Weber 48 IDF Intake for the 351C

I picked up an Aussiespeed intake for the 351 Cleveland from a guy in Texas that is importing them and selling them on eBay.  I like the fact that he has been importing these and saving everyone on on shipping.  Even though I'm working on a Coyote, I'm also keeping my 351 for originality.  If I decide to go back to stock, then Weber IDF carburetors are the way I'd like to go.  The Aussiespeed intake is a great way to go with Weber carburetors. Unlike the 48 IDF manifold from Hall Pantera, the IDF manifold is a lot shorter.  See the manifold measurements here.  Interesting that they have put my blog as a link there! I put the 40 IDF body I have on the intake to see how it fits.

I also found two brand-new 48 IDF's for a good deal on the internet.  I picked them up and will post when I receive them.  I plan to buy two more, but unless I can find them new, I'll just buy two brand-new from Redline.

I also plan to pick up all of the jetting and linkage needed from Jim Inglese. Jim understands the unique Pantera aspect and builds Weber setups with this intake manifold, and he agreed to sell me the linkage & jetting. My philosophy is that one day, these manifolds, etc. will be gone and I will have missed the boat.

IR EFI using Weber Manifold

After researching Weber carburetors extensively on the internet, talking to people who run them, talking to tuners, etc, I decided to look into IR EFI options with the same Aussiespeed manifold.  I thought for some reason that few made a throttle body for the IDF pattern, but I was wrong.

Weber carburetors are really neat, but independent runner electronic fuel injection allows for similar benefits without some of the drawbacks.  The general drawback to IR EFI is the cost.  However, I am pleased to show a couple options that reduce the cost of such systems.

Throttle Bodies

There are several EFI throttle bodies available for the Weber IDF setup, mainly geared toward the air-cooled VW world.  However, there is no reason why these throttle bodies wouldn't work on the Aussiespeed manifold.  For example, CB Performance has a set of two throttle bodies for $530 that are exact dimensional replacements for Weber IDF carburetors.  The throttle bodies feature integral injector bosses, vacuum/IAC ports, allow for the same linkage, and are machined to accept a throttle position sensor.  I wouldn't recommend their fuel rail as it appears to be too small for a healthy V8, but fuel rail blanks are easy to find and easy to have machined.  The nice thing about using a set of exact matching throttle bodies is that you could run Weber carburetors for a while and then switch to EFI without much work.  Your linkage would be the same, your height would be the same, etc.

Computer

Many of the well-known EFI systems out there will work okay with IR EFI.  TWM even recommended that I look into FAST EZ EFI, claiming that there are a lot of people running this EFI system without issue on IR EFI systems.  The downside to EZ EFI is that it won't control spark timing. The next generation, EZ EFI 2.0 reportedly will control spark timing.

Kelly Coffield likes the Electromotive offerings, stating that there is a speed density/alpha N blend feature that makes tuning finicky IR systems much easier.  Also, he likes to stay with systems that allow full sequential injector firing over bank fire systems.

Weber Carburetors, Part III

I have so much to share that I'm going to push the tuning links back to Part IV or even Part V.  I haven't even got to the other good part- the EFI part!

System Prices

A few people have asked what a Weber IDF system might cost  I can estimate it but it depends upon a lot of variables, such as where you buy the carburetors, what linkage you run, if you want an expert to set it up, what jets you need, etc.  Webers were never cheap, so you should stick with that 4-bbl if you like things cheaper and simpler.  Here's some quick up-front costs for example:

Weber Carburetors, Part II

Anatomy of a Weber IDF

The carb in the following pictures is a junk 40 IDF that I picked up locally for nothing but I had to buy the top as it was still good.  I wanted the carb to serve as a mockup carburetor for my engine.  It's a great piece for exploring the inner workings of the carburetor.  In all, the carburetor isn't as complex as you might think.

Rear view.  Block-off plate is missing.

Weber Carburetors, Part I

I've always loved Weber carburetors.  I think they make a V8 look just that much better.  Lately, I've been working on a few ideas.  I'm planning to use 2V style heads since there are so many manifold choices these days.  However, up until recently, there hasn't been a Weber intake for the 2V Cleveland that is readily available.  There is a manifold called the "Cain" manifold for a 2V Cleveland that was not produced in numbers and is pretty much non-existent.  However, recently a version was made in Australia by Aussiespeed that is the same thing:

Aussiespeed Manifold