First Time Fiat Spider Owner

[drdeebs]

Hello All,
I am very excited about my recent purchase of a 1977 Fiat Spider 124! I have never owned a Fiat so I am trying to learn as much as I can. The first thing that I need to do is replace the muffler. Anyone have any insight on which one I should buy? Also any input on things that I should be checking besides the usual?
Thanks!

[azygoustoyou]

Hi Drdeebs,
Welcome to the Forum!
It all depends on how much you want to spend. You could replace the stock one which would be the cheapest way.
http://www.international-auto.com/index ... sid=900437
Or get an Ansi for about $350 with shipping.
http://www.international-auto.com/index ... id=1289514
Our Moderator sells one. I don't know the exact cost . Here it is;
http://www.allisonsautomotive.com/exhaust.html#exhaust

I have a good used one that was sand blasted and painted with a chrome tip. You could have it for $20 + shipping. It may need some tweaking. I can check it out to see if you want and send a pic.

[mbouse]

hello, and welcome.

that first week of ownership is a head-rush, 'eh? get used to it, cuz it lasts for a long time! i'm going on 15 years, and still lovin' it.

lots of first time things you should consider. you have two important rubber items that need immediate attention .. unless the seller guarunteed was taken care of recently. your flex disk and your timing belt.

muffler? what sound do you want? stock sound can be had from a local muffler shop muffler.

[drdeebs]

Thanks for the quick replies!
The first week has been a head rush but in a good way! lol
As far as the muffler I think I want to go with something a little better than just a stock replacement. I found a website that is selling the ANSA muffler for $180 US shipped I believe regular retail is over $300. Has anyone else used that one? What do you guys have on yours?

[mbouse]

ANSA is a brand name. be careful, are you looking at dual tipped or single tip? that price is too good to sound true for a dual tipped ANSA for our cars.

lots of guys use the ANSA, i did for quite a while... very satisfied with it.

[htchevyii]

Welcome to the forum, but BEWARE!! Fiat ownership can be highly addictive!!

[rlux4]

Hello, wecome to the forum. Are you getting good enough weather up there in northern Idaho to take your new car out much? We're hearing horror stories from the upper midwest and the east coast about how much snow all this global warming has caused them this year.
Let's see some pics of your car! (Please)
Ron

[mdrburchette]

Welcome to the forum. Pics are a great bonus for us so when you have a chance, please post some.
The stock IAP muffler is actually a single tip ANSA and sounds great. I have the single tip on my 72 and the dual tip on my 71. The 71 is a little louder, but the 72 still has a nice rumble to it without being too loud.

[MNspiderman]

Welcome to the forum. I have a 77 spider. I don't see that many 77's. Always the other years. Anyway. Here is what my 77 looks like.

[carl55]

Hi
Beautiful car.
I would highly recommend an overflow bottle for your radiator. These cars have trouble with air pockets in the cooling system.

Carl

[mdrburchette]

Hey MN, you can run your wires for the MSD through one of the grommets in the firewall and mounted the box under the glove box on the bar. That way you can install an overflow jug....or you can mount it where I have mine (on the radiator support) but make sure you have enough clearance to close the hood.

[MNspiderman]

Overflow will go back on, I just wanted to get the msd up and running to see how it works and as for the overflow, i plan on putting one next to the radiator. Probably the one Mark sells now. Or one very similar.

[mumbo]

I never saw one of these going without the timing belt cover. Is it for looks or some other advantage?

[baltobernie]

It's to keep fingers, neckties, and long 60-70's hair from getting caught while the hood is up and the engine's running. A minor side benefit is to keep small rocks and other debris from lodging between a moving belt and the crank gear, possibly throwing or jamming the belt (with disastrous consequences on earlier engines).

Some current owners paint theirs, some affix the rare aluminum ones, some go without.

[mumbo]

My 77 has the aluminum one and the 78 has the plastic. I really dont like the lok of the plastic. Maybe I will take it off.