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Posted by: d914 Feb 26 2021, 12:47 PM

My boss owns a 1.7 914 with a single carb. He is looking for a little more zip.

I forgot to ask year.

I suggested going to a dual weber set up and maybe a better exhaust to add a few pony's.

Any one up that way with a shop that can help him out.. He is not that good with a wrench!!

Greg

Posted by: stickyfingers Feb 26 2021, 12:51 PM

Hi Greg. I'll be keeping an eye out on this thread to see what people are doing to get that extra little zip . I have a '73 1.7 so I'd be interested in getting that extra zip. If you get some info as your boss progresses please share it.

Thanks!

Posted by: Root_Werks Feb 26 2021, 01:03 PM

Moving from a single carb back to fuel injection would add zip. Decent header with muffler (you want some backpressure) will help in the torque department. Other than that, just make sure valve lash is set properly and everything is in tune. A healthy 1.7 is still a fun engine in a 914.

Posted by: Racer Feb 26 2021, 01:09 PM

First step - make sure all tune is up to date - points, plugs, condensor, timing etc. Then.. yeah, a Dual carb set up might be cheaper than restoring the FI at this point, but to make more power means opening up the engine to at minimum swap out cams. And, if you are going to open the engine, then a big bore kit might make sense too. 1.7 make nice 1911cc engines with 2.0l hp/tq. If still stock exhaust, consider swapping out to 2.0L stainless steel headers (SSI's) and exhaust to maintain heat.

mmm I bet we just set your friend back $5k!


These guys advertise here: http://www.originalcustoms.com/engines.php

Posted by: BuddyV Feb 26 2021, 06:08 PM

I built a 1.7 into a 1911 and really enjoyed it.

Not "fast".... but much more fun.

Good luck.

Posted by: Superhawk996 Feb 26 2021, 06:13 PM

my 1st teener started as a 1.7L. Then went to 1911 + a cam and already had dual Webers at the start. Way more fun.

The problem is scope creep . . . the dreaded "while I'm in there syndrome".

Your not going to find a great deal of joy with the single carb setup. Those long intake runners were never designed to be carrying a fuel and air mixture.

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=453 in seattle. There are a couple guys on the board in the CDA Idaho area that might be able to chime in. However, better to travel across the state than to leave it to someone else to learn on using his dime.

Posted by: 914werke Feb 26 2021, 07:26 PM

A 1911 is a fun engine. Short stroke but with oomph close to a stock 2.0L thats the way Id go if I wanted to do a budget build regardless of induction, (carbs vs FI) but dump the single weber!

Posted by: BK911 Feb 26 2021, 07:31 PM

Yup. Dual carbs and perfect tune, then vroom vroom.
Fun car but aint no rocket ship.

Posted by: yellowporky Feb 26 2021, 07:45 PM

budget would be important part of the discussion and future goal for the car.
I really like the stock injection when it works but it was not cheap to sort out with todays prices and it limits options in the future. If i were to do it again i would seriously look at the dub shop throttle body fuel injection system that can be tuned for a future engine build too.

Posted by: zig-n-zag Feb 26 2021, 08:27 PM

He may not want the hassle of tuning and keeping the carbs in sync.

Maybe some short sidewall tires, 195/50 series for more pick-up at the expense less top end.

Posted by: Superhawk996 Feb 27 2021, 10:33 AM

I consider that system about once a month for a big bore /4 I'm contemplating.



If he can't or won't tune dual carbs then go Fuel injection either OEM or the Dub Shop system which is pricy but comes in kit form with all parts and harness that a competent shop should be able to install. Tuning the Dub Shop kit likely to require some dyno time to get it dialed in.

If he's not willing to do that and insists on keeping a single carb . . . this whole thread is moot isn't it?

On the tire sizes . . . glad to see that being considered. Most people forget about tire size effect upon acceleration.

No one is going to want to hear this, but 14" Fuchs were stock on 914/6. 14" forged aluminum wheels offer an effective acceleration boost by virtue of size & gearing effect. But not only that, but reduction in rotational inertia is a HUGE deal. Modern 16", 17", 18" wheels and tires are heavy and have lots of intertia that needs lots of HP/Torque to overcome. 1st gen Miata came on 14" tires, plently of good choices still out there for 14" rubber.

Regarless of all this, the car will never be fast in a straight line and will always lose to a 2020 Toyota Camry in a straight line. But in the curves . . . now we're talking.

Posted by: jhynesrockmtn Feb 28 2021, 08:33 PM

I'm in Spokane. It would be good to meet him. Several 914's locally.

I could probably come up with a few recommendations for folks he could reach out to. My favorite local wrench prefers to work on 356 or 911 motors but there are a few others in town. Shoot me a PM.

Posted by: Nogoodwithusernames Mar 1 2021, 12:01 PM

Can recommend Mario at the Dub-Shop if your boss wants to go that route, you're not "terribly" far from him either, he's over on the west side of WA could be worth having him do the install and tune. He's done a few 914s I think.

Though of course as stated by others FI on it's own won't be an incredible bump in "fun" but should help at least. Better than single carb.

Posted by: dhuckabay Mar 1 2021, 12:10 PM

I have used a shop by Silverwood for the carbs on my 6. Has also worked on other air cooled cars for me. More knowledge and reasonable rates compared to Gee. I will dig up the details if you want to send a PM.

Posted by: RogerYellow914 Mar 5 2021, 06:35 PM

I've got a 1.7 that needs to be rebuilt. Dropped and exhaust valve. I originally planned to rebuild completely stock. But, the price for bigger P&Cs and the rebuild/buy new heads for larger cylinders is negligible.

Did you continue to use stock FI on your car or did you change to carbs?

If I were to go to 1911 and keep the D-Jet, is there anything else I'd have to change?

Thanks,

Roger

Posted by: 98101 Mar 6 2021, 01:32 AM

Still have 14" wheels on my Miata.

One thing about that Miata: it feels like it needs a taller top gear when driven on the highway for any length of time... which you wouldn't do anyway since wife couldn't fit her stuff into the tiny trunk.