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Beetle Cabrio Fuel Injection to Carbs Conversion
rocafuentes - May 21st, 2005 at 04:59 PM

Hi
Does anyone have experience with converting the fuel injection on a Californain import VW Beetle Karmann Cabrio (1979) into carbs?
Ta

[Edited on 21/5/2005 by rocafuentes]


ratty 63 - June 1st, 2005 at 11:02 AM

Don't have any experience, but I don't imagine that it would be all that difficult to convert (I have studied the standard system whilst creating my own hybrid EFI system for my car). The engine is a twin port engine so you will need all of the intake manifold (3 pieces) and a carb.

You will also need to run an electric fuel pump, but not the unit that is currently fitted as it runs at too higher pressure. There will be two fuel lines coming from/going to the fuel tank - one of these lines (the one without the pump in the line) will have to be blocked as it is no longer used.

Wiring will be an issue as there will be a stack of wires that are used to control the EFI system that will no longer be required....a couple of good wiring diagrams will be needed to make this job much easier. Unfortunatly I don't have a complete wiring diagram for the factory system, but you will need a power wire that is 'live' only when the ignition is on to take power to activate the fuel cut-off solonid and choke. Should be the same wire that is already running to the coil. Most/all of the other wires are no longer requred. If it's not too hard I would try to remove the EFI wiring loom in one piece (along with the ECU) as this will probably be able to be sold to someone converting to EFI.

I think that you should be able to use the standard distributor, however I'm not 100% certain of this point...does the factory have any control over the spark timing? I doubt it.

....I have to ask - why do you want to convert back to carbs when most of us tech heads are converting to EFI? Is there a problem with the EFI system or have you upgraded the engine and the standard EFI is no longer able to cope?

R :)


squizy - June 1st, 2005 at 11:57 AM

This was asked a couple of weeks ago. Have a search through other posts and see what you can find.


squizy - June 1st, 2005 at 12:00 PM

Here's the other post.....

http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=39497#pid360139