Theoretical build for 180-200hp

[DanD]

My Spider Turbo put out maybe 120 HP and 130 foot pounds of torque. It was a very fun car to drive. I had a 75 years ago with a bored out 1800, a large two barrel progressive carb and 1608 cams, with a tri Y header and a large bore exhaust. It was a very fun car to drive, and it loved to rev. It was very happy to motor on past that wall of acceleration that many Fiats hit at around 80 MPH. I even had a stock 80 with a balanced FI engine that was totally stock, but had that little bit of extra sparkle because of the open exhaust and everything being tweeked just right. A fun car that was smooth as silk at redline in fifth gear.

An ill thought out engine with dual carbs the wrong pistons and a bad setup on a stock distributor is a real dog in comparison.

Most people want an engine that is responsive and willing to rev through the gears, coupled to suspension that is tight and equally responsive. I had that 240 HP 911 Euro Carrera, and it was a fast car. A well set up Fiat is not going to be fast like that, and it isn't going to be like flying a jet fighter. But it WILL fly like a stunt biplane down your favorite road, and it will do all the tricks you want, with all the thrills, at 3/4 speed.

Most people don't really want, and can't really use a 200 HP Fiat on the street. But if you build the right car, all your friends will believe it has all the starch you want to claim for it. Get your car running right, and let other people worry about the numbers. This forum will put you in touch with people who can help you to make that happen, so don't settle for mediocre.

[fiatfactory]

.

[Redline]

I personally think the 130TC spec would be about the sweet spot.

Having driven an injected end-of-run Spider and my European 1608 Coupe back-to-back, I fully agree with the above post. Just reversing the changes made to get the US cars smog legal will go a long way to make it much more "zippy" and enjoyable.

[DanD]

Well, if you look at the throttle body on a FI spider, it's a pretty big hole compared to a two barrel carb, or even twin carbs.

The fact that it is coupled to a larger engine certainly doesn't hurt one bit.

[Daniel]

Well, if you look at the throttle body on a FI spider, it's a pretty big hole compared to a two barrel carb, or even twin carbs.

The fact that it is coupled to a larger engine certainly doesn't hurt one bit.

If you use something other then the factory air flow meter that allows more air to pass sure its not a bad ideal
but the FI manifold runners are a little on the small side by the time it mates up to the head some porting is needed.
Going twin carbs is going to kill the budget and not needed to achieve 130 HP, finding the right carb is the key or
making an adaptor for another carb would be the cheapest way to increase the intake. Throttle bodies are expensive
by the time your done buying all the parts needed to convert over your looking at 3k plus.

[Tobi]

Back in Germany we had pretty much the same Bosch L Jetronic on the 2.0 l Opels and a popular upgrade was the air flow meter from a BMW 635 csi.

[MrJD]

I know I say this all the time... But its what I know. In the toyota world youd drop the afm and swap to a map sensor based system. A good map sensor, wideband oxygen, and tps... Good to go. Quad throttle bodies are amazing btw.

[Daniel]

I know I say this all the time... But its what I know. In the toyota world youd drop the afm and swap to a map sensor based system. A good map sensor, wideband oxygen, and tps... Good to go. Quad throttle bodies are amazing btw.

I agree

[v6spider]

A Engine/drivetrain swap would be the easiest way to get to 180-200hp.. Just a matter of finding a front sump engine intended for rwd... and yes you knew I'd say that.. LOL
Rob

[MrJD]

lol Rob... 4age Blacktop has a front sump. Not Italian though... which hurts.

(now this is how you test an engine swap!)
http://youtu.be/PjMMpWNN984