Technical Engine Swap

[Funkstar De Luxe]

What engines are a straight forward (or at least, not major hassle) for the Barchetta?

I hear 1.8 Brava/Bravo. I've also heard 2.0 T.Spark? What about the Marea 2.0? Or the NA 4 Cylinder Coupé

 

[afroking]

What engines are a straight forward (or at least, not major hassle) for the Barchetta?

I hear 1.8 Brava/Bravo. I've also heard 2.0 T.Spark? What about the Marea 2.0? Or the NA 4 Cylinder Coupé

What's wrong with your engine?

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Long list.

 

[afroking]

Long list.

I have time...

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Worn buckets, chewed cam, stuck exhaust valve (I think), throwing oil out of the exhaust. It's obviously ingested quite a lit of metal from the cam and it's cheaper and easier just to fit a new one. Took it to an engine reconditioner, looking for £500 total to rebuild the head. Not worth the risk of it happening again.

I think a failed oil pump may have caused it, but I'm not 100% sure. She's dead, although surprisingly, still starts and runs pretty well.

 

[Rustbucket]

Punto HGT is the same engine. Seem to be a few around.

Avoid doing a major power upgrade (I am that soldier) as its a slippery slope leading down down down. Power upgrades need new brakes, new wheels, new clutch, new...You see where this is going?

I think most of 1.8 - 2.0 Alfa's fit as its the same block with a different head from the TS. I was offered a good used Alfa 2.0 but went for the 16vt turbo (and wish I hadn't) Avoid the Alfa 2.5 -3.0 as they won't fit.

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

So, I could get a T.Spark 2.0 in there with as much ease as a 1.8 HGT? In threory...

 

[afroking]

Worn buckets, chewed cam, stuck exhaust valve (I think), throwing oil out of the exhaust. It's obviously ingested quite a lit of metal from the cam and it's cheaper and easier just to fit a new one. Took it to an engine reconditioner, looking for £500 total to rebuild the head. Not worth the risk of it happening again.

I think a failed oil pump may have caused it, but I'm not 100% sure. She's dead, although surprisingly, still starts and runs pretty well.

Shame at a little over 110,000 miles it has failed.
Usually the cause is lack of basic maintenance; most important is an oil and filter change.

If you take it to the right place and they rebuild it correctly it will be fine providing the bores, pistons, big ends etc are ok.

It shouldn't have failed so early, Fiat/Lancia twin cams are among the finest engines ever produced.

How long have you owned the car?

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Shame at a little over 110,000 miles it has failed.
Usually the cause is lack of basic maintenance; most important is an oil and filter change.

If you take it to the right place and they rebuild it correctly it will be fine providing the bores, pistons, big ends etc are ok.

It shouldn't have failed so early, Fiat/Lancia twin cams are among the finest engines ever produced.

How long have you owned the car?

8 Months. And I've been throwing money at it maintenance-wise. I've also driven it like an old lady. The problem with the rebuild is, I don;t know really, why it happened. Or what other components are damaged.

Everyone tells me that the HGT engines are strong, but at a little over 100K Miles mine was pretty much scrap.

 

[afroking]

It will be lack of oil changes or oil starvation.

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Yup, that's why I was thinking oil pump. Anyway, will a standard 2.0 from a 156 fit?

 

[afroking]

Yup, that's why I was thinking oil pump. Anyway, will a standard 2.0 from a 156 fit?

Physically it will fit but they go for a premium because people let them snap cam belts so they are thin on the ground.
By the time you have sourced one and fitted it, you will have shelled out far more than £500 especially if you don't fit it yourself.

A good 2.0 twinny will go for £500 +/- £100

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

You have any recommendations then? I'd ideally like a 2.0 for a little extra power

 

[afroking]

You have any recommendations then? I'd ideally like a 2.0 for a little extra power

You're looking at serious money I am afraid. You could do it on a budget if you had the skills - I'm not insinuating you don't!

I would personally get the head off and check the cylinder bores first, if they check out ok and you haven't noticed the big ends knocking when you run it I would rebuild the old head. Or you can get a punto HGT engine and swap it over but again this will cost a bit of money.

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

You're looking at serious money I am afraid. You could do it on a budget if you had the skills - I'm not insinuating you don't!

I would personally get the head off and check the cylinder bores first, if they check out ok and you haven't noticed the big ends knocking when you run it I would rebuild the old head. Or you can get a punto HGT engine and swap it over but again this will cost a bit of money.

The bores seem ok, but the amount of metal I found in the sump was worrying. Where the best, cheapest place to get an HGT engine?

And I have no where near the skills to do this myself I need to save every penny, but would end up ruining the car if I tried

 

[bumble]

There is a Barchetta being broken on eBay now... might be worth a try.

Steve

 

[afroking]

The bores seem ok, but the amount of metal I found in the sump was worrying. Where the best, cheapest place to get an HGT engine?

And I have no where near the skills to do this myself I need to save every penny, but would end up ruining the car if I tried

....you found metal in the sump?

That's a bad sign.

In that case you're looking at spending quite a bit.

Sorry mate.

Look online for websites which contact hundreds of scrap yards to find parts.
I have used this method and it was very useful indeed.

Do you have any friends who are mechanics?
Any local specialists in Italian cars?

Also try Steve's Idea!

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

I had a look on eBay, but couldn't spot the auction.

Anyway, yeah, I go to the local specialist. He said, roughly, £1200 for engine and labor. I nearly fainted. Don't know where I'm going to get the cash from...

Anyhoo, I was thinking if I'm putting an engine in it anyway, it may as well be a 2.0. That way I can sleep at night, thinking I 'upgraded' :/

 

[afroking]

I had a look on eBay, but couldn't spot the auction.

Anyway, yeah, I go to the local specialist. He said, roughly, £1200 for engine and labor. I nearly fainted. Don't know where I'm going to get the cash from...

Anyhoo, I was thinking if I'm putting an engine in it anyway, it may as well be a 2.0. That way I can sleep at night, thinking I 'upgraded' :/

For the extra money I wouldn't say it was worth the upgrade to be honest but it is your money.

Who was the specialist?

 

[Funkstar De Luxe]

Auto Veloce, Troon. Great bunch of guys there, extremely happy to deal with them. So you think an original HGT engine will be less and a T.Spark? Also, is the bravo/a 1.8 different an any way to the HGT's?