Considering a couple of things...

[TulsaSpider]

Hi guys.
Since I have a parts car now I am beginning to think about changing a couple of things.
#1 I have a nasty little dent on my small bump hood in the very front edge. It could be fixed for sure but that takes $$. Now I have a 79 hood in very good shape. I like the little bump hood because it's correct. Were there any 78's with the big bump hood?



#2 I have 2 doors in good shape with the later handles which I like. What does it take to switch these out? Are the catches the same on the body? Would it be a straight swap?



#3 One of the things I got was a 4 into 2 exhaust manifold. My 1800 just has the single on it now. I do need to replace the exaust on my 1800 sometime this summer maybe. Would this be a better (performance wise) choice?



#4 The motor is a 2000. It started right up when I poured some gas down the carb. At some point I'd like to rebuild it and swap out the 1800, not sure when this would be feasible. As I understand it the cross member must be swapped out is this correct?

I have a couple of other questions but I'll post on another topic.
Thanks all!

[mdrburchette]

Clark, here's my take on things:
I don't believe there were any 78s with the big bump hood, even though there were some with the flush door handles. I would measure where the latch is on each car to be sure the doors can be swapped, but I thing this is only a problem on the early models.
The 4-2-1 exhaust should help performance wise but I doubt you'll feel big kick in the pants.
There have been plenty of people that have dropped a 2L into their cars without swapping the crossmember but let's see what they came up against.

[mbouse]

i own a '78 early door handle and an '80 with the new handles. you are not interchanging handle types without swapping doors, if that is your question. Did some '78's have late model doors? yup. Could you swap the entire door? yup. are same style door handles easily swapped? That depends on your definition of the word 'easy'. IMO, yes.

'78's were 1800cc engines. the big bumps came in '79 due to the height of the two litre engine, so no...there were no '78's with big bump hoods.

i've swapped 4-1 exhausts for 4-2-1 exhausts on both vehicles. would i do it again if i had the parts? absolutely. could i tell the difference? not in that single modification, but as a part of a whole exhaust redo...yes. are you planning on retaining the catalytic converter and stock muffler?

i believe if you swap the hood and the x-mem you will have no trouble throwing that two litre into that engine bay.

[manoa matt]

The 2 Liter block with 1.8 liter head, 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, 1800 intake manifold ported and gasket matched to the head, the 78 carb, and the electronic ignition will give you noticeable improvements. If it fits, and its leak free use the 2 Liter radiatior for added cooling. The 2 liter may also have a 65 amp alternator versus your 78, 55 amp alt.

It may all fit under the small bump hood with the 78 crossmember. The interference will come from the taller electronic distributor. You can turn it so the wires point towards the passenger side fender to gain a bit more clearance. Volvo motor mounts are also an option as they are about 1/4" shorter than the Fiat ones, but you will need to check the oil pan to crossmember clearance.

If you need to switch to the large bump hood you can spray it flat black on the cheap. It will give you a semi abarth look, but don't forget to also paint the trunk flat black.

[mbouse]

The 2 Liter block with 1.8 liter head, 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, 1800 intake manifold ported and gasket matched to the head, . The 2 liter may also have a 65 amp alternator versus your 78, 55 amp alt.

yup, i promise that the two litre block, 1.8 head, 1.8 gasket matched intake will give you a power boost you are unprepared for.

i think those 65 amp alternators were for air conditioned vehicles, weren't they?

[TulsaSpider]

OOoOoOO I like the sound of that!
Mike I was talking about just swapping the doors out.
Thanks for all the input guys!

[rlux4]

Hey Clark, the way you're going, before long you'll have a car that could pass for an '82!
Ron

[TulsaSpider]

I really need a garage first! and maybe another car to drive....ugh..

[mbouse]

Hey Clark, the way you're going, before long you'll have a car that could pass for an '82!
Ron

ACK !!