Racing 126's

[Enzo2]

After watching fiat 500's in classic racing we have decided to build a race car based on a 126 (we couldn't afford a 500).  Is there anyone out there who has already built one and is competing.  We are looking for advice on tuning, mods and events.

[dajwid]

Hundredsof people are racing 126s. Be warned it gets very expensive getting real power from the original aircooled engine. Fire engine swaps are popular and the easiest way to cheap power.

There are many many 126 tuning and racing sites, many in Polish. Getting tuning parts is no problem depending on how much you want to spend.
A ready prepared 126 isavailable here:-

http://www.126group2.com/

A bargain at about £7000

A ready made used car can be bought secondhand from Poland for £400 - £1000

This already has a Uno engine fitted and ready to go .

http://allegro.pl/item278669255_fiat_126p_maluch_rajdowy_pelny_tuning.html

Anything is possible, but as I said, all depends on how much you plan on spending.

[Enzo2]

Thanks for this.  The new build car is what inspired us to build  a 126racer.  We are looking to do cheap mods and see how it goes.  We have been racing a toyota celica in classic saloon car and hill climbs, now that really is expensive.  I keep hearing about the fire engine conversion.  Is it literally a fire engine? where do you find one, is it a straight swop?

[dajwid]

Fire Engines were used in many small fiats, not a straight swap, far from it.
Try these guys, there are tons of pics and info.

http://www.trs-racing.yoyo.pl/wersja%20angielska/index%20eng.htm

[Moch]

http://allegro.pl/item281544380_fiat_126p_rally_1000cm3_swap.html#photo

This is really well built Fiat 126p with fire engine.

[dajwid]

For just over £600 it is really cheap.
Nearly ready to race, even has disc brakes fitted.

It would cost a lot more to get all that work done here.

[Moch]

Well you could haggle ( bargain?? ) a litlle bit i think. But it's a problem to transport this car to UK  ::

[dajwid]

Most modded 126 ready for KJS sell on Allegro for 2000-2500 PLN
Not many swaps come up, the ones that do are normally 'bodge jobs'.
It is a good price, the car has had most of the mods carried out.
Getting to the UK is very cheap as most Polish dealers take cars the other way UK to PL, so travel here empty.

The only real problem would be insuring the car here but for 'hill climbs' perfect. A couple of hundred more and would be ready to race.
Used Cage, seat and harness can be picked up cheap too.

Many spend a lot more trying to squeeze extra BHP fron the 650 engines.

[hudsonhenry]

Enzo

Have a look at my car on the retro 500 site – Nigels 1108 in the gallery – that will show whats involved with fitting a Fiat FIRE engine (from a Seicento Sporting or Punto) into a 500R.

www.retro500.com

Nigel

[Enzo2]

Thanks for all this info.  I have a much better idea of what is possible.  For now though I think I'll stick with the original engine.