4-2-1 Manifold/Exhaust Upgrade Questions

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donerehart
Posts: 343
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 9:29 pm
Your car is a: 1976 spider

4-2-1 Manifold/Exhaust Upgrade Questions

Post by donerehart »

I have a 76 that I am planning on upgrading Exhaust Manifold and downpipe from stock. I have purchased both (6 bolt version) and I have a few questions:
1. Is it a problem tying the downpipes into my current stock exhaust?
2. Is it even worth upgrading the above if I keep my stock exhaust set-up the rest of the way back?
3. I know that the double downpipes will have to be cut and specialized from an exhaust shop - any advice
4. What else should I know before I step into this process.
Thanks to all of you who have done this and learned some lessons!
Don
76 Spider
St. Louis, MO
BEEK
Posts: 1833
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:45 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Spider
Location: clermont fl

Re: 4-2-1 Manifold/Exhaust Upgrade Questions

Post by BEEK »

which engine is in your car? the original 1756 (1.8l) or a 1995 (2.0l) the exhaust will have clearance problems if the 6 bolt version is used on a 1.8l, does your car have a cat converter originaly installed?, if not the exhaust will exit in the wrong place. none of these are a insurmountable problem, but may not be worth the work to modify to fit. the manifold will bolt up directly with no problems, other than the egr pipe from the original 1.8l will have to be deleted.
Automotive Service Technology Instructor (34 year Fiat mechanic)
75 spider
, 6 Lancia Scorpions, 2018 Abarth Spider, 500X wifes, 500L 3 82 Zagatos. 82 spider 34k original miles, 83 pininfarina, 8 fiat spider parts cars
son has 78 spider
vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: 4-2-1 Manifold/Exhaust Upgrade Questions

Post by vandor »

Don,

I've done this twice. Bolted up the manifold and the downpipe, then drove to a nearby exhaust shop. They had no trouble making everything fit once I explained what needed to be done. The downpipe gets cut before it curves to the right, they make a 2-into-1 piece there and join it to the rest of the exhaust (assuming i's not a California car and has a converter).
Yes, it is worth it even if the rest of the exhaust is stock.
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
BEEK
Posts: 1833
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:45 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Spider
Location: clermont fl

Re: 4-2-1 Manifold/Exhaust Upgrade Questions

Post by BEEK »

the 2.0 efi downpipe will hit the crossmember if used on a 1.8l engine, the rearward bend is in the wrong place, the headpipe will have to be shortened, before the turn to the rear.
Automotive Service Technology Instructor (34 year Fiat mechanic)
75 spider
, 6 Lancia Scorpions, 2018 Abarth Spider, 500X wifes, 500L 3 82 Zagatos. 82 spider 34k original miles, 83 pininfarina, 8 fiat spider parts cars
son has 78 spider
donerehart
Posts: 343
Joined: Fri May 14, 2010 9:29 pm
Your car is a: 1976 spider

Re: 4-2-1 Manifold/Exhaust Upgrade Questions

Post by donerehart »

I have a 2L block with a 1.8 head. Will that work? Thanks for all your help and input.
Don
76 Spider
St. Louis, MO
vandor
Posts: 3996
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 1:23 pm
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider
Location: Texas, USA

Re: 4-2-1 Manifold/Exhaust Upgrade Questions

Post by vandor »

BEEK wrote:the 2.0 efi downpipe will hit the crossmember if used on a 1.8l engine, the rearward bend is in the wrong place, the headpipe will have to be shortened, before the turn to the rear.
Didn't hit on the two that I did. Wasn't even close. Are you sure the motor mounts were not sagging?
Csaba
'71 124 Spider, much modified
'17 124 Abarth, silver
http://italiancarclub.com/csaba/
Co-owner of the best dang Fiat parts place in town
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