Race Engine Forum UK

This i a low cost project for one or two trackdays each year with others classic cars and road use. I have a Ginetta G4S4 (670kg and 110cv) that I will still use on track and will be more efficient. I can explain the reason why I want to put the 124 Spider on the track : not to be faster than others or than the Ginetta (difficult with low cost project !), just because I really love the 124 spider classic shape and those TC engines. But if I enjoy a lot driving the 124 Spider on tracks it could transform into a not so low cost budget project...

(For non engine talking please go there : viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3177)

Features of the first step


Chassis, brakes

Koni Sport (yellow) shocks front and rear
Shortened springs, 1 to 1.5 coil front and 0.5 to 0.75 coil rear (I wish this will not provide too much bump steer)
New rubbers on top/bottom A-arms
New rubbers on front antisway bar
Rear antisway bar
195/55R14 Toyo T1R rear tires
185/55R14 Federal 595SS front tires
Reinforced crossmember
Secured idle steering box
Front Ferodo DS2500 pads


Cockpit

Rollcage + harness (keeping the softop)
Low oil pressure warning light


Engine, transmission

Good 5 speed gearbox from a 124CC1 (now the 4th gear is weak on the spider), I wish a 131 gearbox will come if I am happy with this project
I study low budget options for the engine but I will may start with standard FI engine and a baffled sump for the beginning of next year.
I have so the 2000FI in the Spider, the modified 130TC engine in the coupé, a spare 1800 engine and carburetor (was in the Coupé), a Spare 1605 engine with twin 40IDF.

The 2000FI engine is stock.
The 130TC engine has been modified of course to suit the 124 bay (ignition, camshafts, Oil pick-up and pump, 1800 sump, exhaust manifold).
The 1800 : I haven’t checked yet what is missing on.
The 1608 : I haven’t checked yet what is missing on.


So I can put in the Spider without spending lot of money :
Option 1 the modified 130TC engine that sit in the 124 Coupé.
Option 2 the 1800
Option 3 the 1800 head on the 2000 FI block
Option 4 the 2000 FI swapped to carburetors
Option 5 the 1608 engine
Option 6 …


Comments on option 1 :
Good power/work ratio for the spider but will need some other work to fit another engine in the 124 Coupé (several options too).

Comments on option 2 :
Will require parts. For example a sump, as I had this engine with a 125TC alloy sump (Abarth) that can’t fit and is sold. Will require ignition parts etc…

Comments on option 3 :
Not a lot of work I assume. Can I keep the exhaust manifold from the 2000FI ?

Comments on option 4 :
Will require camshafts I assume

Comments on option 5 :
I would like to keep this engine for the future (124AC or AS, 124BC or BS, Fiat 1500…)

General comment concerning carburetors :
I would like to keep the twin horizontal Solex C40 or the carburetor from the 1800 in the Coupé as I don’t want to go back to brake boost system.
I would like to put the 2x40IDF and waffle manifold from the 1608 or the carburetor from the 1800 in the Spider as I want to keep the brake boost system.


Pictures to come.

Please tell me if you think that my project make sense or if I have missed something and comment the engine options.

(For non engine talking please go there : viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3177)

Here is my spare 1800 engine and the 125TC abarth sump (removed to be shipped) :
Head cast number is 4314402, seems to be same valve size than my 1608 (supposed stock) and betters than the 2L FI US spec ones (42.4/36 against 41.8/36). And it is supposed to be 43.5/36 for my 125TC or 130TC engine ?
The better would be to check real things of course.
Bloc cast number is 132AB1, don't know if it means something.

I have a question concerning the "sensor" on the sump. I think it is a temperature sender unit (can't see what it could be otherwise) but I wonder where does it comes from. In fact I am quite surprised as the 125TC (from witch this sump is supposed to come) has in standard an oil level stick equiped with a temperature sender unit ? Right or wrong ?

Head casting 4314402 is originally from a 1756cc Fiat 124 sport CC. It has big ports i.e. 35-36mm. Out of all the early type heads it flows well. The 43.5mm heads have bigger valves and throat areas and flow better though. On 4314402 the biggest valves you can fit on standard seats are 43mm with safety margin.
4314402 will also have smaller combustion chambers as standard than the bigger valve heads. around 49cc vs 53cc if heads have not been shaved.
Having said all that every head can be reworked, its just a matter of how much work and budget.

I think the better budget projectwould be to fit in the spider :
My modified Strada engine (now in the coupé). But with twin Weber 40IDF from the 1608 and rejetted.

And in the coupé :
the 2L short block of the spider + the 1800 stock head + intake manifold / carburettors from the Strada engine and rejetted (2 Solex C40). CR going from 8.2 to 8.9 and reaching 110 bhp ? Maybe a more sporty engine with 125bhp for example would be quite easyly reachable with short block balanced, some shaving, sport camshafts (1608 one ?) and correct carburettor jetting ?

Getting the 1608 unfortunatly without carburettors and camshafts...