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Fireblade Fiat 500 project
abarth695 - 23/7/12 at 08:05 PM

Hi, new to the forum so please bear with me.

I am converting a 1971 Fiat 500 to a blade 919.





Using the above classic mini transfer box bolted straight on.

I was wondering where I can get a relatively cheap paddle shifter from a kitcar manufacturers?
- a remote oil filter and oil cooler and perhaps accusump

Do you reckon that a decent rad and fan would be sufficient if placed in the rear or would it be better to grill the front and route pipes to it?


[Edited on 23/7/12 by abarth695]


maccmike - 23/7/12 at 10:25 PM

very cool, keep us updated


ReMan - 23/7/12 at 11:01 PM

Good project,

You shouldn't need an accusump just a baffle

MK supply a paddle shift kit which is fairly adaptable i believe

[Edited on 23/7/12 by ReMan]


uklee70 - 24/7/12 at 01:00 AM

Great Car

I went a little bit of a different route for my Fiat 500 experience !


T66 - 24/7/12 at 04:53 AM

I love the old 500, just couldnt afford one, so ended up with a 126. Looking forward to seeing more pictures?




Ivan


abarth695 - 24/7/12 at 05:50 AM

Thanks,

I actually did have a barchetta ( apparently one of the maclaren ones) a few years back but stupidly sold it with much regret arghhhh.

What do you guys reckon with having a the rad in the back, there is plenty of space and a large rad and good fan should do it shouldn't it?


maccmike - 24/7/12 at 08:14 AM

@ uklee70 - AWESOME!!!


abarth695 - 24/7/12 at 08:23 AM

HI Uklee, did you go bec and do you mind sharing the engine layout?
Pics would be good.


uklee70 - 24/7/12 at 09:58 AM

Hi

I have loads of pictures in my archive of the build.

I don't think mine is going to be much help as I'm mid engine to a chain dif as i have no issues with rear seats so no rear bulk head.

Mine maybe for sale if there is any interest ?

Cheers Lee

Floating around OZ on a cruise ship.


mcerd1 - 24/7/12 at 09:59 AM

quote:
Originally posted by uklee70
Great Car

I went a little bit of a different route for my Fiat 500 experience !


yeah, just a little different

Drivers rear 3/4
Drivers rear 3/4

(pic shamelessly stolen from you archive )

[edit - I can't spell.... ]

[Edited on 24/7/2012 by mcerd1]


T66 - 24/7/12 at 10:02 AM

I've seen rear side mounted rads in some of the Italian hill climbers. I cannot recall if they were BEC however.


I did consider rear mounting mine for a while, but have now gone for the front.


abarth695 - 27/7/12 at 02:48 PM

Hi Chaps,

Quick question, I think I may need to change all my hubs for the following reasons:
- rear hubs use a rubber cv joint rated to 30bhp!!! - upgrade available but no where near rated to 130bhp)
- I want convert my front to double wishbones with coilovers and front disks
- would like rear disk brakes too.

Anyone can think of a rear wheel drive donor, preferably with a bolt pattern that has historically used small wheels i.e. 10" ?


fullpint - 28/7/12 at 06:45 AM

Great project mate. As for a RWD unit using small wheels????? What about the Himan Imp? I'm guessing since the engines in the back of the Imp there could be some usefull donar parts!!!


abarth695 - 3/9/12 at 01:10 PM

What's the best metal and wall thickness to buy? I need to build a subframe for the engine and transfer box and thinking of making my own wishbones with inbound suspension. What do you guys think?


jonabonospen - 8/9/12 at 05:41 PM

That looks like it will be a great car


abarth695 - 5/11/12 at 03:16 PM

Ok I will need to have the link between the output shaft of the bike engine and the transfer box done through a sprocket and chain which mean sthe chain will be very short. What should I expect with short chains? Wear etc...


flibble - 5/11/12 at 03:42 PM

IIRC Overheating of the chain is a big problem when they're super short (leading no doubt to wear/failure).


ReMan - 5/11/12 at 08:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by flibble
IIRC Overheating of the chain is a big problem when they're super short (leading no doubt to wear/failure).

As per. But what that means in real terms I don't know. not like your going to worry too much on a toy.

BTW is your engine the wrong way round in your first post, or am I missing something?


abarth695 - 6/11/12 at 09:33 AM

Thanks for the feedback.

Re engine layout, no it isn't, the specially made transfer box from pro-motive uses a input gear to the mini diff in essence reversing the direction of the drive. This layout will allow me to have the weight of the engine opposite the weight of the driver and stop me from having to cut the car body to bits.

While I am at it, what is the best type of metal tubing and wall thickness to use to build an engine cradle?