Fiat 126 RULES

[smallcox]

Hi All, and Rusty
 Great forum, wish i had found it sooner. Finished my little beast (air cooled 650) last year after many bruised and burnt fingers. I been mad for the 126 since my mum had one 28 years ago and purchased mine in 1990, since then tryed many improvements to make life easyier with the little car as it was my only car for many years.
The latest spec engine in her at the moment is a air cooled 700cc turbo charged lump. This has taken 4 years to develope including regrind cam to my spec modified head but with original valves (reshaped) special distributor (yes all mechanical mapping here), HIF carb and stainless exhaust. Just so I don't break the conrods again I have fitted the "K" series Rover conrods with pistons and new bores 80mm. The body work is original steel which cover the 14" wheels air is feed via the back wings to cool the engine and intercooler.

Hope to see some 126's at the future shows,

Thanks Steve

[Rusty's Uncle]

Hi Steve , sorry I have got to disagree with you as you say "Fiat 126 RULES" 
Because having met & spoke to you for about 45 mins last weekend I know that when it comes to the 126 & you there are no "RULES" and you have gone through a real long term development / relationship  with your car and done some amazing stuff  [-/
Plus I know from talking to you that there is more to come. I have the greatest respect for anybody that can get the max out of the 2 cylinder engine , maintaining reliability , making it look good and getting it to stay on the road & stop when you want it to 

[smallcox]

 Rusty,

did you not say you got 100k on your little baby, thats dedication too. Not to mention anybody keeping these cars going well done [-/

Thanks Steve

[bis13]

its great to see you on here and i think you will be a source of many answers for questions that folk may have regarding turbo charging the 126 etc, are you using a remote unit as i have read a good few articles and seen some examples of turbo 650 aircooled engines but not heard any feed back as to how reliable they can be made.

[smallcox]

Hi Bis13,

The turbo is a garret gt15 and bolts on the side of the engine where the original exhaust box clamps sits, using the anchor bolts to fix a webbed plate to stiffen the engine block. I have done about 40,000 miles with the turbo fitted and only damaged one engine by breaking a conrod (oh dear that was not good). Now the conrods have been changed for lighter yet stronger rods good for 40hp per rod at 8,000rpm (fingers crossed) and i still get 51 mpg.


Thanks Steve