Weber DCOE 40, Dellorto DHLA 40, and Mikuni/Solex PHH40 are very similar and fit the same manifolds. There are just about equal, with some minor advantages to each.

* Weber DCOE is the favorite of american users
* Dellorto DLHA was sold by Nissan Competition. It was fitted to the Datsun 1200 SSS, so seems to be the favorite of kiwis
* Mikuni/Solex is the favorite of japan enthusiasts, and was standard equipment on the hottest JDM models

Your choice, as there really is no wrong choice here. If buying used, make sure that they are in good condition and are a matched set.

You don't want SUs. You want a Datsun factory setup with factory manifold, linkage, heat shield and twin Hitachi HJE38W carburetors. They are very similar to SUs.

* A12GX setup
* A12T setup

There is also an A14T setup which looks similar, but it is more complicated and has lower performance than the A12T/GX setups. It would be best for a stock (unmodified) A14 or A15.

The other things to consider are choke sizes and jetting.

Although these are mentioned quite casually they are probably the most expensive things second to the value of the carbs themselves. The closer you can get them to suit your application the less you have to spend later on getting the jetting right.

So, after reading the above posts, it seems like it is possible to, in my case, possibly convert to using SU's maybe?. Obviously as stated in above posts, a heap of good advice and procedures to consider in doing this properly though. It sounds like they are of high maintainance to correct and run properly (maybe that's part of the fun?)

I'm interested in doing this as a project though.

Are there any clips out there on A12's with SU's I should have a look at, I really like all of the different things you can do with Datsuns but I reckon, just in my case/preference, I'd like an SU setup over some of the more I guess, cooler, more powerfull things out there.

SU style carbs on the A12 and A14 were a factory option. Of course you can convert to SU's . You can convert to any carb under the sun provided it is suitable to the application.

Twin Carbed Factory A12GX

Quote:

setting up carbs shouldn't be expensive:

There's a good deal there isn't there? But (in most cases) they are still the most expensive second to the purchase of the carbs (jets, venturis, chokes etc).

Fat chance finding a place in Adelaide that will do it for those prices. In fact last quotes I got were double/triple that just for the session and basic tune (rolling road). DIY I say.

That bloke must sleep well at night. Do those prices still stand now? 10 years later?

He was the best carb guy in the country, but he's retired now. The young fella who worked for him for years took over the business. I'd expect it to be a bit more expensive 10yrs on, but nowhere near double or triple! I haven't messed around with carbs since then. But the reason I posted the pic all those years ago was the same - people saying how expensive carbs are to setup...

I think perhaps if we properly defined setup then there'll be a clearer discussion.

You've obviously had a good run. I think if there were more twin carbed DCOE,DHLA,PHH then places can afford to be cheaper but when you get a handful in over the year then perhaps that's reason enough to charge more. After all there are a million EFI models lined up that they would prefer to tune via hand-piece PC and cables.

Most people buy two DCOE carbs on their own thinking they are cheaper. They don't realise the additional costs of manifolds, filters, soft-mounts, linkages, jetting etc.

Just be aware of the additional costs, because on top of those costs are the tuning costs as mentioned above.

yeah, find a carb specialist rather than a random dyno tuner who who has barely touched carbs in the last 10yrs (Holley 4bbl's excepted).

best bet is to talk to your local rally club and find who the old school Dattos and Escorts use.