Engine Replacements

[deadmeat]

I'm curious if anyone has replaced the fiat engine in their spider with something else. Maybe it's blasphemy to suggest it here; however, it would be interesting to know if anyone has crammed a larger non-fiat engine into their car. If you've done it or seen it done, what went in after the old engine came out?

[narfire]

I believe several have with varying degrees of success.
The best one I have seen is by a fellow no longer with us..Hal is an inspiration with his skill and knowledge in fabricating and ideas.
A different forum , regardless its great reading
http://www.fiatspiders.com/F10/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=138
Chris

[maytag]

Hal's is by far the best execution.
There have been others. I've seen a couple small-block Chevy's. A couple Ford 302's. there a member here who has done a couple Chevy V6.
I always thought the Buick Turbo V6 from the 80's would be a fantastic swap.

But what you need to understand if you attempt any of this is that this car is a unibody car, and will need reinforcements commensurate with the power and weight added.
And of course the rear-end will be "iffy" past about 150hp. you'll be looking for a narrowed rear transplant.

[124JOE]

my experiance with rc cars and trucks tells me if a car comes with a small motor and someone
slaps in a huge motor the chassis will fail


so as said you need to replace all the drive line
and reinforce the chassis

im just saying.i wouldnt do it "unless i had 3 or 4 of them"