bolt-on performance for a '79?

[JohnMc]

As general initial maintenance you might want to check the torque of the cross member. I had found a bolt was almost sheared through and would not have been fun.
I also presume you have rubber suspension parts that are not good anymore and presume the shocks could be improved.
This is only my third 124 and the cars are not fast - but they can be so much fun taking corners with the top down.
But that leads to another comment - why ever put the top up? (Well, maybe neighborhood cats).

[Slartibartfaster]

Thanks again all for your responses - this was very helpful.

I picked the car up last Thursday and have since put about 300 miles on it (including 200 getting it home). Other than the tach going tango uniform it's been all joy. I know, it's a bad ground. I'll find it eventually!

The PO provided a Shop Manual with wiring diagrams, and I bought Bradley Artigue's book. So I'm now in that delicious phase with a new (to me) car; learning/planning for performance upgrades where it's all sounding fun, easy and relatively inexpensive, yet my car is still i one piece and I haven't broken anything yet. We'll see how long that lasts!

I can confirm (from records and inspection) that it still has the small carb, cat, functional emissions plumbing (and 4-2-1), most rubber bits, tubes, brakes, etc have been replaced, many more than once, and is on it's 4th timing belt...all changed due to age, not condition. The roof was replaced by the dealer in 1979 and literally looks brand new. Tires, battery, exhaust, distributor and wires, fuel pump and much more all replaced as needed and functioning correctly. I can't find any wear items that need attention at all. The original owner has set a high bar for me and I intend to match it.

When I figure out photo hosting I'll start a new thread (I guess in the 'restoration' section) and ask a few hundred more questions. In the meantime if anyone knows any Fiat gurus in the Cincinnati area please let me know

[xjware]

You aren't too far (closer than I am) to Midwest 124 -http://www.midwest124.com - in Columbus, OH
Are you going to put any fjords on your Spider? To give it a more "baroque feel" ?

[Slartibartfaster]

You aren't too far (closer than I am) to Midwest 124 -http://www.midwest124.com - in Columbus, OH
Are you going to put any fjords on your Spider? To give it a more "baroque feel" ?

!!!
Not sure on the fjords; I'll have to ask the mice

[Slartibartfaster]

79 should already have electronic ignition.

Swap the intake manifold and carb. Either go with the 1800 manifold and aftermarket carb or go big time with twin carbs.

Put on a header and full exhaust.

Do a good tune-up with all the normal stuff and a new ignition coil.

For easy suspension mods, put in a set of performance springs and new shocks. Our springs and hydraulic are a good pairing. If you're up for a little work, put in polyurethane bushings.

OK, any idea where I can actually find said intake manifold? Vick and others all say 'out of stock'

[RRoller123]

Try "spiderparts" here on the forum. John has many great used parts!