Re: Spica vs. Weber -- and VW Continuous Injection

["David R Johnson" <johnsnd@domain.elided>]

In AD-521, Eric H. wrote:

> Alfa could very well have chosen the Bosch K continuous
> injection system which had been reliably running VW's since
> the late 60's. Volvo and several other European auto makers
> did so at the time and received a reputation for reliability
> and low upkeep costs.

Hmm, I wonder if this is related to the system in my wife's 92 VW Passat.  It
is also a Bosch continuous injection system, although it includes an O2 sensor,
computer and an electronically controlled metering unit presumably to meet more
recent emissions requirements.  Still, it surprised me considerably to discover
that my wife's car, being 10 years younger than my GTV6, possessed what appears
to be an inferior injection system.  I had not realized this fact until I tried
to find the fuel rail and injector harness while rebuilding the VW's cylinder
head :).

The Passat is not a cheap car (VW top of the line), and is legal in California
with the simple addition of a smog pump (not present on hers).  This implies to
me that continuous injection can be made clean and reliable at a reasonable
cost, thus it very likely would have been a viable alternative even without the
electronic control gizmos.  I am inclined to believe the suggestion that the
reasons behind the choice were as much political as logical.  Having said that,
I admire the elegance of the SPICA system, and would be just as happy to own a
car with one as with Webers.

Dave J.
1982 GTV6 (with Bosch Jetronic EFI)

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