Kardon carbs

[Paul]

I've seen in some VW magazines that they are selling dual Kardon 40 carbs I have not seen any that fit type 4 but they seem to be cheap. What is everyones thought on these. Are they any good? Currently I am building an engine and intend to use the FI but still havn't completley decided.

Thanx,
Paul

[Patrick]

The type I guys give these carbs good reviews for mild street cars. I have never seen type IV manifolds for them though. So it may not be possible to run them. Check with some of the larger VW mail order houses like Barrett Enterprises.

[ChrisG]

Well, sorry to say this, but Kardon are rubbish.
The problem come from the linkages etc - they are garbage.

After running both Kardons and Dells I have to say that you would do a whole lot better with the Dells.

I know they are more expensive - but it is worth it.

Chris Gough

[Conrad W Peden]

Chris G is correct. The Dells are a good call depending on how you intend to use your car. When you get the carbs they are pre-jetted for a certain displacement. I have been using Dellorto's for 12 years now on my various cars and have never used the factory jetting. If you dont know what to do regarding jetting I suggest that you get someone knowledgable in that field to help you. The payoff is in your car's driveability.
If you are ambitious you may also want to replace your fuel lines at the same time. The Dells only have fuel coming in so the fuel return lines are not used and why contaminate a nice set of carbs with sediment. I have never had a nice clean set of original gas lines in a 25 year old car in Canada(unless they have been properly taken care of).
The placement and quality of the fuel pump is also important. The diaphram type pumps like to push the gas rather than pull it so install it at a level lower than the gas tank(the installation instructions will tell you this). Good pumps sometimes have adjustable pressure and I believe that Dells want a max of 3-4 psi. Otherwise I recommend a pressure regulator. There is one other thing that I recommend and that is regarding the routing of the accelerator cable. If the cable isn't installed in a path that allows free movment of the cable in the housing you will have a stiff gas pedal or the carbs won't want to return to idle smoothly or both.
One last word of advice FUEL FILTERS! Put one before the pump and after the pump. Dont' rely on the little screens in the carbs fuel inlets.

If you intend to autocross your car you will also have to take into account the ramifications of carburating your engine and what class you will be upgraded to. Most of the cars that are carburated for more power also have the suspension and tire upgrades to match. I have seen alot of occasions where carburated cars have been out classed because they havn't had the handling improved. I'm included in one of those occasions.

Lets face it the 914 is a little low on power(not like its gutless or any thing, you know what I mean), but a stock FI 914 with a good suspension setup can be pretty sweet in an autocross.

So I guess I am telling you unless the FI has been on fire or something and needs to be completely replaced you may want to keep it and put the money into a good set of Koni adjustable shocks and some stickier tires(provided you don't already have that).


Thats all I can think of right now.
Hope I have helped.

Conrad W. Peden
Victoria BC
Canada

[This message has been edited by Conrad W Peden (edited 04-15-99).]