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v8mgbal

v8mgbal

Jedi Trainee
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Hello all, has anyone seen the bugeye on ebay for sale with the fiat 1608cc engine and 5 speed. looks like a nice fit and has anyone else looked into doing that.
 
I've seen the car and actually the owner is on one of my Yahoo groups - he has another (1275) bugeye as well. He was sniffing around here cause I invited him to but hasn't registered yet. I agree, it seems a very cool conversion. Oh, and, if you read British magazines like Retro Car, the swap (Fiat twin cam) is reasonably common on the other side of the pond.
 
<span style="font-style: italic">British </span>styling and <span style="font-style: italic">Italian </span>reliability...the best of both worlds? :jester:
 
I saw that car also and liked the fit, but I imagine a Fiat engine is had to find? Can not remember the last time I saw a Fiat, at least one running
 
mightymidget said:
I saw that car also and liked the fit, but I imagine a Fiat engine is had to find? Can not remember the last time I saw a Fiat, at least one running
Click to expand...

they are everywhere here - many restored but lots like this

https://tinyurl.com/3y65m5z

Mind you, I'd be looking at a JDM swap if I were swapping anything - there are lots of engines around with very low miles.
 
I've always like those but everyone one I've ever seen has broken the timing belt, bent valves and broken pistons. I don't know if that's from a design flaw, or lack of maintenece. I knew a guy who bought one, fixed the head only to have it happen again. I would rather buy a whole Fiat, then do a swap, unless it's was in a BE. I'm for modern swaps, but that motor looks allot cooler.
 
A friend nearby has a 1600 Fiat engine wrapped in plastic, rebuilt by a shop with a good reputation here. She'd sell it, as her 124 Fiat needs some more immediate fixin'. Anyone interested can PM me.

<span style="font-style: italic">EDIT: And, YES, the Boss would get remuneration for the exchange listing. </span> :wink:
 
DrEntropy said:
<span style="font-style: italic">EDIT: And, YES, the Boss would get remuneration for the exchange listing. </span> :wink:
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...my wife would get money ?!?!?!?! :jester:
 
I've lapped too many Fiats and passed them sitting on the side of track broken too much to ever want to put one in a Spridget :smile: If I were going to look at a small DOHC motor, I'd look at the Suzuki 1200 DHOC, I seen those bad boys screaming at the race track, and they sound good. That conversion has been done, and it makes alot more sense. A Fiat engine in a Spridget, you're kidding right
grin.gif
Sounds like rock soup to me, I'd say find another rock to make the soup.
 
Mebbe they didn't wanna wear 'em out all at once, Hap. :jester:
 
regularman said:
What is wrong with the 1275? I have found them to be very trustworthy little engines.
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I've owned a 124 Fiat and loved it. Had the motor rebuilt twice.
Replaced the Weber once. Best feature was the one hand erecting top, not the engine. I elected not to do a 3rd rebuild.
My driving style may have affected the engine's reliability
however.
:crazyeyes:
My 1380 would smoke that Fiat and rev faster too.
IMHO.
:devilgrin:
 
I've had a Fiat Spider too, and agree that being able to throw the hood over your shoulder from the driver's seat was wonderful. The engine, as I recall, was just all right, but nothing worth a transplant unless you just happened to have one lying around.

If I had the $$ for a transplanted zippy Italian twin-cam and a 5-speed into a Spridget, I'd go for Alfa over Fiat any day. Prob'ly couldn't fit the sump 'twixt the frame rails, though.
 
I had a '69 Fiat 124 Sports Coupe that I just loved! The 5 speed tranny was a joy and the 1498cc version of that Fiat twin-cam was pretty peppy being rated at about 90HP! I always wanted to do that conversion just to be able to call the car a Fidget but I really do love my 1275!
 
Easy solution Mike, get a fiat 124 and put a 1275 A-series in it, and call it a Fidget or a Miat...wait a minute!
 
bthompson said:
I've had a Fiat Spider too, and agree that being able to throw the hood over your shoulder from the driver's seat was wonderful. The engine, as I recall, was just all right, but nothing worth a transplant unless you just happened to have one lying around.

If I had the $$ for a transplanted zippy Italian twin-cam and a 5-speed into a Spridget, <span style="font-style: italic"> I'd go for Alfa over Fiat any day. Prob'ly couldn't fit the sump 'twixt the frame rails, though.</span>
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A 1600 Alfa would be FUN, but I'm sure you're right about the oil pan. The overall height would be a problem as well. They're a TALL engine.
 
The solution for that would be a dry-sump!! I definitly agree on the Alfa though, back in the 60s we replaced the Lotus twin-cam with an Alfa in the Formula B...and WOW!!!
 
Blasphemer!!!

:jester:
 
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