Engine Replace/Mods

[narfire]

[quote="davery"] Then I am not sure what to do. Maybe a hotter cam? Any suggestions?

Why not look into a Honda S2000? They have 200 +HP and can be had for $12,000 to $20,000 . Car and driveline is designed to have that kind of power.

Remember the Fiats are 30 + year old cars and the body handles the 100 hp very well. More power leads me to believe perhaps another transmision,driveline and rear end are in order.
A fellow here in Naramata had an MG updated with a V6 from a Chev Lumina. By the time the dust settled with upgraded brakes,trans,rear end , body stiffening, ect the bill including the car was north of $30,000.The conversion was very professionally done though. By comparison another friend recently purchased a 2009 M3 cabrio for less than that.(330 hp)
I obviously respect everyones decision as it is their money and wants that have to be considered, just throwing a few more ideas out there. I believe the spider engine can be upgraded to develop 130+ hp and the driveline remain intact. I find the modest upgrades in my engine has made an improvement in moving this 2000 pound car about.
Good luck in the decision
Chris

[BEEK]

for what its worth...
i have been a fiat owner / mechanic / fiats parts and service business owner for 30 years. i absolutly love the style of the car. but lets face it it is a 44-45 year old design. for a 45 year old design it has aged very well. but to compare to modern standards it fails. in 45 years hp to weight ratio have become better. the advances in combsution and injection have made more power and better mileage.
for me i have a spider that i keep mostly original , with tasteful period mods. i have a spider project which im in the process of installing a more powerful engine and drive line to accept it. i will engineer the suspension and chassis to be able to handle the increase. i also have 2 scorpion projects, why im not sure, (i think i have a fiat shaped tumor in my head) one of these will be a period type mod, and the second will be a wild ride. the second one is planned 330hp and 1800 lbs. no frills , just go.