Old Chuck

Know all the joys of modern computer engines but is there room for a carburetor and not bother with the plug and play computer system or injectors?

charchri4

ABSOLUTELY NOT! No room no way to do it ever with out putting a beer case size scoop on it and looking like

charchri4

Opps I just remembered I have a hood scoop. OK never mind!

WolfGT

I'm pretty sure Jim was being funny. Yes there is room. Depending on the intake you run, a carb sits about the same height as the intake on a fuel injected engine. The engine I am putting in is carbed. You can see Leebo's setup at the link below.

https://www.v8miata.net/attachments/...e-img_8021-jpg

Old Chuck

Jim, Wolf:
Thanks. I was thinking that with some intakes that it would work but not being able to measure, I was unsure. I know that the carb engine will not work as well across the power band but I do like the carb for its simple design. Know that I am old school but it is something I want to consider. If I buy, I will not have that choice but if I build......

charchri4

Yeah just poking fun but Greg brings up a really good point. Running a carb on a 68 302 makes a lot of sense. It's what it was designed for and converting to EFT adds many steps and parts. But unless you are missing parts from the donor car, to convert a 90s or newer engine to a carb has little to no advantage that I can see. The computer dosn't know or care if it is in a Mustang or a Miata so it really isn't a big deal to use it. And besides there are many very good reasons they don't make them like they used to!

Old Chuck

Just trying to learn all I can and that process takes me many places..

5.0MX5

Hood closes on the above, had to remove the hood brace rib directly over the air cleaner,,,,no problems so far.

charchri4

I thought there was a pretty red one around here that was carbed. OK truth to be told when I was looking at a Ford build I did seriously consider doing a carb on it...

mwest

I bought mine (Ca. car) already set up and carbed. Had & still has a hood scoop to accommodate the carb/air cleaner. That original engine failed after only 2 or 3 laps on the track. MRM subsequently built me a new motor(twice) keeping same carb set up and same scooped hood.If I knew how to post a pic on here I would. But, too tech challenged for that.

LizardKing

Like the EPA, being cheap, competition from the Japs, and dumbasses who can't deal with a simple mechanical item like a carb?

None of those qualify as good in my book.

Gator Bait

OR...people that want to traverse 10,000 ft in altitude and 60 degrees temperature and humidity without having to pull over to re-jet or deal with lame performance. A property set up carb works great for the environment it was set up in, but needs to be re-optimized when that environment changes. Modern computer controlled fuel and spark allows for greater variances w/o the loss in performance. Really depends on your interned use and WTF you want to do with your car. That's the great thing about these builds...they allow the builder to reflect their personalities in their cars.

LizardKing

Yeah, because most people go from sea level to 10,000 above daily.
It must have been terrible for the almost 100 years that people suffered ungodly abuse having only carbs for their engines....

At this rate I may want to slap a flathead Ford into a Miata just to see the looks of confusion and horror from the uncool when I open the hood.

WolfGT

I'm putting a carbed 302 in mine. I know it's old technology. But I honestly have never liked the look of the EFI versions. Just old school I guess. The big intake and all the wires just hide the source of the power (IMO). I just think the old carbed versions have a better look. But that is just me.

I will someday go EFI, but even then it will be with either a FAST EFI conversion on an old carb setup or go all out and get one of the Roush engines with the 6 pack EFI (awesome!). Either way, maintaining the old school look.

This has gotten a little off topic. I hope in all this that you have gotten the answer to your question. Yes, there is room.

WolfGT

LOL, I just realized how old the original post was. Holy cow, bring back old topics much?

Gator Bait

THAT would be way cool!

charchri4

LOL I'm pretty sure the move away from carbs has nothing to do with being cheap because clearly a carb is much cheaper to produce. Sure emissions has driven the change but so what? EFI is so overwhelmingly more efficient in producing good performance over a wide range of operating conditions who cares how it got here!

It's really not a fair to compare EFI to a carb. Even the most basic EFI system looks at a dozen environmental and situational inputs hundreds of times a second to precisely meter fuel to the engine. A carburetor looks at nothing but throttle position and the rest is an organized vacuum leak that can't compensate for anything. And this time of year the comparison really hits home. I hit the key on my 250,000 mile Cavalier at -8 this morning and it fired up in a couple of turns. I didn't have to touch the gas and even in the 25 below temps a couple weeks ago I had no doubts at all in it starting. So in the first 3 seconds of operation it already kicked every carbureted car I have ever owned to the curb!

To be sure there is no crime in being old school and the simplicity the carb brings to a build. But that simplicity comes at a cost in performance and drivability that can not be denied.

tbone heller

[IMG][/IMG]

I like inefficient carbs so much that I installed 2 of them.

Gator Bait

gulp, gulp, gulp..... so damn sexy though....

charchri4

Doesn't count Tbone your car is period correct. Well, that and because it wouldn't matter what sat on the intake the car would still be epic beyond all measure.

However it is a great example because you wouldn't agree the gas mileage would likely double with a modern EFI on it?

LizardKing

See?
I knew the cool guys would get it.
LOL!
There is nothing like the sound of a cammed flattie, I'd end up smiling every mile I drove such a monstrosity.
You can get 200 hp out of a flattie without getting extreme and in a Miata that'd be fine.

Here's one of the reasons I like Miatas: for a modern car they are pretty damn simple and I love the old, old stuff.
A Miata is the closest you'll get in the 90s to a cool but simple car.
Two seater convertibles rock.
A Ford V8 with a few carbs in one is simply great!

LizardKing

Ford powered two seater convertible.
check check check
Those Cobras are so much fun I can think a few reasons why I might want to wear a diaper to drive one...

577nitro

This is what should be under the hood of a SBC or SBF Miata


Ford V8 Webers 818 764-1901


everything else is for sissies


As Henry Manney used to say about the Colombo designed V-12 Ferarri," the sound alone is worth the admission"


Now that I am going back to the Ford, webers will be under my hood.

Rabitz

that there ^ is the look i would like to go for...not sure if I can afford that intake though.

577nitro

The entire set up is $2400, that is equivalent to adding an EFI if you engine did not come with one. Of course a junk yard set up is much less, but then Its not webers either..........Go for it, your engine,ears, and OMG will love em