DeTomaso Mailing List: February 2001, Message #5

In a message dated 1/31/01 8:54:14, JAFount@aol.com writes:

<< Has anyone ever done a side draft multiple carb set up on their car?  I am 
curious about performance issues.  Although I don't yet have a car in hand, I 
think about mods, etc that I would like to do when I finally get one.

Is a set up like this a viable option?  I guess the only reason I really ask 
is because I like the looks of this kind of set up.  So I thought I would 
defer to the expertise of the list with this question. >>

>>>Howard Bourquin's car has been equipped with a totally ridiculous 
side-draft setup for years.  He has a TUNNEL-RAM side-draft intake that 
stretches skyward and almost touches the underside of the roof; it breathes 
through a pair of sidedraft Webers.

As you might expect, this thing is set up strictly for top-end power.  I've 
never been in the car, but Larry Stock has driven it and told me that it's a 
dog up until about 4000 rpm, and then it feels like you got rear-ended by a 
train--he says it pulls harder than any other car he's ever driven, and is 
literally frightening to drive.

It's also miserable to drive on the street--the motor stalls from a stoplight 
unless you keep the revs up above 3000 and slip the clutch, etc.  And if 
you're driving down the freeway at 3000 rpm and step on the gas, it just goes 
BLAAAAHHH and virtually nothing happens.  Do that at 5000 rpm and you will 
probably drive straight to your chiropractor to get your neck re-adjusted! :>)

It looks beautiful (all polished aluminum) but you might as well put the 
rear-view mirror in the glovebox for all it will do for you.  Tuning is 
almost impossible too.  Strictly show-car stuff.

Side-draft carbs are great for in-line engines, but make zero sense to me for 
a V-engine unless they are forced to use them for hood clearance issues 
(Ferrari 365 GTC/4, Lambo Espada, etc.)

Mike