Performance Q's!!!??????

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toplessexpat
Posts: 1183
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2012 2:29 am
Your car is a: 1976 Spider 1800
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by toplessexpat »

Less low end saves tires.... ;)

The 42/82 + the 38ADL is simply wonderful.... The exhaust is sitting around 800F crushing, 1050F at 75mph and peaking at 1200F when flogging it ......

Keep smiling!

A
---
Many classic Fiats - it's a disease!
www.mirafiori.com
MIGHTY 8
Posts: 307
Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:55 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Spider
Location: North Chatham NY

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by MIGHTY 8 »

Greetings,

Is it safe to say, that with all things being equal, a performance build is centered AROUND what choice of pistons you decide to go with? And then start "slapping" on the other stuff afterwords?? :D

I am planning a full street performance rebuild, and have many many questions like these so please bear with me!

Thanks!
Mrbimmerdude

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by Mrbimmerdude »

MIGHTY 8 wrote:Greetings,

Is it safe to say, that with all things being equal, a performance build is centered AROUND what choice of pistons you decide to go with? And then start "slapping" on the other stuff afterwords?? :D

I am planning a full street performance rebuild, and have many many questions like these so please bear with me!

Thanks!
Ask away! I'm sure they are some I'm curious about too!

I do appreciate the help! From you all
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divace73
Posts: 1380
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:59 am
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat 124 Spider Silver
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by divace73 »

compression is king, you do have to consider the available fuel though....
Cheers David
-=1980 silver Fiat 124 Spider=-
If you want to see pics of my car (and other random stuff) >>click here<< OR
see my >>You tube channel<<
MIGHTY 8
Posts: 307
Joined: Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:55 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Spider
Location: North Chatham NY

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by MIGHTY 8 »

Me? Street motor= >93 octane...and that is using US standards. Can't seem to get much more over here Stateside!
Mrbimmerdude

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by Mrbimmerdude »

So Cal Mark wrote:as a coincidence, I now have turbo manifolds :D
How much are those going to be running? Do they fit 1600 motors or just 1800/2000?
And what flange is on them for turbo applications?? My interest has become greater haha
vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by vandor »

: Is it safe to say, that with all things being equal, a performance build is centered AROUND what choice of pistons you decide to go with?

Piston selection and compression are important, but can only be accomplished with an engine rebuild, so that is why people often choose other bolt-on parts instead, like cams, carbs and exhaust.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
Mrbimmerdude

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by Mrbimmerdude »

I don't see a point in replacing the pistons just yet, I'm not looking for massive power, only aiming for 6-8 psi which any stock motor can handle, to gain more power yes I'd put in higher compression pistons and such but if I'm going to build a high output turbo car i would swap it to a motor that is already semi fast and throw money at it. But that's down the road.
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johndemar
Posts: 716
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:12 am
Your car is a: 1976 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Phoenix

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by johndemar »

vandor wrote:> Adding performance cams without addressing the bottom half of the engine is not worth the effort.

I respectfully disagree.
No worries Csaba. I put the cams without doing anything else to the engine, and did it a long time ago when I was young and dumb. I'm no longer young :lol:

Didn't feel any improvement with them, so I took them out. Best thing I have done was to go to a 34ADF, 4-2 exhaust, and remove all the emissions. A definite seat of the pants improvement.
76 Fiat 124 Spider
One owner since July 20, 1976
Amadio Motor, Jeannette, PA
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toplessexpat
Posts: 1183
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2012 2:29 am
Your car is a: 1976 Spider 1800
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by toplessexpat »

You're right - cams by themselves would be somewhat futile. Cams with a monster carb, header and hot ignition - very nice!
---
Many classic Fiats - it's a disease!
www.mirafiori.com
Mrbimmerdude

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by Mrbimmerdude »

So question, what's a place for drop in rear ends to handle power as well as trans,?? I read and have been told the stock box and diff aren't that strong. But I read someone did an s10 rear and to yap pick up rear.. Would a 240sx rear work?? If so what would be a good trans??
I'll keep searching the forums to see if anything, comes up. Unless someone knows for a fact which rear ends work best.
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divace73
Posts: 1380
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:59 am
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat 124 Spider Silver
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by divace73 »

Mrbimmerdude wrote:So question, what's a place for drop in rear ends to handle power as well as trans,?? I read and have been told the stock box and diff aren't that strong. But I read someone did an s10 rear and to yap pick up rear.. Would a 240sx rear work?? If so what would be a good trans??
I'll keep searching the forums to see if anything, comes up. Unless someone knows for a fact which rear ends work best.
It all depends on how much power and what you plan to do with the car. If you want to skids then you will blow something.
getting your hands on a 132/131 gearbox is a good upgrade and keeps it in the family. Me thinks the 240sx are independant?? if so that will need major modifications. If you going huge power, a modified old school ford 9" normally does the trick.
If your diff is well sorted and have had it rechecked to ensure the ring and pinion are within spec they can handle a little power. I know of a local car in Oz that had the standard 124 diff (with LSD) with a 2L16V race motor for a long while and it didn't blow...on the flip side My spider was cruising and and it blew but I cannot say when the last time it was checked to see how out of spec it was....
How much power are we talking?
Cheers David
-=1980 silver Fiat 124 Spider=-
If you want to see pics of my car (and other random stuff) >>click here<< OR
see my >>You tube channel<<
vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by vandor »

>So question, what's a place for drop in rear ends to handle power as well as trans,??

If you will only run 6-7 psi boost then the stock one should be fine.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
Mrbimmerdude

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by Mrbimmerdude »

vandor wrote:>If you will only run 6-7 psi boost then the stock one should be fine.
Alrighty that's end of the questions for the diff,
I expect a lot of modification to house a different rear. If it comes from a completely different car. But I would think someone has made a drop in diff that could handle more power?

Power out put desired which may never come is about 350-400, which if I'm going to get that number a powertrain swap is in order. I just want to know what I can upgrade and be bolt on with less effort haha
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toplessexpat
Posts: 1183
Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2012 2:29 am
Your car is a: 1976 Spider 1800
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Performance Q's!!!??????

Post by toplessexpat »

Stick with the stock, IF you get sufficient power you destroy it.... Change it then...

Csaba --- wouldn't the guibo be killed before the diff went?

A
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Many classic Fiats - it's a disease!
www.mirafiori.com
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