New from Plymouth, MN

[Speider4554]

Hello from Plymouth, MN.

After some discussion with my youngest daughter, she decided she would like to better understand the workings of an automobile from the inside out, which is the way I learned, and I think we all do. I have restored some MGs and Triumphs in the past, among other domestic models, but have not really had time with family obligations since my early 20's (a couple of decades ago). So, we found a 1980 Spider for sale to use as our project. It was in "running" condition, but not in a condition I felt safe to drive home. I am excited (to say the least) to be picking up one my favorite hobbies once again.

I greatly appreciate all of the helpful information available on this site, and look forward to sharing our project as we move forward.

The vehicle has pretty extensive rust damage along the underside and frame, almost appears as if it sat low, or with 2 flat tires near ground level. It appears we will be replacing floor pans, with repairs to rockers, and also to front frame (badly deteriorated in front of the front sub frame mount. I am toying with the idea of installing a square tub frame along the mid section of the car, or at least at the rocker locations, just for increase strength. Also found gas tank leaking, had rusted throiught at front where it mounts to trunk floor, so also some fabrication repair required in the trunk.

I intend to rebuild engine and transmission, new suspension parts as needed, upgrade brakes, new fuel line (rusted).
We have the engine and transmission removed. Engine disassembled. Sent block and head to local machine shop for inspection. I have read a number of topics related to best bang for the buck on performance upgrades, so may lean on this group for input on that as well. I am also very interested in installing a lower ratio (taller) 5th gear in the transmission, if anyone has any recommendation on where I might obtain that.

So we are taking on a major resto and looking forward to it!

Greg

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Welcome Greg, and it sounds like quite the project you have going there. Just a question before we can get into performance: Is the car fuel injected or carburetted? 1980 was generally FI in California but still carburetor in the other 49 states. By 1981 all the spiders were FI.

And hey, I've owned some MGs and a Triumph TR6 in my past, and people still talk to me*, so we won't hold it against you.
*most of the time...

-Bryan

[Speider4554]

Hi Brian,

Good point. It is fuel injected.

Here’s hoping . That was a long time ago. And I greatly respect others that learned how to tune those models. It took me a A fair amount of time and patience time to figure it out, but I always enjoyed learning and the process in general.

[rvwinkle]

Hi! from Eagan, MN.

I'm currently bringing my 1980 Fiat Spider that I bought new in Norman, OK just a few months before my job transferred here. I'm currently working on bringing it back to roadworthiness after I stopped driving it about 20 yrs ago due to weak brakes.

I highly recommend the shop manual from Vick autosports.

There's some video threads on YouTube trhat are very helpful as well.

Best Regards,
Lee

[rdv]

Hi and welcome!

There are various Spider in Minnesota, perhaps you look for some real help? The worldwide Spider Register counts 105 cars from Minnesota and 2 cars from Hennepin Ct. see here:
https://www.fiatspider.de/register?Fahr ... =Minnesota

Would be great to get your car data for the worldwide Spider Register! Thanks in advance.

Cheers Ralf