Greetings from 308-Land I have a question for you fine Boxer owners (and God knows I wish I was one!)...I own a Euro 308 GTB dry sump car and have found the performance of the car better than any fuel injected 308 variant I have driven; it even perfioms better than my 328. The throttle response is much sharper/responsive than what I refer to as the rather "mushy" bosch FI and, of course, it being a Euro car, is MUCH lighter than and of the U.S. 308's or 328s I have driven. Too, it sounds much better. My question, then, is: Have any Boxer owners compared the two Boxer variants available? Specifically: How does the 512 carb car compare to the injected version. I would assume that the FI car is smoother and more refined, but the carb car more raw, snotty and "immediate", and likely sounds insane? Needless to say, if I were able to buy a Boxer, it would be a carb car, but, again, just wanted to see if any of you have compared (test driven) the two variants. Many thanks, Scott P.s. 365 BB owners feel free to chime in I'm jealous of all of you! LOL!
There is no comparison. Carb Car, faster, quicker, more power, noisy, smells like fuel and more noise. Did I say RAW..
It's actually a good natured ribbing contest between Newman in Canada (512BBi) and fastradio (here in the US, 365BB) Among the three Boxer variants it's not as simple as "North American vs Euro 308GTBs" (there are no legal US Boxers after all) The earlier cars had lower gearing so are both lighter and 'quicker".....BUT the later cars have more displacement and the injection. I'm focused on a carbed 5 liter car for that reason.... It needs to be cared for by an expert tho.......a good carb guy.
Scott - yours is an academic question. You will not have a choice (should you come into the money). Living in California precludes owning a carbed version, save a handful of very rare exceptions. California EPA and DOT require a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) sticker, which was awarded after conversion when entering California. However, only the injected models could come close to passing, and this required the air pump and catalytic converter. Jim S.
I have carb cars and injected cars (not all F cars). Injected cars start more regularly, with less fuss, less spitting, less smoke/belching. The carb cars, though exciting, are a regular pain in the patootey, to use a technical term. I can leave the BBi for a month, twist the key, it's on.
I have a 1984 512BBi (for 21 years) and 2 512 BBLM's(one for 7+ years and the other for 3+ years). I have driven a carburated 512 BB and ridden in a 365 GT4 BB. They are all fabulous cars, with Great looks and wonderful sounds. True, the carbed BB's have that Great howl and maybe the injected BB's may be easier to live with; but whatever your flavor I celebrate every BB owner and the Wonderful Joy and smile any of the BB's will put on your face from the moment you start yours up until late at night when you come home from having her out and you just stand there in your garage and you just can't believe how lucky you are to be driving one of these Great Machines. You look at the car from all sides and you just don't want to turn the lights out and say goodnight !!! Ya - I so do enjoy them !!! If you haven't got one, get one -- they are Special !!!
couldn't find a carbed car that had been loved, so ended up with the best example I could at the time....happened to be a '84. 6 years later.....no regrets....however, I would be interested if a nice carbed example were to come available.........
What's the break point? 1975 or 1976?? There is exactly ONE 1976 512BB....... I was offered the car.....had a few issues but it was "all there".........the Factory wanted it back too, per local legend....
NO TEX! He's MY hero! You go get your own. Awesome post Jim Fuchs. I agree and +1 and all that to every word. With luck, all this kissing up will allow me to at least touch your LM some time. Far less exciting than a spontaneous engine room fire, that's for sure!
Not necessarily so. My carbed Boxer has been in California since new, and has never failed to pass the smog emission test. True, you must find a car that already has the BAR sticker as the state wont issue a new one. As for passing the test, an air pump, good cats, and well tuned carbs will get the job done. John
No, BB512LMs came with Lucas fuel injection...http://www.barchetta.cc/english/All.Ferraris/summary/SN.512BBLM.htm
One of the best posts ever regarding BBs, very nice Jim. And not because it is PC. Because it is so true. I drove both BB's and BBi's in my 4+ year search for mine. I still can't decide, lol! I like them both for subtly different reasons. Any BB variant is raw by modern standards. Minor refinements make each subsequent model slightly different. But all Boxers share a deep seeded DNA that is unmistakably unique in whichever variant you drive. Big Tex, '75 or earlier for California emissions. '76 or later is subject to full smog requirements forever, or until our fearless leaders decide to change it. BBLM's were injected because Ferrari wanted them to go faster! Flame suit on, lol!
Like mrp_e says, get Forza #109 and read our collective comments. Good, balanced comments from a trio of open-minded enthusiasts.
