Ask me about....retro Skodas

[daverapid]

:)As an antedote to the unpopular with some "tell me about" threads, I thought of a new idea!

I don't claim to know everything about retro Skodas, but ask away anyway, and either I or no doubt any other Skoda anoraks on here will tell you what you want to know.

[Lewis]

What's the best engine (standard) as fitted to the 120LS and what makes suitably in-keeping additions to boost power, after which what kind of output can you expect?

I keep hearing about using Felica engines as direct replacments or do I have wires crossed here?

Many thanks for your offer of information! A great idea!

[daverapid]

The 120LS in your pic has the higher compression version of the two 1174cc engines Skoda had at the time. It has 58bhp compared to 52bhp of the 120L. I've got the brochure in front of me with that pic BTW! All these Skoda engines are relatively unstressed though. With a different cam, exhaust, carbs, flowed head, ect. bhp figures in 3 figures are fairly easily obtainable.

The best engine for getting the most power from is the later 8 port alloy headed version, called either 135 or 136. Both types are 1289cc and the 136 is a higher compression version of the former. This later type was first used in the Rapid, and was used in Favorits and Felicis too with a few alterations.

So yeah, Favorit and Felicia engines are able to be fitted to RWD models after a few alterations to the spigot bearing,sump, mountings ect.

[bobz]

Could a Fabia 1.4 8v (Skoda engine of coase) be fitted to a rwd box useing the same mods as with the Felicia?

[daverapid]

This is possible and has been done, but apparantly it's not as straightforward as with a Fav/Felly lump. I've no actual experience with the Fabia/RWD application...has anyone else?

[J.P]

Could you do a quick Pic followed by the model of the Retro Skoda range? I don't know many of them except estelles...and err...

[arthurbrown]

Dear Dr Dave,

I seem to have saddled myself with an unpleasant and unsightly pile of communist-era automotive dog turd.
My question is simple... My car is refusing to provide proper motive force. I have gone through the correct Skoda 'launch proceedure' (prime fuel pump, two pumps on the juice pedal, three-quarter choke etc) but to no avail. It will run, but not be very happy and will die after a few seconds, even if given 'full beans' to try and 'catch' it.
I've inspected the ignition gubbins and that appears OK. Have I got a parped engine with the dreaded liner-drop?

Yours in frustration,

P.Weasel Esq.

[dollywobbler]

lol @ Pog!

[skamanfrank]

Hallo!
How easy is it to get a rapid moving a bit more briskly than the presumably rather slow standard, but at the same time, without going silly and making it unuseable for everyday driving?

Also, has anyone ever done anything ludicrous like try and squeeze a porsche flat-6 in the back? I want to have a crack at that one day

[daverapid]

jasonpollock said:

Could you do a quick Pic followed by the model of the Retro Skoda range? I don't know many of them except estelles...and err...

erm...how far would you like me to go back? Skoda is the 4th oldest car manufacturer!

[daverapid]

arthurbrown said:

Dear Dr Dave,

I seem to have saddled myself with an unpleasant and unsightly pile of communist-era automotive dog turd.
My question is simple... My car is refusing to provide proper motive force. I have gone through the correct Skoda 'launch proceedure' (prime fuel pump, two pumps on the juice pedal, three-quarter choke etc) but to no avail. It will run, but not be very happy and will die after a few seconds, even if given 'full beans' to try and 'catch' it.
I've inspected the ignition gubbins and that appears OK. Have I got a parped engine with the dreaded liner-drop?

Yours in frustration,

P.Weasel Esq.

Dear Mr. Weasel

It does appear that your Skoda is suffering from the usual teenage problem of being unable to wake up in the mornings. With my teenagers I simply give them a swift kick or two and throw a bucket of water over them. Usually after a fart or two, and a few rattles and groans they emerge from the dead.

Hope this helps

Dr Dave.




:)Seriously though, check there's not loads of fuel in the sump caused by a faulty fuel pump. This buggers up the spark plugs causing starting problems. It's also bloody dangerous as the crankcase can explode!

Often missed on old Skodas is the valve clearances. These old heaps aren't really designed fror unleaded fuel, so the valves tend to hammer themselves into the head closing up the clearances. Cold starting is then a problem due to the valves not fully closing causing low compression. Set them to 20thou" or 0.8mm using the rule of nine method as explained in the Haynes bible.

Also I find that my Skodas with the original Jikov carb need full choke, not three quarters.

[daverapid]

skamanfrank said:

Hallo!
How easy is it to get a rapid moving a bit more briskly than the presumably rather slow standard, but at the same time, without going silly and making it unuseable for everyday driving?

Also, has anyone ever done anything ludicrous like try and squeeze a porsche flat-6 in the back? I want to have a crack at that one day

Start off with a 136 lump, fit a better cam and a Felicia MPi head. Those mods along with a decent exhaust and carb will make any Skoda a relative flyer! Apparantly the camshaft from the old S110R is particularly well suited.

Not seen the Porsche idea, but loads of other engines have been used, Ford X flow, Alfa/Fiat twin cams, Subaru, you name it really! Trouble is they all weigh more than the Skoda lump so the handling is usually ruined. I'd stick with the Skoda engine as these are easily tunable.

[skamanfrank]

Hmmm ^^^^^^^^ Sounds interesting! I want one even more now!

You should have email btw Dave!

[vicsmith]

My brother used to have an Estelle that had been sprayed electric blue and had a full bodykit, minilites and a 911 turbo style rear spolier, also flames painted on the headlining. He was talking about fitting a Fiat twin cam as though it was as easy as emptying the ashtray (he has no mechanical knowledge whatsoever). I`ve always wondered if that would have worked?

Incidentally its too late to revive the project now as the car was weighed in in 1996. Shame I havent got any pics, at the end it was still blue but had beige doors, bonnet and boot and the bonnet had been half sprayed Green. Minilites were blue with white bands, and the car had no bumpers. It was a very low-key ride, didnt attract much attention.

[daverapid]

skamanfrank said:

Hmmm ^^^^^^^^ Sounds interesting! I want one even more now!

You should have email btw Dave!

You have too now!

[surprisingskoda]

jasonpollock said:

Could you do a quick Pic followed by the model of the Retro Skoda range? I don't know many of them except estelles...and err...

so, to warm up... skoda 830...


430...


couple more to go in here, cant find my pix i've got thousands...

the 973 babeta


felicia... modded obv...


octavia, in van guise


the uber-rare 1000gt


1000mb


s100


s110r coupe, this one has wide arches to look like the racing 130RS coupe...


then the early estelle, first one being the 105:


105, 120 and 130 were the models named under 'Estelle', really just refer to engine sizes (1046cc, 1192cc(iirc) and 1289cc)

120lse super estelle came next:


the 120 Garde came next, based on the same chassis


and then the estelle got a facelift in 84/85, but you know what that looks like so here's the 130LR rally edition:


during that facelift, you'll find some 84-86 models especially lower spec with 'oval' lights, all moving towards the square lights... also the rapid went through the smae thing and of course, rag top conversions were dealer-options...


followed by the favorit, here in mk2 MBX guise...


felicia, based on same panels and floorpan...


and the rest isnt retro, yet!

[J.P]

Nice on SS....I'm understanding skodas more now!

[dollywobbler]

Do you have a pic of a standard S110R? I love 'em.

[daverapid]

dollywobbler said:

Do you have a pic of a standard S110R? I love 'em.

[billyfive]

i really like those! do you have any more pics? (silly question)

first one i ever saw..