1972 911 T Carburetor vs MFI - opinions please

[curb]

Hello,
I recently bought my 1972 911 T w. carburetors installed instead of the originally built in MFI system. Luckily, the original Bosch MFI equipment was attached w. the deal, packed in the trunk. The carburetors are " Deutsche Vergaser GmbH Zenith - 40 TIN".

The big question for me is now to sort out, what is the better equipment for the car. Keep the Zenith carburetors or reinstall the MFI system.
Some pictures below.
Any comment or opinion is welcome.
Thsnks in advance,
Ralph

As is w. Zenith carburetors



Original MFI system

[procan]

If you have all the original MFI stuff, go with the MFI. MFI is a lot more complicated than carbs (and a little heavier too, especially with the MFI pump), but if it is the original running gear, then that adds a lot more value to the car than carbs, especially Zeniths. Porsche used MFI in all it's race cars back in the day, and there is something to be said about that. And there is nothing cooler than seeing those huge MFI velocity stacks either.

In full disclosure I run Zeniths on my originally MFI motor because:
a) I bought it with carbs
b) a complete MFI system is expensive to put together
c) MFI is complicated, and I would rather fiddle with carbs
d) Zeniths are super inexpensive compared to MFI, webbers, or PMO's, and I don't think an extra few $grand will deliver that much more performance.

If I had an MFI system laying around, I would definitely switch out my Zeniths. Wayne (our host) even admits in his engine rebuilding book that MFI is his favorite fuel injection system.

Caution: MFI and Carb heads are different. MFI heads have an extra port that needs to be plugged when you convert to carbs. Double check your heads.

[RWebb]

define "better"

MFI was original if you want a concoursmobile

MFI is worth more ponies if you want a tad more hp (or maybe even a dollop more)

MFI is better for cold starts if you want more driveability

But...
MFI sticks more wt. on the azz-heavy end of the car

MFI is harder to setup initially and harder to repair in the field

MFI costs a lot more than carbs and the same is true for parts

[Type911]

Go with the MFI. Nothing better on an early car then a well set up MFI system.

[tobluforu]

Before you decide, make sure the cams have not been replaced and that you still have the mfi pulley.

[Daves911L]

If its working Ok with the Zeniths right now, don't rush to change it back. But definitely hang on to all the MFI parts and keep them safe and sound (they are quite valuable). In the long run, it would be nicest to go back to the MFI.

In all probability, someone tried to adjust the MFI, blaming it incorrectly for some unrelated problem, and mucked it up. Its very easy to start tinkering with these and be unable to put everything back to the original settings. So then they concluded the MFI was shot and found a cheap set of carbs to replace it. You are so lucky they hung onto all the pieces.

If you are mechanically minded, patient, and willing to learn, the MFI is a superb system, And once done correctly, it stays correct.

I see you are in Albuquerque. Me too. Placitas actually.

Take care,
Dave

[Wilhelm]

Originally Posted by Type911

Go with the MFI. Nothing better on an early car then a well set up MFI system.

I agree for sure

[RSTarga]

Take that York compressor off the mounting tnds to destroy the chain covers. The newer rotary compressors are lighter and better.
I prefer MFI and once set up you don't have to fiddle with it, but make sure the engine is in good shape, if it the inside looks like the outside stick with the carbs. Looks like it had a fire back there.

[lateapex911]

You'll need to check that the heads are proper, and the cam has the rear toothed wheel for MFI. Then you'll have to have the pump checked, and THEN a few thou $...

But yea, given that, MFI for sure!!!

[Nostril Cheese]

The real question here is why the MFI was removed to begin with?

If the MFI pump has been sitting for a while, it probably needs to be cleaned out. Looks like everything is there. Like the others said, check for the toothed wheel on the end of the cam.

Zeniths can be decent carburetors if sorted out. If it runs well, I'd probably leave them be.

[curb]

All the help is highly appreciated!
Thanks!