I have been merrily building on the assumption that I will use the donor pinto engine....

Now my brother has told me he knows where he can get hold of a fiat twin cam with rwd box..........Cheap!

what a dilema...

RWD Fiat boxes are like hens teeth. I know. I've looked.

Is it a 131 Mirafiori box?

Cheers,

Neil.

Pinto = cheap spares and cheap replacement.

Fiat twin cam = rare, therefore probably expensive (if you can get them) spares and hard to find replacement.

I was in the dilema whether to use a Lotus 907 engine or the 2.0L Zetec. decided to use the zetec for the following reasons - relatively cheap for potential bhp output, cheap spares, loads in scrap yards if I blow my current one up !!!!

Also the type 9 box I am using are also cheap and plentiful.

just my 2p's worth



[Edited on 23/2/04 by givemethebighammer]

Bloody amazing engine, the 1800 was the best, third gear syncro was always weak on the boxes, but they rarely broke if the oil level was maintained
Rescued attachment 132inj_eng.jpg

ide go fiat, those engines are magic, ok rare but your not gonna stress it to much, if in the futer summat goes "pop" drop summat else in...........

2p from me, it aint a dilema BTW

There are 2 differant boxes, the later one, I believe from 132- or late 124 spider, is stronger than the early ones.
Great site for info on engine is www.guy-croft.com.
Nick Davison is also building with a Fiat/Lancia engine

Use the TC or sell it to me!
see:
http://www.beardmorebros.co.uk/website%20pages/new_project_engine_page1.htmImage deleted by owner

go twink

http://www.guy-croft.com/ for info etc

Guy Croft is realy helpfull and is able to source all engine spares.
There are loads of other sources for Fiat parts just the same as there are for most classic cars.
I rebuilt my Lancia (a Fiat twin cam with mods) big ends, mains, rings, head seals and gaskets, belts etc etc for £300. It sounds a lot but when compared to a set of webbers and inlet ducts for the pinto it isn't much different.
Have a look at my photo archive for engine inst pictures. The Lancia is a lot bigger than the Fiat but it went in so the Fiat will fit easy.

Nick

so what do you reckon this engine and gear box is worth - all i know so far is 'cheap'.....

still considering keeping the pinto for initial sva/registration in order to keep the age related plate - Question is - is the TC worth a Q plate ???

the sound of a fiat / lanica tc on full chat

best go for the Q mate

I paid £75 for a 131 box, an 2000 engine would have been about 50 to 70 the 1800 would probably be simmilar. Make sure it is the twin cam and not the sohc, easy to tell the difference the picture above is good.

If if is going for a song and you don't want it I would like the gearbox. All spares are good spares!

Nick

Dave,

If you've got a v5 etc. from a donor you were going to use then just register the v5 as having the new (Fiat) engine in it.

That way when it comes to registering the Locost with the v5 it's already got the engine in you want- don't have to worry about a 'Q' then. I believe....

HTH,

James

I've been told a q plate is better for emissions at mot time...

Ned.

Probably not - can I buy the TC then?

Nick D, just out of interest what did your engine come out of ?

[Edited on 24/2/04 by protofj]

It came out of a Lancia Thema 2L Turbo 8V, the same engine as the 8V Integrale but slightly lower tune only 185hp and 200lbs of torque!

My vote is for the Fiat. I had a turbo'd 1983 spider 2000 that just went balls out. Sweet engine. I loved that car...

OTOH - I spent more time fixing the car than driving it. But it usually wasn't engine related....

Everyone knows what FIAT stands for: Fix It Again Tony.

Fiat twin is identicle to Lancia twin used in almost all front wheel drive Lancia Betas and Themas, and as they're all in scrap yards now, spares are no problem. Tough and robust, cranckshaft good for 200 BHP with no modification, easy reach 6300 revs
leaves Ford pinto for dead.
Same block was used in 2Litre Alfa 155.

Fiat twin cams can't be that rare. I have a 2l bare block and a complete 2l engine plus 2 gearboxes (one with an extended gearchange and one without) out of a mirafiori in my garage. They belong to my neighbour. He pulled one of the gearboxes and the complete engine form a mirifiori which drove in to the scrap yard while he was there. The engine was running well. It has now been stood for a few years. If anyone was interested I'll ask him if he wants to sell as he doesn't seem to be doing anything with them and I'd quite like them out of my garage.

will second that, they are not that rare at all. Tough engines as well.

go for the fiat engine.

oh yes, what's wrong with a Q-plate??

I'd consider it a plus. Why would I want the same number as a crappy old dead sierra!

[Edited on 14/9/05 by NS Dev]

Can't remember the last time I saw a Lancia twin cam in a scrapyard ? Magic engine though.