On Mon, 11 Aug 1997, Barry Schwartz wrote:
> Jim Ruwaldt writes:
> >By the way, the Moss catalogue makes a note that changing the emissions
> >system is illegal. That's quite understandable, but it implies that
> >replacing your fuel system with something more powerful is in itself
> >illegal. Is that only true if the change makes your car fail emissions
> >testing, in which case you wouldn't be able to register it?
> ****************************
> First off, one carb is not dirtier than another. Any new carb SIZED
> correctly, properly adjusted on a particular engine will give you the same
> or very similar readings. All a carburetor does is provide a fuel air
> ratio for a given air flow using the venturi principle. Having said that
> some carbs are better at controlling this ratio at transition points, from
> idle to mid, mid to cruise and full power than others. The ONLY reason
> that it is illegal to use a particular carb on your engine is because it is
> not *approved* and I use the term loosely. This doesn’t mean they run less
> cleanly than the carb that came on the car, it just means that it isn't
> *certified* (read costly and time consuming) for emission use by the
> manufacturer. Many times a newer, properly adjusted Weber, be it DGV, or
> DCOE will give BETTER results at the tailpipe than a worn out original ZS
> or SU. This is (sorry, soapbox mode on) one of my BIGGEST complaints with
> the current smog testing rules here in California. If it were TRULY for
> clean air than ALL that would matter would be the tail pipe sniff. If that
> met or exceeded the spec's for the particular year and engine in the car,
> you shouldn't need to even look under the hood should you? (soapbox off)
>
> Barry Schwartz in San Diego, CA
>
> Bschwartz@encad.com
> 72-V6/5sp Spitfire ( daily driver )
> 70 GT6+ ( when I don't drive the Spitfire )
> 70 (sorta) Spitfire ( project )
> 73 Ford Courier ( parts hauler )
>
Excellent points, Barry. They really should just check the emissions.
Then, if the exhaust doesn't pass, they should look under the hood and
check what you should have to clean up your car. However, one thing
which that doesn't address, is that emissions controls are after more than
just tailpipe emissions. Why else would there be a breather hose on the
valve cover, and why don't gas tanks vent into the air anymore? Because
those are important areas of emissions. Therefore, there should be a
check for the emissions equipment. However, I agree, tailpipe emissions
shouldn't be subject to equipment checks.
Now for an unrelated concern that's been bothering me lately. Why does
everyone go hog wild over the "let's go Webers" conversion? Not all the
parts are available, but my impression from studying TRF catalogue is that
a fuel injection conversion would be cheaper. While Webers run $900 or
more apiece, FI seems to be about $1,300. Even if the missing parts run
$500, that still gets you no more than the price of Webers, and you
should get more power or better fuel economy. Now, if you run into the
same problems with emissions as Triumph did, that isn't the best idea.
Jim Ruwaldt
'72 TR6 CC79338U(being restored)
Bloomington, IN
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