1974 Fiat spider v8 build

[alsaleen]

After helping finish my grandpas 79 spider and driving it I finally got one. However I'm into things that are a little differant so I decided that I would fit a ford 302 "5.0" and 5 speed from my wrecked 95 mustang in one.
The search began I live in south easter wisconsin and my grandparent in northern michigan so between the both of us we were covering a large area for prospective cars. we saw a few but not wanting to cut up a perfectly good car and also not wanting to do a complete restoration just to modify it so I guess we we're being picky about what we buy.
We ended up hearing about on going up for auction at an estate sale thin near my grandpa so he went and got the car, in ok shape but hadn't run in 10 years best part was it came with a parts car.. Basicall completely rotted but had engine trans and more importantly an extra rear end "I want to try and keep the stock one In the car". All of this for 800 bucks we we're the only bidders and I'm not sure why he bid so high right away but still an ok price I think.

Well I gutted the car this past weekend engine, tranny and the interior are gone saved most of the interior... We'll what wasn't wet and rotted. It'll need a new drivers side floor pannel and a small section by the pas seat where thay all get weak and rot out. Also need a front "bumper" the steel body panel on the front under the bumper I may get a new one though so it'll have the square hole to mount some fog lights.
Next week ill be bringing my 5.0 engine and tranny up to their house to put it next to the car.

This project won't be easy because its 4 hrs away from me but makes more sense keeping it up there to work on on weekends with grandpa having a heated 4 car garage and plenty of tools, a welder ect.

When I get home ill post some pics of where this project is at so far.

[So Cal Mark]

you've got quite a project ahead of you, keep us posted with pics

[azygoustoyou]

You gotta take pic's and show us your progress.

[TulsaSpider]

Hmm yea keep us posted. I recently got a place with an actual workshop. I have two parts cars. I am thinking hmmm if I could find a cheap V8.....

[So Cal Mark]

the problem with fitting a v8 into the Spider is the exhaust on the left side, and of course the weight on that fragile crossmember

[lanciahf]

What you need is a Buick/Rover 215 aluminum v8. Seems to be not as wide as a ford 302. Below is a photo of one in a MG


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_V8_engine#215

Some one over on the flu site installed a 302 in spider. See photos below. I like engine swaps but this is to much cutting for me. Its not really a spider anymore.






Rack & Pinion

[alsaleen]

well here are the pictures of the engine getting pulled and interior out.
where did you say you got those pictures of a 302 in the car? id be interested in his steering rack and how its set up.

[MNspiderman]

Oops, you need photo bucket first

[manoa matt]

Stuffing a V8 into the spider engine bay, you will need all the cooling you can get. No way a spider hood will fit with that big radiatior. I'd go for an aluminum one like the vendors sell, two fans, low temp fan switch, an oil cooler, under belly tray/pan/shield, and pull the intake air from the front of the car via ducts, not in the engine bay like pictured.

[v6spider]

Hmmm the photos of the spider with the 302 look familiar. That may be the one I saw on http://www.fiatforum.com.
I am using a Chevy Vortec 4.3L v6 in my new spider. I had this engine in the first spider I owned but dismantled it due to too much structural rust. The new spider is solid and does not have any of these issues. My 4.3 v6 puts out over 300hp with no nitrous. turbo or supercharging. All done with intake, cam, All Roller valve-train, Headers and 2 1/2" Exhaust. The cam has 290 deg duration @ .525 lift. more than enough to push a spider without all the heat issues that you will have from the v8.

Cheers!
Rob