My venerable Raider vapor locked (I assume) on me last night for several hours. Nothing like being stuck in the Wal-Mart parking lot! It's had a problem like this since day 1, since before I rebuilt the motor (TWICE), and I suspect with the on going horrible mileage (~11 or 12 mpg) and occassional popping around 2k RPM, the carb is just not up to snuff.

I am thinking of going with a new Weber, either a 32/36 or what is being billed as a 34 DGEC (see link):

34 DGEC information

First, does anyone have any experience with the 34? It's billed as "The power of a 38/38 DGES and the Fuel Economy of the 32/36 DGEV" but I am always skeptical. I couldn't find anything on this site about it.

Next, how nuts is the conversion? Is switching to an electric fuel pump mandatory when going to a Weber carb? Are there and permanent modifications needed on the intake manifold, or anywhere else for that matter? I'd need to be able to put the stock carb back on for emissions testing next year, more than likely, so heavy mods are somewhat out of the question.

Finally, does anyone have any real or anecdotal information about HP / torque gains, impact on fuel economy, and the like?

Thanks!