Alpine Innovations Weber Carb Conversion

[63alpine]

Hey all

I don't post very often and I guess I can't put anything in the "Stock" Alpine thread anymore. After years of unreliability and below average performance I finally bit the bullet and purchased the full curved manifold, Weber carb, and K&N filter conversion kit from Jerome at Alpine Innovations UK, to replace my twin Zenith 36WIP setup. I had wanted to keep the car as original as possible but after spending a small fortune having the Zeniths professionally rebuilt they still ran poorly. I'm sure other people have a different experience with them but I had lost all confidence and wanted to enjoy driving a reliable car again.

Jerome was excellent to work with. The kit was I'd say fairly complex to install but what a huge difference it has made. I've put about 100 miles on the car since the install, all the issues I had previously have completely gone, and the car performs better than ever. Although I am still a purist at heart I highly recommend this upgrade/conversion for anyone struggling to keep their car running smoothly and reliably.

It's been 5 years since we last had the car at a show (2019 Tartan Day South in Columbia SC). I hope to see you on the road or at an event in or near Central Florida soon.

 

[Alpine Addict]

Bring to Columbia next month!!

 

[hopsedge]

I too have recently converted to the AI carb & manifold, and will heartily agree with 63alpine. Jerome is outstanding, and my ‘67 has never run better under my ownership.

 

[63alpine]

Bring to Columbia next month!!

I’d love to but it’s a bit far. I will be at the Central Florida British car show in Sanford, FL on 4/6. Got lots of polishing to do until then

 

[puff4]

Don't feel bad... I spent literally YEARS trying to get my Zenith-Strombergs to work properly, and I should know how to do it - I've had 4 decades of British tuning under my belt... but I could never get them to run properly either. Heck, I even bought brand new ones in the UK when I was working over there and they were still available new... I installed those, and it STILL ran like a pig. So, yeah... they're crap. Jerome's setup is first rate, so drive it and be happy.

 

[spmdr]

65+ year old Zenith carbs, what's not to like? (try to keep the list limited)

I have been dealing with them for decades also.

I have had reasonable success with those carbs.

BUT, if you really want your Alpine to run good,

consider these AI parts.

For a more Performance oriented Alpine, I would suggest a Weber 38/38 DGAS type

carb to go on the AI intake.

DW

 

[Tim R]

We have the AI conversion on two of our Alpines. I cannot fault the set up, it is better in every way and is so much more economical that it pays for itself amazingly quickly.
Tim R

 

[jdoclogan]

DW, I totally agree. Hopefully, when I get to the Dyno tests that I want to do for my numbers matching Harrington Le Mans engine. The comparison between 32/36 and 38/38 will become more enlightened. By the seat of the pants I would say, "Yes" to the 38/38. Getting such a setup would require having Jerome provide a 38/38 with the intake or just obtain the intake manifold and purchase a 38/38 from numerous sources online.
Note: One can use the original Rootes single Solex downdraft manifold.


I had a great conversation with Jerome two summers (2022) ago at the Sunbeam spares meet (swap meet).

 

[mxp01]

I installed the Pierce manifold on my Weber and plumbed my air duct the same way as the photos above and my carb is acting like its starving for air. If I was trying to give the car any more over 1/3 throttle it would stumble all over its self.

I did a little bit of process of elimination. Running the car with the manifold installed without any air duct hooked up, it ran as if I had the regular weber air cleaner installed. As soon as I hooked up the 3" air duct with K&N filter the car would stumble on throttle.

Anyone else running this set up have issues?

 

[DAVID LAWLER]

I installed the Pierce manifold on my Weber and plumbed my air duct the same way as the photos above and my carb is acting like its starving for air. If I was trying to give the car any more over 1/3 throttle it would stumble all over its self.

I did a little bit of process of elimination. Running the car with the manifold installed without any air duct hooked up, it ran as if I had the regular weber air cleaner installed. As soon as I hooked up the 3" air duct with K&N filter the car would stumble on throttle.

Anyone else running this set up have issues?

Cade,

I am in the process of installing the exact same set up with the remote air duct and filter in my Series IV. Unfortunately this car has only run once earlier this year for about a minute and for the first time in 40 years. Then it was on a separate gas tank and a pair of Strombergs. The intervening time has been spent on getting everything else in good operational condition. If the Sunbeams Gods are with me, I expect to have this set up in proper operation by the end of the month and will let you know what I find out. It certainly appears to be an excellent set up. Please keep reporting any thing else that you find relevant to the operation.

Dave Lawler

 

[bkasl]

What is the big difference between this manifold and the popular S4 that many have used with Weber 32/36?

 

[husky drvr]

What is the big difference between this manifold and the popular S4

Image from Pierce Manifolds web site catalog:

https://cdn4.volusion.store/gcskg-upyhc/v/vspfiles/photos/99004.899C-2.jpg?v-cache=1597312485

Biggest difference is the angularity of the cylinder runners vs. the O/E manifold's straight runners. Other differences for mounting Weber vs. Solex carbs. Performance differences - unknown due lack of found data.

Hope this is helpful,

 

[puff4]

This manifold greatly reduces the condensation of the gasoline and resulting erratic running inherent in the other manifolds, and consequently increases the performance and economy in good measure.

 

[husky drvr]

This manifold

Kevin,

Just for clarity, are you commenting on the "A-I" manifold or the different "Pierce" manifold set-up mxp01 asked about in post #9?

Just curious,

 

[puff4]

Kevin,

Just for clarity, are you commenting on the "A-I" manifold or the different "Pierce" manifold set-up mxp01 asked about in post #9?

Just curious,

The Pierce... as well as all the similar Rootes 'log' manifolds. They simply don't work, IMHO.

 

[mxp01]

When I chimed in on this thread I was talking about the Pierce manifold that sits on top of the weber and allows for pipe to be duct to the front of the car to grab cooler air.

As for the manifold in the link above. I do have that installed and I don't have any complaints. By inspecting spark plugs it does not appear that I have any cylinders running leaner or richer than another. So I wouldn't say it doesn't work.

 

[63alpine]

I think what made me finally decide to switch was the number of different manifold/carb combinations Rootes tried over the years. I don’t think they ever got it right. Originally is important in preserving our cars but I believe this is where Rootes would have gone with more development. My car is starting and running better than ever so I can now enjoy driving the pants off it again. That’s the most important thing to me.

 

[husky drvr]

The Pierce... as well as all the similar Rootes 'log' manifolds. They simply don't work, IMHO.

Kevin,

I agree with this statement. The A-I design is a better choice.

Thank you,