forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

General chat about the car goes in here.
Post Reply
HAWKER
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:44 pm
Your car is a: 1982 FIAT SPIDER 2000

forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by HAWKER »

I know that there are a lot of purist out there and there should be but, I have always wondered if another type engine and transmission has ever been successfully installed in and Fiat Spider. I only think this way as I am in the throws of frustration of removing the engine and trans from my 1982 Pininfarina. This current powerplant/trans seems to be either wonderful or terrible.. I just do not know why. That has been my experience having owned three of them.
So Cal Mark

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by So Cal Mark »

the question is really to vague to answer. Yes, other engines can be swapped in depending on your fabrication skills. If you are hoping for a drop-in, everything bolts up situation then you really are a dreamer
User avatar
TulsaSpider
Posts: 1547
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:33 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Spyder 124 2L
Location: Tulsa, Ok

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by TulsaSpider »

You can do anything you are able to do. I have seen a small block Ford in one. Aside from fabrication, I'd say cooling and brakes would have to be improved!
1978 Spyder 1800 make that 2L! Finally making real progress!
sptcoupe
Posts: 987
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:25 pm
Your car is a: 1972 124 Sport Coupe

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by sptcoupe »

In the mid eighties there were a few guys in the SanFran Bay area that swapped with a Mazda rotary which they had turbo'd as well. They were smaller, lighter, and sat lower in th car, all of which suppposedly improved handling/performance, and they were getting good HP as well.
baltobernie
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 3466
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:00 pm
Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by baltobernie »

Anything over ±140hp would also require replacing the driveshaft and differential/axle with stronger components. If you don't live in an emissions-controlled state or province, a well-built single carb 2-litre will likely outlast you.
mbouse

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by mbouse »

then if you add weight to the front end, you gotta beef up the suspension.

here is a spider with a 350 chebbi engine:
http://gallery.italiancarclub.com/michf ... 7.JPG.html

as i recall, the transmission took up quite a bit of the cockpit... don't recall if he had leg room at all, or not.
User avatar
kmead
Posts: 1069
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:24 pm
Your car is a: 1969 850 SC 1970 124 SC 85 X19
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by kmead »

The beast with the Chebbi is now for sale if you would like to just buy it...

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/1137082924.html

Its in Sand Lake which is not far from me.
Karl

1969 Fiat 850 Sports Coupe
1970 Fiat 124 Sports Coupe
1985 Bertone X1/9
spiderrey
Posts: 2623
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:08 pm
Your car is a: 70 124 spider-74x19-03 ranger edge
Location: San Dimas, Ca

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by spiderrey »

that car originaly sold on ebay after the build for about $11,000.00. now they want 19.
So Cal Mark

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by So Cal Mark »

inflation :(
stephanspider2000

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by stephanspider2000 »

wow :shock: that's nice work.
but a little to extreme for me

howe about a fiat ritmo abarth 130 tc engine????

anyone done that
spiderrey
Posts: 2623
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:08 pm
Your car is a: 70 124 spider-74x19-03 ranger edge
Location: San Dimas, Ca

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by spiderrey »

what exactly is a ritmo abarth 130 engine?
User avatar
Tappy
Posts: 721
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:22 pm
Your car is a: 124 spider 2000 1979
Location: Belgium ; Centre Of Europe

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by Tappy »

rey , its basicly the same engine as the spider but from a fiat ritmo (strada) abarth 130 tc
look here :
http://www.abarth.itgo.com/modeli/ritmo.html
FineItalianAutomobile TechnologyImage

pls don't see what i write , read what i mean
stephanspider2000

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by stephanspider2000 »

i think in the us it's called a fiat strada , but here in europe its called a fiat ritmo.

I am stil thinking (dreaming) of putting a v6 in my spider
a know a guy here in holland who's selling a 3.2 v6 fom a fiat 130 coupe (165 hp)
and a 2.8 v6 (140 hp) for about 200 euro
the 3.2 should be the same as used in the lancia stratos and the fiat dino
look at picture off the engine at http://www.fiat130.nl/ under "techniek"

does anyone know where i can find the weight of these engines
and the weight of the 2 liter FI in my spider
htchevyii
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 1807
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:31 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider hers 1972 Spider his
Location: Hydesville, CA (NorCal)

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by htchevyii »

How about a Honda S2000 engine?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeeCnMv7d6E
Trey
Image
1982 SPIDER 2000, 1964 CHEVYII, 1969 Chevy Nova, 2005 DODGE RAM, 1988 Jeep Comanche
1972 Spider, 78 Spider rat racer 57 f-100,
spiderrey
Posts: 2623
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:08 pm
Your car is a: 70 124 spider-74x19-03 ranger edge
Location: San Dimas, Ca

Re: forgive me but......can you fit a different motor and trans

Post by spiderrey »

you can get that kind of horsepower from a modified 2 liter without the hassel of a swap and a weight penalty. but, if its just something you want to do go for it. i just read about an ol celica, 76 i think. it wasnt an easy swap on the s2000. lots of cutting and lots or wires to sort out, but it would be nice.
Post Reply