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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 :P

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?? :wink:

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?? :wink:
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.. :D

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.. :D
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 ....