New to Fiat Spider

[gjones1967]

Hi,

I am new to Fiat Spider ownership. I just spent 6 years restoring an MGB and decided I was bored when it was done. I trawled Craigslist and found 79 Spider in need of some love. I also bought an 80 donor car for parts.

After 3 weeks I have it running, but a way to go yet, paint, interior, roof etc. it was not without pain, seems the head is a 78, threw out the smog stuff and replaced the carb. Found a good parts guy in Jay at Spiderroadster.com.

So I have a question. The donor car has a 2 chamber header and a full stainless exhaust. If I bought a 4 into 2 exhaust manifold would a gain power?

[RRoller123]

The 4-2-1 header on the later cars is considered a very good one, better than the earlier 4-1, but we have no way to compare it to what you have on there now? Some of the highly engine-knowledgeable folks here recommend, for the later cars, doing any header mods near the end of the list, as the 4-2-1 is that good.

[Nanonevol]

I would think a real header would flow better than either stock manifold.
Not trying to get too pedantic but I think actually some early 4-2-1's were good, ie larger, and also some later were good while some in-between were more restrictive. It's probably a marginal difference in any case but I was obsessive enough to buy 2 of them to get a better one. The real difference came for my car with a 34 ADF Weber carb.

[gjones1967]

Thanks.

I guess I will be on the look out for one then!

[Spider951]

Welcome to the Spider world.
Not to trash MGB's, and I have owned Fiat Spiders and an MGB; both have strong points and weak spots. I have enjoyed the Spiders more, probably because of the standard equipment 5 speed manual gearbox, higher reving engine, way better folding top, slightly wider stance, seating comfort, and, for my '81, fuel injection. I do miss the rack and pinion steering, though.

My $0.02 on the exhaust set up is that the 4-2 is good for regular (street) use.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[gjones1967]

Thanks,

Since posting this a short while ago, things took a different turn. Original engine had a bad rattle so I decided to use the newer engine I have. Going to have it rebuilt. I have the car completely stripped out and found the floor pans are all shot. Bought a welder to tackle it myself. It has become a bigger project than expected but that just adds to the fun.

Thanks for the input on MGB v Spider.