New to Fiat Spider

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gjones1967
Posts: 66
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:32 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider
Location: Spring, Texas (Houston area)

New to Fiat Spider

Postby gjones1967 » Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:14 pm

Hi,

I am new to Fiat Spider ownership. I just spent 6 years restoring an MGB and decided I was bored when it was done. I trawled Craigslist and found 79 Spider in need of some love. I also bought an 80 donor car for parts.

After 3 weeks I have it running, but a way to go yet, paint, interior, roof etc. it was not without pain, seems the head is a 78, threw out the smog stuff and replaced the carb. Found a good parts guy in Jay at Spiderroadster.com.

So I have a question. The donor car has a 2 chamber header and a full stainless exhaust. If I bought a 4 into 2 exhaust manifold would a gain power?
Graeme Jones.


1978 Fiat Spider
1979 Fiat Spider
1986 Porsche 944
1976 MGB
2009 Honda Accord
2016 Toyota Tundra.

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RRoller123
Patron 2020
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Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: New to Fiat Spider

Postby RRoller123 » Mon Dec 18, 2017 7:13 am

The 4-2-1 header on the later cars is considered a very good one, better than the earlier 4-1, but we have no way to compare it to what you have on there now? Some of the highly engine-knowledgeable folks here recommend, for the later cars, doing any header mods near the end of the list, as the 4-2-1 is that good.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

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Nanonevol
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 828
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: New to Fiat Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Mon Dec 18, 2017 8:53 am

I would think a real header would flow better than either stock manifold.
Not trying to get too pedantic but I think actually some early 4-2-1's were good, ie larger, and also some later were good while some in-between were more restrictive. It's probably a marginal difference in any case but I was obsessive enough to buy 2 of them to get a better one. The real difference came for my car with a 34 ADF Weber carb.
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

gjones1967
Posts: 66
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:32 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider
Location: Spring, Texas (Houston area)

Re: New to Fiat Spider

Postby gjones1967 » Mon Dec 18, 2017 10:21 pm

Thanks.

I guess I will be on the look out for one then!
Graeme Jones.


1978 Fiat Spider
1979 Fiat Spider
1986 Porsche 944
1976 MGB
2009 Honda Accord
2016 Toyota Tundra.

Spider951
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 131
Joined: Mon May 29, 2017 8:44 am
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL

Re: New to Fiat Spider

Postby Spider951 » Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:57 pm

Welcome to the Spider world.
Not to trash MGB's, and I have owned Fiat Spiders and an MGB; both have strong points and weak spots. I have enjoyed the Spiders more, probably because of the standard equipment 5 speed manual gearbox, higher reving engine, way better folding top, slightly wider stance, seating comfort, and, for my '81, fuel injection. I do miss the rack and pinion steering, though.

My $0.02 on the exhaust set up is that the 4-2 is good for regular (street) use.

Keep us posted on your progress.

gjones1967
Posts: 66
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:32 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Spider
Location: Spring, Texas (Houston area)

Re: New to Fiat Spider

Postby gjones1967 » Mon Feb 19, 2018 10:03 pm

Thanks,

Since posting this a short while ago, things took a different turn. Original engine had a bad rattle so I decided to use the newer engine I have. Going to have it rebuilt. I have the car completely stripped out and found the floor pans are all shot. Bought a welder to tackle it myself. It has become a bigger project than expected but that just adds to the fun.

Thanks for the input on MGB v Spider.
Graeme Jones.


1978 Fiat Spider
1979 Fiat Spider
1986 Porsche 944
1976 MGB
2009 Honda Accord
2016 Toyota Tundra.


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