Hey everyone -
New to the board but enjoy the magazine
I had a question - I wanted to know if anyone knew of some reasonable sources for su carbs hs6 or hif6(preferably) - I am unfamiliar with those or where I might begin looking
any help would be greatly appreciated
thanks
b924
I'd check with Rhys Kent at www.sucarburetors.com.
http://www.su-carbs.co.uk/
Andrew Turner did my SU HS6's with short dashpots.
A.
Joe Curto on Long Island NY.
Gary
Reader
9/4/09 12:11 p.m.
If you're looking for used carbs check with Ted Schumacher at TS Imported Automotive in Pandora OH (http://www.tsimportedautomotive.com). His inventory is always changing but you might get lucky.
Gary
Reader
9/4/09 12:17 p.m.
Incidentally, I had my Spitfire's SUs rebuilt by Joe Curto and I'm very satisfied with the results. He's usually pressed for time and doesn't like to engage in small talk if you call him out of the blue, but once he's working on your carbs he'll give you plenty of attention.
Yep. I had him do Joe first set of 1.5's, but they were rather old.
Love the 1.75's.
A.
b924
New Reader
9/4/09 3:55 p.m.
Thanks everyone
I will check these sources. Does anyone know if these are very difficult to rebuild yourself? I'm just curious from the standpoint of trying to keep costs down - if need be.
thanks again
b924
Rebuilds usually involve replacing the throttle shafts and bushing the holes where they go through the bodies. Aligning the bushings properly requires some pretty accurate machining, and the shafts need to be drilled at the correct angle for the bellcranks to pin on. That's why I send them out to a specialist who has the experience and jigs to do those things right the first time.
Right. IF--and this is a HUGE if--the throttle shafts aren't worn, they're incredibly simple to rebuild. Usually, though, the shafts are worn.
Give this a read. It might help: http://classicmotorsports.net/articles/simple-carbs/
b924
New Reader
9/5/09 2:49 p.m.
thanks
yes after reading that - they sound good for a blow through set up with a turbo - the notion that they adjust to the air flow - I have seen a couple of setups with that as well - interesting.
has anyone just had the throttle shafts repaired as it is stated in the article? are those prices about right $50-$75 for just that? -that's not too bad - how much does a rebuild kit and jets usually run?
thanks
b924
Blow through turbo requires a pressurized float chamber and possibly throttle shaft seals. I wouldn't say that SU's are good for blow through turbos. Rebuild kits are generally about $45 per carb, depending on kit contents and SU model.
b924
New Reader
9/5/09 7:19 p.m.
I thought I read somewhere something about mini or mg metro's having a blow thru su? I know I saw a cool corvair with a draw thru su and a turbo -
$45 is not too bad either
I found some hif6's for $150 used for the pair - does that sound about right?
b924
Yup metro's had a turbo option, but they did modify the SU in the manner I mentioned.
I can't comment on the price of those carbs in particular, but HS2's (like for a midget) can usually be picked up for $35 a pair (in need of a rebuild of course)
b924
New Reader
9/8/09 4:28 p.m.
I'm sure this is probably not the brightest question, but I will ask it anyway - in looking at weber dcoe or even bike carb set ups on cars, they have linked 1 carb per cyl. (basically) - is this possible with the su's? Say 1 or 1-1/4" su per cyl. on a 2.0L car? too much? probably would be a lot to tune and keep in order. what do you think?
I'm not sure that there's anything much to gain from doing that. What sort of engine are we talking about here?
b924
New Reader
9/8/09 6:25 p.m.
Porsche 924 (1979) 2.0L - I believe Porsche modified audi 100. My curiosity was mostly brought on by the recent carb searching that I have been doing. When looking at some of the options (of which the hif6 or hs6 su's have been sounding rather appealing of late), I started to wonder about the set up vs the popular yet costly weber or the other reasonable motorcycle carb - they are set up with basically one throttle plate per cyl. so I wondered about the su in the same light. that's my logic for asking (warped though it may be)
I don't believe I've ever seen SUs used one per cylinder, although no doubt it's been tried. Because they are "constant depression" carbs (no, that doesn't refer to how they can make their owners feel), they need a fair amount of airflow per carb to operate correctly. I'd think you'd need really tiny ones for each to work correctly with only 500cc behind it.
A better solution would be a pair of Mikuni flat-slides, IMHO. Or four small ones.
What's wrong with the original LE-jet injection, anyway?
b924
New Reader
9/10/09 9:26 p.m.
k-jet frustration - parts are fairly expensive and spend a lot of time chasing the problem. Several parts can be malfunctioning and cause the same symptoms. There is also the lack of tunable features - which I suppose were in place to improve drive-ability. I know carbs are not necessarily the best or easiest solution - but they do allow you to get your hands on them to adjust when needed. I am not much of a techno person - even though I think some of the efi stuff is pretty cool - it's still not for me. Right now I'm trying to do my homework before I make any changes. After talking with some su guys, holley guys and weber guys - the su's seem to offer the opportunity to be good with or without the turbo - and not brake the bank doing it.
K-Jet problems are usually related to vacuum leaks, but yeah, it can be a really frustrating system to track down. I'm betting your most direct route would be to fit later L-Jet stuff. I'm sure VW/Audi/Porsche made whatever you need at some point.
b924
New Reader
9/11/09 3:18 p.m.
yeah - I tried chasing vac leaks the first part of summer - changed a lot of hoses - at times now it sounds like there is a leak, I'll be damned if I can find it - then after awhile it seems to go away. I've tried water and starter fluid at some of the hose connections to listen for a change - nothing. Anyhow- the carbs seemed to me to be a good alternative that I feel comfortable working with - the turbo was the only thing I was not sure about - I don't want to get rid of it - but this became a summer of not getting to drive the car - not good.
thanks for all of your help- it is truly and greatly appreciated.
b924