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Re: Austin A35 Project

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:46 am
by rich.
didnt the mag do an a35/40 with fuel injection once? if i remember correctly it went rather well...

Re: Austin A35 Project

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 10:10 am
by JPB
I seem to remember an A40 Farina that fits the description, Rich. Either we both had the same dream or it actually happened :lol: but the original carb on an A30/A35/MK1 A40 isn't all bad and if it dies, then a cute little SU from a Minor (or a larger, more effective HIF type SU from a "modern" car) can be fitted as an alternative. As can a suitably jetted Weber 32 or 34 ICH from a Fiesta or Land Rover and the Weber looks much more like the original, since it's a downdraught device that fits on an original inlet manifold.

Re: Austin A35 Project

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:17 am
by gazza82
My A35 has an SU from a 998 Riley Elf ... the down-draft Zenith was a pain to keep tuned.

Re: Austin A35 Project

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:52 am
by Luxobarge
All good stuff.

As an owner of a reasonably well tweaked A-series in my Midget, I'd just say that I'd recommend bearing in mind that sticking a huge carb (or carbs) on one of these engines can give great ultimate power when on song, but can make driveability at low revs quite bad, because the air speed past the jets can get quite low and give poor carburation unless you're giving the engine the beans all the time.

For that reason on mine I did all the stage-3 head, fast road cam, multi-branch exhaust etc. stuff but left the carbs as standard 1.25" twin SUs, and not only does it go like stink but it's really flexible and pleasant to drive slowly and at low revs - in fact it has a great torquey feel to it.

Just saying, like.... beware of some of the side effects of big carbs.

Look forward to seeing and hearing more about this though, sounds like a great project!

Cheers all :D

Re: Austin A35 Project

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:59 pm
by kevin
Wise words indeed luxo, in a previous life of racing classic triumph motorcycles I built a very trick motor including the suggested large carb. Bloody thing wouldn't run right if at all start. Once started it went really well if you totally ragged it. Swapped the carb for a standard 650cc item and it was transformed.
Very nice project all the same, look forward to the videos of it running

Kev

Re: Austin A35 Project

Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 3:20 pm
by rich.
JPB wrote:I seem to remember an A40 Farina that fits the description, Rich. Either we both had the same dream or it actually happened :lol:
im not mad then? has anyone else tried this?

Re: Austin A35 Project

Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:09 pm
by gazza82
One of my A35 owner colleagues is considering it .. possibly using the Mini SPI or MPI as the starting point. He's built his primarily as a hill-climb car but his project still very much 'work-in-progress' and he's looking for improvements all the time. Thinking about a DCOE as an interim phase if he can find the right shape of inlet.

Another stuck with a single HIF44 carb but just for good measure fitted a turbo .. Saab unit I believe after he tried a few Metro ones .. 140bhp from a 1275cc engine .. via a Ford Type 9 gearbox. Gives a few beemer drivers the willies when he comes flying up on their tails! :D

Re: Austin A35 Project

Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:20 pm
by JPB
gazza82 wrote:....Another stuck with a single HIF44 carb but just for good measure fitted a turbo .. Saab unit I believe after he tried a few Metro ones .. 140bhp from a 1275cc engine .. via a Ford Type 9 gearbox. Gives a few beemer drivers the willies when he comes flying up on their tails! :D
:shock: Please tell me he strapped at least the centre main before unleashing this device! Respect very much due though, for sticking with an A series.
8-)

Re: Austin A35 Project

Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 4:48 pm
by gazza82
He has ... don't worry this gentleman is a proper engineer .. if it wasn't done properly, he didn't do it!!

He can vary the boost from inside the car ... so when he needs a bit more .. :-) I've been in it and I can definitely say next time, I'll wear the brown trousers!! ;)

Re: Austin A35 Project

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 4:18 pm
by rich.
i would be interested to see the setup on that one..