Mikuni Solex VS Weber carbs - worth the switch?

[Jrad]

Car - 1984 ae86

motor / part in question -

Fully rebuilt Smallport 4AGE to factory specs with:

TRD headgasket
264deg 8.1mm HKS cams and gears
HKS exhaust
Very light head and machining work
Converted to run carbs (here's the root of my problem!)

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Hi everyone,

I'm at a fork in the road, and looking for a little bit of guidance from people in a similar situation.

A while back, I purchased twin 40mm Mikuni/Solex carbs, Type s5 (fitted to 2T/18RG as standard)
They're in generally good condition, but require some money spent to get them up to scratch to match my rebuilt engine.

I spoke with a carb tuner, who's recommendation is to "throw them in the bin, and buy brand new Webers"

For a few reasons:
Spending money to re-co the Solex - as well as finding parts (which I can get from RM carbs/Wolf creek Racing) and finding someone to tune them.
He has also recommended going to 45mm Weber (choked/tuned down), rather than the 40mm Mikunis.
I would basically be spending $1500 (after selling my Mikunis) to get everything to get the Webers on the car and going, minus tuning.
His second recommendation is to go back to EFI - however he made the good point of needing a decent ECU, getting a loom made, injectors flushed, EFI fuel pump, etc. etc. In the end, costing me around the same.

I come asking for anyone with experience running Mikuni vs. Weber, or if anyone has been down a similar path. What was your experience getting them tuned, which ran better and would you do something different?

Thanks in advance!

[Dylan]

I originally had a similar setup with Mikunis on a Smallport, had a couple of issues with linkages and so forth, ended up changing to Silvertop 20V throttle bodies ran by an Adaptronic ECU(easy to tune, can make changes later on, etc.). This would have to be the best decision I made (changing back to EFI). I don't have much experience with Webers though. I'm guessing you don't have any of the parts to convert it back to EFI, you could do a cut and shut intake but the ECU itself will be the most expensive. Overall I think you'll be spending roughly the same either way but I'd always recommend EFI based off my experiences.

[Tally]

For all ur solex carb needs = http://rmcarburetors.net/

[Jrad]

Well, I've costed it up for EFI vs. New carbs setup and they come in roughly the same.
I've been offered a swap of ITBs for my Mikunis, and think I will take that offer, so have been doing some research of what I will need.
Basically the cost of a decent ECU will be the same as a twin Weber kit.

[bunki86]

all the new webbers you get these days made in spain i think, are really bad. they take alot of work to get working well, even the jets you get these days, sizing is all over the place.
id stay away from new webbers.