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1.8 Zetec 16v: Which carbs?
imagineer - 16/10/12 at 07:43 PM

Evening all,

I'm building a Haynes Locost and have a virgin 1.8 Zetec 16v engine waiting for me to finish the chassis.

I was originally thinking twin Webers, but have seen a lot of good things written in favour of bike carbs.

What's the word on the grapevine?

If I go down the bike carb route, what should I be using?

All opions, experiences and advice very welcome.

whitestu - 16/10/12 at 08:05 PM

ZX6R carbs are ideal for a 1.8 Zetec and are quite cheap. Unless you get an old Zetec passing IVA on carbs will be an issue though. EFI would be easier.

Stu

austin man - 16/10/12 at 08:20 PM

I have used both 40s and currently run ZX9's I get better fuel economy from the bike carbs I feel as though a little bottom end grunt with the bike carbs.

As said previously it may be a struggle getting carbs through the IVA unless you can prove the engine is an early one I believe pre Aug 95 otherwise a cate etc will be required

splitrivet - 16/10/12 at 08:36 PM

Isnt a problem cats seem to scare a lot of folk, suitable cats are easily available mine cost £60 although I did have to pay VAT on it plus an £8 admin charge by Royal Mail (imported from the states) and is being used with zx6r carbs on a late 1.8 Zetec and passed an emissions test by a mile.
Cheers,
Bob

imagineer - 16/10/12 at 08:37 PM

Are we talking about Keihin carbs?
Will any of the Kawasaki Ninja carbs, ZX6, ZX9, ZX10 do the job?

Why would EFI be better for SVA than carbs - is it an emissions issue?
What do I need for an EFI conversion of a standard Zetec?

(Cheers)

imagineer - 16/10/12 at 08:46 PM

How much should I pay for my ZX6 carbs?

splitrivet - 16/10/12 at 09:03 PM

Had mine off of one of the guys on here paid £25 I think and were fitted with a tps for megajolt, have a skeg on Ebay prices do seem to have gone up since theyve been made popular for car fitting but they are still loads cheaper than Webers easier to set up and not so juicy. Its just the manifold which is a bit of a bugger to make up but I did it no probs.
Cheers,
Bob

FazerBob - 16/10/12 at 09:48 PM

quote:
Originally posted by imagineer
Evening all,

I'm building a Haynes Locost and have a virgin 1.8 Zetec 16v engine waiting for me to finish the chassis.

I was originally thinking twin Webers, but have seen a lot of good things written in favour of bike carbs.

What's the word on the grapevine?

If I go down the bike carb route, what should I be using?

All opions, experiences and advice very welcome.



I've made up a few sets in the past, all for Zetecs. As others say the ZX6R are good, as are the ones from a Fazer 600 (I've done three of those).
Manifolds are not a problem, just time consuming to make yourself. I will try and find the article I wrote when making my first one.

Charlie_Zetec - 16/10/12 at 09:58 PM

I'm using ZX9 carbs from a 'C' model - as previously stated, these have a TPS (throttle position sensor) as standard, making it more compatible with megajolt!

I paid £50 for mine from the local motorbike breakers*, and it came of a bike with very minimal miles.

If you're after a manifold for a set of ZX carbs, I've got one in the garage suitable for a zetec install if you're interested....


* Bentley's Breakers - Motorcycles Parts And Accessories
Address:
Oak Road
Halstead
Essex
CO9 2RT
01787 388 118


[Edited on 16/10/12 by Charlie_Zetec]

FASTdan - 17/10/12 at 10:49 AM

I've got a ZX6R Zetec manifold in stock (and ZZR600) but can make a manifold to suit any carbs, or can supply you a full kit of carbs, manifold, hoses, filter and fuel pump. See my sig for details.