performance

[fiat218]

i am wondering if i ad a performance cam to a 1608 engine and twin carbs. would that make a differnce in power?

[wmausbach]

The biggest bang for the buck is get a 1800 manifold and deck the block to get more compression. The 124 engine suffers by too little a compression and really wakes up with the CR higher. Then you can add the cams and carbs and really get a kick.
Ciao
Wayne

[So Cal Mark]

the 1608 already had higher compression. The best solution is to coordinate all of the components so they compliment each other; carbs, cams, exhaust, head work

[fiat218]

ok so the twin carbs, performance cam, and open the exhaust as in a header and stock head?
that what u mean mark

[narfire]

i am wondering if i ad a performance cam to a 1608 engine and twin carbs. would that make a differnce in power?

Short answer...yes it would. However with a performance cam I'd recommend to get the adjustable cam wheels as well and have the cams dialed in to really maximize the benifit. As Mark mentioned the 1608 had pretty good compression from the start,I thought the engine was around 110 hp in stock form,about the most hp of all the fiat engines in stock. Balancing the engine is also a big benifit as well. From reading here the past several years...more air + more fuel = more fire (with good compression) and have the exhaust leave efficiently.
Chris

[baltobernie]

I'd first spend some of the budget getting your engine is in perfect tune, including valve adjustment, ignition, and a visit to a dyno with a competent tuner. If you can get 80-90 RWHP, you'll have a fun car. Then you should ask yourself if another 10-20 HP is worth spending several thousand dollars. That's a significant sum of money; maybe what the entire car is now worth on the open market. I'm not saying you shouldn't go for it ... only that you have some sort of long-term strategy and plan.

[fiat218]

thanks for your input. i have a 69 and it has a good engine in it. but i also have another 69 which i was going to restore, but i found this other one that is already in 99% percent great, but the other 69 has a 1608 in it and i am going to get that one overhauled with twins etc,, i am hoping some day to give this to my grandson, i am 57, he is 18, but i dont think he will see this car in his name till he is 30 hahaha
oh and the car that 99% has a 1403, if that is the right size

one question, one engine has the dizzy on the passenger side and the other one on the driver side
why is that

[spiderrey]

The 1438,s had block mounted dizzys. the 1608 and later had the dizzy in the head. You can run a block dizzy on later engines if needed.

[fiat218]

thanks. i got a 1438 in the 69 that i drive and a 1608 in the the parts car i have