bolt-on performance for a '79?

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JohnMc
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Your car is a: 1970 Fiat 124

Re: bolt-on performance for a '79?

Postby JohnMc » Sat Sep 02, 2017 11:42 am

As general initial maintenance you might want to check the torque of the cross member. I had found a bolt was almost sheared through and would not have been fun.
I also presume you have rubber suspension parts that are not good anymore and presume the shocks could be improved.
This is only my third 124 and the cars are not fast - but they can be so much fun taking corners with the top down.
But that leads to another comment - why ever put the top up? (Well, maybe neighborhood cats).

Slartibartfaster
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Your car is a: 1979 Spider

Re: bolt-on performance for a '79?

Postby Slartibartfaster » Wed Sep 06, 2017 4:21 pm

Thanks again all for your responses - this was very helpful.

I picked the car up last Thursday and have since put about 300 miles on it (including 200 getting it home). Other than the tach going tango uniform it's been all joy. I know, it's a bad ground. I'll find it eventually!

The PO provided a Shop Manual with wiring diagrams, and I bought Bradley Artigue's book. So I'm now in that delicious phase with a new (to me) car; learning/planning for performance upgrades where it's all sounding fun, easy and relatively inexpensive, yet my car is still i one piece and I haven't broken anything yet. We'll see how long that lasts!

I can confirm (from records and inspection) that it still has the small carb, cat, functional emissions plumbing (and 4-2-1), most rubber bits, tubes, brakes, etc have been replaced, many more than once, and is on it's 4th timing belt...all changed due to age, not condition. The roof was replaced by the dealer in 1979 and literally looks brand new. Tires, battery, exhaust, distributor and wires, fuel pump and much more all replaced as needed and functioning correctly. I can't find any wear items that need attention at all. The original owner has set a high bar for me and I intend to match it.

When I figure out photo hosting I'll start a new thread (I guess in the 'restoration' section) and ask a few hundred more questions. In the meantime if anyone knows any Fiat gurus in the Cincinnati area please let me know :D
'79 Spider
'15 Tesla Model S85D
'14 Santa Fe
'17 Civic

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xjware
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Your car is a: 1978 124 Sport Spider
Location: Fishers (Indy), IN

Re: bolt-on performance for a '79?

Postby xjware » Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:41 am

You aren't too far (closer than I am) to Midwest 124 -http://www.midwest124.com - in Columbus, OH
Are you going to put any fjords on your Spider? To give it a more "baroque feel" ?
1978 124 Spider
Central Indiana Italian Car Association
http://www.ciica.me/

Slartibartfaster
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Your car is a: 1979 Spider

Re: bolt-on performance for a '79?

Postby Slartibartfaster » Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:30 am

xjware wrote:You aren't too far (closer than I am) to Midwest 124 -http://www.midwest124.com - in Columbus, OH
Are you going to put any fjords on your Spider? To give it a more "baroque feel" ?
!!! :lol:
Not sure on the fjords; I'll have to ask the mice
'79 Spider
'15 Tesla Model S85D
'14 Santa Fe
'17 Civic

Slartibartfaster
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Your car is a: 1979 Spider

Re: bolt-on performance for a '79?

Postby Slartibartfaster » Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:38 pm

AndyVAS wrote:79 should already have electronic ignition.

Swap the intake manifold and carb. Either go with the 1800 manifold and aftermarket carb or go big time with twin carbs.

Put on a header and full exhaust.

Do a good tune-up with all the normal stuff and a new ignition coil.

For easy suspension mods, put in a set of performance springs and new shocks. Our springs and hydraulic are a good pairing. If you're up for a little work, put in polyurethane bushings.


OK, any idea where I can actually find said intake manifold? Vick and others all say 'out of stock' :shock:
'79 Spider
'15 Tesla Model S85D
'14 Santa Fe
'17 Civic

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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: bolt-on performance for a '79?

Postby RRoller123 » Fri Sep 08, 2017 4:50 am

Try "spiderparts" here on the forum. John has many great used parts!
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle


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