Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

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dcarey
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:01 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider 1800 CS1

Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby dcarey » Mon Oct 02, 2017 8:54 pm

I have a stock 1978 124 spider. I'd like to put $1-2K into the engine to upgrade performance. Any recommendations for cabs, headers etc? I have a 32 ADFA single plane.

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phaetn
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Your car is a: 1974 Fiat Spider 1800
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Re: Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby phaetn » Mon Oct 02, 2017 10:56 pm

I have a stainless header from Vick’s — works well. Where the SS downtube clamps to the headers can be finicky, so I had mine welded. I noticed an immediate improvement In pulling power (torque), especially when the engine comes on the cam after about 3500rpm.

I also have the Computronix ignition from Allison’s. That’s a great buy for a big, fat, juicy spark all through the rev range. You don’t have to worry about adjusting points or performance dropping as dwell time decreases as rpm increase, affecting spark.

All that is fed by an EMPI 32/36 DFEV carb (also availabe at Allison’s). I’m not sure how it relates to yours, but it was definitely better than what I had stock

I suspect you could get all of those for not much north of $1000 and should give a significant performance boost. Make sure you get rid of all the smog equipment, too, if you can get away without it in your state.

Cheers,
phaetn

(Edits for typos)
Last edited by phaetn on Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
1974 CS1
32/36 DFEV; CompuTronix ign.
9.8:1 c/r; 40/80 intake cam w/ Isky springs
Vicks' SS header & adj. cam pulleys
A/R's progressive coils, Koni Yellow dampers
205/50-15s on CD-66 style rims
Momo wheel, Corbeau seats w/ 5 pt belt
pics and HD vids

dcarey
Posts: 33
Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 10:01 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider 1800 CS1

Re: Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby dcarey » Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:55 am

I really appreciate the detailed replay, very helpful advice and I will take it. Thanks!

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Nanonevol
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Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby Nanonevol » Tue Oct 03, 2017 8:31 am

Weber 34 ADF is also good if you can find one. Beware the Chinese copy.
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

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

Re: Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby RRoller123 » Tue Oct 03, 2017 10:11 am

Large valve head from AR and a lightened flywheel and cams from Allison's made a huge difference in my '80 2L FI.
'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

dcarey
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Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider 1800 CS1

Re: Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby dcarey » Tue Oct 03, 2017 1:20 pm

is there a shop in the US that provides/performs the work and parts or did you do it?

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RRoller123
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Re: Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby RRoller123 » Tue Oct 03, 2017 2:32 pm

I shipped the head to AR and they did the machining work, added the larger valves, new springs, guides, etc. I did the rest of the mechanical upgrades and the assembly work on the car, other than putting in the lightened flywheel, you really want a lift to be able to do that work comfortably, and I don't have one. (Yet). If you have the drawings and specs, a competent automotive machinist should be able to modify the head for you, but I am more comfortable with one of our well known vendors for that sort of stuff. It all has to play together, and they know these cars inside and out.
'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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phaetn
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Location: Ottawa, ON Canada

Re: Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby phaetn » Thu Oct 05, 2017 1:51 am

I had my head machined locally. But it was by a shop that Canadadan -- the local Fiat guru -- said it was the only one he trusted.

I should have installed bigger valves, but I guess I may do that another time. Instead I used new stock ones. I did get a multi-angle valve seating, though, and used new brass guides. Maybe if I ever bring in the block to get new (high compression?) pistons fitted I will have bigger valves seated and look at a lightened flywheel then, too.

dcarey, once you start machining that's more money and time on the road lost as you have to wait for the shop. Maybe a winter project if the car is not driven at that time. A flywheel and pistons also means you have to have an engine hoist to pull the block and (likely) the pain of disconnecting the transmission.

My advice is to start with the simple bolt-on stuff first: carb, header, ignition. Let that turn your crank for a while. Later (if you still have a quest for more power) then dig deeper like head work and block mods. You probably get a bigger bang for your buck with the bolt on stuff, too. There's a law of diminishing returns that quickly comes into play. :)

RRoller123, I'm seriously at the point of considering a lift, too. But then SpiderDan pointed me to a local DIY shop that rents lift time: CA$30/hr, and $2/min for a licensed mechanic's help or advice, to a max of $51/hr (so $81 total if you're really stuck). They provide some basic tools and air tools, too. It sure beats crawling under the car all the time! One can leave the car overnight, too, if need be.

Cheers,
phaetn
1974 CS1
32/36 DFEV; CompuTronix ign.
9.8:1 c/r; 40/80 intake cam w/ Isky springs
Vicks' SS header & adj. cam pulleys
A/R's progressive coils, Koni Yellow dampers
205/50-15s on CD-66 style rims
Momo wheel, Corbeau seats w/ 5 pt belt
pics and HD vids

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

Re: Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby RRoller123 » Thu Oct 05, 2017 7:24 am

I like that rent a lift idea. It would be worth it just in physical discomfort alone, to rent it for an entire day and get a bunch of stuff done under there. These old bones are not happy when they have to roll around on garage floor concrete.
'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

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby architect » Sun Nov 05, 2017 9:03 am

phaetn wrote:I have a stainless header from Vick’s — works well. Where the SS downtube clamps to the headers can be finicky, so I had mine welded. I noticed an immediate improvement In pulling power (torque), especially when the engine comes on the cam after about 3500rpm.

I also have the Computronix ignition from Allison’s. That’s a great buy for a big, fat, juicy spark all through the rev range. You don’t have to worry about adjusting points or performance dropping as dwell time decreases as rpm increase, affecting spark.

All that is fed by an EMPI 32/36 DFEV carb (also availabe at Allison’s). I’m not sure how it relates to yours, but it was definitely better than what I had stock

I suspect you could get all of those for not much north of $1000 and should give a significant performance boost. Make sure you get rid of all the smog equipment, too, if you can get away without it in your state.

Cheers,
phaetn

(Edits for typos)


I made all of these modifications over the last 6 months + all new cooling (alum rad, water pump, etc) + elect fuel pump, stainless braided lines and new tank... but I have yet to crank it up for the first time ha!

After reading this post... It gets me excited to get my car running. Just waiting on Allison’s ignition to get here from the mail :D
78 Fiat 124

architect
Posts: 321
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2016 9:48 am
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby architect » Sun Nov 05, 2017 9:06 am

phaetn wrote:I had my head machined locally. But it was by a shop that Canadadan -- the local Fiat guru -- said it was the only one he trusted.

I should have installed bigger valves, but I guess I may do that another time. Instead I used new stock ones. I did get a multi-angle valve seating, though, and used new brass guides. Maybe if I ever bring in the block to get new (high compression?) pistons fitted I will have bigger valves seated and look at a lightened flywheel then, too.

dcarey, once you start machining that's more money and time on the road lost as you have to wait for the shop. Maybe a winter project if the car is not driven at that time. A flywheel and pistons also means you have to have an engine hoist to pull the block and (likely) the pain of disconnecting the transmission.

My advice is to start with the simple bolt-on stuff first: carb, header, ignition. Let that turn your crank for a while. Later (if you still have a quest for more power) then dig deeper like head work and block mods. You probably get a bigger bang for your buck with the bolt on stuff, too. There's a law of diminishing returns that quickly comes into play. :)

RRoller123, I'm seriously at the point of considering a lift, too. But then SpiderDan pointed me to a local DIY shop that rents lift time: CA$30/hr, and $2/min for a licensed mechanic's help or advice, to a max of $51/hr (so $81 total if you're really stuck). They provide some basic tools and air tools, too. It sure beats crawling under the car all the time! One can leave the car overnight, too, if need be.

Cheers,
phaetn


And I totally agree with this... some things are not worth the risk. I pretty much refuse to get under my car. I managed to swap out the exhaust with Vick’s bolt on, without lifting the car or clawing underneath.

I will be finding a local garage to swap out my new starter... After I spoke with the guys at AR... I decided it’s not worth the risk.
78 Fiat 124

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michaelj
Posts: 85
Joined: Sun Dec 29, 2013 9:25 am
Your car is a: 1976 Spyder
Location: Mount Dora, Florida

Re: Performance upgrades to '78 spider 124

Postby michaelj » Thu Dec 28, 2017 7:03 pm

I did a lot to my engine, and a lot of it was all at once, so i cannot say what was the best. I did go with the chinese knockoff carb from Allison and it cleaned up a ton of issues and has been perfect for about four years now. That, and the header, are probably the best two you can do without pulling the engine. They will give you the most bang for the buck.

If you pull that engine or trans for any reason, i highly recommend the lightened flywheel. I bought mine from Allisons and it makes my engine rev like a motorcycle. Real quick response. My old one weighed 19 pounds, the new one is 9 pounds. I also went with bigger valves and stage one cam revision from Allisons.

Best of luck.


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