I'm new hereand find this forum very informative. I just purchased a 79 spider in mint condition, very happy except for the sluggish accleration. What can I do to improve? carb change? Guys at international auto parts seem to shy away would take a lot of work>
Any help would be appreciated.
Tony
Performance
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racydave
Welcome, we recently had a discussion on some 2L mods, as everyone knows they are worthy of some mods. Go to performance sect, topic how far to go on 2L eng mods. There are also very good articles on same subject, I always look for new sites and articles, always check links and clubs... If you can, check all local clubs as they can also help you get tuned up. Also a great time to bond with other Fiat "Freaks" occurs annualy, this summer again at the Fiatfreakout in Dearborn MI. Last year was my first event, I met many folks that Ive chatted with and made some very good connections for parts, advice and bonding with other "freaks". Maybeee meet more friends this summer. feel free to ask anything, most of us here like to be helpfull!!! 
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So Cal Mark
Since you just got the car, a thorough tune-up and inspection would be in order. The timing belt should be looked at for condition and proper alignment. Valve adjustment should be checked as well as the carburetor operation. Performance should be adequate on that car, even though it has less perf than other yr models due to emission regulations.
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mbouse
Welcome, Tony.
Having an '80 carburetted engine, i feel your pain. at the same time, both Dave and Mark give good advice.
I'd be happy to walk you through where i've just been with manifolds swapping...but...i lack the last step; actually putting the car back on the road.
My advice to you would be to immediately change the timing belt unless you are POSITIVE of when it was last changed. Then, following Mark's advice, perform a complete tune up. Third, put a year on the vehicle in the stock configuration you have now. That way, when you do begin your performance modifications, you will have the experience to say how much improved each change made to you car.
It is so much sweeter to feel the "new" power after you've put up with mediocre for a year. Also, that year gives you the opportunity to do a full 12 months of research, and gives you the time to save up the money you'll need for the parts. Besides which, you will actually be driving a cool looking car for a year, and no one but you will know for sure.
The guys at your chosen parts supplier are purposely vague on their replies because they are concerned about telling you what to do that might not be legal. To some degree or other, we all have smog and emissions issues to deal with. Some states test, others don't. IAP does not have everything you may need to perform some mods as well....so they won't be the best to ask this type of advice from.
Like Dave said, getcher self active with other users, and start asking questions like you have.....send me an email, and I will tell you exactly what i've done this past month, and in the past, and exactly what I've paid, and to whom. I'll also tell you who to avoid, and why. I will not slam anyone in public.
Good luck. Hope to read your posts again and again as you improve your new found joy.
Having an '80 carburetted engine, i feel your pain. at the same time, both Dave and Mark give good advice.
I'd be happy to walk you through where i've just been with manifolds swapping...but...i lack the last step; actually putting the car back on the road.
My advice to you would be to immediately change the timing belt unless you are POSITIVE of when it was last changed. Then, following Mark's advice, perform a complete tune up. Third, put a year on the vehicle in the stock configuration you have now. That way, when you do begin your performance modifications, you will have the experience to say how much improved each change made to you car.
It is so much sweeter to feel the "new" power after you've put up with mediocre for a year. Also, that year gives you the opportunity to do a full 12 months of research, and gives you the time to save up the money you'll need for the parts. Besides which, you will actually be driving a cool looking car for a year, and no one but you will know for sure.
The guys at your chosen parts supplier are purposely vague on their replies because they are concerned about telling you what to do that might not be legal. To some degree or other, we all have smog and emissions issues to deal with. Some states test, others don't. IAP does not have everything you may need to perform some mods as well....so they won't be the best to ask this type of advice from.
Like Dave said, getcher self active with other users, and start asking questions like you have.....send me an email, and I will tell you exactly what i've done this past month, and in the past, and exactly what I've paid, and to whom. I'll also tell you who to avoid, and why. I will not slam anyone in public.
Good luck. Hope to read your posts again and again as you improve your new found joy.
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So Cal Mark
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tonysfiat
Thanks for all the info, will be following up on a tune up for sure.
One follow up question, this car was a gift from my son, he purchased off ebay from a Chicago area owner. Car odometer stated 7900 miles. Car is near mint however I have my suspicions this is not real. What tell tale signs should I look for if any about the mileage being tampered with.
Thanks for any info.
Tony
One follow up question, this car was a gift from my son, he purchased off ebay from a Chicago area owner. Car odometer stated 7900 miles. Car is near mint however I have my suspicions this is not real. What tell tale signs should I look for if any about the mileage being tampered with.
Thanks for any info.
Tony
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TVST*R
If it really is "mint", post some pics of the engine bay,trunk, and
interior and we'll all weigh in. It could be that is the original
milage.
T
interior and we'll all weigh in. It could be that is the original
milage.
T
tonysfiat wrote:Thanks for all the info, will be following up on a tune up for sure.
One follow up question, this car was a gift from my son, he purchased off ebay from a Chicago area owner. Car odometer stated 7900 miles. Car is near mint however I have my suspicions this is not real. What tell tale signs should I look for if any about the mileage being tampered with.
Thanks for any info.
Tony
Last edited by TVST*R on Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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mbouse
what is the max speed indication on the speedometer? 140 or 85? My 1980 recently had the speedo fail, and I was fortunate to find a NOS 140 mph speedo to replace the stock 85mph speedo. I now show 15,000 miles and the actual vehicle miles is 89,000 + 15,000, or 104,000. But, it is only a five digit odometer, so you can see only the 15,000. sound like a familiar scenario?
most of us here in the "great lakes" states reserve driving for the non-salt seasons. However, driving less than 300 miles per year.....Tain't likely.
most of us also spend a great deal of time and effort in restorations, so maybe your mint condition is attributed to a quality restoration job?
maybe someone could drop by and take a peek. Sorry, I'm a little too far away myself.
most of us here in the "great lakes" states reserve driving for the non-salt seasons. However, driving less than 300 miles per year.....Tain't likely.
most of us also spend a great deal of time and effort in restorations, so maybe your mint condition is attributed to a quality restoration job?
maybe someone could drop by and take a peek. Sorry, I'm a little too far away myself.
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So Cal Mark
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tanis
And
If you feel the acceleration is sluggish even after you find everything is in good order, there are a few things, not always easy you can do to improve it, but it also depends on how "Stock" you want it to be. My favorite is to:
Lighten your flywheel - this will make a noticeable improvement in acceleration and throttle response.
Lighten your flywheel - this will make a noticeable improvement in acceleration and throttle response.
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TVST*R
Re: And
Flywheel? Really? How so?
T
T
tanis wrote:If you feel the acceleration is sluggish even after you find everything is in good order, there are a few things, not always easy you can do to improve it, but it also depends on how "Stock" you want it to be. My favorite is to:
Lighten your flywheel - this will make a noticeable improvement in acceleration and throttle response.
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tonysfiat
Mark
Interior is in great shape, no wear on carpet or pedals, one thing that bothers me though is the drivers side seat is showing some tilting to the right. The passenger seat is perfectly straight and true.
I will be posting photos this weekend when my youngest son is back from school I can not figure out how to post photos yet.
The previous owner of the car was a hotel corporation in Chicago, they sold it in 2000 to a private individual who never registered it. When my son purchased the car the title was from the Chicago Hotel not the current owner, thats another story.
Tony
Interior is in great shape, no wear on carpet or pedals, one thing that bothers me though is the drivers side seat is showing some tilting to the right. The passenger seat is perfectly straight and true.
I will be posting photos this weekend when my youngest son is back from school I can not figure out how to post photos yet.
The previous owner of the car was a hotel corporation in Chicago, they sold it in 2000 to a private individual who never registered it. When my son purchased the car the title was from the Chicago Hotel not the current owner, thats another story.
Tony
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mbouse
Boy, if you would have said the seat was tilted to the left, i'd a said busted frame from a big guy hoisting himself in and out. Still, that is a tell tale sign of greater than visible mileage.
Describe the carpeting. Is it original equipment "corn row"?
Six of 26 years in storage doesn't account for the 20 years it was registered. I am still betting on a better than average restoration of a 107,000 mile car. Replacement pedal covers are readily available. Does it have a stock steering wheel?
Pictures will tell a lot. Oh, yeah. And what was the purchase price?
Describe the carpeting. Is it original equipment "corn row"?
Six of 26 years in storage doesn't account for the 20 years it was registered. I am still betting on a better than average restoration of a 107,000 mile car. Replacement pedal covers are readily available. Does it have a stock steering wheel?
Pictures will tell a lot. Oh, yeah. And what was the purchase price?
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So Cal Mark