Quick Update on my Rebuild and general progress!

[TulsaSpider]

Hi Fellow Fiat freaks n geeks. Well Today I got my carb finally to act I think as it should and the performance is much improved! Then I wanted to see what a little increase in timing would do. I increased it about 3 degrees and that seems to have helped a bit too! ^_^
I had the 2L bored .20, as well as the crank was turned to .20, the rotating assembly was balanced. The flywheel lightened 5 lbs. I replaced the crank pulley with an aluminum unit. Installed 4.5 mm domed pistons. I decided to use the 1800 head. I put all new valves in it and had the valve guides replaced, valve job, the whole works. Port matched the intake, head and exhaust. 34/36 Weber carb. I went with Mark Allison's street cams. New clutch works. I replaced the front seal of the trans just in case. The carrier bearing assembly, hi-per guibo and new U joints.

I also just got the Panasports on this weekend! Wohoo! I kinda got a scare because the dipstics did not balance them and they certainly had a wobble! Two more 30 minute trips back to the shop to have them balanced and they seem to be good now. Why is nothing ever easy??
A good day none the less!

[Exit98]

OK Tulsa,

Let us know how it really goes once your ready to wring it out a little.

I always liked your car with the black wheels and stock caps and beauty rings. When you get a chance try side by side pics with the old wheels and the new.

[Schnauzer]

Dude:

I have been working a solid year to get my 76 to look like yours. Your car was my inspiration. Took the car completely apart. Paint is done. Just finished the brakes. got some Honda S2000 seats. Wheels sandblasted and painted this last week end. Ready for final assembly. Now you go and change the looks of your car!!!!!!! I'm afraid to look. My little Isabella hasn't even seen her first sun light. I am pleading with you......don't make your car look any better than it does. I'm getting to old for this stuff. I don't want to spend another year in the garage. Work with me here Partner!

Jim

[TulsaSpider]

No promises! lol! I am flattered! it's a labor of love!
^_^

[TulsaSpider]

Today, 4/16/2011 after giving her a good run on some very twisty roads!

[azygoustoyou]

I bet you she's really purring now

[DocGraphics]

Sweeeet!

I have just aquired a 78 too & builds like this set the bar for me to aim for.
With what you have done to the engine I bet it really scoots.
Love the wheels too.

Question, I assume you have it lowered to sit like that with the bumpers removed, how much & what did you do to get it there, and what size is your wheel/tire combo.

[Daniel]

Your Spider looks mean without the Bumpers I like the look !

[TulsaSpider]

Thanks all. It has been a long road. Without this forum I who know where it would be. I really love the bumperless look! I lowered the front by cutting 1.5 coils as had been recommended on this forum. However this seems to be a wee bit too much at least for this car. I would say if you are going to go down this road cut 1 coil and see if that doesn't do it. I am going to cut 1 in the back I think. The wheels are 13" Panasports someone gave to me and I refinished and the tires are 185 70 13's. As far as performance. I have been a bit disappointed. I think it should have more. Not sure until I have some other folks drive it that are more in the know than I am.

[narfire]

Car looks great. Good point about driving another spider for comparison. I helped a fellow here put a 34 dmsa with single plane on his stock 79 2L. the car has way more pop than before. Then drive my car right after and you notice the differance again. Perhaps save the pennies and next winter add a set of headers and adjustable cam wheels(have them dialed in profesionally if you don't do that kind of thing) I'm sure you will again notice a difference. What is the car like when the engine is around 31-3300 rpm and you then put your foot into it?
Anyway enjoy some top down and on another note keep an eye out for those funnel clouds eh... sounds like some nasty storms have showed up in/near your parts.
Chris

[TulsaSpider]

Yes there was some pretty intense storms around here. I got a pic of a funnel forming. Kind of a sport around here! Yes those things are certainly on my list but after spending $2500 or so on this motor I have to slow down! There is a certain place in the RPM range around 3000 to 4000 that it pulls pretty strong in 3rd gear. I really have not driven it enough to pin it down. I had it on the highway yesterday and it seemed smoother for sure in the 4000 to 5000 range. On the roads where I had it yesterday, you can't really go very fast 35mph to 40 or 50 max to keep the car on the road and still hearing the rubber break loose a bit. Extremely hilly and curvy. I think I had more fun on the parts where the roads opened up just a little. I had a passenger and I didn't want to drive it in 3rd the whole time. I took it easy on her

[Fiat88]

Today, 4/16/2011 after giving her a good run on some very twisty roads!

That is one sweet looking spider!