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My wife has a 1977 Fiat Spider 124. Its generally a "stock" car that she drives locally.
The exhaust is going and needs to be replaced. Since we're in CA, the Catalytic Converter needs to be included in the parts list. Additionally, I am considering replacing "tip to tail" - headers, cat, muffler, all the way back. As such, a few questions for the gurus...
1. Header recommendations?
2. Exhaust changes? Any suggestions, thoughts, do's/don'ts for this project?
3. Mufflers thoughts...?
4. Any kits I can order from one of the Fiat providers that is "all inclusive"...?
5. What else should I be thinking about...?
Thanks for sharing!
TR
Exhaust Kits...?
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TRSmith99
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2011 11:42 pm
- Your car is a: 1977 Fiat Spider 124
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carl
Re: Exhaust Kits...?
Exhaust changes for your car won't make much of a difference since you have to be emissions compliant and have to run a cat. Forget headers, it won't do anything for you. If you have a 4-1 exhaust manifold, try to find a 4-2-1 manifold, that will make a difference. Not sure if the 1800 motor with cat configuration ever came with a 4-2-1 manifold and if not, you could use a later fuel injected manifold and down pipe but it's set up for a four bolt cat and your car probably has a three bolt cat. You can put an Ansa muffler on and that will look nice but again probably won't do much power wise on a stock motor. Any of the vendors can make a "kit" for you. Auto Ricambi has a really nice sport exhaust with larger diameter pipes but you will have to check with them to see if it fits your car.
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So Cal Mark
Re: Exhaust Kits...?
sorry but I've got to disagree with Carl. Statements such as "4-2-1 manifold will make a difference, but headers won't" aren't backed up with any facts. We've done extensive dyno testing and our header shows a 10-15% power increase over a stock manifold and this is throughout the rpm range.
Your biggest issue with Calif compliance is using a header. None of the headers available are Calif approved for emissions equipped cars. Adding a catalyst to the system is not a problem and it's an option we offer with our system. Some smog stations will pass your car with a header if all of the emission equipment is connected, but others will not. We haven't had many issues in So Calif, but N Calif smog stations seem to much more difficult to deal with
Your biggest issue with Calif compliance is using a header. None of the headers available are Calif approved for emissions equipped cars. Adding a catalyst to the system is not a problem and it's an option we offer with our system. Some smog stations will pass your car with a header if all of the emission equipment is connected, but others will not. We haven't had many issues in So Calif, but N Calif smog stations seem to much more difficult to deal with
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NSFIAT
- Posts: 89
- Joined: Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:09 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 Pininfarina
Re: Exhaust Kits...?
It would be great to see stock exhaust kits for sale. I'm currently in a situation where I'm ordering exhaust parts from different vendors because of stock / supply issues. First world problems, I know, but it would have made things easier 
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carl
Re: Exhaust Kits...?
Mark was correct to correct me. Headers will obviously be an improvement over the 4-1 manifold. I guess what I meant to say is that it would not make much if any improvement over a stock 4-2-1 manifold if the motor is stock.
My 78 spider was a California model with cat and here in Virginia, even though cats were not required that year, the state indicated the car had to meet whatever emissions stuff was on the car. Every two years I had to remove my IDFs, install the stock carb, install the air pump, install the cat and reset the ignition timing to stock specs.....the car was a dog and would hardly get out of it's own way. Get the car inspected and return everything back to "dirty" configuration....well worth the effort once every two years. It was great when the car was 20 years old and thus exempt from emissions testing.
My 78 spider was a California model with cat and here in Virginia, even though cats were not required that year, the state indicated the car had to meet whatever emissions stuff was on the car. Every two years I had to remove my IDFs, install the stock carb, install the air pump, install the cat and reset the ignition timing to stock specs.....the car was a dog and would hardly get out of it's own way. Get the car inspected and return everything back to "dirty" configuration....well worth the effort once every two years. It was great when the car was 20 years old and thus exempt from emissions testing.