Spica vs Euro manifolds

gt601 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 05:54 AM

On my '77 Feta sedan I have a set of Weber 40's with a port matched and polished Spica intake. I also have a Euro intake that I can port match and polish the same as the Spica. In youse guys opinion would I gain or lose anything installing the euro intake and getting rid of the Spica intake?

Paul

Alfajay · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 11:36 AM

I had to read your question a couple of times to understand it. You're saying that you are already running Webers, but using a Spica manifold + adapto plates. And, you're wondering if replacing that with a factory manifold would bring any advantages. Right? You are not trying to start another "holy war", asking whether you should replace your Spica with Webers?

My guess would be "no", there wouldn't be any significant performance improvement (or degradation). Others may chime in and suggest that it would result in something like shifting the hp peak up/down, based on lengthening/shortening the distance between the butterflies and intake valves. If such a shift were to occur, I would bet the effect would be minimal.

I would suggest that the factory setup brings some benefits in the areas of aesthetics and reliability. Certainly the factory set-up involves less "junk" than a modified Spica - the linkage is definitely simpler. I also like the rubber vibration isolators used by factory a lot better than those double O rings + nylon groove plate things used on the Spica kits. I have found the O rings to swell with exposure to modern fuels, and not seal all that well.

**jarrington** · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 02:25 PM

Keep in mind that you would also need to source a Euro pedal assembly and throttle linkage - and lots of folks like the cable Spica linkage better than the solid Weber linkage. If the Spica conversion is working OK I'd say leave well enough alone.

-Jason

**George Willet** · #4 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 04:12 PM

And I agree with Jason and Jay

gt601 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 05:04 AM

Ahhh... didn't think about the linkage. When I switched from the Solex carbs to the Webers I had to modify the linkage with bits and peices from old MG's and Volvo carbed cars. I guess I'll get rid of the Solexes and the Euro intake as a package so it will be out of my hair.
Thanks Fellas,

Paul