Fiat / Lancia twin cam engine history

budweiser_sud · #1 (**permalink**) 03-30-2005, 01:17 AM

My girlfriend recently bought a Fiat 131 "Mirafiori" automatic. Its a cute little car, and although auto with a 1.6L pushrod engine, is still quite a lively little beast. You can wind up the revs, and it does hold the road pretty well. In many ways its a good comparison to a Datsun 1600, and I'm dead certain the lil' Fiat eats the 1600 for breakfast.

Before I take on "another project" (tm), I was thinking about the history of Fiat's DOHC engines that I guess started in the 124, and progressed right through to Lancia's Integrale. I would like to know what improvements were made, and what parts are swappable. I've heard of people building 131 Abarth replicas using a 16V Integrale engine - I have no idea if there is any truth in that.

I'm thinking a 2L DOHC engine and 5speed gearbox would be a great transplant eventually. What Fiat would make a good donor? The car is worth preserving as its dead straight, and the interior is mint - a respray would make it new again though.

Any ideas? Criticisms? (aside from, finish the Alfetta and Alfasud first!!!!!!)
Benjamin

muhraka · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2005, 10:08 AM

the DOHC started with the fiat 125 i think, there was the N "normale" and the S "speciale" the N had 90 HP and the S 100 HP, quite alot considering it had no breaks and a rigid rear axle on leaf springs.
Have you heard about Fiat Argenta? it had a 2.0L DOHC with a compressor and i think about 150 HP, and you cas ez get 200+ from it.