Increase Performance?

[DUCeditor]

Baltobernie, I love your frankness.

Airforce89, a Fiat Spider may or may not be the car for you. I don't think you'll know until you get a frame of reference.

Please don't take this in any way as a put down. It was, I expect, equally true for all of us. Only after driving for a time in a variety of vehicles can you see the Spiders many strengths and its equally real limitation. Limitations that come from...

1) its time period. When the Spider was new it was quite advanced. but the things that made it so - overhead cams, 4 wheel disc brakes, etc. - are today found on almost every car along with electronic engine management, fuel injection, variable cam timing.

2) Moderately priced European Sportscars of that period were known for their balance and fun quotient, not for their overall performance. American cars of the period, by way of comparison, were known for brute power but typically poor handling and marginal brakes.

I have a friend with a Mazda Miata. It was he who encouraged me to take the steps necessary to get my Spider back on the road. He was kind enough to let me drive the Miata and let me tell you... It was better than my Fiat in every MEASURABLE way. But for all that I like the Spider more. For its looks. Its character. Its beauty. Its sound, Its Italianess. (Yes, there is such a thing. see http://www.roadgear.com/index.php?page=CMSPage&id=209)

You may too. Or maybe not. Certainly not if you want to be faster than most of the cars your buddies own.

But you've got it so please, take your time and discover its graces. If you sell it you may regret doing that for many a long year. I can't tell you how many guys I meet tell me how they once had a Spider - sometimes as a first car when in or just out of college -and wish they had never sold it.

-don

[nettxtra]

What is the compression on an American model and what is the compression on a European model, stock?

[kmead]

Depends on the engine. The US engines are 8.9 (1438) or 8.5 to 1 (early 1608) then dropping to 8.0 to 1 then back up to 8.1 and 8.2 to 1 for the injected cars versus 9.8 to 1 for most of the European engines.

Thus why our HP went from 90 to 100 to 85 to 80 and back up to 100 for a late injected motor.

The above data coming from period manuals and Road & Track spec info from articles through out the 70s and early 80s.

[nettxtra]

I forgot, 2L, 1980

[baltobernie]

(Yes, there is such a thing. see http://www.roadgear.com/index.php?page=CMSPage&id=209)
-don

Great life story, Don. Is it possible that even today one can tell motorcycle Country of Origin while blindfolded? (If I had my old Kawalski triple today, I bet you could differentiate that sound )

Except maybe on the high end, all autos sold here seem to be identical. I guess that's why they have pie-plate-size badges.

[fiatfactory]

.

[nettxtra]

Thanks a lot SteveC

[DUCeditor]

Is it possible that even today one can tell motorcycle Country of Origin while blindfolded? (If I had my old Kawalski triple today, I bet you could differentiate that sound )

Except maybe on the high end, all autos sold here seem to be identical. I guess that's why they have pie-plate-size badges.

Motorcycles, like cars, have tremendously improved in recent years. I.e., there is hardly a poor one on the market, but they too have become 'cookie cutter.' Three exceptions exist: Harleys, BMWs and Ducatis. Each remains unique despite attempts to copy them. And funny thing... there are three motorcycle marques that have fanatical followings. Yup, the same three. Harley, BMW and Ducati.

And the riders are unique too. Just as we find here on the Spider forum. True souls.

And frankly those are the only types of people that I really want to spend time with. You may not always agree with them. (I have little in common with most HD riders for example), but they are almost always interesting.

-don

[Zmatt]

Kind of like Saab owners. and people who own old BMWs. I can tell what kind of engine it is by the exhaust note, and sometimes who made it depending on the car and engine. most econoboxes and mid sized cars have very meh exhaust notes, but with sportscars where the exhaust note is important i can usually get it. A Mercedes V8 (low rumble with belt whine) sounds very different than say an RX-7 (high buzzing sound) and a ferrari V8 (pretty much a roar)

[samthedog]

To get some torque easily just put in higher compression pistons.
For the HP's you want you be looking at better carbs, hot cams, big valve/high flow head, & open exhaust.

As for Turbo - eh I don't go there.

Hope this helps.

Matt

That is my plan. I have the 1608 in my 72, but we are going with 80.4mm Domed pistons, 40.80 Camshaft set, etc.
Should gain 35HP.
Decided to go with the largest pistons we can get in the block,instead of going turbo.
I think it's a more solid, relaible way to get the performance you want from your car.
I am a turbo fan,and have them on other cars, but not the spider.
Hope you get more advise.

[mdrburchette]

That is my plan. I have the 1608 in my 72, but we are going with 80.4mm Domed pistons, 40.80 Camshaft set, etc.
Should gain 35HP.
Decided to go with the largest pistons we can get in the block,instead of going turbo.
I think it's a more solid, relaible way to get the performance you want from your car.
I am a turbo fan,and have them on other cars, but not the spider.
Hope you get more advise.

Hope you're not disappointed with less hp. My 1608 is built with custom pistons and rods, 42/82 cams, dual idfs, ported and polished head, bored .040 over, electronic ignition, and much more. I probably have $3k in just parts and I got 25 hp more at the wheels. It's fun as heck to drive and it has plenty of power, but it's right at 100 hp.

[So Cal Mark]

35hp increase on a 1608 with those mods is pretty optimistic

[digitech]

Think she mentioned 25hp.

[mdrburchette]

Samthedog was hoping for 35hp gain.

[sptcoupe]

Just so we don't lose perspective here - a 25 HP gain on an engine that starts with about100 HP is a helluva big gain on a naturally aspirated street engine! 35 HP is really sweet. We're talking about a 25-30% gain in HP, with no increase in the weight of the car. Not too shabby, and something to be calling home about on any street ride IMHO.