To build up, or not to build up?

spiderrey · Post by **spiderrey** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 4:44 pm

my spider is runnig a 9.5 to 1 been putting premium in it, but it only gets out once or twice a month.

pertyfly · Post by **pertyfly** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:58 am

Okay guys...

I've found a little more money I can play with here...reluctantly

I'd like you all to tell me (and I'd like many opinions) what this sounds like

My current plans:
I'm going to rebuild the whole engine top to bottom. New bearings/bushings all around, new 8.9 flat top pistons 0.4mm over, new performance cams, complete head job with 3-angle valve grind, crank polish or regrind (depending what's required) and boring 20 over of course

Has anyone bought the "performane camshaft set" from IAP PN: 92400?
I'm wondering if they are a nice upgrade or not. They say not a regrind, and I like that.

Also, are the stock springs okay (as long as they're at spec)? I'm thinking the "high revving springs" they sell are more geared toward the autocross cams, and if I plan on racing/revving high a lot?

Suggestions please?

YeLLoWBoAt · Post by **YeLLoWBoAt** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:16 am

Go with the springs that are recomended by the cam manufactor.

YeLLoWBoAt · Post by **YeLLoWBoAt** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:18 am

Also have the machine shop magnaflux(sp?) the heads, block, crank and rods. Other wise all your doing is wasting money.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:18 am

The 40/80 cams you are talking about are very popular. I went with the 42/82's in my car with Guy Croft valve springs, custom pistons and rods, block decked and bored, crank polished, head ported, matched and polished, and everything balanced. I think the difference in the cams is torque/power curve. My car has good power from idle on up but it's like a kick in the pants when it hits 4k and I had it up to 8k the other day with no problems. I think it depends on how you plan to drive the car. The stock springs are fine if you plan on staying out of the red.

pertyfly · Post by **pertyfly** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:00 am

Okay, I will check this kind of thing out. I'm going to call around today.

Another thing...I believe I would have to re-jet my carb... I've not done much carb work before, and was wondering 1) what is involved in this, and 2) how do you go about doing this, and determining what size and when it's running best, etc?

Thanks

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:25 am

aluminum heads can't be magnafluxed-they're not magnetic. Don't waste money on the IAP springs, if you're going to upgrade get the Croft springs. Before you rejet the carb, you need to determine whether the mixture is too rich or too lean. Without a CO meter, you'll need to read the spark plugs. If you don't have the knowledge or tools to do this, I'd suggest you find a tuner with a dyno that can get the engine setup properly once you get it running. It will be worth the investment

Jim DeShon · Post by **Jim DeShon** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 4:18 pm

If you raise the CR, you need to change the ignition curve accordingly. The more CR the less advance. Inital timing needs to be the same, just less total advance. This will fix a lot of the problems. You may have to richen it up a bit but no richer than 13-1 CO. A good oil cooler will also help.

J.D.

Mark_vaughn · Post by **Mark_vaughn** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:56 pm

I was told by IAP that the autocross cams were too hot for street use. Much less their race cams. Has anyone had any experience with these?

I want to build my car up significantly over time and "race" doesn't scare me, but I still want to be able to drive it other than the track. It is by no stretch a "daily driver" though.

Also, does anyone know what these cars will do when properly built up. No supercharger or anything, just alot of tweaking. I am looking for a 0-60 number that we can all relate to.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:24 pm

the 2L we built for Spiderrey is blindingly fast from a standing start; smokes the tires thru every gear. Normally aspirated, dual carbs, considerable head work, header and exhaust, crank-fired ignition. Not sure what the 0-60 times are, but the car is a blast to drive

Mark_vaughn · Post by **Mark_vaughn** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:50 pm

So Cal Mark wrote:the 2L we built for Spiderrey is blindingly fast from a standing start; smokes the tires thru every gear. Normally aspirated, dual carbs, considerable head work, header and exhaust, crank-fired ignition. Not sure what the 0-60 times are, but the car is a blast to drive

That is what I was wanting to hear. Is IAP the place to get parts or who would you recommend Mark? I will probably be doing everything but the machine work myself. Haven't found anyone around here who works on Fiats anyway.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 12:12 am

IAP is a very good source. I can supply some parts also, but I'll admit IAP has much more coverage in stock than I do, especially on hard parts (pistons, bearings). Make sure you have a competent machine shop, some don't want to work on Fiats!
Currently I have great deal on complete gasket sets.

spiderrey · Post by **spiderrey** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 5:43 pm

i got all my parts through mark for my build up. except for the ones that i got from guy croft.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 8:24 am

[quote="Mark_vaughn"]I was told by IAP that the autocross cams were too hot for street use. Much less their race cams. Has anyone had any experience with these?

The autocross cams are what I have in mine. I just replaced the Holly 350 carb with the 40 IDFs and it idles at 1000 rpms and is very smooth. I haven't had a chance to compare the two setups yet, but I know I'm getting better top end power from the bigger carbs. What size jets are you running in your idf's, Rey?

miragesmack · Post by **miragesmack** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:18 pm

So Cal Mark wrote:with the gas situation hitting $3 for regular again and probably staying there, I'd suggest flat top pistons. But, you may have trouble finding them. The recent shipments into the US have been the domed pistons, and the price was less than the flat tops. Seems there has been more demand for the hc units, so that's what the vendors ordered.

^^^^^ Haha! Look at this little gem from the past! Don't we all wish. $4.30 here in Louisville today.

To build up, or not to build up?

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