Abarth renewed?

[mdrburchette]

Sorry about that. I was hoping you'd figure it out so I could buy one. This would be one up on the turtleback design since it has the air inlet on one side. Wouldn't it be neat to be able to see the air flow in one of them to get an idea of the inconsistancies between the two carbs?

[racydave]

My 2 cents worth... I have seen engines bend rods because the sudden induction of to much water. It usually happens when someone decides that they can make it thru a large "puddle".

[maytag]

don't misunderstand: Water does not compress... and will break hard parts. Absolutely agree.
But a mist of water, as-in rain ingested via a hood-scoop, through an air filter, atomized with the mixture through the carb, as we're talking about here, is not a problem. And as I say, we've used water-injection for many years on motors with extreme boost. It's nuthin' but a good thing. (as a matter of fact: go google water-injection, and you'll probably see some cool setups!)

Have you ever seen motorcycles race in the rain?

[mdrburchette]

That, and it would be a cool way to steam clean the carbon off your pistons.

[So Cal Mark]

yes water works well for that, but not large amounts of water. I've seen warped valves and bent rods from too much h2o. It also lowers Nox dramatically if you're trying to get through a Calif smog test

[racydave]

Im just suggesting that if they were used for cold air induction, that the ducting itself could hold water, and if it gathered it might lead to a problem... Ive done the water thingie before

[vandor]

Once I'm tooled-up, I see no reason why I can't sell a carbon-fiber unit for at or near that same price, with domestic shipping. Fiberglass would be significantly less, of course.

Just so you know, 4-5 years ago there was a guy in Colorado selling fiberglass hoods and trunklids. I think trunklids were in the $350 range, hoods in the $450 range. He quit after a few years, because they hardly sold. I think this is one of those things that a lot of people want, but when it's time to cough up the bucks most of them realize that they really can't afford it...

Good luck,

Csaba

[So Cal Mark]

it was Bill MaMahon that was selling those fiberglass parts. I don't think he sold any of them. At one point he was trying to sell the molds but shipping them would have cost a fortune

[maytag]

that's more or less what I had concluded. So this became an exercise just for me, the same way it started.

I'll keep the molds, in case somebody wants me to build 'em one in the future, but it definitely does not look like there's a market for it.
at least on this site.

[spiderrey]

I would think there would be a bigger market for just light weight replacement hoods and deck lids. I know there would be a market for these items on an x 1/9 since they are so under powered. Im also sure there would be a market for something like this thats not to modified, but gives you more room for your twin carbs to breath properly.

[maytag]

I don't like that look though. And since nobody else really thinks it's something they want... I'm just doin' it for myself!

For me, 1/2 the reason for carbon fiber is the weight savings, and the other 1/2 is the beauty of the product. And when I'm done... my carbs will have PLENTY of breathing room!

Just don't tell manoamatt that I'll be driving it in the rain too!