problems with a whole new set of problems (as Dr. 914 points out in his book). I never thought much about 914 carb conversion fine points (such as what dizzy to use with them) before, consequently, and am now playing catch-up. Shoulda read Tech Tips 700 a LONG time ago...

My understanding is that vacuum ports can be retro-created, under certain circumstances, thereby allowing an SVDA approach...but haven't yet done enough reading to know much about it (thus far, especially with a dual carb setup). I have a sneaking suspicion that my new 914 also has a mild cam upgrade in it, along with the carbs, and a custom exhaust (frustrating to have gotten the car without any documentation on its prior life!).

How nice it would be to have Herr Doktor Professor Heinz Zipferstrudle of the Guckenheimer Motor Institute on retainer, right now! Sigh!
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1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
----------------------
Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...

[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...]

[Backtotheeightiesagain]

Hi, the 914 came with carbs especially on European versions anyway. Some injection ones may be OK too.
The original distributor, if unworn works better than today's junk from the far East.
Use vacuum if you can, it improves emissions and cylinder head temps.
New old stock or rebuilt usually is a good way to go in anything in the vw world.
Electronic ignition is great when it's working. Then one day suddenly it stops so have the points and condensor ready.
I am not sure 123 ignition is sensible putting the electronics in a hot harsh environment or cheap. Some of it is Chinese too. It's not the correct length like other type 1 distributors and a spacer may be required. According to CSP who make a resized...

[Windisch]