What does it take to make more power?

[August]

I have a carbureted 1980 spider that I have been working on for some time and I was wondering what it takes to make around 200 horsepower. also on a side note has anyone turbocharged one of the carbureted spiders?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

All my engines have been the stock HP, but from what I've heard from Fiat friends, 130 HP is reasonable with a better exhaust, high compression pistons, cams, dual carburetors, electronic ignition, etc. Somewhat more if you start doing more modifications (larger valves, porting, lighter flywheel/clutch, rods, etc.).

200 HP would require some serious $$$, and there is a good chance that you would blow out your drivetrain as the transmission, driveshaft, differential weren't built for that much power. So it can be done, but now we're talking non-stock transmissions and rear axles, and a lot of fabrication and welding work at performance car shops.

-Bryan

[Nut124]

I have a carbureted 1980 spider that I have been working on for some time and I was wondering what it takes to make around 200 horsepower. also on a side note has anyone turbocharged one of the carbureted spiders?

About $20k.

[Jimb]

A supercharger.

Jim

[TX82FIAT]

You don't really want to produce more than about 140 HP to the wheels or you will trash the rest of the car. FIAT and LACIA made multiport fuel injection heads that work on the lampredi twin cam but they are almost unobtanium as I have not seen one for sale in a few years. You would need to move from carb to fuel injection with the new head. If you want 200 HP I would suggest X supports to the frame with new mechanicals from the engine all the way through the rear differential and mentioned above. You will trash both the stock transmission and rear diff with that type of power. Getting 200 HP from the stock engine will take a lot more than HC pistons, ported valves, fuel delivery, flywheel, cams/rods. If you can weld/fabricate and are handy with a wrench maybe you could redesign the entire car for $20K. I can tell you that 140HP to the rear wheels is a blast to drive and break free shifting into second.

[Nut124]

... I can tell you that 140HP to the rear wheels is a blast to drive and break free shifting into second.

I assume you are talking about your Fiat. Have you dynoed your car/engine or done any 1/4 mile passes?

[August]

can tell you that 140HP to the rear wheels is a blast to drive and break free shifting into second

could I make a 140 hp without swapping to fi?

[TX82FIAT]

Nut 124, yes, the last time my car was dynoed was in 2011 at 148 HP to the wheels off a fairly fresh build. I've put about 35K on the car since then. Its getting close to the time to change the timing belt again.

August, you can get to 140 HP with a dual carb set up and a lot of other bits and pieces. I went the fuel injection route for reliability and the passionate desire to not rebuild the carb every five years or so. One of the guys in Texas has a FIAT coupe that is truly amazing and is in or above that HP range with carbs.

[redcars]

If you really want 200hp the easiest and cheapest way is to buy a different car.

[Nut124]

Nut 124, yes, the last time my car was dynoed was in 2011 at 148 HP to the wheels off a fairly fresh build. I've put about 35K on the car since then. Its getting close to the time to change the timing belt again.

Cool.

My -78 1800 dynoed 141HP at the wheels at 7300rpm. 10.5CR, cams, 4-2-1, 44IDFs, head work.

Have you ever had a 1/4mile slip? Mine has made multiple 15.75 passes at a drag strip.

[TheBender]

Nut 124, yes, the last time my car was dynoed was in 2011 at 148 HP to the wheels off a fairly fresh build. I've put about 35K on the car since then. Its getting close to the time to change the timing belt again.

August, you can get to 140 HP with a dual carb set up and a lot of other bits and pieces. I went the fuel injection route for reliability and the passionate desire to not rebuild the carb every five years or so. One of the guys in Texas has a FIAT coupe that is truly amazing and is in or above that HP range with carbs.

Is that the white Fiat from the Austin area?

[TX82FIAT]

I have the white spider down the road in San Antonio. The coupe I was talking about is bright yellow. If memory serves me right, Jeff Scheferman ownes this awesome coupe in the Dallas area.

[TheBender]

Ah ok. I haven’t seen the yellow one. A few months ago I was at Shadetree outside of Dallas and Robert had a white coupe from the Austin area there for service. He light up talking about it and it’s performance.

[F16Waldo]

what it takes to make around 200 horsepower?

I bet this has 200 hp

https://youtu.be/Zn8GUXJhzA0

[TX82FIAT]

Yes, I'm sure that 72" Ford 302 V8, C4 trans, Chevy rearend, & Holly EFI TBI put out over 200 HP. I thought the question was getting to the 200 HP range with the lampretti twin cam. Unless you can find the extremely hard to find multiport head... No, you wont be able to do it.