Sunbeam Alpine: The Club Weber Carb and Curved Inlet Manifold

This video showcases the 'Club Weber Carb and Curved manifold set up' developed for the Sunbeam Alpine and sold by Alpine Innovations in the U.K. (We have no connection to Alpine Innovations and paid full list price for all of our carburettors). The video shows how this set up improves every aspect of the car's performance and details the history behind it. This high performance system makes the cars smoother, faster and more powerful than any of the original carburettor arrangements fitted to Alpines by Rootes. When accurately measured and independently tested in 'real world' conditions it is clear that the fuel economy is increased by so much that the 'Club Weber' will quickly pay for itself.
Most 1960s British cars OVER read on the speedo and UNDER read on the odometer, to get 100% accurate data we measured the actual speeds and distances exactly with a tracker.

[@carlitoramos1820]

a very informative topic. i have one sunbeam series 3 here in the phillippines which i also converted into weber carb. and it did performed very well now unlike the old carb .
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[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

Carlito, your experience matches everyone else’s. The Club Weber Carb set up really changes the car for the better. The curved manifold makes a HUGE difference compared to the old ‘log’ style one.

[@nickraymond135]

Best performance modification for an Alpine. Love mine! I previously had a Weber 32/36 and before that the original Series IV solex. Although the ex Ford Weber was an improvement on the solex it wasn’t nearly as good as the Club Weber.
Love Alpine innovations wooden dashboard too..! 👌👌👌

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

Nick, I agree. It was seeing the difference it made on your car that persuaded me to do this on my own Alpine.

[@MrAtheHun]

Thanks for the videos, they are much appreciated. I have this Webcon set up (from Alpine Solutions) on my 1725cc Alpine engined Sunbeam Rapier Series 3 Conv. . Everything you say matches perfectly my experience. Thanks again.

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

It truly does transform the car. We first bought Alpi in 1983 and have had various carburettor set-ups on her over the years but the curved manifold 'club weber' set up is in a different league to everything else that we have tried.

[@paulhighley5695]

Hi I was looking at this the other day, now you have explained it i will definitely be purchasing this kit.

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

Paul, you won't be disappointed.

[@glennbrackenridge6482]

I really like the spoken commentary, congratulations on a great job

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

Glenn, I’m glad you enjoyed the video.

[@keithgarland3404]

Watched a number of your earlier videos, very thorough restoration work, fantastic outcome, although I found them a little strange with no audio, I enjoyed this video, including the audio.

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

Hi Keith, glad that you enjoyed the video. We were trying to focus people on the information in the video, that was why we tried making videos with no volume. Most of the videos have audio now.

[@keithgarland3404]

@@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel okay, thanks for your reply, I must say that your restoration of the red alpine was superb , how did you know about all the products you used?

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

@@keithgarland3404 We use a lot of Bilt Hamber products and also products from Rustbusters and Eastwood. All of them are really helpful companies. We know about them from previous use and recommendation from others.

[@bobspeller2225]

That's a great and straight forward report on a Webcon solution. They have an option for my Triumph Stag. I my consider this now. Thank you. Bob

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

If you fit the Weber DGV together with the curved manifold that Alpine Innovations supply it absolutely transforms an Alpine.

[@eddiezetlein6582]

Great video Tim. When we started out with this project back in 2009, it was on a whim. We had no idea where it would lead or if it would be successful. It nearly got shelved at one point. But looking at the feedback since it went on the market, I'm glad we persisted with it. Driving my car for the first time, with the full house kit on it, was one of a few Golden moments I've had with my car in the 47 years I've owned it. I knew there and then that we'd nailed it.................

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

Eddie, you and the others who developed this did a superb job. It is a shame that Rootes didn’t have this back in the 1960s because it would have changed the way that the Alpine is perceived.

[@eddiezetlein6582]

I think Rootes would have sold many more and the hairdressers car image would never have been mentioned in the press articles of the day. It was the Alpine that civilised the British sports car to make it more enjoyable to drive, it just needed that bit more poke.

[@postwar46]

Thank you for this presentation. It is most informative with genuine authority. It's great to see the facts presented in level terms. I have long run a 28/36 DCD Weber realising also that unlike the Stromberg and SU carburettors, the throttle spindle is the only part that sustains wear. In Australia the Solex carburettor was sometimes discarded altogether. What you said about the 'log' manifold I have experienced first hand on my own car, regarding mixture differences between 1/4 & 2/3; also the pools of fuel and the questionable position of the fuel drain. I corresponded with Jerome in 2014 when rebuilding the 1725cc motor in my own car which is a daily driver. I removed the AC mechanical pump at the time and replaced it with an electric pump sited near the tank with 5-7 psi delivery pressure. Thanks again for the explanations and rationale. The kit is expensive but at some time in the future I will probably make the change and fit it.

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

We have Jerome’s Club Weber Carb set up on two of our Alpines. We do a lot of miles in our Alpines, 350 miles in a day is regular and occasionally we do 1,000 miles in a week. The mpg is always high 30s and our best ever was 42mpg. That gives 400 miles from a tankful. With such a massive improvement the Carb set up paid for itself in no time plus it is fit and forget as it just stays in tune and never needs touching.

[@AndrewODBooth]

Great video as always! I have the club kit on my Series II, with a K&N filter on top, which came with the car when I bought it last year. I have wondered about fitting the forced induction parts. I have a slight cough and splutter at low revs (when pulling out of junctions for example), so I wonder if it needs tuning?

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

Andrew, we often find ourselves stuck in traffic so we like the forced induction as it helps to keep things cool as well as increasing power. If you have a cough/splutter it is probably a minor tuning issue. We put our cars on a rolling road to get them set up originally, after that you shouldn’t need to touch them.

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

Andrew, I’ve been thinking about your problem and it is unusual. Normally the carb works perfectly with no problems at all. Perhaps you should call Alpine Innovations and explain the problem. I have always found them very helpful when I’ve dealt with them in the past.

[@eddiezetlein6582]

Probably wants a strip and clean and check the jetting over. There is nothing to tune except idle mixture, you screw the air screw in or out to get maximum rpm on tickover. Best position is usually 1.5 turns out from fully screwed in. It is possible you haven't got the club jetting and its still ex-Ford unless you know the history of the carburettor. The infamous low speed stumble gives it away.

[@AndrewODBooth]

We just advanced the timing a few degrees and now it runs great. Pretty much instant response and it goes like a bat out of hell. Great run around the North Yorks moors on Sunday as part of the SAOC National, and run a smooth as a billiard table!

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

@@AndrewODBooth Andy, it is the best improvement you can make to an Alpine!

[@user-jn3oe3ci9d]

Just about to fit one of these to my Commer pb

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

You won’t be disappointed, the curved manifold makes an amazing difference.

[@user-jn3oe3ci9d]

@@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel just needs some fettling due to the lack of engine bay space in the commer

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

@@user-jn3oe3ci9d Time to get creative to make some space!

[@1htalp9]

I have a similar setup with the Club intake, but a 38/38 DGES, so my economy is not as good as yours... but my performance a bit better? My motor has been heavily modified, with flat top pistons, stroked crankshaft, bored .060 over, 10.1: 1 compression, S2 cam, big valves, ported and polished head. Intake also polished and opened to fit 38mm venturis. It's a bit of a screamer, actually. I love the setup... way better than the CD150's.

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

It is definitely the curved manifold that makes the difference in driveability.

[@1htalp9]

@@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel My machinist advised me it was the best option of what is readily available.👍

[@oldguyrc6983]

I live in America where can I get to club Weber carburetor

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

Contact Jerome at Alpine Innovations, they ship worldwide.

[@brenthayes411]

I have 2 alpines where can I purchase this total kit and how much money​@@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

@@brenthayes411 the company that sells the curved manifold and twin choke Weber set up is called Alpine Innovations. They are an excellent source of Alpine parts. You can find them on the internet. I don’t know what the current cost is. Best Wishes.

[@nkelly.9]

If you spend x dollars you will save x dollars.
Gotta do lots of miles to make this worthwhile.
Most Alpines don't do enough miles.
Good for the planet however and that is reason enough.

[@TheSunbeamAlpineChannel]

You will be surprised how quickly it pays for itself but it is not just about the miles per gallon, the car is so different to drive once you fit this. It brings the car to life.