Throwing in the towel, Carburator conversion for 74 1.8 ltr Options

[downrange]

I am on my last nerve trying to get my 74 1.8 ltr L Jetronic fuel injected car started. Bypassed the seatbelt interlock to get the starter to work. Hot wired the fuel pump to get it working and still no go.

I am considering a carburetor conversion and see that Redline has a few kits. The dual carbs system has no choke and the single carb with electric choke has some distance from the cylinder heads. Anyone have any success they could share?

[Superhawk996]

I don't have a dog in the fight.

I had carbs on my 1st 914. Put an incredible number of miles on it without issues related to carbs. Ignition was usually the problem (bad points, wires, etc.). Carbs can be reliable.

As others have stated FI really is the better solution . . . no doubt . . . but it comes with cost and complexity. Just look at modern vehicles. They start at -20F with no issue and modern emissions couldn't be met without FI.

I'm a mechanical engineer with a background as an electronics technician that did repair down to component level (resistor, capacitors, etc.).

The biggest issue I see with the original FI and with issues on this site is wiring. You guys post pictures of wiring that makes me tremble in my boots. Especially the FI & engine harness wiring. This stuff has been exposed to the heat and elements for 50 years! Bad wiring and poor grounds will cause all sorts of intermittent problems that can make you want to slit your throat.

Second biggest issues is that these cars are OLD. Many of the sensors are mechanical in nature (MPS, AAR, decel valves, analog Engine Control ECU, etc). Things do wear out. Sure they can often be repaired or jury rigged but that takes time and effort. Lots of effort!

I believe that IF you take the time to properly sort out these issues the stock FI will be fine. I intend to put D-jet back on my project.

However, personally, if I could come up with the $$, I'd do the system below in a heartbeat. But. . . . you still have to fiddle with calibration, installation, wiring, etc.

http://thedubshop.com/dual-throttle-body-f...gnition-type-4/

My personal reason for the above system is that I prefer the look of carbs and that system would at least get the FI into the digital age.

[DRPHIL914]

I don't have a dog in the fight.

I had carbs on my 1st 914. Put an incredible number of miles on it without issues related to carbs. Ignition was usually the problem (bad points, wires, etc.). Carbs can be reliable.

As others have stated FI really is the better solution . . . no doubt . . . but it comes with cost and complexity. Just look at modern vehicles. They start at -20F with no issue and modern emissions couldn't be met without FI.

I'm a mechanical engineer with a background as an electronics technician that did repair down to component level (resistor, capacitors, etc.).

The biggest issue I see with the original FI and with issues on this site is wiring. You guys post pictures of wiring that makes me tremble in my boots. Especially the FI & engine harness wiring. This stuff has been exposed to the heat and elements for 50 years! Bad wiring and poor grounds will cause all sorts of intermittent problems that can make you want to slit your throat.

Second biggest issues is that these cars are OLD. Many of the sensors are mechanical in nature (MPS, AAR, decel valves, analog Engine Control ECU, etc). Things do wear out. Sure they can often be repaired or jury rigged but that takes time and effort. Lots of effort!

I believe that IF you take the time to properly sort out these issues the stock FI will be fine. I intend to put D-jet back on my project.

However, personally, if I could come up with the $$, I'd do the system below in a heartbeat. But. . . . you still have to fiddle with calibration, installation, wiring, etc.

http://thedubshop.com/dual-throttle-body-f...gnition-type-4/

My personal reason for the above system is that I prefer the look of carbs and that system would at least get the FI into the digital age.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

10 years ago this fall I bought a '75 2.0 d-jet car not running but figured we'd figure it out. I had never owned a 914 or a Porsche, but had a '69 Austin Healy 25 years before and knew I did NOT want to deal with the mess that was dual Webber carbs, and figured it was going to be a bit of a trip to sort it allout, but my first test was compression leak down and then starter fluid in the intake to see if it fired, as I had already checked and had spark at all 4 - simple - it ran , for a few seconds-
took it home cleand the system, tested some components and bam! BAD MPS-
and with new rebuilt MPS I was on the road-but over thenext year I proceeded to essentially replace all the smaller sensor components and vac and fuel lines , because as he said above its all OLD stuff no matter what - but I can tell you the issues ive had over the years were ususally related to some bad ground(FI grounds) or bad mechanical sensor (AR) failed CHT, what have you, but for past 5 years , trouble free and now with a 1123ignition distributor, like brand new. - most issues were wiring related and I replaced my harness with a new one with new connectors from Jeff Bowlsby , I did that fairly early in the process.
I am with Sir Andy on this in the long run MPG and performance will be better , way better with FI - and I have learned a lot - Yes carbs work and can be ok , but really not more simple than FI, clogged jets , floats etc.
- with that said, I had a BMW - 73 motorcycle, R90S and of course was carbs, and in MN it sat all winter , but really rarely had issue with it but I wonder what it would have been like to put FI on that? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
but I digress-- do what makes you happy and you can deal with but do not fear the FI! I get 30mpg with my d-jet ., you wont get that with carbs.