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Advice needed for a fast Fiat Spider
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:10 pm
by Greg Gordon
Hello,
I am hoping someone here has an idea. Here is the problem. A customer wants a 200 horsepower supercharged Fiat Spider 2000. The horsepower is not a problem, I can do that. However the transmission and rear end won't take it (according to Csaba at Vick's who I trust 100% on this stuff). Csaba did have an acceptable solution for transmission issue which is to use a 131 transmission. The big problem is the differential.
Does anyone here know of a strong differential that can be put into a Fiat Spider? My father seems to think an 8 inch Ford out of a V6 Pinto is the way to go. He fails to realize that V6 Pintos are no longer common in the junkyard. Actually they were rare with V6s when they were built. I think an Alfa Spider rear end would take it, but I don't actually have a Fiat here to measure.
Thanks in advance.
Greg
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 11:58 am
by Nikoror
I know US and non-us fiats have different specs, so I don't know if driveline parts are the same, but there are many people that make serious horsepower on stock gearbox and diff (upgraded clutch) with the spiders... e.g.
http://www.turbo124.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4568
That said, you should probably ask at:
http://www.turbo124.com/forum/index.php and/or
http://www.guy-croft.com/
The Fiat Twin Cam is a great engine and can easily make up to 300hp on turbo pistons (i.e. from integrale/croma turbo/thema turbo).
Do you have the Guy Croft Tuning book? If not, send me a pm
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:45 pm
by Greg Gordon
Thanks,
The engine can easily make the power, it's a great engine. I don't have they Guy Croft book but I have read it. I am convinced the transmission and rear end are weak. That information comes from the highest source.
I will ask at those places, but I have found Fiat internet information to be horribly unreliable. All these guys that say they have fast Fiats generaly don't.
Greg
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:16 pm
by Nikoror
I've never been really interested in the old rwd NA cars, but the newer fiat/lancia/alfa 155 2 liter turbo cars DO make really serious power and are pretty fast in a straight and curved line. I have a Croma turbo back home, fwd but still fun

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:39 pm
by Greg Gordon
I really love the old Fiat 124s. Actually I love all those old Fiats, they are fun and the 124 is an excellent car, except for it's tendency to rust. From a business perspective I generally avoid them as Fiat owners generally seem to be incredibly cheap. However this customer is willing to do what's required to have a 200hp Fiat Spider 2000 so I am trying to figure out the rear end issue.
Greg
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:39 am
by Barry
Greg,busy with a Fiat 131 Abarth fitted with a 500 odd hp Rotary...Fitted a Berlina 10:41 LS diff to it..
Shake down runs proved to be superb...
The original diff lasted all of third gear.
When I get to it again Ill shoot pics..
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:29 pm
by Greg Gordon
That's great Barry! What's a Berlina LS diff? Is that out of an Alfa Berlina? We are looking at installing a 131 transmission and a 132 rear end into the Fiat Spider. The 131 transmission swap will be bit of a pain, and I don't even know where I will find a 132 rear end.
Greg
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 10:10 pm
by Barry
Greg,Alfa Berlina,Spider,Giulia...all 105 cars,with ls version..
We have blokes here using these Alfa 105 diffs in 800 hp drag things...You know,the cars that cannot go round corners??

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 6:22 am
by Greg Gordon
Hi Barry,
How well did it fit? Was the overall width about right? I am assuming you needed to weld on new suspension attachment points.
Greg
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:28 pm
by la_strega_nera
Barry wrote:Greg,Alfa Berlina,Spider,Giulia...all 105 cars,with ls version..
We have blokes here using these Alfa 105 diffs in 800 hp drag things...You know,the cars that cannot go round corners??

Jesus, are the 105 diffs really that strong?
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:31 pm
by Barry
Greg,The diff dimensions are great for the Fiat,like a shilling in a sheep's ass as they say...
Ben,The guys here are insane with these diffs...20l Mazda turbo`s with 3 stage gas..all through these little diffs...they are immensely strong..
Greg,Ill probably be doing the pics today..

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:33 am
by la_strega_nera
Barry wrote:Greg,The diff dimensions are great for the Fiat,like a shilling in a sheep's ass as they say...
Ben,The guys here are insane with these diffs...20l Mazda turbo`s with 3 stage gas..all through these little diffs...they are immensely strong..
Greg,Ill probably be doing the pics today..

And yet there is always poeple talking about having broken axles in hot 2l race cars... Go figure.
Colour me impressed.
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:50 pm
by Greg Gordon
Barry, that sounds great. I will plan an Alfa diff and a 131 transmission. Of course this whole project may disappear when I give the guy the price estimate. That tends to happen with Fiats.
Greg
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 5:09 am
by Barry
A Mazda 16v 20l turbo and 3 stage gas -800hp-all throughan ALFA Berlina LS diff....
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 5:22 am
by Barry
Greg,The FIAT ....