Hi guys. I posted in newbie central, but was recommended that I come over here for the advice I seek. The girlfriend is about to pick up a 1979 Spider 2000, and it needs some modifications for regular use on US interstates (at least for driving it to be a pleasant experience, rather than an unnerving one).

It's a neat little car, but it is LITTLE! I mean, with 3-4 ton pickup trucks and SUV's accounting for half the vehicles on the road, and with most of them packing more than 300 horsepower to get up to speed on the highway, you feel like a bug under a falling shoe in the little 124 ragtop. I'm used to driving my 1978 Dodge Aspen coupe with a 7.2 litre big block V-8, a fast accelerating car that tops out at 155 MPH. I do own a Dodge Daytona Shelby, which is a fairly small car by American standards, but with it's modified 2.2 litre turbocharged engine making 260 horsepower, I can get out ahead of the other vehicles. the poor little spider, however, is at the mercy of traffic.

Soooo......I wanna figure out where I need to go to find parts for 3 modifications.

First, I wanna fuel inject the little 2 litre DOHC engine. Should help with both power and all-around driveability.

Secondly, if they are available, I'd like to put a 4 speed trans in it. right now it is the 3 speed auto. If none can be had, though, I can do a 5 speed manual swap.

Lastly, this thing could definitely use a turbocharger. The already anemic engine really suffers from the 7,000 foot elevation out here in Eastern Colorado. I bet that 86 HP rating drops to around 65 at this altitude. It's amazing what such thin air will do to automobile performance. lol

Also, would like to know where to find gear sets for the rear axle, and a positraction unit, if available.

It seems there is a decent performance market for these cars, but not too much in the USA. I know exactly what to do and where to shop to make a 700 horsepower normally aspirated big block Chrysler engine, but I'm like a fish out of water with this thing. hahaha.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Sixtysixdeuce said:

The girlfriend is about to pick up a 1979 Spider 2000, and it needs some modifications for regular use on US interstates ...

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I’ve a modest Grande Punto 1.2/8v (65HP) - & what I know about the Spider can be written on a flea’s ass … but I believe there is a Spider version with a designed-in (not an after-thought) turbo unit.

Do you not use hi-octane fuel in the US to compensate for altitude?

There is quite an impressive array of specific `Fiat Spider’ sites.

-------------------------
There are old pilots & bold pilots – but no old bold pilots.
Hamilton Lee (Airmail pilot) 1949

These cars cannot be enjoyed on interstate highways - they were meant to be enjoyed on back country roads with left and right-hand turns where maximum safe speeds are below interstate 65-75 mph. Secondly, the chassis is not designed to handle the horse-power you are talking about, much less the rear end.

If interstate driving is a must, consider somthing like a BMW Z4 Roadster or something along those lines with significantly more power.

GT

Do you not use hi-octane fuel in the US to compensate for altitude?

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Highest we can get without driving to very specific stations is 91. enough to eliminate detonation, but not much for performance.

I believe there is a Spider version with a designed-in (not an after-thought) turbo unit.

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What I found was that all the North American turbo spiders (of which there were 700 made) were installed aftermarket by a company called Legend Industries. And the gains were very modest-20 HP. This seems a well designed engine, capable of handling much more than that with modern technology. I just don't know exactly where to look for state of the art engine management components.

These cars cannot be enjoyed on interstate highways

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Awww, now where's your sense of imagination? lol. I turned a 70 HP 1951 Dodge pickup into a fire breathing 390 horsepower monster that'll run 0-60 in 4.8. That '78 aspen I mentioned? They were never designed to have a big block engine, but I stuffed one in there (the air cleaner is in the left fender). Anything can be done!

the chassis is not designed to handle the horse-power you are talking about, much less the rear end.

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We're only talking 110-125 WHP. I can't imagine it would require anything more than subframe connectors for that. I'm not putting a V8 in it (yet......)

As for the BMW Z4, not only do I absolutely despise German automobiles, but I can't think of an uglier one. hahaha. And all new cars suck, regardless of manufacture. Too much plastic and expensive, failure-prone modules.

I'll keep searching for my answers. Just hoping someone here might have a better one than what I can find on my own.

And for the record, guys, I'm not trying to be snotty or look down my nose at these cars at all. I like the little spider, and I can respect it's original design parameters and intended use. But few automobiles, American or import, have ever been produced with what I consider adequate power. I'm a hot rodder, it's in my blood. And I'm a born tinkerer who becomes bored if I have no projects. This Spider is my latest one, and something a little different than what I'm used to, so should prove a fun and chllenging endeavor. If I blow up a motor in the process, it's just an excuse to upgrade

So, while I appreciate that some of you like these cars just as they are, please understand that it's not how I'm built. I believe the car can be made better than it ever was using modern technology and my own ingenuity, and I intend to make that happen. Chastising me for it is not gonna change my mind, nor does it speak well for the helpful nature (or lack thereof) exhibited by other nations toward an American enthusiast with a European vehicle.

If you can offer any suggestions that will help me in my quest, I definitely appreciate it. If you have nothing to contribute, than please, have a chuckle and move on without the haughty remarks.

Thank you

Sixtysixdeuce said:

What I found was that all the North American turbo spiders (of which there were 700 made) were installed aftermarket by a company called Legend Industries. And the gains were very modest-20 HP. This seems a well designed engine, capable of handling much more than that with modern technology. I just don't know exactly where to look for state of the art engine management components ...

... I'll keep searching for my answers. Just hoping someone here might have a better one than what I can find on my own.

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The `Legend’ turbo was the one I was struggling to recall. The US 91 fuel is just equivalent to our `regular’ (95RON) fuel

Maybe going the route of a FIAT DOHC engine trail (rather than a car trail) search will be more likely to show a progressive result.

GeorgeT said:

These cars cannot be enjoyed on interstate highways - they were meant to be enjoyed on back country roads with left and right-hand turns where maximum safe speeds are below interstate 65-75 mph. Secondly, the chassis is not designed to handle the horse-power you are talking about, much less the rear end.

If interstate driving is a must, consider somthing like a BMW Z4 Roadster or something along those lines with significantly more power.

GT

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excuse me, but CRAP. my 1980 Fiat Spider is just as happy at 80 mph on the interstate as it is at 60 on the two lane roads around my home.

your interpretation of enjoyment may not be the same as other folks, and inferring that on others is a mistake. some folks have no choice but to use the interstate to reach those mythical two lane roads.

Sixtysixdeuce said:

And for the record, guys, I'm not trying to be snotty or look down my nose at these cars at all. I like the little spider, and I can respect it's original design parameters and intended use. But few automobiles, American or import, have ever been produced with what I consider adequate power. I'm a hot rodder, it's in my blood. And I'm a born tinkerer who becomes bored if I have no projects. This Spider is my latest one, and something a little different than what I'm used to, so should prove a fun and chllenging endeavor. If I blow up a motor in the process, it's just an excuse to upgrade

So, while I appreciate that some of you like these cars just as they are, please understand that it's not how I'm built. I believe the car can be made better than it ever was using modern technology and my own ingenuity, and I intend to make that happen. Chastising me for it is not gonna change my mind, nor does it speak well for the helpful nature (or lack thereof) exhibited by other nations toward an American enthusiast with a European vehicle.

If you can offer any suggestions that will help me in my quest, I definitely appreciate it. If you have nothing to contribute, than please, have a chuckle and move on without the haughty remarks.

Thank you

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1. no four speeds available. Spiders came stock with five speed manual tranny's and optional 3 speed automatic.

2. effective, reliable turbo equipped fuel injected engines are few and far between. the Legend turbo on its best day is no where near as reliable as what modern counterparts are on their worst day.

3. modifications to an early two litre carbureted engines are a hoot, and parts are readily available for someone in the know, and with the desire and patience to make it happen.

4. depending on where you live, emissions equipment may be deleted and substantial changes can be made to the performance of the stock equipment.

trust me, this is my obsession, and i have been steadily adding performance upgrades to my '80 Spider for five straight years... after owning it stock for 10 years. with the right contacts, you can certainly out hp the stock rear end and unibody...that advice previously given has some validity.

To get some more power, you could swap to a new carb. It makes a HUGE difference.

agreed. go to a weber DFEV 32/36 with an intake from an 1800 engine. tons better performance right away. additionally, get the exhaust upgraded for better exhaling.

As mentioned above plus.. 1800 head on the 2 L block, oversize pistons (stock 84 mm I have been offered 85mm) big valves, cam swap, headers, lightened flywheel, adjustable cam wheels..... how much you whanna spend? Oh yea.. duel webbers Check Alisons automotive Uplands CA Millers mule, Midwest Fiat...

Im by no means a fiat expert but after tooling around the mountains of Utah in jeeps a decent intake and rejetting the carbs should take care of the altitude problem.

I will agree with Mike. I have owned my spider for quite a few years ( 18) it's a 80 fuel injected. I have have numerous "enhancements" done. first I bored it out installed hemi pistons. put a shorty header on it lost the cat and increased the exhaust to 2" fantastic power. It all comes at a cost. fuel. also wear and tear on the engine more rebuilds. I threw a rod on an onramp doing 60 mph in third. so it was time for a new short block. I tuned it down a bit now kept the header and the exhaust. and shaved the head. the 2 ltr engine is a torquy little motor you will find lots of fun to work on if you have small hands. lmao..keep the carbs if you can even go to dual webbers they seem to be great and you can instal a better high preformance cam see what you can afford and start with the headers and exhaust. try to switch to 103 octane if you can car will get fantastic gas mileage.