any body deal with a Fiat X 1/9

[odie1969]

I found a fiat X1/9 on CL today. the lady states make a offer. the body looks pretty sweet and straight. but she states that the trans. stick broke off in the trans. I know that the trans. is supper pricey. But I was wondering what about a motor swap and trans swap. I have a 1988 ford escort 1.9l ho motor and trans. so I was thinking about swapping the motor and trans. Anybody have any ideas about this. b/c the car would handle great I would think. and be quick(not fast) maybe great for a dd and autocrosser.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

My buddy's dad has a EFI 331 stroker, T5 trans, and a cut 8.8 with an 9pt cage in his '79 Fiat Spyder 2000.

It didn't handle as good as it used to, even though we rolled the fenders and put 225 tires on it. But it still handles pretty well.

I'd get you some pics but he moved 3hrs from me and the car is in a million pieces right now due to the entire body starting to rust out. He said it should be back together by next summer.

Anyways, you can put whatever you want in whatever you want, i just depends on your abilities and how deep your pockets are.

Is the X1/9 a FWD car? Cause the one I helped build was a RWD setup

 

[odie1969]

the x1/9 is a mid engine, using a fwd setup. the car is kinda cool. desinged by bertone.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

Run your 1.9 with it's trans sideways. Run the cvs/driveshafts to a set of axles and make her awd.

 

[merkurman]

Fiat X1/9

This car is running a mid engine/transaxle layout.. It drives the rear wheels not the front...They came in carbed and fuel injected versions...

If the tranny shifter is the only problem I would be very surprised.. I owned and drove one in high school and first years of college and I drove the piss outta that car... It had some interesting electrical issues but they were all solved when I build a new wiring harness for it..

You didn't state what year but the shifter does not go into the tranny.. There is a shifter linkage that goes from the passenger compartment to the transaxle and there is where your shifter is located..

The X1/9 was a fun car for me and I learned a lot about foreign vehicles on it...It was my first foreign car and during it's day would outhandle a Porsche 914 and 912...

Oh and engine swaps are common on this platform.. Most that i have seen are the B16 Vtec Honda engine running 180hp stock and up to 250-275 turbo...I am not that familiar with the Escort engine but the stock engine can be made to produce over 200 hp and the transaxle will handle it...

Buy it and have fun.. It is a great attention getter!!!!

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

driven one a couple of times............fun little car.i agree with merkurman.....linkage back to the tranny's probably jacked............maybe a simple fix.

 

[odie1969]

what would be a good price for the car. trannys are at least 2k

 

[Broaner]

Sit it it before you get too excited. I drove one for about six months before the trans grenaded. That was the most uncomfortable driving period in my life. I'm 6'2" with size 12's. People like me just aren't meant to fit in those cars. I had to wear small shoes and had to remove the door panel just to be able to fit my leg between the steering wheel and the door. That said, if you fit in it and you enjoy fiddling then go for it.

If you wanna keep the stock powertrain in it and the trans is actually bad check International Autoparts. They sell all sorts a OE crap for those that is somehow brandnew.