Technical Fiat 128 Engine swap to 1.4 Turbo

[FezMonki]

Hello, I am thinking about buying a mint body 128, with a completely blown engine. Instead of sourcing its pricy and slow engine, I was thinking about swapping a Punto GT 1.4 turbo engine into it. I have seen a couple threads mention it, but nothing specific (that I could find).

The engines are plenty and cheap around here, I also found a much more expensive 1.6 carb'd turbo from a delta, but I'd like to stick the punto engine in it if possible.

As far as I can tell from other threads, it will bolt in with the 128's engine mounts, but I was wondering about the feasibility of getting it to work.

Can I pop into the 128 the engine and gearbox without cutting any frame, and then just have to mess around with electronics and positioning?

What would I require from the punto aside from the engine and gearbox?

I have at my disposal a virtually free shop with three experienced mechanics in it and a blacksmith if necessary, I wanted to check on general feasibility before proceeding though. They will put it in for me but I don't want to put a nightmare on their hands.

Thanks

 

[robotfireengine]

No idea on specifics per model, but since no-one's replied, what I can offer is that the drivetrain on the 128 will be different, at a guess it's rear-wheel-drive since most from that era are, whereas the Punto is front-wheel-drive.

Easiest way would likely be keep the Punto setup, so use the diff & CVs along with the engine and gearbox.

But wait, I checked this while typing & found it's fwd, probably some useful info here from good old wiki,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_128#Front_drive_innovation

"As engineered by Dante Giacosa, the 128 featured a transverse-mounted engine with unequal length drive shafts and an innovative clutch release mechanism — an arrangement which Fiat had strategically tested on a previous production model for a full five years, the Primula from its less market-critical subsidiary, Autobianchi.[9] The layout enabled the engine and gearbox to be located side by side without sharing lubricating fluid while orienting an electrically controlled cooling fan toward fresh air flow. By using the Primula as a test-bed, Fiat was able to sufficiently resolve the layout's disadvantages, including uneven side-to-side power transmission, uneven tire wear and potential torque steer, the tendency for the power of the engine alone to steer the car under heavy acceleration.

The compact and efficient layout — a transversely-mounted engine with transmission mounted beside the engine driving the front wheels through an offset final-drive and unequal-length driveshafts — subsequently became common with competitors[3] and arguably an industry standard.[10]

The layout was sufficiently flexible that Fiat reconfigured the 128 drive-train as a mid-engined layout for the Fiat X1/9."


You'd need to measure where the Puntos CVs / driveshafts come out to, make sure they fit the 128 body. Then there's the usual hub and wheel selection cause that's got to fit too. I don't know how interchangeable all the splines and fitments are (of the different models driveshafts and diffs & so forth), but I would like to know this also.
Not sure what steering & suspension setup would work best, the mounting points are going to be different between the two models. I searched this too though & there's loads of enthusiast websites about 128 racing suspension setups, so that's good.

If they won't show up in searches, I can post them here if you want.

 

[fiat 129]

Hi,

i am attempting to do the exact same as you currently. Got a mint 128, roll cage put in, rear disc conversion, coil over springs all round and uno turbo front brakes (hi-spec Calipers).

as far as i am aware the 1100/1300 block engine block from the 128 is the same as the punto gt turbo and therefore should fit into existing mounts. one issue we are having is looking at how to mount the gearbox - it is much bigger and does not fit the gear box mount for the 128. looks to me that you will have to use the existing gearbox mounts from the punto and modify some brackets to fit it. Going to have to modify the driveshafts as well given they are a different length

currently having the engine lighten and balanced so fitting the engine and gearbox is the next job. just from looking at it i do not think mounting the engine will be the biggest issue given the engine bay space. The electrics will more than likely cause the biggest headache

Thanks,

Guy

 

[Palio]

Plenty of engine swaps into Pandas - you'll find threads in the Classic Panda section. There are also loads of people in there who have done it & have a good technical knowledge.

Now I do appreciate that a 128 is not the same, but there are only a few 128s left here & you're unlikely to find help.

The mk1 Punto engines are favourite in the Panda, as the wiring is simple and it bolts onto the original Panda gearbox. Later Puntos have more complicated wiring for fly by wire throttle etc. I have a Panda with a 1.2 16V from a Punto - with better breathing, we think it's running about 100bhp instead of the original 50bhp. It does 85 in 3rd and sounds like a jet plane taking off. Just a thought!