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BIS |
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The fiat 126 had both a air cooled twin cylinder 600 /650 cc engine fitted up until 1984 with a standard power output of around 24 bhp. A water cooled twin cylinder 700cc Lancia unit was then fitted when the car acquired the BIS badge with a 30 BHP output. This was fitted with a twin choke weber carb, and on the surface would look like a good engine to tune. This engine however has been mostly ignored by the tuning fraternity due to its frailty, in particular the weak cylinder head that's prone to blowing gaskets. This also means parts are hard to find, and the original workshop manuals are not available. There are scanned versions on CD available from various sources. The 126 BIS however can be used as a basis for the Blitz Mk1 frame with the engine being a lot more civilised and quieter than its air cooled sister. The front suspension, steering rack and brakes and pedal box are identical to the air cooled car, so will fit straight in. The whole rear suspension will also fit, and the lower damper mountings having the benefit of being stronger. The Blitz frame will need additional gearbox mounts fabricated and welded to take the alternative engine, plus a radiator will need mounting high in the Blitz frame with its electric cooling fan and additional pipe work. The gear linkage is identical, as are the gear clusters, but the final drive is higher, and a different bell housing to fit the Lancia engine. Its not possible to use a BIS gearbox on the air cooled engine.
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