Fiat 600 twin cam swap

[dalla]

Hi Guys

I have had a few years without any old cars (other than a 1994 Corvette), but i am missing it.

I am dreaming about something to use as a trackday, hillclimb and weekend car. I initially cast my love on a Fiat 500. But i am affraid that it will be too slow for me, and that i will grow tired of it. Also as i live in Denmark, it is limited what i can get away with modifying wise.

But this has been toying in my mind for quite some time. A Fiat 600 with a Fiat Lampredi Twin Cam swap, mayby a 1400 cc or 1600 cc.

Because it is a Fiat engine, it think i might be able to sneak it through inspections here in Denmark.

But now to my question. Has anyone done it? (I have seen the Lotus Twincam engined one). How about Engine rotation versus gearbox rotation? Anyone know? And what about the 600 gearboxes, how much power will these take?

I am still just at the initial stage of dreaming about the project, but i would love to hear your thoughts.

Would love something that looks like this:



Kind regards
Dennis

[ettorebugatti]

Have you seen these ones?
retrorides.proboards.com/thread/167997/1977-abarth-850-tc-replica
retrorides.proboards.com/thread/144770/fiat-600-biturbo
retrorides.proboards.com/thread/155121/fiat-600-turbo-gemelo-turbina
retrorides.proboards.com/thread/70073

[dalla]

Hi there

No i have not. Thanks a lot

[FJSigma]

We have in Argentina a lot of experience on Fiat 600, since they were built here up to 1981 in many different versions. Unfortunately I'm not into Fiat 600, but you can take a look at one of the biggest Fiat 600 clubs in Argentina on this forum:
fiat600club.mforos.com/

If you're able to read/write in Spanish, they will receive you willingly once you have one. If you want to compare other already restored/modified 600, check the owners car subforum:
fiat600club.mforos.com/1014895-tu-fito/

When talking about changing the 600 engine for a bigger one, the Fiat 1.1/1.3/1.4/1.6 engine used on 128s, 147s and Unos are the most common choice in Argentina, since there are tons of them and they are very cheap also. Being an OHC engine, is taller compared to the 600 OHV engine, so most of the times the boot lid needs to remain open. The Renault 12 engines being also OHV fit better. In any case you will have to reinforce the back of the car... No idea on what you can find easy there and what the legal regulations.

I don't know if built quality was here worst than in Europe, but the gearbox used on local Fiat 600 doesn't manage more than the original power. There's here 2 common choices: rebuild the original gearbox with racing parts, or swapping it for a Renault 4/6 one. I'm pretty sure Renault 12 can also be used with minimal changes. Someone swapped it for a VW Bug one, but Bugs are pretty rare here.

A few Fiat examples:




















Some Renault examples:








A rarer option: VW AP1600 engine

[SmokeEm]

My friend Gary is currently half way through his Fiat 600 build. His has a full on Chris Issac race tube frame and will be powered by a 750bhp Rotary Turbo engine. Utter madness but you gotta love it!

He is hoping it'll run 9's all day long on street tyres!

[hfstuart]

I wonder if any of the modern FIRE units would fit. They're very light so might suit the car better.

The 1.2 / 1.4 16v in particular - I've always liked the idea of one running a supercharger!