Split Carburetors- Fad or Worth It?

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BarracudaWild68

BarracudaWild68

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Hello. Is anyone running a split-carb set up? I saw these back a few years ago. I was interested, but I thought that they might just be a passing fancy. I usually saw them in 2 pairs; always 4 two-barrel set-ups. What sayeth you?
 
BarracudaWild68 said:
Hello. Is anyone running a split-carb set up? I saw these back a few years ago. I was interested, but I thought that they might just be a passing fancy. I usually saw them in 2 pairs; always 4 two-barrel set-ups. What sayeth you?
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I sayeth unto you, I've seenethe them beforeth, but wonder whateth is the point?
 
Righteth. Putting it in modern English, I guess the companies that made them and/or the original designer, must have thought or had proof that there is/was an advantage to doing this. I'm curious to see how many members on this forum know about them and/or use them.
 
Chuck Nuytten Carburetors - Split Dominators I also found these: Dambest.com

dambest4500split_4w.jpg
They are quite pricey, guys, so that is why most folks have never heard of them or used them. I'd say only pros would spend the money on these carbs.
 
BarracudaWild68 said:
Righteth. Putting it in modern English, I guess the companies that made them and/or the original designer, must have thought or had proof that there is/was an advantage to doing this. I'm curious to see how many members on this forum know about them and/or use them.
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The only one advantage I could see would be putting progressive linkage on them. That way, they could be used in applications where they would otherwise be too bigeth.
 
Economic fuel injection surpassed them, except for the few that like to tune carbs
 
An old-style fuel injection set-up like the kind used on the Mopar altered hemis would be cool, too. Does someone remake the old set-ups with the auto and manual sized bells? Who made the original? I forget. I have a picture of it, I believe.
 
Maybe I am dense, but what is the difference between "split" carbs and multiple 2 bbl carbs? Would you call the carbs on a 440 6 Pack "Split" carbs?
 
Look at post # 4. Designers basically cut the 4-barrel carbs in half. I don't know.
 
That set-up above is/was for sale for $1,500. Nice price. Here is a modern version, with electronic injection:

electronicHillbornfuelinjection.jpg
 
You all should check out Edelbrock STR-12 duel quads look like the wedge but small block. there several older threads on this.
Mike m
 
The reason they split the carbs is to line the venturi over the manifold ports. They also move them around to help with fuel distribution under 3 g’s (rich rear cylinders, lean front cylinders) and it’s much easier to move split carbs than full carbs. They didn’t do it because they were stupid.
 
Rat Bastid said:
The reason they split the carbs is to line the venturi over the manifold ports. They also move them around to help with fuel distribution under 3 g’s (rich rear cylinders, lean front cylinders) and it’s much easier to move split carbs than full carbs. They didn’t do it because they were stupid.
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Who said anybody was stupid?
 
RustyRatRod said:
Who said anybody was stupid?
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No one. The point was it was done with a purpose. Actually more than one. And they did it with a testing process to correct some issues. I know that some engine builders were moving the carbs forward .600 (which by the way would move them forward of the centerline of the port) to help with the rear cylinders getting rich at the launch.
 
Rat Bastid said:
No one. The point was it was done with a purpose. Actually more than one. And they did it with a testing process to correct some issues. I know that some engine builders were moving the carbs forward .600 (which by the way would move them forward of the centerline of the port) to help with the rear cylinders getting rich at the launch.
Click to expand...
I knew there was a purpose. I just didn't know what it was. Thanks.
 
If the carbs are run as IR [ independent/ isolate runner ] they are AWESOME.
Prior to EFI, you look at the Maserati, Ferrari, Porsche etc that ran multiple Weber or Dellorto carbs, with one throat per per cyl & they made prodigious amounts of power. The Ford/Weslake headed 289 of the late 60s made big HP with four Weber IDA carbs.
I ran four Weber 48 IDFs on my 440 Dart in the late 80s.
My 455 GTO which I still have, has had IDFs on it for 16 yrs. Throttle response is like EFI. I cannot use 1st gear because the car is uncontrollable.
 
Each split carb is placed over and as mentioned, slightly forward over the intake runners/cylinder heads ports. This is the best way to distribute the fuel with a carburetor.

As said above, and shown with the individual runner intake, the split carbs are normally found on sheet metal intakes with placement in the best position for the application, normally for drag racing.

Each cylinder draws most heavily from the barrel above it. This is preferable for individual cylinder tuning. Though there should be nearly no variations in port flow on a custom sheet metal intake.

This method is liked over a IR intake for its customizable carb positioning. The ability to flood the custom sized plenum with NO2 help create a huge area that is filled with air and fuel.

As seen and probably guessed, this works best in extreme engine builds. This is the preferred way.
 
I always got a charge out of a V8 with 3-2 barrels. Why not 4-2 barrels?
 
Thanks for all the info about split carbs from people who know about them. They and their application were a mystery to me (Fleetwood Mac 1973). Great album. Best song off of it? Hypnotized, hands down. Hypnotized - YouTube Anybody remember this? Enjoy!
 
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