new to fiat 126's

[the black box]

hi all

ive owned cinquecentos in the past and have just brought a 1979 126 to restore. where is the best place to get replacement panels such as arches. also is there a good thread somewhere detailing the 1108 conversion or tuning the 650 engine it is a deville model.

[dajwid]

I personally would get the car running before trying a conversion, many many cars are waiting to have a conversion done, but getting it registered is nearly imposable, due to the modifications needed on the shell.

panels are available, but look into how much you will spend in panels, time and work, very often a solid shel is much much cheaper.

If you already have the care what panels are needed?

PS: welcome

[the black box]

yes was planning on getting it running and driving. i believe it is the arches havent seen it yet  . it needs a choke cable fitting a new gearbox fitting and the exhaust sorted.

[Darrell]

There are alot of performance bits out there for the 126 as alot of 500's had the 126 engine fitted. As a result they have developed quite a few bits.
I'd take a look at the 'reputable suppliers' thread. i think fiat500sport.com comes to mind.
Also keep an eye on the customising thread.

There are a few guys on here that worship the god of speed but dont say I didnt warn you, performance parts can eat-up money faster than a shopaholic wife!

It's a tricky engine to get more out of, mostly due to the fact I think that it is a bit of an unbalanced engine naturally and from what I have learned, they need to be dynamically balanced once you have decided on which pistons you are going for. Then think of cooling and porting the head. Supose any order really.
Unfortunately many will of silent moments in the workshop staring at broken pieces.
The 1108 conversion is popular in Poland I believe but once you cut the bodywork, the jolly BVSA test will be required which is a pain in the...What I've wondered is if one only cuts the cross member at the back, would that be acceptable without having to do a BVSA?

Smallcox (a member here) has turbo charged his 126 with great results, might be a route worth examining.

But as daj said, get to know the car first, they have their faults, I've been running mine for a few years now and each year I plan something, just a pity rolling road tests are so damned pricey  I think mine is quicker than standard but then I just know it is a bit better than standard with my mods. It has to be, it's my only car 

[smallcox]

Hello, Welcome to the forum of fun

[Jan-in-UK]

Hi and welcome to the forum mate.
As Darrellllll the man said - might be few issues there but try to talk to some performance gargage in your area as for a change today I have been told cutting huge hole in a front panel to make radiator work WON'T affect any sort of testing and MOT after a swap.
And these guys promissed to put it through any test if i would decide to cut it properly.
So you never know but you always have a lot of fun

[the black box]

thanks all. i didnt know that you had to start cutting bodywork. i only thought you had to build a frame/ cradle for the engine.since they are a monocoque shell i believe this is a big no no i think you have to retain certain items based on a points system. ace advice have a good website for this . nice to know that there are bits available i think ill only do a few small things but want to get it on the road first. i see hadrian do pannels which is good to know although no prices will give them a ring when i know what i need. i shall hopefully be picking it up on friday.

ps does any one know what the wheel specs are for these i already have a set of fiat fitment slotmags 13x 5.5j so just want to know for definite if they will fit or not

[gsxr126]

The wheels should fit just check the offset

[hudsonhenry]

thanks all. i didnt know that you had to start cutting bodywork. i only thought you had to build a frame/ cradle for the engine.since they are a monocoque shell i believe this is a big no no i think you have to retain certain items based on a points system. ace advice have a good website for this . nice to know that there are bits available i think ill only do a few small things but want to get it on the road first. i see hadrian do pannels which is good to know although no prices will give them a ring when i know what i need. i shall hopefully be picking it up on Friday.

ps does any one know what the wheel specs are for these i already have a set of fiat fitment slotmags 13x 5.5j so just want to know for definite if they will fit or not

It is possible to fit a FIRE engine into an air-cooled engine bay without cutting the body shell, but it does require careful planning and some lateral thinking. If you cut into the body at all (wheel arches, front panel etc, its classed ad modifying the monocoque and instantly liable for BIVA. You can however weld additional material onto a shell if required such as roll cage or brackets without it being classed as a modification. The rear cross member is bolt-in so not counted as part of the monocoque so you can do what you want with that.

The biggest challenge is the radiator, you could mount it in the engine bay like the Bis or hang it out above and behind the engine with a scoop directing air into it. You could add a cowling like Abarth did with the Fiat 600 so that the radiator sits in front of the front panel with a custom built shroud mounted on brackets. There is a 500 in Italy with a 1242 fitted, it has no visible holes or rad, I'm trying to get hold of the garage that built it to ask them what they did but possibly a custom built radiator fitting either between the inner front panel over the steering box (or rack on a 126 or perhaps in the space above the rear swing arms.

At the moment a car with a modified shell will go through the MOT but if the DVLA add a 'has this car been modified from standard' box to the test as some think they may do then it will become problem.

Nigel

[the black box]

thanks for all your help with regards to engine conversion however i have decided this is not for me. i have just got in from picking it up the aircooled engine is amazing starts first time (took time to work out how to start it) how would i go about converting it to use unleaded petrol is it a case of hardened valve seals. it needs 2 front wings, rear arches, bottoms of doors, engine mounts and spare wheel well so not to much. has anyone seen a radio on in a leather case on a keyring and plugs into the dash to the right of the steering wheel will post pics later of this. the car has the original warranty and service brochure, stacks of history and most of the old tax discs. it needs the fanbelt renewing (looking frayed) the choke cable fitting and the gearbox sorting the interior is a bit of a state and the welding mentioned previously.

[dread]

what about the 899cc  engine any one know if they are a straight fit to the 126 gear box or is it adaptor plate
 i am biulding a 126 based trike. so have to msva anyway. mine is biult outta box section and gpz1100 front end.  but i was told, well possibly the 899cc will bolt tostraight to the 126 gear box. all be it having to make  engine mounts, thats not a problem, just more box. LOL.
how ever adaptor plate, is a hole difo ball game.
 and if i could make one. will i have to also cut and weld the imput shaft as pos splines will not marry up. and the thrust race. will that have to have an adaptor made too.
i one had a vw camper that i had a ford engine conversion for. and that had all the above, but as a kit was only 100 quid or so. minus the engine of cause.
 so any info on the conversion possible or not. and or adaptors please, be most interested to hear back. cheers.

[dajwid]

D ;Dread, did you read the tread

Black Box as I said get it done use it standard for a while, you may be suprised just how much fun a standard car is  [-/

[dread]

i have no car, its a trike, and although i am sure the little twin is kinda fun in a short car. pulling a caravan across europe all be it only a 2 man teardrop. i just wonder how much torque it might have, to pull the engine out is 5 minute job, so i'll throw the twin in. but soon as it goes bang, the engine parts are so dear. you can buy a breaker yard engine for less money. and there is far more chance of finding modern fiat engines on my travels.

[dajwid]

Mmmm slightly hijacked thread I see.

[dread]

your more than welcome to take it off.  its not my intetion to hi jack it, just wanted some info, from the people that may have been in the know. but it does not seem that people do know. so i shall have to persivere, untill i'm flush. then try to sort it the conversion my self.