HS2's on a 1500...good, bad or ugly?????

[Donzi]

I recently purchased my first LBC, a '75 Midget, and I'm trying to learn as much as possible about it. From what I can gather, it was supposed to be equipped with a single Stromberg, but it has twin SU's, 1 1/4", the best I can tell they are HS2's. I have a receipt where the PO had them installed, used. I cleaned and adjusted them, and it runs fairly well right now, but I am wondering if these carbs are enough for the 1500cc? Other than the carbs, it seems to be bone stock. Would the Stromberg be better if I can pick one up fairly inexpensively? And also, did the Stromberg operate with just an accelerator cable or linkage?

thanks

 

[Bugeye58]

The European 1500's came with a pair of HS2's. We got the single Stromberg here to meet emissions standards. The HS2 setup will generally outperform the single Stromberg, all other things being equal.
Additionally, you get to experience all of the joy of synchronizing the twins, and doing all the other fun things with the SU's.
The SCCA requires that the 1500 use either a single Stromberg 150, or a single SU HS4. I run the HS4, but if they ever change the rules to let me run two, I'll be there in a heartbeat!
Jeff

 

[Gary Lloyd]

People say bad things about SU's but they are usually just people who don't know any better!! If you SU's are in decent shape, and you have the tools, you can set them up in 30 min.!! Read this little article and it is as simple as it sounds!! https://www.mgbexperience.com/service/su-tune.html

 

[tony barnhill]

I've got an intake to fit a single SU carb to a 1275!

 

[Donzi]

thanks for the quick replies, guys. You've answered my questions. I'll stick with the SU's.

 

[Mark Jones]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Bugeye58:
The European 1500's came with a pair of HS2's. We got the single Stromberg here to meet emissions standards. The HS2 setup will generally outperform the single Stromberg, all other things being equal.<hr></blockquote>

Jeff,

Didn't Midgets come with HS4's from the beginning of the 1500 engine in the UK? I have a 80 Spitfire (along with my 73 MGB GT) which is now sporting a twin HS4 setup off a 76 Spitfire 1500.

 

[aeronca65t]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Mark Jones:
[QB]

Jeff,

Didn't Midgets come with HS4's from the beginning of the 1500 engine in the UK? QB]<hr></blockquote>


Correct. According to my shop manual, Euro-Midgets and Euro-Spits had HS4s on 1500s.

Just for the record, I'm racing my 1500 with a single S&S Harley carb.

Here's the factory spec page for Euro 1500 Spits:

https://www.xs4all.nl/~ekieboom/spit/spit75_11.jpg

 

[tony barnhill]

So, I guess my intake is a Euro model for either one HS4 or one SU?

 

[aeronca65t]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by tony barnhill:
So, I guess my intake is a Euro model for either one HS4 or one SU?<hr></blockquote>

With single carb, that's very likely a stock Mini manifold (or possible Austin America/1300).

 

[SilentUnicorn]

are twin carb (SU) intakes avaliable sure would be neat to put a pair of inch and a halfs on my motor

 

[Mark Jones]

There are several US vendors offering the UK setup for the 1500 engine, or you can do as I did and order it diectly from the UK. TSI and Quantum are two US vendors that come to mind.

 

[SilentUnicorn]

Thanx...tsi has one.. looks just like the manifold on my a....hmmmmm

 

[William]

The nice thing about going to twin carbs is you can do it piecemeal. Found a good manifold? Buy it. Scored only one SU at the swap meet? Buy it and start cleaning it up. The next one will pop up soon enough!
-William

 

[Gary Lloyd]

Yah, but you do realize that SU's are supposed to be a matched set, right?? Oh, they do wear out too!! I don't think I would do it like that, but it may work just fine for you!! GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Bugeye58]

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa! I really meant to type "HS4's" instead of "HS2's"
I guess I was thinking of the post regarding the changing to HS2's from the original H-1's
Sorry 'bout that!
Jeff

 

[kmcormick9]

i have dual 1.5 inch SUs on my 1500. the biggest problem i have had is finding some sort of air cleaner that will fit.

 

[SilentUnicorn]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by GTsRFine:
1. Mechspec (Britain) offers a pretty good deal on intakes/carbs for the 1500.
2. Dump that god-awful exhaust manifold while you are at it. Get a good header.
3. On the Midget 1500s you might have to "adjust" the inner fender well to allow room for engine torque motion. Those HS4 tubes stick down pretty far.<hr></blockquote>

ADJUST?......i take that to mean "install clearance"?

a good header would be nice...i am not at all very happy with the pacesetter i currently have. i firmly belive an engine should breath. and i feel a stock exhaust is a bit restrictive. But i dont want an obnoxious tone , but any thing would have to be better than a stock system, even a single cherry bomb might be ok.

i will look for a link to Mechspec

ty
Mark

 

[GTsRFine]

1. Mechspec (Britain) offers a pretty good deal on intakes/carbs for the 1500.
2. Dump that god-awful exhaust manifold while you are at it. Get a good header.
3. On the Midget 1500s you might have to "adjust" the inner fender well to allow room for engine torque motion. Those HS4 tubes stick down pretty far.