6 carbs vs 3 carbs on Ferrari V12 Engines
"Nothing compares to hearing 6 carbs scream on a Colombo V12."
History
Ferrarichat member '250 Lusso'
My understanding is that 6 carbs allow for the same (or greater) total flow at WOT/high revs as a large 3 carb set up, but the smaller individual venturis provide higher intake velocity, and therefore greater cylinder-filling, at lower RPM and part-throttle.
Example: the Comp 61 SWB's used radical cams and 3 really big twin choke carbs. At WOT throttle/high revs, those cars make almost as much power as a TR/GTO of the same era.
The difference is that below 4000 or so RPM, they are over-carb'd and run rather poorly. They have a Jeckyll/Hyde personality once the engine comes up on cam and can take advantage of those big carbs.
A 3 carb engine set up to provide smoother mid-range carburation necessitates smaller venturis which, of course, do not flow as much at high revs, limiting maximum power.
The 6 carb set ups offer the best of both worlds. They have better manners down low, with nice flexibility and smoother transition into the real meat of the powerband, and better top end power.
I've always thought of the six carb set up as sort of a primitive take on today's modern variable intake geometry.
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