How do they compare?
We get this question a lot and understandably so. Both carbs use metering rods in lieu of jets and needles, and both manufacturers make similar claims in terms of performance, air density compensation, and ease of use. Understanding how they compare is the first step to making an informed decision on which one is right for you. In this article we’ll cover a bit of the history of both products and then provide an objective comparison.
First a little background. The history and heritage of the flat slide, metering rod style carburetor is one shared by both the SmartCarb and the Lectron. They even share the same inventor: the late, renowned carburetion expert William “Red” Edmonston. Red first pioneered the metering rod carburetor concept with the unique Posa-Fuel and Lake Injector in 1967 and 1971 respectfully. Red’s Lectron came to market in 1974 and represented a major leap forward for the technology with the addition of a float bowl and the use of a flat slide for throttling rather than the cigar cutter or guillotine style sliding venturi from before. After selling Lectron to General Motors in 1978, Red went on to further develop and refine the metering rod style carburetor, culminating with the SmartCarb in the early 2000s. Technology Elevated’s Chief Technology Officer and Founder Corey Dyess had the privilege of working with Red during his final years and has led advanced development of the SmartCarb, winning multiple patents for feature improvements over time.
Same inventor, same concept, same thing… right?
Nope! While both carbs use a metering rod and a flat slide to provide precise air/fuel mixture control and superior fuel atomization to that of conventional needle and jet carburetors, there are more differences between the two than are readily apparent.
Always looking to do things better, Red, and more recently Technology Elevated, have evolved the design over time by adding improvements and features to enhance the basic operating principles of the technology while also addressing the shortfalls and limitations of prior designs. The result is a fuel system that is substantially different from its predecessors, including the Lectron.
Venturi Profile
Like most conventional carburetors, the Lectron uses a circular venturi shape. The SmartCarb does not. Instead, it uses a patented “inverted egg” venturi shape. The thinking here is not unlike what backyard mechanics have been doing for years by oval/offset boring conventional carburetors – that is to change the rate of throttle opening through the range.
There’s more to it when it comes to metering rod carbs like the SmartCarb and the Lectron. Maintaining sufficient air velocity or “signal” at the rod is critically important for fuel pickup and atomization. Any loss of velocity or weak signal at the metering rod can result in loss of fuel pickup and poor atomization, translating into hesitation, bogging, or soft throttle response. The SmartCarb’s venturi profile is designed to focus airflow directly at the metering rod through the entire throttle range in order to maximize signal and promote fuel atomization. The Lectron’s venturi is not designed for this purpose and as a result is more prone to suffer from weak signal and soft throttle response, particularly down low or just off idle.
It is important to note that Lectron has taken steps in recent years to improve this deficiency, especially with their latest HV and H-Series models geared toward the off-road market. Both the HV and H-Series Lectrons are tapered down 4mm smaller than advertised just behind the slide. Higher velocity yes, but at the expense of top end flow and performance. The SmartCarb, with its advanced venturi shape, offers no such compromises, providing strong, linear throttle response bottom to top.
Float Bowl Venting
Float bowl style carburetors require float bowl venting to work properly, just ask anyone who has ever had plugged or frozen vent lines. The Lectron, like more conventional carbs, vents its float bowl through external vent/overflow hoses that hang down in front of the rear wheel. The SmartCarb vents its float bowl quite differently – from inside the airbox via a scoop/port located in the top of the venturi bell.
This patented internal venting feature allows the SmartCarb to compensate for a much wider range of air densities compared to the externally vented Lectron.
Venting and airflow communication between the airbox and the float bowl applies a steady, equalized pressure against the fuel in the bowl that is proportional to air velocity and density inside of the airbox. Put simply, more dense, heavier air drives more fuel flow, less dense air drives less fuel flow, and air/fuel ratios stay consistent regardless of elevation or temperature changes.
Beyond better air density compensation, internal venting also provides for sufficient top end fueling in the SmartCarb without the need for a power jet. Although the original Lectron of 1974 did not have a power jet, all modern iterations of the design come with at least one or more power jets to provide enough fuel to the mix from mid to top.
No overflow hoses?
Where does the fuel go in the SmartCarb?
Fuel in the SmartCarb’s float bowl stays in the float bowl. One-way check valves in the vent passages allow air to flow into the bowl but they do not allow fuel to flow out. That means fuel remains in the bowl on steep downhills and even if/when the bike is laid down. The SmartCarb is a sealed fuel system with zero fuel spillage that has been EPA certified with the lowest evaporative emissions ever tested by a carburetor fuel system. Zero fuel spillage and superior, single circuit metering rod atomization through the entire throttle range gives the SmartCarb user unrivaled fuel economy gains and emissions reductions compared to the Lectron or any other conventional carburetor.
Making Adjustments
Unless you count the Lectron’s power jet as a jet (and it is), both it and the SmartCarb are jet-less carburetors in the traditional sense. That means no more brass to change either way! Adjustments are still required during initial tuning and to accommodate engine modifications, changing fuel selection, and in the case of the Lectron, when substantially changing elevations or for large temperature swings.
The Lectron has 3 adjustments: the idle set screw, the metering rod position, and the power jet. The SmartCarb has only two: the idle set screw and metering rod position. Changing the metering rod position in the Lectron requires removing the cap and pulling the slide. Lectron metering rod adjustments are limited to 4 positions per revolution.
Conversely, changing the position of the metering rod in the SmartCarb is done externally, by hand, and from the seat of the bike in most cases. The SmartCarb’s metering rod can be more finely adjusted with 10 clicks/positions per revolution by shutting the engine off, opening the throttle to wide open, and using the clicker adjuster in the cap. Adjustments take seconds and can be done while the engine and pipe stay up to temp.
With both the SmartCarb and the Lectron, metering rod adjustments will primarily affect the bottom end or the low speed. Metering rod mixture adjustments in the mid to top of the throttle range require swapping out the metering rod for one with a different grind profile, depending on fueling requirements. Both companies offer a variety of different metering rods for the fueling needs of various applications and can advise their customers regarding metering rod selection.
Compatibility
The SC2 model SmartCarb and H-Series Lectron are designed for use in modern 2-stroke dirt bikes and similar applications using the Keihin PWK or Mikuni TMX stock, however their build quality and manner of construction differ in a few notable ways that affect their appearance, compatibility, durability, and ease of use.
The cast aluminum Lectron, being a much older design, presents a few issues when used in modern applications including a longer end-to-end length (.25″/6mm longer than the SC2), stock throttle cable incompatibility, inconvenient choke placement, and no throttle position sensor (TPS) option. This means the fit in the tighter bikes can be tricky (Lectron recommends the use of the shorter XC-W or TE intake flange with the H-Series when installed into 2017 or later KTMs or Huskies), the stock throttle cable and handset must be replaced with ones provided by Lectron in most applications, the pipe side choke can be hard to reach, and the use of 3D ignition mapping, Beta oil injection, or aftermarket CDIs requiring TPS isn’t an option.
Forward Thinking
The SC2 SmartCarb is designed with the future in mind and is capable of meeting the performance needs and emissions requirements of the rapidly changing off-road powersports industry. They are fully CNC machined for precise tolerancing and increased durability, accept all modern stock throttle cables, and TPS is a factory option or user installable at any time.
Which one is right for you?
The choice is ultimately up to you. Our hope is that this article sheds some light on the history of these revolutionary fuel systems and that it offers a clear and concise explanation about their differences. Knowledge is power and an informed decision is a smart decision.
Stay tuned for a comparison video coming soon to our new YouTube Channel!
I know some guys that have used lectrons with some success on big bore horizontal piston imported engines Like the Daytona 190s. These engines come with a Kehin 28 mm round slide carburetor. Is there a smart carb available that might work in this application? Most everyone spending money on these motors are going up and piston size and rod length ending up somewhere between 212 and 274 cc. If there is a carburetor you offer I would expect to likely have to weld up an intake to work, but without an airbox I’m not sure if the venting would function properly, or as described in this article. We race YCF mini Flat Track Bikes, and everyone I’ve ever seen has deleted the cheap airbox and opted for a pod filter.
Yes, although it is currently out of stock, we offer a 28mm SmartCarb that will fit the stock Daytona 190 and will also work well for the stroker big bores like Pirahna, Lifan, etc. The spigot diameters are nearly identical to the 28mm Mikuni VM roundslide. A flange may be necessary for your application and can be easily fabricated, or you can make an adapter flange for the engine and use a short rubber hose with clamps for attachment.
Running a pod filter, or even no filter is not a problem. The SC will read the air density and velocity at the front of the intake bell regardless of whether a filter or airbox is used.
We will have the 28mm size SC2 SmartCarb available again in the coming weeks so stay tuned!
How do you pitch your carb over a Lectron user that only had problems? How do you get that person to go from $550 spent on a turd. To an $800 different version? And I mean that not as an insult. But one metering rod carb to another. I’m in that boat.
We’re sorry to hear about your Lectron troubles. That’s a tough spot to be in and we can certainly understand your apprehension to try another metering rod style carburetor after having had that experience. While we can’t help you with the Lectron you have now, we can encourage you to work with Lectron to sort out any potential metering rod mismatch or workmanship issues. You may be able to sell it also, especially if it’s one of their later HV or H-Series models. We would also encourage you to check out our Facebook Page and Instagram account for customer feedback and testimonials. The Facebook Group SmartCarb Users is also a good resource for you when considering purchasing a SmartCarb. Lastly, as we hoped to clarify in this article, the SmartCarb is more than just a different version, but rather the careful development and culmination of a lifetime’s work on this fuel system concept.
What do you ride Dario?
Thank you for a very clear comparison.
What is the maximum degree of downdraft that is usable with a Smartcarb?
Hi Roger, the SmartCarb in its current, vertical mount configuration, performs best being tilted no more than about 35 degrees forward and up to 15 degrees either side. We have plans to eventually release downdraft versions. What is your application?
Thanks for your reply. My applications are Honda NSR50 and NSR80 engines with the reed block entry at 43º forward of vertical. I am currently using an adapter block that reduces this by 13º, but normal carbs are not up to the job at that angle.
The resulting 30º angle forward toward the engine is workable with a SmartCarb, however proper float level becomes just a bit more important. The stock carbs are flange-mount correct? Ours are designed to be spigot-mount with a rubber flange and clamp.
Thank you. I only use spigot mount carbs so SmartCarb is a good option.
Have you been addressing the street bike market with this info? Such a big market out there…
It’s a huge market and the potential for excellent results is there as you well know with your SmartCarb equipped BMW Airhead, however until we are able to better address the fitment considerations and gain a better understanding of baseline settings like we have with the off-road 2-stroke market, we’re content to let it ride so to speak for now.
Will you make a coolant heated option for the snowmobile market?
We don’t currently offer a coolant circulating heater, however there are two aftermarket companies that make heaters specifically for the SC2 SmartCarb. PST (Power Sports Tech) and Avid Products both make press on or clamp on heater jackets for use in snowbiking. That said we have found with our extensive experience snowmobiling that carb heating isn’t normally required as they’re completely shrouded under the hood.
Do you have one that fits the YZ125 2017 model…
and is it suitable for same bore machines like a 125.
Who in the UK is the dealer for your carb
Yes we do, the 36mm size SC2 is recommended for the YZ125. Can you clarify what you mean by same bore machines? For a 125cc 2-stroke the 36mm is typically the standard recommendation, though there may be exceptions. We would need to know more about the application.
We do not currently have UK distribution, however we are working to expand our dealer network throughout Europe, including the UK, over time. You can order directly from us or you might reach out to SIP Scooter in Germany or HTM Racing in Italy for availability. They are currently our largest European dealers.