[T3] carbs v FI

["ralph" <oldford3@home.com>]

<x-charset iso-8859-1>    Thanks to everybody who responded to my questions, both on and off-list.
I have decided that I'm gonna order carbs and a 009 distributor, but hang on
to the FI system.  I've installed dual and trip carbs on other vehicles and
have the equipment to synch carbs.  I'll leave the orig fuel pump, dampner,
pressure regualtor and return system and install a second regulator to drop
pressure down to the 2-3 psi carbs need. The pump relay was miswired by the
prev owner, keeping the ignition hot by a backfeed (had to stop the car by
stalling it in gear with brake applied), so I know how to switch around a
few wires to keep the pump going without the "computer" (and w/o the
backfeed!). I got two extra fuel pumps with the car so I'm set for life on
that part.
    This way I can do swap outs from carb to FI and back again in about an
hour.  I can play with it both ways and see where the pluses and misuses of
either/both fall.  The only other T-3 I'd ever played with that was modified
to carbs by a prev owner had a monster 4 barrel (and a hole hacked in the
engine lid so it would fit). It was way-way too big for the displacement,
ugly and destroyed a perfectly good engine lid.  I'll get just the single
barrel Webers, suited to stock or re-jetable up to an 1800 and that fit the
engine compartment.
    This way I can also get the injector harness out and on my bench,
install new rubber boots and soften up the wrap with some Zymol. And  I can
clean up the sensors.  I really need to put new tubing on the vacuum
sensors.  Germans must have much smaller hands than I do cuz I can't reach
under the manifold.  I knocked one loose while changing out an injector and
fought it for an hour trying to get it back on.  Finally got my wife out to
the garage and she just reached in and shoved it back in place.  Way toooo
easy, so I know the rubber is rock hard down there.  Off vehicle, even I can
replace the tubing.
    Anyway, I really appreciate all the input from you guys.  At just over
$400 for carbs and a 009, it's a fairly cheap experiment to see which works
better.  And, by having both available, if one system gives me trouble, I
can swap it out and stay mobile while fixing or finding parts for the other.
Sorta the best of both worlds.
    I'll let you all know which one works best for me.
Ralph

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