Carburetor question

[Jim11h]

Powertrain is dead so.........

Is Willys really worth the money or their marketing that much better?APD and KB shops hour or less from home. Other builders out there as well. Is anyone certain brand making more power? Whats the difference?

Also willys superbowl, any real knowledge behind it? Looks and sounds enticing!

[billetbirdcage]

SuperBowl:

I'm going to give a brief summary of the advantage it can have. Normal needle and seat type carbs spray fuel under pressure above the fuel level in the bowl, so think of spraying a garden hose with your finger over the end of the hose so it high pressure into a bucket of water. See how the spraying water aerates the water into a foam? (This will be an over simplification of how a Superbowl works) A super bowl works more like this, take a bucket (fuel bowl) and put the hose in the bucket below the water level and turn hose on full blast and drill a hole in the side of the bucket at the level you want the bucket to fill to (fuel level in bowl) and let it overflow out the level hole back to the tank. See how the water isn't aerated like spraying water in the bucket under high pressure? This allows the engine to get consistent fuel metering when under high demand and make better power from more consistent air/fuel mix and is way way safer for the engine because its getting 100% fuel and not 80% fuel and 20% air mix.

Now the question is do you need one? that depends on how much demand you are putting on the engine, if your running high HP engine and wide open a lot then there is some benefit for sure. However if your using a lower powered engine or race on slick tracks where your not using a ton of throttle, then the benefit isn't there or very small.

There are some things that have to be done right for a super bowl to work correctly. First you need a larger return line and one that doesn't have the convolutions inside the hose (must be smooth inner surface) and you need a larger vent/roll over valve (this is a must or you will have issues).

[Jim11h]

Appreciate explanation, makes perfect sense. I've seen described as fuel injection thru natural aspiration among other things. Does the system allow better throttle response due to less aeration? Starts and restart beneficial or even in slick where control important?

Edit: your explanation leads me to think the fuel is consistent and why it would have better response etc..

As always appreciate info bulletin & others

[billetbirdcage]

Honestly it's not likely to help on restarts when there is no high fuel demand to aerate the fuel or G forces to try and uncover a jet from aerated fuel. Now once racing it could/should help but has to be situation where demand was high enough to cause aeration or enough G force to enable an issue.

We use the super bowls and love them but can't say restarts will be better

[EvelB7]

Personally started using super bowls about 5 years ago, first on limited late model. After initial issue with venting the fuel cell properly (listen to Willy, when he says no restriction in return line, extra vent, etc. he means it) I prefer it over anything else. We use on 604, 525, and limited-throttle response is spot on, rough race tracks not an issue, etc. When at the track, Willy will go above and beyond to help if you have an issue (if he is there), always has been good to answer the phone if needed as well. I will say I do not see a ton of power difference on the dyno, so it is not the only good piece out there. The super bowl part can be added to 'others' metering blocks and bases, know people who have done this as well and run very successfully.

[Jking24]

I have no personal experience with the super bowl but they certainly can have an advantage on a rough racetrack or as billet stated in high demand situations. The issue i have with them is the amount of fuel flow and venting required is a safety issue in my opinion. I don't know for certain but i would suspect that Brian Shirleys fire at Volusia was greatly contributed to by this. I've dealt with kb for years and he is one of the best carburetor guys out their especially with gas or alcohol. His customer support is very good aswell. So long as you have thick skin lol(he's very blunt and to the point). His pricing on service and rebuilds is very fair and he'll work on anything. I currently have a willys equalizer carb with standard bowls because that's who my engine builder uses. It is a very nice carburetor drives super smooth and i love it. I was not a believer in the equalizer concept when i heard about it but i have been converted. My carb was built for my engine then balanced on the dyno to my engine. It doesn't necessarily make more power overall but the cylinder to cylinder balance is way better which always equates to a happier and longer living engine. I've been at this for awhile now close to 30 years in total and have been directly involved with the engine program of every team I've ever been associated with. The plugs that come out of my current combo are the most balanced and consistent looking plugs from cylinder to cylinder that I've ever seen. It was expensive though but if my ever is happier it will pay for itself.