V6spider's radiator support modification...

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v6spider
Posts: 1035
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:57 pm
Your car is a: 4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
Location: Mount Vernon WA

V6spider's radiator support modification...

Post by v6spider »

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In order to have clearance at the front of the 4.3L v6 the radiator support was modified to allow the radiator to mounted at an angle slightly forward. So that the fan can be mounted behind the radiator. Previous version had the radiator fan mounted as a pusher... ie in front of the radiator...
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Rob
http://www.v6spider.com
4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
burgandy81
Posts: 371
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:38 pm
Your car is a: 1981 FIAT Spider 2000
Location: Victoria, BC

Re: V6spider's radiator support modification...

Post by burgandy81 »

Thanks for the post. Nice to see this project is still underway. Support looks good.

I recall looking at your site years ago when I was first shopping for a spider as a hobby car. Fantastic effort!

Would you recommend the RX7 rear end swap? Would you do it again or try something else? It would be for a turbo conversion car.

The question came up about LSD the other day and I was thinking about the Mazda option.

Cheers,

Jordan
User avatar
v6spider
Posts: 1035
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:57 pm
Your car is a: 4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
Location: Mount Vernon WA

Re: V6spider's radiator support modification...

Post by v6spider »

Thanks Jordan for the kind words.. the first car was definately a learning experiance for me. So with data I have gathered the new version is being built.

As for the rear end swap two issues come to mind. First the distance between or width of the axle is wider... I would suggest narowing the rearend before using it in a stock fiat. Also, I would have a machinist re-index drill the lug bolt pattern to the fiat pattern of 4-98mm.. cost me 200 bucks to have all four bolt patterns change to 4- 4.5" which is a really popular pattern that allowed for many after market wheel choices. Plenty of options ...just gotta think outside the box... 8)

Rob
http://www.v6spider.com
4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
burgandy81
Posts: 371
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:38 pm
Your car is a: 1981 FIAT Spider 2000
Location: Victoria, BC

Re: V6spider's radiator support modification...

Post by burgandy81 »

Thanks Rob,

The rear end swap is a little way out for me although I have it in mind if I every detonate my diff.

I have also heard of a toyota rear end that works. The yota is my current preference due to large aftermarket support and a selection of gearing options.

Did you every consider a Toyota?

Jordan
User avatar
v6spider
Posts: 1035
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:57 pm
Your car is a: 4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
Location: Mount Vernon WA

Re: V6spider's radiator support modification...

Post by v6spider »

Jordan,

Which Toyota rear-end are you referring to? I'd love to check it out.. 8)

Rob
http://www.v6spider.com
4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
burgandy81
Posts: 371
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 5:38 pm
Your car is a: 1981 FIAT Spider 2000
Location: Victoria, BC

Re: V6spider's radiator support modification...

Post by burgandy81 »

Rob,

I would start looking at these;

"A Toyota G-series diff which is an 8 inch unit (instead of the 124's 6 inch), fitted with the late model (90's) heavy housing 4.556 ratio 4 spider LSD. Works out to be 32mm wider than the stock 124 unit. This is only 10mm wider per side once you remove the Fiat steel wheel spacers. The complete unit including brackets is approx 18.9kg heavier than the 124 unit. A further 4.2kg can be saved by using the pre 90's LSD head which has a different casting."

I believe these are found on early pickups and forerunners.

The above is copied from this thread;

http://www.turbo124.com/forum/viewtopic ... oyota+diff

It is a reasonable long discussion of alternate diffs for 124 coupes. I do not have much useful to ad other than a couple friends have been in the Toyota truck scene and support is quite extensive.

The weight increase is unfortunate. Although in your case, i think you will have power to spare and weight may not be a deal breaker? Also, I feel the FIAT diff suffers (under abuse) from its light design and fabrication.

Cheers,

Jordan
User avatar
v6spider
Posts: 1035
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:57 pm
Your car is a: 4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
Location: Mount Vernon WA

Re: V6spider's radiator support modification...

Post by v6spider »

Toyota truck rearends are drum brakes... wouldn't go that route... that is why I chose the rx7 rear plus the gear ratio is 3:90 which is perfect for the v6 ...

Cheers!
Rob
http://www.v6spider.com
4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
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