Fiat 128 Story
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- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
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Fiat 128 Story
I started racing in historical french championship in 1998.
I started on a Ford Cortina as co-pilot for rallye and as pilot in a rallye and hill climb.
Later, unable to use this Fortina in competition (this car was not mine... my friend sold it) I bought a Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce group 1 with whichI did rallies and hill climbs in the French championship of historic racing cars
After 3 years of pleasure I replaced by an Alfa-Romeo 1600 GT Veloce group 2
Great satisfaction with that Alfa! Very funny to drive and very powerful in its class.
Unfortunately I stopped competing for a few years and when I could return to this passion, I wanted to drive an original car not be seen in races in France.
When I was young I had a lot of fun to drive a Fiat 128 and I remembered that this model, sedan or coupe, had a nice results in competition.
So why and how began the history of my Fiat 128.
I looked on the internet long enough to find a model in good condition, not too rusty !!
Finally, I found one in Germany (thanks to the Internet) In France, all cars I founded was unfortunately very bad
After this purchase, the work of dismantling and preparation could begin.
Some pictures of this sweet green during disassembly and body preparation
***
I started on a Ford Cortina as co-pilot for rallye and as pilot in a rallye and hill climb.
Later, unable to use this Fortina in competition (this car was not mine... my friend sold it) I bought a Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce group 1 with whichI did rallies and hill climbs in the French championship of historic racing cars
After 3 years of pleasure I replaced by an Alfa-Romeo 1600 GT Veloce group 2
Great satisfaction with that Alfa! Very funny to drive and very powerful in its class.
Unfortunately I stopped competing for a few years and when I could return to this passion, I wanted to drive an original car not be seen in races in France.
When I was young I had a lot of fun to drive a Fiat 128 and I remembered that this model, sedan or coupe, had a nice results in competition.
So why and how began the history of my Fiat 128.
I looked on the internet long enough to find a model in good condition, not too rusty !!
Finally, I found one in Germany (thanks to the Internet) In France, all cars I founded was unfortunately very bad
After this purchase, the work of dismantling and preparation could begin.
Some pictures of this sweet green during disassembly and body preparation
***
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- Copie de fiat128_retour_allemagne (5).JPG (209.53 KiB) Viewed 47322 times
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- travaux (11).jpg (87.47 KiB) Viewed 47322 times
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
- Location: Annecy - France
- Contact:
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
- Location: Annecy - France
- Contact:
Re: Fiat 128 Story
If you are interested with the following story ( Engine, gear-box and suspensions preparations ) I can continue tu upload few pics ?
For the engine, you easily imagine I follow a lot informations I got on Guy Croft Forum !!!!
Philippe
For the engine, you easily imagine I follow a lot informations I got on Guy Croft Forum !!!!
Philippe
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Re: Fiat 128 Story
MODEL POST!
Good work Phillippe!
I really enjoy these step-by-step posts on car/engine and this one has plenty of interest and color!
I look forward to seeing more!
G
Good work Phillippe!
I really enjoy these step-by-step posts on car/engine and this one has plenty of interest and color!
I look forward to seeing more!
G
Guy Croft, owner
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
- Location: Annecy - France
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Re: Fiat 128 Story
Thank you Guy !!
Now, few comments about suspensions
I will not go in the details ..it will be too long and not necessary because everybody knows what to do on that type of car :)
Rear Suspension
Shock Fiat Ritmo Abarth 125 modified to fit the top of the chassis. Polyurethane upper stops
Adding a leaf spring (3 total)
Adding spacers to lower the car
Nota: I began with 3 cm spacers then after few races I noticed it was better with 5 cm
Spacers
Now, few comments about suspensions
I will not go in the details ..it will be too long and not necessary because everybody knows what to do on that type of car :)
Rear Suspension
Shock Fiat Ritmo Abarth 125 modified to fit the top of the chassis. Polyurethane upper stops
Adding a leaf spring (3 total)
Adding spacers to lower the car
Nota: I began with 3 cm spacers then after few races I noticed it was better with 5 cm
Spacers
Last edited by philippe74 on March 16th, 2013, 12:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
- Location: Annecy - France
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Re: Fiat 128 Story
Front Suspension
Rear Shock Fiat X 1/9 1500. Modified ends support to fit on the car
Suspension springs custom made by a company in Marseilles. Wire diameter increased, turns pitch reduced, increased stiffness
Triangles with polyurethane bushings
Rear Shock Fiat X 1/9 1500. Modified ends support to fit on the car
Suspension springs custom made by a company in Marseilles. Wire diameter increased, turns pitch reduced, increased stiffness
Triangles with polyurethane bushings
- Attachments
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- entretoise AV.jpg (69.47 KiB) Viewed 47235 times
Last edited by philippe74 on March 16th, 2013, 7:53 am, edited 3 times in total.
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
- Location: Annecy - France
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Re: Fiat 128 Story
Brake
Identical to the original ….but new for sure !
Front discs and pads from EBC (Yellow compound DP4116)
Goodridge lines
Pressure limiter Summit Racing
Motul racing brake fluid
Identical to the original ….but new for sure !
Front discs and pads from EBC (Yellow compound DP4116)
Goodridge lines
Pressure limiter Summit Racing
Motul racing brake fluid
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
- Location: Annecy - France
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Re: Fiat 128 Story
Gear box
4 original but short end ratio 11/53 (the smallest FIA approved)
Note: The first gear is too short, but it's good enough for the other 3
I had not enough money to buy a good set of pinions ...unfortunately
I had to modify the housing at the end of the box to allow room for a screw at extremity of shaft.
So I had to adapt a dedicated housing
Gear bracket is reinforced
4 original but short end ratio 11/53 (the smallest FIA approved)
Note: The first gear is too short, but it's good enough for the other 3
I had not enough money to buy a good set of pinions ...unfortunately
I had to modify the housing at the end of the box to allow room for a screw at extremity of shaft.
So I had to adapt a dedicated housing
Gear bracket is reinforced
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
- Location: Annecy - France
- Contact:
Re: Fiat 128 Story
Cylinder head
Inlet valve 40 mm
Exhaust valve 35 mm
- special, fully-shaped racing-spec 21-4N steel valves made in UK,
- 7 mm valve stem (chrome-plated)
3 angle seat cut
- reinforced valve springs
- lightened steel retainers
- chamber volume 26 cm³
restrictor for oil in the camshaft box
Inlet valve 40 mm
Exhaust valve 35 mm
- special, fully-shaped racing-spec 21-4N steel valves made in UK,
- 7 mm valve stem (chrome-plated)
3 angle seat cut
- reinforced valve springs
- lightened steel retainers
- chamber volume 26 cm³
restrictor for oil in the camshaft box
Last edited by philippe74 on March 16th, 2013, 7:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
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Re: Fiat 128 Story
Standard flywheel modified to obtain 5 KG weight
Crankshaft pulleys and oil pump pulley lightened
Balanced crankshaft
Oil pan from Fiat X 1/9 aluminum ( modified to adapt a “door” retaining oil and a temperature sensor
Modified oil pump to increase pressure and flow
Crankshaft pulleys and oil pump pulley lightened
Balanced crankshaft
Oil pan from Fiat X 1/9 aluminum ( modified to adapt a “door” retaining oil and a temperature sensor
Modified oil pump to increase pressure and flow
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
- Location: Annecy - France
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Re: Fiat 128 Story
Special forged pistons made by Sergio ALLAIS (I made only the drawing)
I choose dimension in order to reach a volumetric ratio approx. 10,6
I choose dimension in order to reach a volumetric ratio approx. 10,6
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
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Re: Fiat 128 Story
Block
Nothing special ...86,2 mm bored
plan joint machined to obtain precise offset of top pistons
Before: :)
Nothing special ...86,2 mm bored
plan joint machined to obtain precise offset of top pistons
Before: :)
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
- Location: Annecy - France
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Re: Fiat 128 Story
Exhaust
Collector 4x2x1
Custom exhaust pipes custom in stainless steel
Summit Racing Glasspack mufler
Tail pipe ..But after 2 races I add a silencer
Collector 4x2x1
Custom exhaust pipes custom in stainless steel
Summit Racing Glasspack mufler
Tail pipe ..But after 2 races I add a silencer
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
- Location: Annecy - France
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Re: Fiat 128 Story
Miscellaneous:
Inlet manifold (similar to Alquati) + Weber 40 DCOE (2x)
CATcams camshaft 1900203 (299 / 299°) but I think it’s not aggressive enough ..
Vernier Pulley CATCams
Nippon Denso alternator (light)
Aluminium spacer: this thin part is between cylinder head and camshaft box in order to move it up.
Due to the new length of the valves, I did'nt found correct thickness shims to adjust the valve; so I add this 1,5mm spacer
This part has been machined by water cutting. I copy the profile of camshaft housing on a paer, then I took dimensions on it to make my CAD drawing Throttle system made with a cable:
*******
NOta: When engine has been finished, I put standard ram pipes but results after few races was not so good
So, I changed them for full radius models ..it was better. I keep them during one season of races (2011)
In 2012, I got interesting informations and I decided to make my ow, rampipe.
First, I machined auxiliary venturi I got a special rampipe for Citroen compétition and I copy internal shape
Also, I found my books in college when I was young .....:) ....and I applied some formulas
This allowed me to determine a profile that seemed interesting
I made the model according to that results
The inner profile of rampipe is exactly aligned with the shape of the auxiliary venturi.
I have no idea if this profile is" perfect" but I wanted to have fun and customize a little my work.
Primary outcomes were very good! I increased my max speed of 300 rpm and revving is more effective This is a view with rampipes I used during one year:
Inlet manifold (similar to Alquati) + Weber 40 DCOE (2x)
CATcams camshaft 1900203 (299 / 299°) but I think it’s not aggressive enough ..
Vernier Pulley CATCams
Nippon Denso alternator (light)
Aluminium spacer: this thin part is between cylinder head and camshaft box in order to move it up.
Due to the new length of the valves, I did'nt found correct thickness shims to adjust the valve; so I add this 1,5mm spacer
This part has been machined by water cutting. I copy the profile of camshaft housing on a paer, then I took dimensions on it to make my CAD drawing Throttle system made with a cable:
*******
NOta: When engine has been finished, I put standard ram pipes but results after few races was not so good
So, I changed them for full radius models ..it was better. I keep them during one season of races (2011)
In 2012, I got interesting informations and I decided to make my ow, rampipe.
First, I machined auxiliary venturi I got a special rampipe for Citroen compétition and I copy internal shape
Also, I found my books in college when I was young .....:) ....and I applied some formulas
This allowed me to determine a profile that seemed interesting
I made the model according to that results
The inner profile of rampipe is exactly aligned with the shape of the auxiliary venturi.
I have no idea if this profile is" perfect" but I wanted to have fun and customize a little my work.
Primary outcomes were very good! I increased my max speed of 300 rpm and revving is more effective This is a view with rampipes I used during one year:
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- Posts: 39
- Joined: October 27th, 2009, 9:10 am
- Location: Annecy - France
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Re: Fiat 128 Story
I use this 128 for 2 years now in the French Historical hill climb championship
I really enjoyed and got good results and correct standings results; I finished 5th in 2011 and 7th in 2012. There are many "big" car listed in this category, but a 128 is so easy to drive and can go quickly, especially if the track is complicated.
Thank you very much Guy Croft because I found many answers to my questions by reading this forum regularly
Below are some photos of the finished car in competition
First race in 2011:
I still have Yokohama tires Few months after, with large Toyo tires and intermediate rampipes (not final one) On that picture, you can see the car still stable on the front.With these suspension springs, this 128 is working very well! Last year, in Turckkeim, I used Michelin slicks and I have the custom rampipes since the third race of the year
Incredible results ...Engine was running very well
I noticed that it's not necessary to run over 8400-8500 RPM ...I have no more power
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