How much difference does Turbo really make?

[Jimb]

Very noticeable difference?
Are they more difficult to keep tuned and to maintain?
Thanks,
jim

[So Cal Mark]

difference will be determined by turbo size and boost

[kristoj]

I have a stock '82 Turbo (one of the cars Fiat NA had Legend Industries convert back in the day). It makes 120 HP with 6 PSI of boost vs. 102 for the standard 2.0 liter FI model. I am not sure of the torque figures off the top of my head, but I know the available torque down low is much better in the turbo model. It is most noticable in first gear pulling you off the line. You will also have to shift less in the upper gears going up a hill or passing someone. You can definitely feel the difference over a standard model, but I would not categorize it as blazingly fast.

Maintenance is pretty much the same as the standard model, though I would highly recommend a fully synthetic motor oil. Turbo specific parts are hard to come by as only 700 were made, but I was able to send my Turbo out to a shop in SoCal for a rebuild which cost only a few hundred dollars. Exhaust manifolds on the turbos have also been known to crack. They can be welded by a good shop and used ones occasionally come up on e-bay, but outside of those two options you are pretty much on your own if yours cracks.

[78spyderturbo]

It makes a huge diference.I have a custom set up in my 78. It transformed the car.

[Spiddy]

Go the whole hog and install a supercharger like the Pininfarina Volumex spider.

[Curly]

Mark has hit the nail on the head !!
Are we talking standard turbo, standard boost, or custom turbo installation, intercooled with a screwed down wastegate? You can go from hardly noticing any effect to a tyre shredding monster, depending on the setup .
I've never been a turbo fan (no pun intended ) and on an outing recently in SPYDUH with a custom 2L turbo Spyder tagging along, my opinion hasn't changed. On a twisty mountain road, the normally aspirated SPYDUH (2L Euro spec with twin sidedraft Webers and 100bhp at the wheels) was consistently faster out of and between bends than the turbo. The turbo driver was becoming increasingly frustrated in not being able to stay on boost. On longer straight sections the difference minimised, but it was only at illegal speeds that the turbo Spider had any real advantage. For drivability and response go normally aspirated or try a supercharger .

[stefhahn]

...and on an outing recently in SPYDUH with a custom 2L turbo Spyder tagging along, my opinion hasn't changed. On a twisty mountain road, the normally aspirated SPYDUH (2L Euro spec with twin sidedraft Webers and 100bhp at the wheels) was consistently faster out of and between bends than the turbo. ....

This could also be related to the driver - just kidding - SPYDUH is a brillant car!

[pippend]

Fiats have been know and loved for what they are. I personally think that if one wants something different, go get that as they are designed to handle the stresses a lot of power adds into the mix. Not only to the drive train, but the suspension and just about everything.

I have owned 4 different Fiats. A 1970 with the 1438 engine to my current 81 Turbo 2000. They have all been fun cars and I don't have a favorite. The Legend industries factory approved stock Turbo adds 20 HP and its weight is only about 10-15 pounds, so it does not affect the overall handling or feel of the car other than in the torque and additional HP. The torque curve is very appreciable and kicks in at low RPMs so there is not a lot of "lag" on the stock turbo. I have not had any problems with the drivetrain or clutch wearing. I think the LI mod was done in a way that was not overly expensive and didn't create a need for beefing up the stock chassis or drivetrain and produced a nice bit of "boost" and performance, particularly for that era.

My Turbo model is working properly after installing a new turbo (identical model to stock) that produces the correct amount of boost. The original turbo was "sick" and would not boost hardly at all, the gauge only barely getting into the green. The new one goes all the way to the top of the green and the difference between one that works and one that barely works is very noticeable. The car has a lot more torque and the difference is most noticed in 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears. It is significant in passing with the power just continuing right up to top end. I don't think it is that useful in 0-60 times as the effects in 1st and 2nd gears are not that great as the gearing is such that the added HP is not much of a factor.

It doesn't turn the car into a chipped 1989 944 Turbo that breaks the tires loose in 2nd and 3rd gears and pins you back in the seat (had one of those). I don't feel that is what a Fiat is designed for. It has a different mission and performs its mission very well as it is and should be enjoyed, admired, and praised as it is. On the other hand, to anyone wishing to make the needed mods, "more power" to you. It's a free country and all it takes is $$$.

[kristoj]

Couldn't have said it better myself. My neighbor has a highly modified 1987 944 Turbo that absolutely screams and handles as if on rails. It is in flawless condition inside and out with less than 45,000 miles on the clock and he has less than $15K in the car including the mods (makes more than 350 HP at the rear wheels). Not sure the Spider is meant to be that kind of car with it's mid-60s chassis and suspension design -- not to mention the amount of money it would take to bring it up to those kind of performance numbers. But the stock Turbo Fiat's definitely add a little pizzazz to the overall driving experience.