Would there be any interest in an UNBIASED carb shootout?

[msapers]

I know everyone has their own pet carburetor, but I was thinking that it might be time to do some real world, heads up testing to see which is really the best choice.

I would be conducting the tests on two different vehicles to determine what carb works best for both the F and 2F engines.

The test vehicles:
1972 FJ40, 1F, 3 speed, 4:11's, 33 inch tires.
1976 FJ40, 2F, 4 speed, 4:11's, 33 inch tires.

I believe that these two trucks are representative of what most of us are driving.

The carburetors:
Stock 1976 2F Aisan
Stock 1972 1F Aisan
Weber 38
Holley 350cfm 2bbl
Rochester 2bbl

(I haved all of these carbs already and all are in good repair)

I don't have the funds to include a Mark A., Jim C., or Trollhole carb, but if someone wants to send me one,(or any other carb I havent thought of), I'll include it in the testing and send it back.

I will test each carb stock and then attempt to optimize them. I will keep track of any modifications that I make to the carbs and their corresponding results. (To my carbs only, I won't mod anything sent to me.)

On Road Testing:

0-60 times
MPG city
MPG highway
Pulling a long steep grade-(the Grapevine on I-5 north of Los Angeles)
Cold start
Hot start
Warm-up times
Sea level and high altitude driveability

Off Road Testing:

Long steep ascent (I will include the degree and length of the incline.)
Long steep decent (I will include the degree and length of the incline.)
Left sidehill (I will include the degree of lean and length of time)
Right sidehill (I will include the degree of lean and length of time)
Hard bouncing (washboard)
Mud

I will use a GPS to verify all speeds and mileage.

I will rank the carbs from best to worst in each category and hopefully we'll have a clear winner.

Does this interest anyone? If so, please let me know if there's anything else you'd like to see included in the test.

I'm not trying to disprove anyone's opinions or be Mr. Science but it seems like it's time to put properly set up versions of each of these carbs to the test and remove the mythology/black magic/brand loyalty from the equation and focus on what REALLY works.

 

[JohnnyC]

very cool...it like to see this...there was a thread...or...maybe from LCML that did a comparison of different dissys...found it very interesting and helpful

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I would be very interested in something like this. I've got a balanced/shaved head/cammed/header equipped 2F and I'm running a Weber 38/38 that I am starting to hate.

 

[alaska60]

wish I had your time......

 

[stockmax]

Not to be a downer on this idea, but I too am a victim of California SMOG requirements and was curious if anything but the stock carb would pass on the 76'. I am currently restoring mine and had been recommended the Webber, but unfortunately it is not SMOG legal here in CA. Anyway to get around this?

Great concept though, can't wait for the results! I might just have to register the car back at my parents house in NM...

 

[91 4runner]

subscribed

 

[AlamoTom]

Subscribed.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Sounds awesome. Add a rocky, bouncy, steep uphill to make the Holley look as bad as it is.

 

[John McVicker]

Subscribed.

Interesting & a great idea.

John

 

[Living in the Past]

I would be curious of stall RPM on a steep ascent off road. The lower the RPM a carb will run is like lower the gearing.

 

[msapers]

Sounds awesome. Add a rocky, bouncy, steep uphill to make the Holley look as bad as it is.

I would be curious of stall RPM on a steep ascent off road. The lower the RPM a carb will run is like lower the gearing.

Sounds good, I'll add these into the test.

 

[msapers]

Not to be a downer on this idea, but I too am a victim of California SMOG requirements and was curious if anything but the stock carb would pass on the 76'. I am currently restoring mine and had been recommended the Webber, but unfortunately it is not SMOG legal here in CA. Anyway to get around this?

Great concept though, can't wait for the results! I might just have to register the car back at my parents house in NM...

I doubt that any carb other than the stock one would pass CA smog. That being said, I will run whatever carb works best and swap back to stock every two years for the test.

 

[cjgoode]

Love it, test carbs on the same engine, same truck and same conditions. Can't wait to see how this goes.

 

[Fast Eddy]

I doubt that any carb other than the stock one would pass CA smog. That being said, I will run whatever carb works best and swap back to stock every two years for the test.

Luckily for you it's the same carb.

 

[msapers]

Luckily for you it's the same carb.

We shall see.

 

[jkl72-40]

yes

very cool subscribed

 

[Bennett]

you left out a major player... I'd like to see a Motorcraft 2100/2150- (Jeep inline guys been using them for years with
excellent results.)
Easy start
easy adapt
eliminates 2f linkage
no more flat spot due to vac secondaries
I am thinking about a 2F write-up soon.
I did a sbc motorcraft fj40's in 09' https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/234249-my-unscientific-quest-20-mpg-almost.html

 

[msapers]

you left out a major player... I'd like to see a Motorcraft 2100/2150- (Jeep inline guys been using them for years with
excellent results.)
Easy start
easy adapt
eliminates 2f linkage
no more flat spot due to vac secondaries
I am thinking about a 2F write-up soon.
I did a sbc motorcraft fj40's in 09'
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/234249-my-unscientific-quest-20-mpg-almost.html

Ok, I'll add the Motorcraft if I can get my hands on one in the junkyard. What did they come on?

 

[misterpepper]

I'd like to know absolute stall angle for ascent and descent, like idling and using a forklift to slowly raise the front or rear axle until the motor stalls and then measure the angle. Not an easy test to do without the right equipment, but I'm interested to know how stock compares to aftermarket since this is where I keep hearing that stock shines. I'm assuming your long steep ascent and descent is attempting to compare this, but for crawling the absolute angle is more important than the duration.

 

[Pighead]

Nope. Not interested. I already know what carb I like best...happens to be the one I run, happens to be the original '74 mechanical secondary Ca carb. I've rebuilt it 6 or 7 times. Jim C. rebuilt it once. It's not stock but hardly anything on my rig is.
You like what you know, and I'm not about to swap it out no matter what the test results are. Thanks anyway.