Curious about better acceleration

[YVRSpider]

Hi Guys,

I have an '82 Fi that is in amazing stock condition & I'm really happy to say that it runs really great as it is, always starts the first time, nice smooth power, reliable as anything you could wish for but I find that from time to time, I'm curious about what I could do in terms of engine performance to give me that little extra "snap" off the line or while going through the gears or while powering through a corner. I guess I'm thinking of a nice sharp "free revving" snappy throttle response type of improvement. I'm not looking to make a full race engine or anything that extreme and I'm not interested in crazy cams that'll make the car too finicky or lumpy at idle etc. Am I dreaming that this is possible on a reasonable budget or am I looking at new pistons and thousands of dollars that'll sacrifice reliability too much? Thanks again and love to hear your thoughts and ideas.

[Tobi]

A rear end from an older model Spider or tires with a smaller diameter would do the trick without touching the motor but it would run a bit higher on the freeway.
Remove the catalytic converter, install a bigger diameter exhaust, air filter, street cams and a lightened fly wheel.
Removing the bumpers is a big improvement too

[narfire]

Next time you pop up to Osoyoos, stop in and take my 124 out for a spin. I've added cams,pistons,headers ect and it has made a difference to the FI engine...
Pick up some more parts as well if you need them.
Chris

[YVRSpider]

A rear end from an older model Spider or tires with a smaller diameter would do the trick without touching the motor but it would run a bit higher on the freeway.
Remove the catalytic converter, install a bigger diameter exhaust, air filter, street cams and a lightened fly wheel.
Removing the bumpers is a big improvement too

Thanks for all the tips Tobi, Interesting that you mentioned removing the CAT. I was thinking about that since it seems like a pretty simple change and I'm told that the Euro spec versions of these cars never came with them at all. Any info on how much to lighten the flywheel by ?

[YVRSpider]

Next time you pop up to Osoyoos, stop in and take my 124 out for a spin. I've added cams,pistons,headers ect and it has made a difference to the FI engine...
Pick up some more parts as well if you need them.
Chris

Sounds like a plan Chris, I'd love to take you up on that offer and the next time your down in Vanc,give me a call.
Do you happen to have one of those exhaust pipe sections that I could replace the CAT with ?
Cheers,
Paul

[narfire]

Do you happen to have one of those exhaust pipe sections that I could replace the CAT with ?

Yeup... (ceramic coated though)

[131]

One of the easier solutions.

http://www.millersmule.com/MillersMuleS ... wheel.html
http://www.millersmule.com/blog/tech-ar ... -it-right/

[Daniel]

One of the easier solutions.

http://www.millersmule.com/MillersMuleS ... wheel.html
http://www.millersmule.com/blog/tech-ar ... -it-right/

this isn't really going to help a stock engine

[131]

this isn't really going to help a stock engine

He asked about lightening a flywheel. It's easier to buy a properly lightened flywheel from Jason.