S11 109, do Parabolic Springs really make a difference - Land Rovers Only

Marc Baker · 05-23-2005, 06:33 AM

I live in Tanzania and own a 300TDI 130, 200TDI Disco and have just aquired a 1976 2.25 Petrol 109. I am in the process of turning the 109 into a bush vehicle and want to know a number of things.

1. Do Parabolic springs really make a difference? If so how can I buy then and get them to Tanzania??
2. Will fitting a weber carb improve mpg or should I stick with the Zenith unit? What are the costs for a weber in the Uk?

Many thanks in advance..

Marc.

Moeras · 05-23-2005, 09:05 AM

marc

A webber carb (36dcd) is the best conversion you can do on that enjin mate.
Somwhere inthe Series treads there is a tread on the Webber conversion, take a look. all that did it got better power and more Economy.

Greg S · 05-23-2005, 11:45 PM

Marc,
Answer #1 YES! Why on earth anyone would want to have regular springs is beyond my understanding. For Rocky Mountain, read this http://www.wiseowlparts.com/Catalogue/springs.html

You will notice they have suppliers in Africa. They also ship world wide.

#2, my experience with Weber is dismal. Wouldn't give you the time of day for one. (Note, I am currently running with one. Haven't got a replacement Zenith yet.)

Greg S
1970 109 SW
2.25 Petrol
Rocky Mountain Parabolic Springs

jozg44 · 05-24-2005, 01:38 PM

I don't have any experience with parabolics myself, but from what I've read they work as long as the rest of the suspension is upgraded with the springs. Since the self-damping action of the leaf springs is removed, you need uprated shock absorbers otherwise you get a very bumpy, jolting ride.

You may need longer brake lines to cope with the increased articulation. Most suppliers will do a kit with all the springs, shock absorbers, brake pipes, bushes etc. etc.

Jack

bhodisatva · 05-24-2005, 03:55 PM

The parabolic conversion is one of the best things you can do to a series rover, doubly so if you fit gas shocks as well.

As for the weber carb i wouldn't give it the time of day let alone engine space, stick with the Zenith, easily repaired and overhauled and the petrol consumption is only marginally worse than the weber.

Series 3 guy · 05-25-2005, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhodisatva

The parabolic conversion is one of the best things you can do to a series rover, doubly so if you fit gas shocks as well.

As for the weber carb i wouldn't give it the time of day let alone engine space, stick with the Zenith, easily repaired and overhauled and the petrol consumption is only marginally worse than the weber.

I could not agree more!!! I had a Weber in my last 88 and I HATED IT with every ounce of my being it.Weber is too overrated in my opinion.The Zenith is a much better option for all around servicing and the like!!

Buckle · 05-25-2005, 06:00 AM

My last 88 had parabolics. Fitted them myself from British Springs. I replaced all the shackle bolts and U-bolts etc. but that was it. Used the original shocks, brake hoses with no problem. It will obviously depend on how the springs have been manufactured as to whether you will get away with that but mine worked no worries.

Best improvement to a series Landy - wish my current light weight had them!

As to the carb - only ever had diesels and haven`t manged to get the damn webber to work on them yet!

Kevin · 05-27-2005, 12:39 PM

I'm using a Weber 36dcd on my 2a (but fitted with a Chev 4.1 6 cyl). I've no experience with the Zenith so I can't give a comparison. What I can say is that you have to experiment with the jets and air jets and venturis on the Weber. There is a average setting combination but that is only a guideline. I've altered my main and secondary jets a number of times and enlarged the venturis to a point where they don't fall into the range of what the guidelines say and I've now got decent consumption and power. One or two small changes to make on the secondary side still to do.

So before fitting a Weber make sure there are jets and venturis available. Locally the jets can be bought at R10 so making changes is not too expensive. Venturis come in a bit pricier at R90.

So if you go for a Weber be prepared to expirement. Remember the important thing about the Weber is that the the only variable adjustment with the screws etc is for the setting at idle. Beyond that only changing jets etc. changes performance and economy.

Envy you in Tanzania. We are trying our utmost to save up to visit there.

TerryS · 05-28-2005, 04:25 AM

Our present 2A has a Weber on it, and it's performance sucks. It will not stay adjusted more than a day or so and I can't wait to pitch it.
This seems to be the most overated upgrade I've heard of, so many who are selling their series truck use it as a sales point, but in fact, maybe if they had kept it stock, they wouldn't be selling the truck to begin with.
I had the best luck with Zenith, but used a Carter on my first 2A.
Our series 3 has a single barrel Holley and started up and idles nicely the other day. First time it's run in many years.

05-23-2005, 06:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Marc Baker Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1 Gallery: 0	S11 109, do Parabolic Springs really make a difference I live in Tanzania and own a 300TDI 130, 200TDI Disco and have just aquired a 1976 2.25 Petrol 109. I am in the process of turning the 109 into a bush vehicle and want to know a number of things. 1. Do Parabolic springs really make a difference? If so how can I buy then and get them to Tanzania?? 2. Will fitting a weber carb improve mpg or should I stick with the Zenith unit? What are the costs for a weber in the Uk? Many thanks in advance.. Marc.

05-23-2005, 09:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Moeras Profesional Hunter Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: On the banks of the Great Grey-Green Greasy Limpopo River (Rudyard Kipling 1902) Posts: 442 Gallery: 0	marc A webber carb (36dcd) is the best conversion you can do on that enjin mate. Somwhere inthe Series treads there is a tread on the Webber conversion, take a look. all that did it got better power and more Economy. __________________ Moeras ’74 SIII 88” 345 000 Miles & still going strong! Reality - an illusion caused by the lack of alcohol in the blood.

05-24-2005, 03:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
bhodisatva Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London UK Posts: 107 Gallery: 0	The parabolic conversion is one of the best things you can do to a series rover, doubly so if you fit gas shocks as well. As for the weber carb i wouldn't give it the time of day let alone engine space, stick with the Zenith, easily repaired and overhauled and the petrol consumption is only marginally worse than the weber. __________________

05-25-2005, 06:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
Buckle Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Salisbury, England Posts: 39 Gallery: 0	Parabolics My last 88 had parabolics. Fitted them myself from British Springs. I replaced all the shackle bolts and U-bolts etc. but that was it. Used the original shocks, brake hoses with no problem. It will obviously depend on how the springs have been manufactured as to whether you will get away with that but mine worked no worries. Best improvement to a series Landy - wish my current light weight had them! As to the carb - only ever had diesels and haven`t manged to get the damn webber to work on them yet! __________________ Buckle `66 Light Weight

05-27-2005, 12:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kevin Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ex Rhodie in South Africa Posts: 93 Gallery: 1	Weber Carb I'm using a Weber 36dcd on my 2a (but fitted with a Chev 4.1 6 cyl). I've no experience with the Zenith so I can't give a comparison. What I can say is that you have to experiment with the jets and air jets and venturis on the Weber. There is a average setting combination but that is only a guideline. I've altered my main and secondary jets a number of times and enlarged the venturis to a point where they don't fall into the range of what the guidelines say and I've now got decent consumption and power. One or two small changes to make on the secondary side still to do. So before fitting a Weber make sure there are jets and venturis available. Locally the jets can be bought at R10 so making changes is not too expensive. Venturis come in a bit pricier at R90. So if you go for a Weber be prepared to expirement. Remember the important thing about the Weber is that the the only variable adjustment with the screws etc is for the setting at idle. Beyond that only changing jets etc. changes performance and economy. Envy you in Tanzania. We are trying our utmost to save up to visit there.

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05-23-2005, 11:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Greg S Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Duncan, B.C. Canada. Posts: 145 Gallery: 0	Marc, Answer #1 YES! Why on earth anyone would want to have regular springs is beyond my understanding. For Rocky Mountain, read this http://www.wiseowlparts.com/Catalogue/springs.html You will notice they have suppliers in Africa. They also ship world wide. #2, my experience with Weber is dismal. Wouldn't give you the time of day for one. (Note, I am currently running with one. Haven't got a replacement Zenith yet.) Greg S 1970 109 SW 2.25 Petrol Rocky Mountain Parabolic Springs

05-24-2005, 01:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
jozg44 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 222 Gallery: 0	I don't have any experience with parabolics myself, but from what I've read they work as long as the rest of the suspension is upgraded with the springs. Since the self-damping action of the leaf springs is removed, you need uprated shock absorbers otherwise you get a very bumpy, jolting ride. You may need longer brake lines to cope with the increased articulation. Most suppliers will do a kit with all the springs, shock absorbers, brake pipes, bushes etc. etc. Jack

05-28-2005, 04:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
TerryS Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bloomfield, CT If I died today, I lived there all my life. Posts: 2,234 Gallery: 0	Our present 2A has a Weber on it, and it's performance sucks. It will not stay adjusted more than a day or so and I can't wait to pitch it. This seems to be the most overated upgrade I've heard of, so many who are selling their series truck use it as a sales point, but in fact, maybe if they had kept it stock, they wouldn't be selling the truck to begin with. I had the best luck with Zenith, but used a Carter on my first 2A. Our series 3 has a single barrel Holley and started up and idles nicely the other day. First time it's run in many years.

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