120 hp from a '78 Fiat Spider?

mgribbins · Post by **mgribbins** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:55 pm

How can I do it? I love my little Fiat but I would like to get about 120 hp out of it and better handling characteristics.
It is seldom driven more than 100 miles round trip so for me MPG is not important. Has anyone tinkered with after market turbo? Aftermarket fuel injection? Higher compression? I have even considered a Miata engine transplant (I would call it a Fiata! gasp!) but I like the looks of the twin cam and I am sure there are ways to get the power I want.
Also...I am 6'3" and my wife is 6'. I would like a functional roll bar that doesn't interfere with the top. Possible?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:12 pm

120 is pretty easy to obtain. I wouldn't consider a swap unless it would net you at least 180-200 hp. The right combination of carburetion, cams, compression, head work and exhaust will easily reach that level. And that's normally aspirated. Heck, we got 119hp from a 1608 with some head porting, autocross cams, dual carbs and my exhaust system. That's without even touching the short block. We've got some 2L Spiders running around with hp in the 140 range and gobs of torque

mgribbins · Post by **mgribbins** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:23 pm

Upland, CA!?!?!? I went to school in Ontario in the 1970 somethings! We lived on 6th street just down the street from Vienyard elementary. Probably not the best of neighborhoods now-a-days.
I think 120-140 would be fine. I want to lighten the car....give it an autocross look...
Can you give me a shopping list with sources? Normally aspirated is probably the preferred method. Dual carbs? I'm sure de-smogging and modified cams will be needed. I am in Iowa so this will be a winter project. Have to enjoy the warm months while they last. What are we looking at ballpark? $3000-3500?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:33 am

are you planning on rebuilding the motor, or just modifying it?

mgribbins · Post by **mgribbins** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:37 am

Rebuild. Haven't torn it down yet but it has 97k miles.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:33 am

I would say $3500 is in the ballpark depending on how much head work you want to do, and the cost of a dual carb setup. If you add the cost of a top-of-line exhaust system you'll be over that amount

baltobernie · Post by **baltobernie** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:22 pm

Are you guys talking about rear wheel horsepower?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:29 pm

no, I'm talking engine hp

gchocevar · Post by **gchocevar** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:41 pm

Hi group,

Well, after almost 35 years from owning my first 1969 Fiat Spider, and a few other toys along the line, we decided to rebuild a recently purchased 1979 Pininfarina 2000. I was looking at this site regarding aluminum v6 engine conversions or going the turbo route. It seems the group consensus is to stick with what you have except for adding some modest EPA legal engine upgrades. Mark, are your conversions street legal in Califonia or do I need a special license in Ohio?

Great site!
Greg

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:47 pm

we still have smog inspections in Calif for cars 76 and newer, so on those cars we install all of the emission equipment; egr, air pump, catalytic converter. We have several running around that still make great power and pass the smog check. I will admit though, that generally we make adjustments when they have to be tested but it just requires setting the timing at factory specs and making sure the fuel mixture isn't too rich.

ppo · Post by **ppo** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:36 am

I have a '80 spider 2000 carburated. I think everything is pretty much stock. I'm not as tech savvy as it sounds like a lot of you guys are, but I was wondering what kinds of things I could do to increase hp on my car short of opening up or taking apart the engine. I have the ansa performance exhaust on it right now. I understand that there are a lot of emission control things in place, and I'm thinking of getting historic tags on it so I can avoid inspections. What can I remove or plug up in addition to switching the cat with a straight pipe? Headers and a different carburator are not out of the question either.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:36 pm

at the very minimum put on a 32/36 carb, change the intake if possible. Disable the egr and install a good header with at least a 2" dia system. Get rid of the catalyst if it's legal to do so. If you want to go farther, install some performance cams. The next step would be to install an 1800 cylinder head with some porting work done to it

ppo · Post by **ppo** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:52 pm

Thanks Mark. Do you recommend the 32/36 over the 34 ADF? Is it a 32 that is in there now if it's stock?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Fri May 01, 2009 12:20 am

the stock 80 carb is a 28/32. I like the 32/36 dfev since it has an electric choke and it's available new now.

ppo · Post by **ppo** » Fri May 01, 2009 7:12 am

Is it trickier to install than the 34?

120 hp from a '78 Fiat Spider?

120 hp from a '78 Fiat Spider?

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