More power for the Tobster

[Tobi]

I know there has been a lot of talk about this subject here already but my motor should be customized for me.
It should be all about me, my needs and of course on my low budget. I think I could be happy with 120-130 hp.
Keep in mind that there are no regulations here in Minnesota so anything goes. Also this is going to be used for very spirited street and daily driving.
Here is what I am starting out with:
Original fuel injection
Original exhaust (for now), no cat
2.0L block
early 1.8L head 132AB 9A S62 (4277590) totally rebuilt, valve job, new gaskets, seals, valve shims, brass guides.
Here is what I think makes sense but I need your opinions, ideas and experience on that.
street cams (recommendations please).
adjustable cam wheels (How much can they do for me and is it easy to adjust them?)
pistons for higher compression, using 93 octane gas (keep in mind I already have a 1.8L head).
lightened fly wheel (Do I want this and how much should be taking off for my particular needs?)
performance air filter (Where to get a good one? This should not be about looks.)

[Tobi]

I am not a mechanic but I will try to do what I can myself. Using a shop when needed and maybe have a mechanic for help.

Feel free to use metric on me because that's what I grew up with.

Thank you all for your input and help in advance,

Tobi

[narfire]

Looks like you are heading the right direction. Several here, including myself, have "tweeked" our engines for the same reasons.
IAP or low dome pistons with the 1800 head. I had the head massaged (about $700.00 ) as well. Headers(eventually) and lightened flywheel. Two inch exhaust is nice as well.(loose the cat if not needed) It has been said that the large valves aren't really necessary for street use as they apparently really come into their own at higher rpm's (race) I have them though...
With oversized pistons you have to think the block has to be bored out to fit...about $60.00 hole. The whole rotating works should be balanced, (here about $240.00)mine sure spooled up nice and smooth right to and a bit past red line after.
I have Marks 274 cams which are for the FI engine and they are great with the adjustable cam wheels but do have them degreed in properly as there is a noticeable difference.(way better)
Look at having your injectors cleaned and flow tested to make sure they are at or close to spec. replace if one is off...

Now your wallet is real empty...going to have to do a bottle drive to get some installation fluid..
Chris

[Tobi]

Thank you Chris for responding to my post.
So going with IAP's pistons http://www.international-auto.com/index ... sid=863624
I will get 8.9:1 compression and adding my 1.8l head should give me a total of approximately 9.4:1
I like the idea of being on the safe side with my build and Mahle is a brand I put my trust in, still, is 9.4:1 going to be enough
I will send my flywheel (lightening) and my cam pulleys (make them adjustable) to Miller's Mule this week.
I don't have the budget for headers and exhaust right now and would not know what would serve me best anyway but I will have a test pipe.
I think Mark Allison's 274 FI street cams should work well for me. I will contact you, Mark. First I need to learn how to remove the old cam's from the head.
Is there a noticeable benefit from cold air intakes or is it wasting money http://www.vickauto.com/newstore/index. ... ts_id=3555

How much of a gain in HP and torque can I expect from a build like this

It would be nice to get more than 2 cents this time or I will have to assume that I am building the perfect motor,
thanks all

[131lover]

Hi Tobi!
I think you are in the right direction with all parts except the comp , i would choose the 4,5mm height piston dome,(aprox 9,9-1 in comp with 2l head) if you are going to rebore the engine, because here in Scandinavia the 8,9 and 9,3-1 was standard comp, and in my opinion feels a bit dull and boring!
The fi should work well if you dont go any higher in comp..

My friend has a 124 sport coupe 1800 -75 with the std Euro 9,8-1 in comp, it feels like a totally different engine than the 8,9 and 9,3-1 engines!

I know that you planned to use the 1800 head, but has not the 2l fi head have better flow? bigger intake valves? here the late 2l from -82 had the 43,5mm intake valves!

Just my opinion!
Alf

[fiatfactory]

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[Tobi]

Thank you Alf and Steve. Maybe 120hp only makes me happy for a few weeks, lets get more
Since I took my motor apart and had a chance to compare the 1.8 to the 2.0 I head am starting to understand that the 1.8 head is an easy and cheap way to get higher compression on the 2.0 block but the 2.0 head with a 9.8:1 piston is more efficient.
Did I understand that right

Now I think I should put my already redone 1.8 head (bought from MNSpidermann) on ebay and spend the money on a valve job on my 2.0 head.

I think my cylinders still look good after 110k miles but I can not find 9.8:1 pistons in a 84.0 so I will probably have to get it bored and "maybe" go with Autoricambis https://www.autoricambi.us/cgi/commerce ... =EN7-404-Z

I will still do the lightened flywheel, Mark Allison's Fi cams and adjustable cam wheels but not going to do the cold air intake.

I am also wondering if I should get help from one of the pros here on the forum or just find a decent machine shop in town. Are you pro guys still here, hello...

[djape1977]

since you plan on increasing compression ratio, be sure to use high quality head gasket.
"goetze" are top notch but are getting scarce

[Tobi]

since you plan on increasing compression ratio, be sure to use high quality head gasket.
"goetze" are top notch but are getting scarce

Thanks, I have that on my list, together with a 1" timing belt.

[hamlet]

One thing to keep in mind: the transmission will take a beating the more HP you give the engine.

[vandor]

Two quick comments.

-I would not get adjustable camgears unless you plan on 1. Dialing them in with a dial indicator and degree wheel (and know how to do that) 2. Run your car on the dyno to see what changes in cam timing do and what setting is best for you

-One of the limitations on the FI setup is the airbox that has a small inlet and sucks warm engine bay air. Cut holes on its right side and also in the inner fender and duct outside 'cold' air to the box. This gives you denser air and free HP.

I would not worry about the transmission, with 120-130 HP it will be just fine.

Here in the US all the Spider heads had the same valve size. If you will run the 4 or 4.5mm dome pistons then use the 2 liter head to keep CR below 10:1.

[Tobi]

Thanks Csaba, I was not sure if I should get the adjustable cam gear and that is why asked if it is easy to adjust them.
Unfortunately I ordered them an hour ago from Jason. Maybe I can cancel my order since it is only a back order anyway.

I already have a couple of holes in the side of my air box and maybe should connect them with a hose (through the inner fenders) to the now useless hole where the front bumper mounts used to be.

I never worried about the transmission it's the rear end I worry about and that has more to do with the way I go around corners.

With the cylinder head I will have to calculate the cost and then pick the pistons accordingly . The 1.8 head has new valve guides and is ready to be installed while the 2.0 head needs work done.

I will call you guys next week with some questions and to order a few things.

[RRoller123]

I can vouch for the addition of the airbox holes making a noticeable difference!

[Tobi]

I can vouch for the addition of the airbox holes making a noticeable difference!

I am glad I can finally do that kind of stuff living in MN now. Twenty years ago in Germany I got a 120 bucks ticket for a tiny hole in the air box. I had it patched already but it came partially undone. The cop asked me to pop the hood, he put his hand under the box and wrote a ticket. California is haven compare to Germany and it's regulations.

[131lover]

Hi Toby!
Some comments..
skip the 1" belt if you not going to use high performence race cams and put the Money on Marks MLS headgasket and you wont have any trouble in the headgasket department!
Use only adjustable camwheels if you are going to dial in them,otherwise they are wasted!

Alf