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44-514: The Maserati Merak ( Tipo AM122 ) is a mid-engined 2+2 sports car produced by Maserati between 1972 and 1983. The Merak was closely related to the Maserati Bora , sharing part of its structure and body panels, but was powered by a 3.0 L V6 in place of the latter's 4.7 L V8 . The extra cabin space gained by fitting a smaller and more compact powertrain was used to carve out a second row of seats—suitable for children or very small adults—making

88-523: A 38% Value Added Tax (VAT) against the usual 19% VAT. The Merak's competitors were similar two-litre models, specifically the Urraco P200 and Dino 208 GT4. The Merak 2000 GT featured a 1,999 cc (122.0 cu in) engine rated at 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 186 N⋅m (137 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm, obtained by de-stroking and de-boring the V6 to 80x66.3 mm. Colour choice

132-428: A Weber carburetor, intake manifold or manifold adapter, throttle linkage, air filter, and all of the hardware needed for installation on a vehicle. Weber carburetors are marked with a model code on the mounting flange, the body, or on the cover of the float chamber. This begins with a number which originally indicated the diameter (in millimetres) of the throttle bore, but later lost this significance. If this number has

176-402: A conversion kit for Fiats . Weber pioneered the use of two-stage twin-barrel carburetors, with two venturis of different sizes (the smaller one for low-speed/rpm running and the larger one optimised for high-speed/rpm use). In the 1930s, Weber began producing twin-barrel carburetors for motor racing , where two barrels of the same size were used. These were arranged so that each cylinder of

220-492: A front-engine or rear-engine car. When the engine is in front of the driver, but fully behind the front axle line, the layout is sometimes called a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, or FMR layout instead of the less-specific term front-engine; and can be considered a subset of the latter. In-vehicle layout, FMR is substantially the same as FR, but handling differs as a result of the difference in weight distribution. Some vehicles could be classified as FR or FMR depending on

264-516: A higher 9:1 compression ratio. The SS was recognizable from a black grille between the pop-up headlights. A Maserati-designed upper fascia with round instruments and a four-spoke steering wheel replaced the previous SM-derived interior. Later cars were bestowed with the full driver-oriented dashboard and three-spoke padded steering wheel of the Maserati Bora. The US-spec version of the Merak SS also saw

308-453: A problem in some cars, but this issue seems to have been largely solved in newer designs. For example, the Saleen S7 employs large engine-compartment vents on the sides and rear of the bodywork to help dissipate heat from its very high-output engine. Mid-engined cars are more dangerous than front-engined cars if the driver loses control - although this may be initially harder to provoke due to

352-405: A progressive and controllable manner as the tires lose traction. Super, sport, and race cars frequently have a mid-engined layout, as these vehicles' handling characteristics are more important than other requirements, such as usable space. In dedicated sports cars, a weight distribution of about 50% front and rear is frequently pursued, to optimise the vehicle's driving dynamics – a target that

396-763: A return to traditional hydraulics, eliminating the last of the Citroën high pressure system. 1000 units of the SS had been made by 1983, when the Merak was discontinued. In November 1977 at the Turin Auto Show Alejandro de Tomaso presented the Merak 2000 GT ( Tipo AM122/D ), basically a Merak with a smaller two-litre powerplant. It was built almost exclusively for the Italian market, where a newly introduced law strongly penalized cars with engine capacity over 2,000 cc by subjecting them to

440-447: A single pair of digits, both chokes are of the same diameter and operate together; if it has two pairs of digits separated by a stroke (e.g. 28/36), there are primary and secondary chokes that are opened one after the other, usually of differing diameter. These numbers are followed by a group of letters, which indicate various features: the DCOE is a sidedraft unit, all others being downdraft;

484-401: A vehicle safer since an accident can occur if a vehicle cannot stay in its own lane around a curve or is unable to stop quickly enough. Mid-engine design is also a way to provide additional empty crush space in the front of the automobile between the bumper and the windshield, which can then be designed to absorb more of the impact force in a frontal collision in order to minimize penetration into

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528-494: Is a problem arising from a poorly prepared carb, it is often most noticeable during idle or cruise. Interchangeability works in both directions, as internal parts may also be swapped for original ones. Webcon has some handy downloads to help tell genuine Webers from fake Fake Weber 1 Fake Weber 2 Proper carburetor jetting is based on engine displacement, RPM and engine usage. Either one or more carburetors connected to each other are used. For small engines, even only one half of

572-532: Is an automotive manufacturing company founded in 1923, known for their carburetors . Eduardo Weber began his automotive career working for Fiat, first at their Turin plant (in 1914) and later at a dealership in Bologna. After WWI, with gasoline prices high, he reached a certain success in selling conversion kits for running trucks on kerosene instead. The company was established as Fabbrica Italiana Carburatori Weber in 1923 when Weber produced carburetors as part of

616-408: Is typically only achievable by placing the engine somewhere between the front and rear axles. Usually, the term "mid-engine" has been primarily applied to cars having the engine located between the driver and the rear drive axles. This layout is referred to as rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive , (or RMR) layout. The mechanical layout and packaging of an RMR car are substantially different from that of

660-540: The cylinder banks . The lubrication system used a wet sump and an oil cooler. The powerplant was mounted longitudinally behind the passenger compartment, and joined through a single-plate dry clutch to a 5-speed, all synchromesh Citroën transaxle gearbox and a standard open differential . The original Merak's three-litre engine was rated at 190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) at 6,000 rpm and 255 N⋅m (188 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,000 rpm. Three twin-choke Weber carburetors (one 42 DCNF 31 and two 42 DCNF 32) fed

704-592: The 1950s and 1960s, e.g. the AEC Reliance . The Ferrari Mondial is to date the only successful example of a true mid-engined convertible with seating for 4 and sports car/supercar performance. A version of the Lotus Evora with a removable roof panel is anticipated but no definite date is known. Like any layout where the engine is not front-mounted and facing the wind, the traditional "engine-behind-the-passengers" layout makes engine cooling more difficult. This has been

748-472: The Bora was discontinued after a production run of less than 600 cars, while the Merak remained on sale for six more years. The Merak used a steel monocoque construction paired to a rear tubular subframe supporting the powertrain and rear suspension. This was of unequal length A-arms type all around, with coaxial coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers. The braking system consisted of discs on both axles with

792-510: The Bora, but the similarities end at the B-pillar. Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign was commissioned to transform the Bora into the Merak. Unlike its bigger sister the Merak doesn't have a full glass fastback , but rather a cabin ending abruptly with a vertical rear window and a flat, horizontal engine cover pierced by four series of ventilation slats. Giugiaro completed the vehicle's silhouette by adding open flying buttresses, visually extending

836-544: The DCD has a piston-type starter valve as opposed to a strangler choke; and so on. After the letters there will be a further number, which may be followed by a letter, e.g. 4B, 13A; these indicate the series, which in turn almost always indicates the original equipment fitment of the product. The full designation might be 40 DCOE 29, 45 DCOE 9, etc. Copies of DCOE, IDF, IDA or DGV carburetors can be found made by other companies, like EMPI, FAJS or REEDMORAL, LOREADA, often at up to half

880-613: The Merak and the early Merak SS. In these cars the braking system was hydraulically assisted and operated, and the pop-up headlights hydraulically actuated. The clutches on these cars used the same hydropneumatic system as the brakes, but only some cars included servo assistance on the clutch. After 1976, when the French manufacturer gave up control of Maserati, the Citroën-derived parts were gradually replaced by more conventional systems. When Alejandro de Tomaso purchased Maserati in 1977,

924-448: The Merak not just a less expensive alternative to the Bora but also a 2+2. The Maserati Merak was introduced at the 1972 Paris Auto Show , over a year after the Bora. The model was named after Merak , a star in the constellation of Ursa Major . The Merak shares the front part of its bodyshell with the Bora up to the doors. The front ends differ, mainly by the use of dual chrome bumpers on the Merak, in place of twin trapezoidal grilles on

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968-530: The Redline name. Other suppliers include Overseas Distributing, Pierce Manifolds & Lynx Weber in Australia. Weber carburetors are sold for both street and off-road use, with the twin-choke sidedraft DCOE ( Doppio Corpo Orizzontale E ; "Double-Body Horizontal E") being the most common one. They are sold in what is referred to as a Weber conversion kit. A Weber conversion kit is a complete upgrade package consisting of

1012-840: The UK, and WorldPac (known as RedlineWeber) in the US. Webcon operates a global distribution chain via a long established network of dealers and specialists, many of whom are located in the EU. In modern times, fuel injection has replaced carburetors in both production cars and most modern motor racing, although Weber carburetors are still used extensively in classic and historic racing. They are also supplied as high-quality replacements for problematic OEM carburetors. Weber fuel system components are distributed by Magneti Marelli, Webcon UK Ltd., and, in North America, by several organizations, including Worldpac, marketing under

1056-454: The carburetor was used, with the other half blinded and partially cut off. The basic carburetor size can be selected by the butterfly valves, for DCO/DCOE the sizes are 38/40/42/45/48/50/55, with 40/45/48/50/55 being more common and available today. Jet size is based on choke size, and choke size is just based on engine displacement, RPM and application. Today you can simplify the calculation work and use an online jetting calculator or go through

1100-515: The case of the Ferrari FF taking power from both ends of the crankshaft with two separate gearboxes. These cars use a traditional engine layout between driver and rear drive axle. Typically, they're simply called MR; for mid-rear (engined), or mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout cars. These cars use mid-ship, four-wheel-drive , with an engine between the axles. These cars are "mid-ship engined" vehicles, but they use front-wheel drive , with

1144-760: The engine had its own carburetor barrel. These carburetors found use in Maserati and Alfa Romeo racing cars. Twin updraft Weber carburetors fed superchargers on the 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C competition vehicles. Fiat assumed control of the company in 1952 following Weber's disappearance in 1945. In time, Weber carburetors were fitted to standard production cars and factory racing applications from automotive marques such as Abarth , Alfa Romeo , Aston Martin , BMW , Chrysler , Ferrari , Fiat, Ford , IKA , Lamborghini , Lancia , Lotus , Maserati , Morgan , Porsche , Renault , Triumph and Volkswagen . In 1986, Fiat also took control of Weber competitor Solex , and merged

1188-443: The engine in front of the driver. It is still treated as an FF layout, though, due to the engine's placement still being in the front of the car, contrary to the popular belief that the engine is placed in front of the rear axle with power transferred to the front wheels (an RMF layout). In most examples, the engine is longitudinally mounted rather than transversely as is common with FF cars. Weber carburetor Weber Carburetors

1232-413: The engine placed between the driver and the front axle. This layout, similar to the above FMR layout, with the engine between driver and the front axle, adds front-wheel drive to become a four-wheel drive. An engineering challenge with this layout is getting the power to the front wheels past the engine - this would normally involve raising the engine to allow a propshaft to pass under the engine, or in

1276-492: The engine, and the compression ratio was 8.75:1. Maserati declared a top speed of over 240 km/h (149 mph). Early left hand drive Meraks (1972 to 1975) were fitted with the same dashboard as the Citroën SM, characterized by oval instrument gauges inset in a brushed metal fascia and a single-spoke steering wheel. 630 cars were made in this configuration up to 1974. Right hand drive Meraks from this period were fitted with

1320-551: The factory-installed engine (I4 vs I6). Historically most classical FR cars such as the Ford Models T and A would qualify as an FMR engine car. Additionally, the distinction between FR and FMR is a fluid one, depending on the degree of engine protrusion in front of the front axle line, as manufacturers mount engines as far back in the chassis as possible. Not all manufacturers use the Front-Mid designation. These cars are RWD cars with

1364-439: The fore and aft weight distribution by other means, such as putting the engine in the front and the gearbox and battery in the rear of the vehicle. Another benefit comes when the heavy mass of the engine is located close to the back of the seats. It makes it easier for the suspension to absorb the force of bumps so the riders feel a smoother ride. But in sports cars, the engine position is once again used to increase performance and

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1408-450: The front ones vented. On early models with the Citroën hydraulics, the rear brakes were inboard so as to reduce the unsprung weight. Wheels were cast light alloy Campagnolo 7½J x 15", fitted with Michelin XWX tyres measuring 185/70 at the front and 205/70 at the rear. The compact spare tyre was stored in the engine compartment, above the transmission. On most US delivered models, the spare tyre

1452-521: The front tires in braking the vehicle, with less chance of rear-wheel lockup and less chance of a skid or spin out. If the mid-engine vehicle is also rear-drive the added weight on the rear tires can also improve acceleration on slippery surfaces, providing much of the benefit of all-wheel-drive without the added weight and expense of all-wheel-drive components. The mid-engine layout makes ABS brakes and traction control systems work better, by providing them more traction to control. The mid-engine layout may make

1496-473: The original layout of automobiles. A 1901 Autocar was the first gasoline-powered automobile to use a drive shaft and placed the engine under the seat. This pioneering vehicle is now in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution . Mounting the engine in the middle instead of the front of the vehicle puts more weight over the rear tires, so they have more traction and provide more assistance to

1540-443: The passenger compartment of the vehicle. In most automobiles, and in sports cars especially, ideal car handling requires balanced traction between the front and rear wheels when cornering, in order to maximize the possible speed around curves without sliding out. This balance is harder to achieve when the heavy weight of the engine is located far to the front or far to the rear of the vehicle. Some automobile designs strive to balance

1584-536: The potentially smoother ride is usually more than offset by stiffer shock absorbers . This layout also allows the motor, gearbox, and differential to be bolted together as a single unit. Together with independent suspension on the driven wheels, this removes the need for the chassis to transfer engine torque reaction. The largest drawback of mid-engine cars is restricted rear or front (in the case of front-mid layouts) passenger space; consequently, most mid-engine vehicles are two-seat vehicles. The engine in effect pushes

1628-465: The price of the authentic Spanish Weber versions . Often these are referred to as Knock offs, Clones or 'fakes' by Weber users. Most of these copies are manufactured in China, and being direct copies means that parts are at least meant to be interchangeable. Operation however, usually varies from the original, due to inaccurate drilling and poorly calibrated parts and use of different quality materials. If there

1672-412: The rear passenger seats forward towards the front axle (if the engine is behind the driver). Exceptions typically involve larger vehicles of unusual length or height in which the passengers can share space between the axles with the engine, which can be between them or below them, as in some vans, large trucks, and buses. The mid-engine layout (with a horizontal engine) was common in single-decker buses in

1716-475: The roofline to the tail. The main competitors of the Merak were the similarly Italian, mid-engine, 3-litre and 2+2 Dino 308 GT4 and Lamborghini Urraco . However unlike its transverse V8-engined rivals the Merak used a more compact V6, that could therefore be mounted longitudinally . Having been designed during the Citroën ownership of Maserati (1968–1975) certain Citroën hydropneumatic systems were used in

1760-491: The same dashboard as the Bora with a three-spoke steering wheel. The lightweight and more powerful Merak SS ( Tipo AM122/A ) was introduced at the 41st Geneva Motor Show in March 1975, although it did not enter production until the next year. The SS featured a 50 kg (110 lb) weight reduction and a 30 PS power increase to 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp), due to the adoption of three larger 44 DCNF 44 carburettors and

1804-412: The superior balance - and the car begins to spin. The moment of inertia about the center of gravity is low due to the concentration of mass between the axles (similar to standing in the middle of a playground roundabout, rather than at the edge) and the spin will occur suddenly, the car will rotate faster and it will be harder to recover from. Conversely, a front-engined car is more likely to break away in

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1848-604: The two into a single company ( Raggruppamento Controllo Motore , or the "Engine Management Group"). This was then reorganized as Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A. in 1986. Genuine Weber carburetors were produced in Bologna , Italy, up until 1992, when production was transferred to Madrid, Spain, where they continue to be made today. Weber carburetors are made in a facility owned by LCN Automotive based in Spain. There are only two direct distributors of Spanish Weber carburetors: Webcon based in

1892-501: Was full size, requiring a modification to the engine cover (the humpback) and lowering the muffler. The Merak's V6 engine descended from the 2.7 L Tipo C.114 originally designed by Giulio Alfieri in 1967 for use in the Citroën SM , that was bored out to 91.6 mm (piston stroke remained 75 mm) to displace 3 litres (2,965 cc). It was a chain-driven double overhead camshaft, 12-valve unit featuring an unusual 90° angle between

1936-513: Was limited to two shades: metallic light blue or gold. The two-litre cars were also distinguished by a black tape stripe running just below the mid-body character line, matte black bumpers in place of the usual chrome and the absence of the front spoiler, available as an option. The SS's front bonnet with the grille between the headlights was used on 2000 GTs. When production ended in 1983 just 200 2000 GTs had been made. Mid-engined The mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive format can be considered

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