I am putting a small reed topend on my rescue 1987 LT500R. Jerry Hall should be sending it back to me soon after and fresh bore and head work.

I needed a small reed boot and decided to get a 88-90 Zilla carb to run vs. the 87. I bought one off a member here and dug into it today. I don't believe its an actually Suzuki TM38SS. This is where the discussion starts.

First the model number on the carb is T38 86A. This is the spot you would normally see the Suzuki part number 43B00 or 43B10

Pilot Jet: 32.5
Needle: 6FJ41 or 47. It looks like a 1 or a 7

Picture #1

The 87 Carb is on the the left, the mystery carb is on the right. Notice the ports are different. Notice the 87 carb has a passage way in the bellmouth area where the other one does not.

Picture #2

The 87 Carb is on the the right, the mystery carb has a raised boss and tapped hole on the top of the intake for something. The choke is also not the Zilla style lever. You can also see the passage way discussed on the other picture is shown on the 87 carb and its just a cast web on the mystery carb.

Questions:
1. I assume this is a stock Mikuni TM38, not specific for any particular model quad. Any issues running this carb? From what you can see, does it have the characteristics of the sough after 88-90 Zilla carb?

2. Is this a ok needle to run? 6FJ41 or 47. It looks like a 1 or a 7

3. Any other thoughts or concerns?

I hope to use this carb as it is very clean and the slide is in great shape. I am cautious due to it not being a OEM  Mikuni carb. 

 

Thanks Chris - I learned that last night doing some research until my wife yelled at me.

Well it seems this is a Mikuni TM Series Carb TM38-"86" version. This is not a OEM Suzuki carb. I remember Motorgeek posting some specs on carb parts that are proven to work. So I search through his post and found this:

Needle: 6DK3 (Through Suzuki Only)
Needle Jet: 389 Series R-2
Pilot Jet: 22.5
Needle Valve (Float Needle): 3.5
Throttle Valve (Slide) 4.0

Tore down my new to me carb alittle more and found a 4.0 Slide and 3.5 Needle Valve!  That will save some $$. My Needle Jet is a 389 Q2 which is leaner than a R2 so Ill change that.

So for parts I need a Needle, Main Jets, a Pilot Jet, and a Needle Jet. Not bad considering this carb is in excellent shape. 

I told ya it was in great shape lol. It did come off a Zilla Matt If you care to try that needle.

Yes it is!!