Sandgroper
True Classic
I don't wish to spend too much time on this as there are other more important things on the every lengthening to do list. But. . . . . .
Myron is onto something that many dismiss due to age and perception of the car it came in. The 146A2 000 and 146.A8.000 blocks are similar to the 1500 SOHC you guys have laying around like confetti. The additional width between the bores and differing oil system are built to take forced induction in their stride. If you only think that you can get 130 HP out of a "Uno Turbo" then please think again. If you add to the mix the 176A.4000 block from the stock turbocharged 1372cc (136hp Punto GT1) and then browse on some Euro forums will it lead you to examples where +200hp is no big deal. It is a bolt in proposition.
With Ti retainers, uprated springs,lightweight cam buckets, forged pistons / rods and a well designed exhaust for a GT2554R (GT25R) you won't be able to wipe the grin off your face. Admittedly there is bit more than that to get the air,fuel and timing there but I hope you get the idea. Landed from the UK with the bits to build one I'm sure that you won't come within coooee . . . of around 8K on a DOHC K20 swap. Without appearing rude why so shy of importing engines?
It really is horses for courses though, if you are a dyed in the wool NA guy then you will always find a way to point out lag no matter how limited it is. For goodness sake just change down a gear and get spooling, the Euro Trend of car makers Turbocharging small capacity engines be it petrol or diesel is not going away for good reasons. As for judging an entire car range based upon consumer reports, both the Uno and the Punto were designed by car design artist "Giugiaro". It was a revolution back then, the inspiration for many later 'super-mini's', which earned it the prestigious award of "Car of the Year 1995" in Europe. Same turbo engine in the MKI GT as the later Uno Turbo :dance2:, never judge a book by it's cover. Its like saying I'd never drive a car or use a front cut from Japan because some Takata airbags kill. ( Now theres a massive recall program ).
mg:
Your going to have way less options if you exclude cross flow heads, the Lampredi reverse flow SOHC are not popular anymore for many reasons, some of which are stated above. If you do then look at the crossflow options where the exhaust is placed up against the X firewall like the Fiat Multiair would be. A well constructed tuned exh' manifold out to the side over the gearbox made of steam pipe feeding a twin scroll compressor of the appropriate size will limit most of the "lag" and by the love of Zeus let go of the aversion to going with an aftermarket engine management computer. If you commit to precisely controlling fuel/timing/detonation coupled with a well resolved intercooler system the NA conversions from the land of the rising sun are not as attractive as it would seem. I understand why people do it as local market availability is a factor.
I guess I would add these to your lists ( warning NON Fiat content )
Suzuki's little 1300 G13 series DOHC turbo (?Pontiac Firefly?) did you guys ever get them? Introduced for 1989, there is a large following for the Suzuki Swift with a heap of aftermarket support ( which the X 1/9 will never have ) so the ecomomy of scale and its age make it a candidate. Never looked too hard to ensure it fitted, to be honest. From the looks of the engine I came across at the wreckers it looked like the output shaft rotated in the correct direction. I understand it likes to rev'.
And my current favourite donor the Fiat Multiair, the limited research I have had time to do lists many exapmles across the FCA marque range that have it. Besides the now elusive 500 Abarth at the salvage auctions I have added the 2012 Fiat powered Alfa Romeo Giulietta to the hit list. The juicy 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANS/GEARBOX is in that and I have no objections to killing every singe example of the horrid Alfa FWD rendition of the once fantastic rear wheel drive Giulietta. As to if the tranny fits the lower L/H wishbone I have yet to discover, but I'm sure someone will chime in as to why it can't be done easily.
I wish you the best in your search for a new swap candidate. For my 2 cents - keep it in the family - Italian.
Happy hunting
Myron is onto something that many dismiss due to age and perception of the car it came in. The 146A2 000 and 146.A8.000 blocks are similar to the 1500 SOHC you guys have laying around like confetti. The additional width between the bores and differing oil system are built to take forced induction in their stride. If you only think that you can get 130 HP out of a "Uno Turbo" then please think again. If you add to the mix the 176A.4000 block from the stock turbocharged 1372cc (136hp Punto GT1) and then browse on some Euro forums will it lead you to examples where +200hp is no big deal. It is a bolt in proposition.
With Ti retainers, uprated springs,lightweight cam buckets, forged pistons / rods and a well designed exhaust for a GT2554R (GT25R) you won't be able to wipe the grin off your face. Admittedly there is bit more than that to get the air,fuel and timing there but I hope you get the idea. Landed from the UK with the bits to build one I'm sure that you won't come within coooee . . . of around 8K on a DOHC K20 swap. Without appearing rude why so shy of importing engines?
It really is horses for courses though, if you are a dyed in the wool NA guy then you will always find a way to point out lag no matter how limited it is. For goodness sake just change down a gear and get spooling, the Euro Trend of car makers Turbocharging small capacity engines be it petrol or diesel is not going away for good reasons. As for judging an entire car range based upon consumer reports, both the Uno and the Punto were designed by car design artist "Giugiaro". It was a revolution back then, the inspiration for many later 'super-mini's', which earned it the prestigious award of "Car of the Year 1995" in Europe. Same turbo engine in the MKI GT as the later Uno Turbo :dance2:, never judge a book by it's cover. Its like saying I'd never drive a car or use a front cut from Japan because some Takata airbags kill. ( Now theres a massive recall program ).
mg:Your going to have way less options if you exclude cross flow heads, the Lampredi reverse flow SOHC are not popular anymore for many reasons, some of which are stated above. If you do then look at the crossflow options where the exhaust is placed up against the X firewall like the Fiat Multiair would be. A well constructed tuned exh' manifold out to the side over the gearbox made of steam pipe feeding a twin scroll compressor of the appropriate size will limit most of the "lag" and by the love of Zeus let go of the aversion to going with an aftermarket engine management computer. If you commit to precisely controlling fuel/timing/detonation coupled with a well resolved intercooler system the NA conversions from the land of the rising sun are not as attractive as it would seem. I understand why people do it as local market availability is a factor.
I guess I would add these to your lists ( warning NON Fiat content )
Suzuki's little 1300 G13 series DOHC turbo (?Pontiac Firefly?) did you guys ever get them? Introduced for 1989, there is a large following for the Suzuki Swift with a heap of aftermarket support ( which the X 1/9 will never have ) so the ecomomy of scale and its age make it a candidate. Never looked too hard to ensure it fitted, to be honest. From the looks of the engine I came across at the wreckers it looked like the output shaft rotated in the correct direction. I understand it likes to rev'.
And my current favourite donor the Fiat Multiair, the limited research I have had time to do lists many exapmles across the FCA marque range that have it. Besides the now elusive 500 Abarth at the salvage auctions I have added the 2012 Fiat powered Alfa Romeo Giulietta to the hit list. The juicy 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANS/GEARBOX is in that and I have no objections to killing every singe example of the horrid Alfa FWD rendition of the once fantastic rear wheel drive Giulietta. As to if the tranny fits the lower L/H wishbone I have yet to discover, but I'm sure someone will chime in as to why it can't be done easily.
I wish you the best in your search for a new swap candidate. For my 2 cents - keep it in the family - Italian.
Happy hunting
