1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

carburetor

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Old Feb 21, 2006 | 05:32 PM
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From: Cali Baby
carburetor

Hello, i have a 1984 rx7 gs and my car just failed smog. The mechanic used a rebuild kit on my old carb but to no avail. I need a new carb but where can i find one that will pass emissions? price range is about $500 at the most. Thanks alot.
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Old Feb 21, 2006 | 06:06 PM
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Have one built by Rx7Carl, he builds them great for only $200 and that includes shipping. What exactly were the numbers to fail you?
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Old Feb 21, 2006 | 06:09 PM
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From: Cali Baby
the exact numbers are witht he mechanic, but lemme tell ya, they were both 3 times the allowed limit. It was a gross polluter and then some. These carbs that Carl builds... are they rebuilt or from scratch? will they pass emmisions and do they produce more power?
Thanks alot
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Old Feb 21, 2006 | 06:55 PM
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The rebuilds are not smog gauranteed.
You most likely have a failure of your emissions rat's nest, not the carb.
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Old Feb 21, 2006 | 06:57 PM
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They are rebuilt but he can do anything you want to it. He can rejet it, turbo prep it, modify it any way you want. They will pass emissions, but make sure your catalytic converter isn't fried and the rats nest is all there and functioning as well as the air pump. And also make sure you get the catalytic converter nice and hot before you take it to make sure that it's functioning
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Old Feb 21, 2006 | 08:46 PM
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register your car in a state that doesn't require emissions testing
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Old Feb 21, 2006 | 11:38 PM
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From: Cali Baby
How the hell would i register it in another state? I asked Carl and he said that he doesnt know if he can help me because i am in california. Anyone know anyone else who can build a california emissions legal carburetor?
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Old Feb 21, 2006 | 11:44 PM
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Unless your mechanic is intimately familiar with rotarys, I would be looking at the other emmision systems on the car. While the Nikki is a bit more complex than a standard Holley or Quadra-jet, if he rebuilt the carb to specs, it should perfom correctly.

You need to post your emmision readings, that may give the carb gurus a better idea where to trouble shoot next.
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 12:08 AM
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From: Cali Baby
Does anyone sell new carbs for these cars anymore or not? Where would I begin looking for a new or rebuilt carb? What should i look for in the rats nest? Man this is a headache.
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 12:08 AM
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From: Cali Baby
Does anyone sell new carbs for these cars anymore or not? Where would I begin looking for a new or rebuilt carb? What should i look for in the rats nest? Man this is a headache.
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 12:48 AM
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Crank the timing down an find a local gas station with e85 get a half tank of e85 with a half tank of 87. Adjust the mixture in as far as it will go without the car dieing. you might have to play with idle speed as well...

My not cat. SBC passed emissions this way with flying colors.

Cheap and effective if you have an e85 station anywhere. If not I'm retty sure you could do the same with a 5 gal drum of denatured alcohol.

Also you can buy a racing beat intake manifold and holley carb for your $500 spending limit.
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 07:16 AM
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Since you keep putting this thread to the top, by all means buy a brand new carb. When the car still fails emissions, then perhaps you may pay attention to the feedback you are getting. Fyi, the California carb is different than the rest of the world, Good luck.
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 08:20 AM
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3X the Hydrocarbons means the catylitic converter needs replacing or the air pump is non functional. Spend your money there and then buy a Sterling carb to go fast.

RXDad
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by trochoid
Unless your mechanic is intimately familiar with rotarys, I would be looking at the other emmision systems on the car. While the Nikki is a bit more complex than a standard Holley or Quadra-jet, if he rebuilt the carb to specs, it should perfom correctly.

You need to post your emmision readings, that may give the carb gurus a better idea where to trouble shoot next.
It's more likely to be a different part of the emissions system. Can you get more info as to why he thinks its the carb?
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 05:20 PM
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From: Cali Baby
well thats crap

[QUOTE Also you can buy a racing beat intake manifold and holley carb for your $500 spending limit.[/QUOTE]

????? The only Holley carb i see on racing beat is $533.

So basically im screwed when it comes to finding a carb in california.....damn.
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 05:23 PM
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From: Cali Baby
i will post my smog results as soon as i can, please check back to tell me what you think.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 12:49 AM
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Originally Posted by resjsu
[QUOTE Also you can buy a racing beat intake manifold and holley carb for your $500 spending limit.
????? The only Holley carb i see on racing beat is $533.

So basically im screwed when it comes to finding a carb in california.....damn.[/QUOTE]

Your looking the the wrong places... Racing beat is great, but they are a performance shop and thier prices are high due to the nice racing products they produce. Once you buy the manifold you can run any holley carb.

A stock 12a sure as hell doesn't need a 500 dollar carb for normal driving. Heres the route I would go.


Manifold is $200

http://speedmachineperformance.com/i...il?v=1&pid=483


The sterlings and RB carb's are 425 cfm I believe. As I said shop around a little. Discount autoparts and other local stores sell reman carbs too. This is just one example I found with in 30 seconds that would work.

Reman 390-450 cfm carb $180

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/390-4...QQcmdZViewItem

Heres another polished one that is 390 cfm for $265.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/390-c...QQcmdZViewItem


If the car runs fine and the only reason you want a new carb setup is for emissions. I'd suggest just trying e85 and timing. Also if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself most small mechanic shops will set your car up to pass emissions and then set it back for a price.

Good luck!

Last edited by vxturboxv; Feb 23, 2006 at 12:57 AM.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 01:15 PM
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From: Cali Baby
carbs

Hey man thanks a lot.
If I had found those carbs I wouldnt even know if they would match my car. So the bigger the carb the more power it can produce right.... 450> 390? If so i could buy the bigger one an dhave my mechanic get it to pass?


One more question, I think you had said that it might be the rats nest.... could you tell me like the first 2 places to look in the rats nest?
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 01:18 PM
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Bigger only means better up to a point. Theres a reason RB and Sterling use 425cfm. Thats as big as you can go with a non ported motor. I would rather have a 390 than a 450. 450 is a little on the large side. Stay on the smaller side of things you'll get better gas mileage etc.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 03:27 PM
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From: Cali Baby
ok ok. how big is the stock one? so i should go for the 390? will it still give it a little extra power being reman and polished?
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 03:30 PM
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From: Cali Baby
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

So im pretty sure im going to buy this one? does it look alright? i ask so many questions cuz im a college student who knows nothing about carbs, so i do appreciate your advice.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by resjsu
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

So im pretty sure im going to buy this one? does it look alright? i ask so many questions cuz im a college student who knows nothing about carbs, so i do appreciate your advice.
Sorry junior, but it's time to get in your ***. I have a hard time believing you have made it to college, you don't listen to your elders or those with experience,

The Holley carb WILL NOT pass cali emmisions. Go back to the RB site and read it for yourself. Thier Holley setups are for racing/off road use ONLY. I don't know what this fixation with replacing the carb is, but it is going to waste your money and cause more headaches and frustrations. Then we will have another person that thinks rotarys are ****, only because they can't figure them out.

RB modifies thier carbs to work with the rotary engine, if you can't rebuild the stock Nikki yourself, there is no way in hell you are going to do these mods yourself and get the engine to run right.

Spend your money where it is needed, not on some F&F bling crap that will make the car run worse and never pass emissions. Post your test readings. My bet is the cats are past thier service life and one or more of the emission components are not doing the job.

I know living in Cali sucks for modifying the performance of a vehicle, especially a rotary, but there are ways around it. Look for posts by Steve84GS TII, he has an S5 turbo setup in his and it passes emissions. I took him many years, dollars and work to get to that point. That point, I venture to say, is way past your present capabilities, especially when you fail to listen and take to heart the good advice you have already gotten here.

If you are so sure the carb is the problem, send it to me. I will rebuild it for you for $150 plus the cost of the kit and return shipping. When you get the carb back and find that it will still not pass, then maybe you will start looking for the real cause.

FYI, the first perfomance upgrade on a rotary is the exhaust, i.e. headers and getting rid of the cats. If this is not done first, anycarb or intake modification will make little, if any, difference.

I'm not trying to be an asshat here, but somedays one needs to be a little harsh to get people to listen. You came to us for advice, take it.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 04:19 PM
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From: Cali Baby
well god damn thanks a lot.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 04:39 PM
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From: Cali Baby
my scanner doesnt work but here are the results

@ idle - 967 rpm
%co2= 8.4
%o2= 7.5
HC(ppm)= max was 120, a gross polluter is 270 and mine passed at 546!
CO(%) = max was 1.00, a gross polluter was 2.5 and mine passed and 2.34.

@ 2500 RPM
%CO2 = 11.0
%O2 = 4.6
HC(ppm)= max was 150, a gross polluter is 300 and mine passed at 617!
Co(%) = max was 1.2, a gross polluter is 2.70 and mine passed at 0.63

Plus i failed my gas cap test?

So now whats going on?
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 04:42 PM
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Got an air pump on the car? Is it still hooked up and have the belt?
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