Dellorto Carbs

[James]

Anyone here running Dellorto carbs? I'm considering buying some because:

1. They seem cheaper, readily available, well made.
2. I remember seeing some on an e3 for sale locally on CL several years ago.
3. When I had an old Alfa GTV, a bunch of the alfa guys seemed to like them.
4. Trying to save money, but really want to do the triple side draft deal.

(This has all basically started because my exhaust had a hole rusted through the muffler. In replacing that, I figured I might as well replace the manifold with headers. But then I should probably address the other side, as well; so obviously I need 3 big carbs instead of the Zeniths which are working fine. Then, I figure I'm gonna have to have my cam reground to make use of all of it. Found a rust hole in my muffler.)

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Stevehose]

Dellorto parts and jets are not as easy to source domestically and will be pricier than DCOE/DCOM. They made fewer but are good carbs. Fewer tuning resources.

http://www.dellorto.co.uk/product-category/dellorto-car-carburettors-parts/parts/dhla-parts/

People seem to like them because they have some improvements over DCOE's (better accel pump design, idle air bleeds, vaccum ports etc) depending on model. The Weber DCOM takes the Dellorto improvments and incorporates them into the DCOE with similar parts.

What I've learned from my triple side draft experience is that trying to do these on the cheap will likely lead to misery in the form of improper running due to worn out parts, incorrect jetting, etc. I always suggest to those interested in triples to go ahead and buy a set already reconditioned from an established source that can set them up for your motor and you can tweak the rest. More:

http://www.e9coupe.com/forum/thread...nd-other-lessons-learned-along-the-way.23820/


When they are set up correctly, there's noting like the experience of side drafts. Makes me smile every time I hit the gas pedal. But I had to dump my first eBay set because they wouldn't tune correctly even after I "rebuilt" them. My $.02

 

[2275xxx]

+1

I had good experience with the people at www.dellorto.co.uk

Dellortos can end up being costly because you need to buy several of each type of jets/air correctors in order to be able to tune them properly.

 

[Ohmess]

Hi James - I installed a set of triple Webers on my coupe, and have relied heavily on Stevehose for advice in doing so. He hasn't steered me wrong, and indeed has saved me a ton of time (and money).

As to your thought about headers, I have a set of m30b35 exhaust manifolds that have been ported and ceramic coated on my car. I have been told that these were well designed by BMW and flow almost as good as would a set of headers. And at the time, I was having a very hard time locating a set of headers.

Food for thought.

 

[mulberryworks]

I ran across this video where a couple of guys test what reduction in power you get when you have to dent your header to make it fit into your body.
Basically, not much.
Interesting to see, makes me question the value of a header for non-race use.
*non-BMW content.

Ian

 

[jmackro]

This has all basically started because my exhaust had a hole rusted through the muffler. In replacing that, I figured I might as well replace the manifold with headers. But then I should probably address the other side, as well; so obviously I need 3 big carbs instead of the Zeniths which are working fine. Then, I figure I'm gonna have to have my cam reground to make use of all of it. Found a rust hole in my muffler.

I think you have just defined a method for taking your car off the road for an extended period of time! My advice would be to focus on fixing the exhaust first, and then address the carbs and cam once the exhaust is repaired.

...trying to do these on the cheap will likely lead to misery

Steve offers good advice here. If your Zeniths are working fine, investing in sidedrafts seems inconsistent with trying to save money.

 

[James]

I ran across this video where a couple of guys test what reduction in power you get when you have to dent your header to make it fit into your body.
Basically, not much.
Interesting to see, makes me question the value of a header for non-race use.
*non-BMW content.

Ian

Great video!