Hi from Connecticut

[whiteghost]

I've just acquired a 1980 fiat spider 2000 in dark green with 150k miles and in pretty good shape.

It's in need of a good cleaning and tuneup but I'm going to try and get it roadworthy in the next few weeks. Eventual plans will include a small turbo and Megasquirt (probably this winter).

Just wanted to stop in and say hello.

[rlux4]

Hello, and welcome! Congrats on your new car. Connecticut huh? Hows the weather out there? We've had great top down weather out here in So Cal, wish my car was together to enjoy it. Post some pics of your new family addition.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

welcome! What manifold do you plan to use with your turbo?

[whiteghost]

My spider is presently covered under a thick layer of dust. Its been sitting for a few years but the previous owner insisted they ran it regularly to keep the engine lubed and in working order. I'll definitely post up some pics when I get it in respectable condition. Actually, it may be cool to see the transformation, so I'll be sure to take some before pics as well.

As far as the future turbo manifold goes, I dont think its a stock one that's on there now because its a tubular manifold and from what I've read the stock ones were cast. I'm thinking of reworking the existing manifold with my chop saw and MIG and doing a DIY low buck turbo build. I'm thinking small t3 or a mitsu 14 or 16g.

The weather here in CT has been improving as of late, though its not yet top down cruising weather. It'll probably get to 50 degrees today (30 when I woke up)

[mbouse]

welcome to the site.

Despite what the P.O. has stated, do not trust the gasoline in the tank to be fresh!! Not without inspection first. use caution when starting that engine, with all the dust on top of everything.

[whiteghost]

Thanks for the tip, I'm going to freshen everything on the car front to back (hoses,lines etc.) drain the tank and bleed out all the old brake fluid (previous owner said the brakes were never good) before I get to tackling anyhting major. Underhood, most everything looks to be in decent shape with minimal dryrot and almost no visible rust. the rear wheelwells have some bubling, but it hasn't broken throught the pain tyet so I'll leave it be.

Does anyone know of a junkyard LSD that will fit this car? I really dont like open diffs.

[whiteghost]

Well I finally got her mostly cleaned up and she's looking pretty good.

Can we attach pics directly on this forum or do they need to be hosted by another server?

[rlux4]

Your photos do need to be uploaded to a photo hosting site to be transfered here. Hurry up! We want to see a dark green Spider.
Ron

[whiteghost]

Here they are-

http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll26 ... ost7/fiat/

She's all registered and ready to go. It was nice and sunny today and though it never got out of the 40s , I had to do some top down cruising to celebrate spring's arrival.

The car has some squeaks and rattles, lousy braking, a definite exhaust leak somewhere, and a few other issues that are appearing as I get acquainted, but it makes up for all these little things with a ton of infectious spirit. I like is more and more every time I look at it.

[So Cal Mark]

looks nice! you can insert the photos right into your post if you copy the img code then insert it after clicking on the img button above this box. If you want to insert all of the photos from an album, click on select all, then generate code and copy it. Then again, insert it after clicking on the img button above

[rlux4]

Great looking car. You have a very good starting point on that one. Do the jumper cables indicate a battery issue, or is it so you have an excuse to go out cruising--- to offer road side assistance?
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

everyone should carry jumper cables!

[rlux4]

OK Mark! I will. You're the man.
Ron

[whiteghost]

The original battery was toast, so I threw in one I had laying around in after it sat on the charger for a night.

I wish I had a pair of jumper cables for every vehicle, or better yet a jump box that didn't lose charge over time!