[swagner]

79 Spider with an engine rebuild that is a few years, but only 2400 miles old. I had a timing problem (loose dist.) and fixed it and now she has enough power to run her on the highway. How fast should she be?

She accelerates nicely through all the gears up to 85mph (I just haven't had the space to see what else she has ). She cruises nicely at 65mph at about 3500 RPM in 5th gear. Is this about where she should be?

79 Spider - SPICA
80,000 Mi.
2400 on the rebuild.

 

[Bill]

Sounds about right. Double the 1st 2 rpm #s and that should be your speed in 5th.
(Results may vary depending on accuracy of both gauges.)

I have had mine to 110 on a long, straight, slightly down hill run with the wind at my back on a cool day and a few hundred rpms to go.....and that was fast enough for me.

 

[neo297]

On my 87 quad at 3500 in 5th I'm doing 70 or a little over according to my garmin. I have maxed out at 111 per garmin do not remember what spedo read or tach.

 

[swagner]

I would assume the '87 would be a bit faster as catalytics and smog controls got a bit more advanced and the fuel injection and ignition changes should improve performance a bit.

 

[Dekuiper]

In my 1981, I am about 65 while at 3100 - 3200 RPM. Just like mentioned above. That is good information because one day, while driving down the highway for 60 miles my speedo just quit. I kept track of my speed by the tach, what I didn't realize at the time is the 2x1 ratio in 5th gear.

Maybe more interesting was once I stopped and got off the highway, the speedo magically started working again.

 

[neo297]

Is there a difference in the rear end gear ratio from 79-87?

 

[papajam]

If memory serves, yes, there is a difference. I think 79 was the last year for the 4.56 which then changed to a 4.10 for 1980 and newer.

 

[msiert]

I've believe the limit is a little over 135 mph.

 

[radamm]

I had a hard time getting more than 85 out of mine until I put in a 140 speedo. I can get a lot closer to 135 now.

 

[gigem75]

 

[rogerspeed]

4:10 rear to the US coincides with the Bosch FI '82 on

 

[ghnl]

I think it depends on the color of your Spider...!

 

[radamm]

Come Gigem, put it in fifth....

whoops, what color is yours?

 

[alfasrule]

I got one of those Stupid 85 MPH Speedo's on my 82, so it just pegged. When I started noticing my hood flopping in the corners, I felt it was time to slow down.

 

[papajam]

If memory serves, yes, there is a difference. I think 79 was the last year for the 4.56 which then changed to a 4.10 for 1980 and newer.

Confirmed.

Owner's manual #2681 R1 dated 9/79 for the 1979 model year Spiders lists a 4.56 rear.
The 1980 model year Spider manual, #2756 dated 1/80, shows the rear to be a 4.10.

 

[rxmar23]

I've believe the limit is a little over 135 mph.

LOL! I was waiting for someone to bring that up.

 

[gigem75]

huh, you mean the eytalian cars have 5 gears!

 

[spokeless]

Is it alll '91s, or just the yellow ones..

..that go 200+?

Hey, at least the umbrella is mine.

 

[Terrisse]

How fast!

My 1978 with smog pump, cat, AC & 100k miles can cruise at 100 mph on flat road. Never pushed it faster.

(speedo fluctuates a lot at this speed, bouncing between 97 and 105 mph)

 

[John Davison]

How fast related to tire size

May not apply here to the original question, but over the years the choices of 14 inch tires have been reduced, and many of us have gone to (slightly) oversized tires, which will affect your speedometer reading. Larger tire means your indicated speed will be lower than actual speed.

John