Going Italian - Fiat 850 Spider

TurnerX19 said:

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

I had that idea at the beginning of this thread, but kept my mouth shut as keeping it Fiat was the OP's strong conviction. We need someone else to explode the Fiat transaxle, because I consider it certain over 75 lb ft, more than likely if Honda powered. 

The 850 transaxle is NOT the weak link. I pounded mine with well over 100ft/lbs and made 129hp to the wheels with no issues, Every reverse rotation 124 twin cam and even the Abarth OT2000 cars used the transaxle with no mods.

The gearing however, is sub-optimal. Particularly the spiders 4.88:1 final drive. 66mph is 5000 RPM.

In reply to Trent :

Not hearing any downsides.

I remember the short gears - I guess they had to do that since the engines made so little power, but I remember if you could get it to 70 mph you were fairly wound out - 5500 IIRC.

I did not remember the intake manifold was part of the valve cover?

I had an Abarth 750, didn't remember it being built like that, very curious. But that was a very long time ago, late 1960's.....maybe the 850 motors were different? Or maybe the old memory banks just no longer have those files.....

The combined rocker cover/intake combo was unique to the front wheel drive Autobianchi A112 Abarth. 

Easy to tell since the oil filler cap is on the opposite end of the cover. Luckily, the spider has a long decklid.  Those won't work in coupes and sedans

In reply to MiniDave :

Really, do you want to be driving one of these cars much faster than that?

Trent said:

TurnerX19 said:

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

I had that idea at the beginning of this thread, but kept my mouth shut as keeping it Fiat was the OP's strong conviction. We need someone else to explode the Fiat transaxle, because I consider it certain over 75 lb ft, more than likely if Honda powered. 

The 850 transaxle is NOT the weak link. I pounded mine with well over 100ft/lbs and made 129hp to the wheels with no issues, Every reverse rotation 124 twin cam and even the Abarth OT2000 cars used the transaxle with no mods.

The gearing however, is sub-optimal. Particularly the spiders 4.88:1 final drive. 66mph is 5000 RPM.

Yes, I am on the the hunt for a 9/35 ring and pinion. Not because I want to go 100 MPH but to let it go 70 on the highway without requiring reving to the moon.

In reply to dherr (Forum Supporter) :

Just a warning. The pinion is the very first thing to go into the transmission on assembly. It is a full rebuild to swap out the final drive. If you are in there your are likely doing bearings and that 2nd gear synchro is always worn......

It becomes a major job. 

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

In reply to MiniDave :

Really, do you want to be driving one of these cars much faster than that?

850 spiders and coupes drive a lot like a 3/4 scale Porsche 912. Surprisingly nice little things. They are not the little, sketchy microcars folks think they are. With proper gearing they are totally comfortable on the freeway