Carbs?, FI shot, what does everyone recommend Options

[brooks944]

Bought a new to me 914 in April and had issues ever since. Current one is it is very hard to start, my mechanic is using starter fluid to get it going. Cold start valve is disconnected and no wiring to support it, won't stay running without keeping the gas peddle pushed some, etc. He recommends changing to carbs, and with the limited paperwork I got with the car, the mechanic that rebuilt the engine from 1.8 to 2.2L recommended the same. What do you guys recommend, parts for the FI are much more than dual carbs and then I'll have to pay for all the troubleshooting with the FI.

If you recommend carbs, where is the best place to buy and what would you recommend for the modified 2.2L?

Thanks, I need the help!

Rick

[colingreene]

I like weber carbs. they have good support and are easy enough to find parts for.

[PotterPorsche]

if you can find 40 dellortos those would be my pick , if not 44 webers with smaller venturi's. Kinda hard to determine without knowing the specs on the engine. Did they perform any upgrades to the cam when they increased displacement.

[Cap'n Krusty]

You might get better answers if you were more clear with regard to the year, the engine, and the type if FI you have. There are 2 kinds, and there are some variations within the 2 types. Any meaningful answers you get will be based on that basic information. Switching to carbs can often be as expensive (or even more) than fixing the FI.

The Cap'n

[brooks944]

Thanks for the replies so far. My car is a 75 so I guess it's the D FI. It's an original 1.8. I''ll have to check what paperwork I have to see if there is any mention of cam work.

[TheCabinetmaker]

Ditch your mechanic, not the fi.

[brooks944]

I found where the engine is pushed out to 2l, not 2.2 as I posted earlier. There are no records on a cam change, but there is a part listing for a 'PEC' 96mm. What is that?

[stugray]

I am positive that you could find a complete D-Jet FI system for less than a set of new dual carbs.

Did you search the classified FS/FT threads yet?

HINT: I have more than one complete FI system for sale.

[ChrisFoley]

I found where the engine is pushed out to 2l, not 2.2 as I posted earlier. There are no records on a cam change, but there is a part listing for a 'PEC' 96mm. What is that?

96mm piston and cylinder set.
That makes the engine 1911 cc unless the crankshaft was also changed.
Original FI on the 1.8L is L-Jet.
L-Jet is very sensitive to vacuum leaks. They must be completely eliminated for the system to work properly.
Keep the FI and we'll help you get it working.
Or find a mechanic who understands how that FI system functions.

[brooks944]

Thanks Racer Chris, there is a record for a 71mm crank shaft. So what does that equate to?

[ChrisFoley]

Thanks Racer Chris, there is a record for a 71mm crank shaft. So what does that equate to?

2056 cc

[76-914]

Good answers but no one asked about the cam. If the cam is oem grind don't even consider carbs. Chris is right on. Should be LJet but shoot some pic's. Might have been changed to DJet. OH yeah, ditch the mechanic. Real 914 mechanics are as rare as Hen's Teeth. All the answers are here if you can turn a wrench. Just ask.

[brooks944]

No records on a cam change, so as far as I know it's stock. The car is with my mechanic so I can't shot pics, but based on the air cleaner and pics I've seen it looks to be stock 1.8 FI. With all the problems with the existing FI, what are the issues associated with switching to carbs?

Thanks

[dknechtly]

Yes, stick with the FI unless it's got a wild cam. Once you understand how the FI works, you can trouble shoot through it. There's a lot of good info here. BTW, the cold start valve only squirts some gas in at the beginning, once the engine is going, it's all the injectors.

[Java2570]

The L Jet is a good FI system, read up on it and find out if all your components are correct and work right.
Since your engine has been changed to 2056cc, you'll do well to get an air fuel meter and tune your mixture. A lot of times, that increase in displacement will make it necessary to tweak your mixture a bit to get the proper tuning. Don't give up on a setup you already have, learn how it works and then try to make it work like it should. You're not going to find a ton of mechanics that have experience on these setups so it's a good idea to learn to do it yourself.....and have fun doing it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

[Old Yella]

Post some pics of the engine.

[brooks944]

Thanks guys. Apparently there are issues with the voltage going to the injectors, wiring is very suspect with many of the showing wire through the insulation. Recommendations?

[Dave_Darling]

There are resistors hanging off the battery tray; they are there specifically to drop the voltage going to the injectors. So what your mechanic is seeing might be correct.

If the wiring is messed up, fix it! As I told you on the Bird Board, Jeff Bowlsby does amazing work. Even if he doesn't deal with L-jet harnesses, he can at least talk you through some of what is involved.

Vacuum leaks, valve adjust, ignition system function. All are critical, and will mess up a carb setup just as much as an L-jet setup. So check those things as well.

--DD

[mepstein]

Thanks guys. Apparently there are issues with the voltage going to the injectors, wiring is very suspect with many of the showing wire through the insulation. Recommendations?

My buddy has all the FI from my '75. All in decent condition. Pm me if you want his contact info. I'm pretty sure wire harness is still in good shape.

[brooks944]

Valves have been adjusted, new points, etc. vacuum leaks? But I am still worried about the wiring!