installing fuel injection in 1979 spider

[raviv1975]

i'm considering installing fuel injection in my 2000cc 1979 spider.
the engine provides 86 hp which is not truely exciting.
my questions are :

did someone made a project like this ?
is this complicated ? do you have to replace the manifold as well ?

should i use the old genuine fiat injectors ? or is there universal or specific injection that fit like a GLOVE to these engines ?

i would like to hear your comments. maybe it's all wrong thinking
raviv

[divace73]

the easiest method would be to get all the kit from a 2000 injected model included and maybe not limited to
Manifold with injection and fuel rail
all plumbing
air flow meter
front T piece with sensor
wiring harness
exhaust manifold (with new O2 sensor) (upper and lower)
fuel pump
petrol tank
maybe return fuel line??

Study Brad Artigue Fuel Injection book to become familiar with the Bosch L-Jectronic unit

There is also a fuel injection DCOE throttle body set up but it will cost some dollars

What is your budget? depending on where you are, you may be able to pick up a rusted out FI car and swap the bits?

[raviv1975]

i'm from israel.
my budget ? 1000$
does it worth the work ? will the car act differnt from now ?
how much should that add to the horse power?

raviv

[bradartigue]

i'm from israel.
my budget ? 1000$
does it worth the work ? will the car act differnt from now ?
how much should that add to the horse power?

raviv

I believe a $1,000.00 budget is not enough to make the exchange to FI. You would need a complete FI system from an earlier car, a cylinder head from a later or earlier car (the 79 head will not work), and an exhaust system from a later car. The machine work on the head alone can cost upwards of $400. I would invest in the carburetor/intake/exhaust:

A high performance carburetor, such as the Weber 34 ADF, will cost about $500.00 and significantly improve the performance of the car. It will require an intake manifold from an 1800cc (1974-1978) Spider, about $150. These two things alone will help you to gain a 10-15% increase in power. Also, if your car has the single downpipe exhaust which was common on CS2 Spiders then replace it with a 4-2-1 type from the same model year. Do all of this and you'll be under $1,000.00 with very nice performance. The work required can be performed with common tools.

[raviv1975]

many thanks!

[Warren]

I have a 1979 (with automatic transmission) and installed the Weber 34ADF and earlier 1800 intake manifold and performance greatly improved. Also recently replaced the original catalytic converter with a "Fiat test pipe" (on Ebay, Difatta.com) which also helped. The 34ADF and 1800 manifold still uses your coolant activated choke. If I wanted more performance I would change out the exhaust manifold to a header but I am satisfied enough. Email me at whhopson@southernco.com if you want some pictures as a reference.

[htchevyii]

I'm curious about the head. Why won't the 79 head work?

[bradartigue]

I'm curious about the head. Why won't the 79 head work?

It can but you end up with a big hole running through the front of the head. If you leave the stock exhaust you'll have to cut and plug the plumbing on the exhaust side. Then you can leave the hole open. 79 head also had reed valves that need to be removed and plugged. The one thing you can't change is the #1 combustion chamber is squished slightly (due to that EGR hole I described).

Since if you do it you're going to have it all naked anyway I'd just swap out the head with a clean on from an 1800, 1592, or 2000 FI. They all fit and increase compression. All good things.