Re: Spica to carb conversion

[AlphaAlfa@domain.elided (Anthony Licalzi)]

Having made this conversion I can honestly say the Spica system is
superior to carbs in all areas but two; Ease of maintenance and visual
appeal.
A properly tuned Spica on a  basicly stock engine will, overall, perform
better than the Webers on the same engine. Carbs have no way (other than
you) of adjusting mixture for alltitude. The Spica will compensate for
alltitude. So if you live in an area with a lot of elevation changes
Spica will do far better. Same for temperature. Carbs are affected to a
much greater degree (excuse the pun) by ambient air temp than Spica.
Since Spica mixture is controled (at least partially) by the T.A., which
reads off coolant temp, the mixture remains more contsant.(Assuming the
T.A. is good).

 As far as the conversion itself goes use the carb manifold, used carbs
(DCOE 2 or 27) and rebuild them with genuine Weber rebuild kits. You'll
have to rejet everything for a 2 ltr and this will be the most difficult
part. Pat Bradens book on Webers will give you a good starting point but
you'll have to play with jets to get it right.

 The gas pedal is best to use the Spica. In fact if memory serves me
correctly (which it doesn't anymore) you can't get the gas pedal out
with engine in the car. Don't fret. The Shankle heel and toe kit is
great for this. Use the Spica pedal with the Shankle kit and you
eliminate the sometimes troublesome under the carb linkage that is
especially pone to wear. The Shankle heel ad toe kit is well designed
uses cable for the throttle and trouble free.  

 So the bottom line which is better? Spica! In my opinion. Still when
you pop the hood and look down and see that pair of Webers nestled along
side that signatured motor...man! thats sheer beauty!




Anthony Licalzi
Hemet, Ca, USA

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