X1/9 1600 stroker engine
Posted: March 6th, 2011, 8:12 pm
Hi everyone
This is my first post and, at the outset, I would like to inform everyone that I am not technically experienced in the art of engine building. I love X1/9s and am in the process of getting a car restored in USA (road use only) for ultimate delivery to my home in Dubai.
I have read in other forums that it is possible to increase the capacity of the stock engines to 1600cc by changing the crankshaft and pistons. A few questions:
1. Does anyone on this forum have experience with this conversion?
2. Which crankshaft (from the current / recent range of Fiat engines) could be used for this conversion?
3. I understand that the standard 1500 pistons would need to be "shortened" to avoid moving too far up in the compression stroke. Is there a safe way to do this? Alternatively, are there any suitable replacement pistons that can be used (maybe with some boring of the block)?
4. If replacement parts for the bottom end are available, can anyone advise me of the source?
5. How should the head be modified (remember -- road use only)? Advice on valve sizes / camshaft specs would be greatly appreciated.
6. Any other advice on suitable modifications?
FYI -- the car is fuel injected but I plan to change the ECU for a programmable unit. Work will be carried out by a specialist in Ohio. I was seriously considering a Punto engine swap but am put off due to lack of availability of these engines in USA and the potential liability issue of buying such an engine in UK / Europe and shipping it to USA for installation and tuning.
I am sorry for my ignorance but would appreciate some advice.
Regards
Rehan
This is my first post and, at the outset, I would like to inform everyone that I am not technically experienced in the art of engine building. I love X1/9s and am in the process of getting a car restored in USA (road use only) for ultimate delivery to my home in Dubai.
I have read in other forums that it is possible to increase the capacity of the stock engines to 1600cc by changing the crankshaft and pistons. A few questions:
1. Does anyone on this forum have experience with this conversion?
2. Which crankshaft (from the current / recent range of Fiat engines) could be used for this conversion?
3. I understand that the standard 1500 pistons would need to be "shortened" to avoid moving too far up in the compression stroke. Is there a safe way to do this? Alternatively, are there any suitable replacement pistons that can be used (maybe with some boring of the block)?
4. If replacement parts for the bottom end are available, can anyone advise me of the source?
5. How should the head be modified (remember -- road use only)? Advice on valve sizes / camshaft specs would be greatly appreciated.
6. Any other advice on suitable modifications?
FYI -- the car is fuel injected but I plan to change the ECU for a programmable unit. Work will be carried out by a specialist in Ohio. I was seriously considering a Punto engine swap but am put off due to lack of availability of these engines in USA and the potential liability issue of buying such an engine in UK / Europe and shipping it to USA for installation and tuning.
I am sorry for my ignorance but would appreciate some advice.
Regards
Rehan