1976 spider 1800 carb replacement

[Archdukeferdinand]

Hi everyone I am only 17 and while i am passionate about cars, i am still a bit inexperienced, so i was wondering if i could get any technical advice about my car. I recently bought a 1976 fiat spider 1800 on craigslist. Currently the car runs and drives fine (apart from second gear but thats a different story). As soon as it passes emissions i would like to swap out the carburetor it has with a larger higher performance one. Currently i have the stock one, but i found these two online and am debating which one to get.

http://www.vickauto.com/newstore/index. ... ts_id=4019
http://www.vickauto.com/newstore/index. ... ts_id=3625

I have been reading up about cfm, vacuum, compression etc to see if i would be able to figure out whether or not the carbs would be too big for my engine. i could probably change my rings or even my whole piston to increase compression if that would be a limiting factor. any advice about whether or not those carbs work or things i should check before i make my decision would be greatly appreciated.

-Thanks!

[So Cal Mark]

you really should have an engine in excellent condition before considering performance upgrades. I'd suggest avoiding the 38dges with a stock 1800, that carb needs an engine with performance mods to work adequately. Rather than approach your project with random parts, I'd suggest you set some goals and plan out mods that will compliment each other.
You'll find that VAS isn't much help with technical questions, there are other vendors that will be happy to help you achieve your goals with the car

[narfire]

I was 17 when I bought my first car....70 fiat spider. Took dad's advice and made sure all the brakes and suspension was good before mucking about with the engine.
In 75 I don't think there were the options available today for after market parts, but a 32/36 or 34 dmsa would have been a nice addition. (perhaps the carb's were around then, just didn't know about them)

[bradartigue]

The options Vick's is selling are not easy to implement. A synchronously opening carburetor like the 38DGES is entirely too much carburetion for a stock 1800; twin 40IDFs are hard to set and keep in tune, and will drive you nuts in the long term. Both require engine modifications to make work well...and you have a long way to go before that.

If your car is stock it will have a Weber 32ADFA, which isn't a bad carb. Consider simply replacing it with a Weber 34ADF, which is bolt-on, shares the same parts (so you have extra jets, etc. already). It is a very good performance upgrade and one of the best carbs you can slap on an 1800. However..........if the thing is working well then spend your money elsewhere. A car with good brakes and a new suspension is a lot more fun. And once you get used to driving them you'll realize most of the fun with these cars is in the corners anyway.

[Archdukeferdinand]

Alright, thanks everyone. It sounds like i should wait on the carbs then until i have checked/modified other parts of the car first.

[carl]

Do the free stuff first. If your spider still has the stock airpump, remove it and the plumbing that went with it. It can sap horsepower since it's a pump driven by the motor. If the ignition is stock, you have dual points and the ignition timing is set at zero degrees. Convert to single points and set the timing at around 10 degrees at idle. You should easily be able to feel the difference. Make sure the valves are adjusted to spec and do a compression test. The 32 ADF is a really nice simple carb which functions well. As others have noted, save the carb change for later. A sport air filter probably won't add any power but you will hear the growl and satisfy your need for feeling like you have a tiger under the hood.

carl

[calvinconrad]

save all emission equipment if you remove any.