What to get. turbo,carbed or FI?

[whiterabbit]

Hi all, searching like mad for a spider and now I think I have a headach! I know alot depends on who you ask but is it worth tracking down a turbo version, injected or simple carb version. Late 70's were badly detuned but power was up with the injected models but how much more power was gained with the turbo? It is 80's tech as in turbo lag and known for being easily burned up. Are the turbo cars worth it? Are they more maintinance intense?
Trying to decide between a 79,80,80FIand 81with turbo. It will be the wife's car and my busted knuckles.
Thanks.

[kmead]

The Turbo was tuned to add more torque versus high output. This was done to improve the general way Americans tended to drive, more cruise than go.

Personally I am not too impressed with the Turbo engine setup, its pretty simple, low boost and doesn't include many safeguards or means of upping the horsepower without considerable modifications.

Which one you choose would primarily be around how you like to drive and whether or not you like to work on your car. For many people I suggest a fuel injected car as they are pretty much set it up and forget it in the engine department. Beyond that the cars are very similar mechanically so they are all equal beyond that.

If you have past experience with carbureted cars and are comfortable with playing around with them then by all means go that direction particularly if you live in an area where there are no emissions tests. Removing the emissions strangled carb and replacing it with a better manifold can make them very similar to the fuelly cars in terms of power.

In all cases (carb, fuel injection or turbo) to really get more power you need to upgrade many of the internal parts (pistons, valves, cams, etc) so it will really depend on what you are looking for in the end.

Although none of these cars are "fast" they are fun and very enjoyable even in "strangled" tune. If you like the car you find and it is in good condition, it can be upgraded over time. Ultimately the most important thing about any old car is condition, you will pay less to buy a very good condition car which has everything there in good condition than trying to resurrect a rough beat up car.

Good luck. I am sure others will post up some more guidance which may help you more.

Karl

[spidernut]

It is all a matter of preference. My 79 (which is for sale if you look under cars for sale) is a California carb'd car that is bone stock. For daily driving, the power is perfectly acceptable. I have no problems in town, on the freeways, merging, passing, pulling out into traffic, etc. It is far from a powerhouse though. I have found it to be as trouble free as any carb'd car. It is simple to work on when needed. HP is something like 78. The carb and intake can be replaced for more power.

I've also had the fuel injected Spider and just bought one again. The EFI runs smoother but has much more that can go wrong with it. Parts are very expensive compared to the carbs and diagnostics are much more difficult. You will get better gas mileage and more horsepower. If I remember right, it was 101 HP. It is a significant improvement over the late 70s carbs.

The Turbos are hard to find in operating condition and really don't add much power. Every turbo that I've seen for sale in my local area was out of commission due to the turbo failure.

My suggestion is to drive one of each and see what you think.

[whiterabbit]

Thanks guys. I'm not a speed freak. (I ride a 500cc Enfield. Enough said. ) I'm leaning toward a 81 turbo that is nearby. Yea, more stuff to go wrong. I think these cars are nice enough to warrant 2 spots in the driveway. one turbo and one EFI. Now who gets what? That's a debate.
Did the turbo's have AC too?? Wife has to have AC. Me? Drop the top and then drop the hammer!

[spidernut]

A/C was an option in '81.

[divace73]

Coming from the land down under, the turbo's are quite rare here (they have to be either removed or remounted due to the RHD conversion) but I'd get myself one, put a more modern turbo unit on it (making sure it is oil fed and water cooled), front mounted intercooler (painted black so it canot be seen easily but try and retain all the existing plumbing. Then upgrade to Megasquirt + EDIS or the like......
Go the turbo......my 2c worth...