tweety Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Anybody here used one? For tuning? Is it good to use for jet selection as well? For those not aware of the unit, the package comes with a spark plug with glass see through section. The color from the glass while engine is running if yellow, is running rich and you adjust your mixture until it turns to light blue which is a good air/fuel mix with more power and no flat spots. Seems good value at under $100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihscout54 Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I saw this being used on a, collector car, reality TV show not long ago. Kinda neat idea, seems pretty archaic. Not sure how expensive such a tool is, but the fact that it is uncommon here tells me its not real useful. Maybe its a euro type thing as Ive never seen one in person. For that reason Im being a naysayer. Buy a Vacuum gauge, or save up for a wide band setup. Even if your poor, theres tons of stuff all over the web on making an a/f meter out of a standard 02 sensor cheaply. That would be of much greater value for tuning (IMO). Judging from the quality of your builds I kinda doubt you need such a toy anyways. I bet your "gut" would be just as accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweety Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 (edited) thanks ihscout, I've seen the youtube videos and they seem simple enough in basic tunes. But finding the a/f ideal mixture isnt that hard. I'm personally more interested in finding the correct jetting using this tool. I've got a 32/36 that has come off a ea82 so its jetting accordingly. But I have a spfi manifold and now 9.5:1 CR. So these things might allow a larger secondary jet.....how large? This tool when the engine is revved say after the secondary has opened say 3500 rpm would show a color that would lead me to the right size jet. But then I read this tool is only good for 2000 rpm? Edited July 22, 2015 by tweety Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I have one and never used it - too chicken to hang on in the engine bay while it is being driven sudden flashback to the early 80's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loyale 2.7 Turbo Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweety Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 That's one of the better videos Jeszek. Still haven't worked out how to paste web sites and photos on this site yet. Jono, no need to driven the car just idle up to 2000 rpm. My quest is to run it to past when the 32/36 secondary throat opens so I can jet ideally. This would make the tool (less than $100) great value. But I'm unsure if the system can withstand those revs. It isn't the same plug as the other 3 so it might not be suitable. Once its jetted right, the tool would only be used ever tune up and take a mere 5 minutes to adjust the mixture without guesswork. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loyale 2.7 Turbo Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) That's one of the better videos Jeszek. Still haven't worked out how to paste web sites and photos on this site yet... Then, follow this link: ~► http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/152891-recurrent-question-how-to-share-photos-on-your-posts/ Do not forget to share here with us, the results of your Jetting test. It will be interesting to know how Close or Far the Main fuel Jets are on my Weber, Than your Weber, tuned with such interesting device. Kind Regards. Edited July 24, 2015 by Loyale 2.7 Turbo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihscout54 Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I imagine using this would be something like setting a cutting torch. The orange smokey flame is pig rich. As you adjust, it goes blue then, a little lighter blue and pop it goes out. This works fine i suppose while your turning your idle mixture screw. When it comes to dialing in your jets, well I guess you will have to tell us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweety Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 Yep, I'll let you all know in a couple of weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweety Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 I have written to Gunson in the UK to explain that my reason for purchasing their colortune unit is to assist me in tuning the jets in my weber 32/36 which, has a rare SPFI manifold (rare for a weber conversion) This is the very helpful and full explanation they sent to me today and I'm impressed with their comprehensive answer. My questions to them centered on whether I could utilize the colortune to help with jetting including the secondary main/idle/air jets as well as the primary jets. Dear - The colortune plug allows us to see the combustion flame as it fires. The appearance and color of the flame is an extremely useful indication of fuel mixture. A colortune is therefore a useful tool when making carburettor adjustments on most engines. For your Subaru, a colortune will be helpful. It wont adjust the secondary throat as such because the primary and secondary throats because the primary and secondary throats have to work together as the engine speeds changes. But the colortune will show the change in mixture for the whole carb through the rev rangeso you should be able to see the effect (leaner or richer) that the second throat has as it comes into play over the primary throat. Adjustments to the secondary throat will have some effect on the function on the primary throat. A weber technical manual (or the Haynes weber technical manual) will explain this, and of course a colortune plug will show that actual overall coverage. I hope this is helpful to you. end response So guys, I will be purchasing one of these colortune units shortly and will endeavour to rejet the carb...primary jets first. The plan is to go up 5 or 10 on the 50 on the idle as the turns out of the mixture screw is over 2 turns. Also go from 130 primary mains to 135 then if needed 140. (SPFI manifold remember). If those add up to a good blue mixture on the colortune then I'll continue on to the secondary. Currently got a 140 secondary but 150 or 155 is my guess...around right. So bit of fiddling will pay off and might be able to do without a dyno tune. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86 Wonder Wedge Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 I'd been using colourtune to dial in my Weber converted Spitfire years ago.. Fantastic little tool if you don't want to spend $400+ on a digital, standalone wideband O2 sensor and modify the exhaust. I remember reading a while ago on the british car forums that it was originally designed for cars/bikes with individual carbs so you could fine tune each cylinder (since the mfg back then wasn't as precise, each cylinder could be significantly different). So you'd have 3 or 4 and then match the color along with a carb synchronizer and balance the vacuum draw on each. It was a PAIN IN THE rump roast, but it ran like a Singer when done, even on the crude 1.4L motors. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jono Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 make sure you get the adaptor to suit the EA81 plug hole before you buy whole thing, can they sell you an adaptor , and I sel you mine half the price if I can find it ? is virgin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweety Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 Too late. has been purchased and waiting on delivery Jono. One has a choice of size now. I have ordered the 14mm size. same as ea81. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweety Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 Received the colortune today and a box of jets. Please see my post on this on the "38/38 to 32/36" thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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