1800 motor a DOG in my 1978 Spider

[kensmith]

The motor in my recently purchased 1978 124 Spider is a real dog. It is a California car so smog plays a part. It has 140,000 miles on it. Idles great, starts right up, step on the gas, and not much response. What can I do to make it run better and wind up with some quick RPMs? Or should I start looking for a different motor? Toyota motor and tranny swap?

[baltobernie]

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... +emissions

[kensmith]

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... +emissions

Yep, read that before I posted this. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money and this is a driver. Feels like a 50 HP car and very tired motor with 140,000 miles. If I can get it back up to around 80 HP I would be happy. I know the Cat Converter robs HP and there is other smog stuff to. The guy I bought it from just had it smogged and they may have de-tuned it a little to get it to pass? But the car has very poor acceleration and I know nothing has been done to the motor other than timing belt and minor tune-up probably 20,000 miles ago.

[So Cal Mark]

even with smog equipment the car should run much better than what you describe. If it idles smoothly and passed the smog check, you can bet compression is good. Next step is to verify basics; cam timing, ignition timing, carb primary and secondary operation, exhaust flow

[kensmith]

even with smog equipment the car should run much better than what you describe. If it idles smoothly and passed the smog check, you can bet compression is good. Next step is to verify basics; cam timing, ignition timing, carb primary and secondary operation, exhaust flow

Sounds good, I am taking it to my mechanic next week and have him do a major tune-up and timing belt. Thanks!

[So Cal Mark]

I'm betting that the carb secondary is not opening

[kensmith]

I'm betting that the carb secondary is not opening

Common problem???

[BEEK]

i have a 77 spider, has a 34adfa, 4-1 manifold, yes eww!, have installed a electronic distributor, set max advance at 32, no vac operational. other than that bone stock. it runs very well. i have all the parts to make it scream, just dont know which car to build. probably going to complete the 73 first. but back to the topic. a carbed 1800 should run very good. check full throttle. as mark said. then check timing, ignition and cam timing!

[karhawk]

Sorry to say most US 1.8's are dogs they're only 8:1 compression, and just run out of steam close to 6 grand and just make noise.
Removing the old original cat and better exhaust helps, a 34 ADF is a good carb and a lighter flywheel will give quicker revving. When you do the clutch have a machinist lighten and balance the flywheel and pressure plate.

of course you could build it up a little
high compression pistons
balance the engine
cams
dual IDF's

but just putting speed parts on doesn't make a great motor, much care needs to be taken when putting everything together,
the head should be modified for better oil flow to the sump, most important is proper porting the head,
FI heads are the best flowing, go to Guy Crofts site for tips on prepping a TC.

Chris
Oakland, Ca.

[kensmith]

i have a 77 spider, has a 34adfa, 4-1 manifold, yes eww!, have installed a electronic distributor, set max advance at 32, no vac operational. other than that bone stock. it runs very well. i have all the parts to make it scream, just dont know which car to build. probably going to complete the 73 first. but back to the topic. a carbed 1800 should run very good. check full throttle. as mark said. then check timing, ignition and cam timing!

Carb is ok, passes Calif smog so is in tune. Like others say, makes noise like going fast but NOT. I probably have a tired motor and I really don't want to spend a bunch of money for 20 more HP. So think I will live with it getting in the way of Corollas, Civics, Sentras and dump trucks!

[Zmatt]

you could look into finding a replacement motor with fewer miles. I paid $250 for my 1.8L with 40k miles.

[kensmith]

you could look into finding a replacement motor with fewer miles. I paid $250 for my 1.8L with 40k miles.

I TOTALLY AGREE.....I have a post from some time ago asking if anyone did a 4cyl engine swap from a different car like Toyota or other Japanese import that gives more power but is still smog legal in Calif. I would be concerned another 1.8L swap may be no better than the one I have. The problem is more being smog legal than anything. Calif sucks when it comes to cars and smog!

[Zmatt]

I dunno about from another car. it would be hard but not impossible. I swapped in a 1.8L form a '77 spider.

[RoyBatty]

Hey Ken,
Check the Nor Cal craigslist for fiat.
There are a couple of pre 1975 Spiders listed for good prices.
The neat thing is....NO SMOG required '75 and earlier.
Makes the tweaking and tuning a little more fun.

[kensmith]

Hey Ken,
Check the Nor Cal craigslist for fiat.
There are a couple of pre 1975 Spiders listed for good prices.
The neat thing is....NO SMOG required '75 and earlier.
Makes the tweaking and tuning a little more fun.

I like my car, Calif all it's life and not a speck of rust anywhere. No hit body. Well taken care of, just not much power.