![]() ![]() We'll need stiffer springs in the rear to compensate for the extra weight. ![]() One of the (many) unknowns is spring rates. I think once we get to this point, we'll cut up the race car and transfer everything over. I'm thinking two radiators, and maybe hood vents in the front for extra help. ![]() The lemons car has a larger than stock radiator (it's actually from a scirocco) but it will be insufficient for the VR6. Looking ahead, we will need some sort of large oil cooler, as the stock one on the VR6 is insufficient. I'd like to build the exhaust first because I see several different options for the bracing, which will have to work around the exhaust. Once the exhaust is done, I'll tack the horizontal bracing back in. Then I'll probably do the axles, and then figure out the exhaust. In the next couple weeks I'd like to finish the mounts. Which brings us to today where I've tacked together some of the mounts. Finally it mostly fits, even with the intake manifold on. Then I dropped the tank, which sits right behind the driver, and cut out more of the car. In some dimensions, the VR6 and O2a are actually smaller than the lampredi, but, not all dimensions. Finally, little VR6, it is your time to shine. Then I graduated, got a job, got married, got a house, moved to a different house with a shop, and somehow this craigslist VR6 followed me to this point. That car is now gone (don't worry I got a different, better Corrado) but the engine sat on the floor of my parent's garage for years. But I haven't torn it down yet to see what the issue is, either.Ī while back, I had a VR6 Corrado, and a spare engine for that car, as one does. Unfortunately, the donor car came with an unhealthy engine (180psi in 3 cylinders, 80psi in the 4th), so we won't be able to easily extend our time with the little lampredi if the existing one goes pop. I'm planning to just tack things in to the donor car and then swap it all over once the season has ended either this year or next year. We're planning to race at The Ridge in October, so the race car needs to be ready for that. My plan is to mock up the swap in the spare car while leaving the race car in one piece. The only car I could out drag on the straight was a VW beetle powered Porsche 996 (which weighs about 400 pounds more than the fiat).Īnother X1/9 came up on craigslist for $500, so I went to get it. At ORP I couldn't accelerate up the hill after turn 5, or turn 14. This is compounded by the 15x7 wheels I put on the car so that we could have a decent tire selection, making the gearing even worse. The X1/9 wasn't quick from the factory, but this one is definitely extra tired. This is what it looked like *after* honing it:Ĭompression is low (130psi ish) but consistent. ![]() When we rebuilt the motor, we couldn't do oversize pistons because of budget concerns (this was before we knew that nobody in lemons sticks to the $500 rule, we *really* tried our best) and there was pitting in the cylinders from it sitting for 4 years with a blown head gasket before we bought it. The real issue, however, was how slow it was. Paddock picture of this fine machine sporting the GRM sticker Our fastest lap was a bit better, and our brake upgrades (vented rotors from a modern fiat 500, front calipers from that fiat 500, porterfield pads, decent fluid, and brake cooling) worked, so there were positives to take away. We ended the weekend with 110 laps which was surprising, given how much of the time I spent under the car in the paddock. We were out almost the entire first day dealing with overheating issues, and the transmission separating from the engine (where did all the bolts go.we may never know), which led to some carnage. We did 180ish laps and came home with the judges choice trophy for having our E36 M3 together and driving an awful car. It went surprisingly well, given it was our first time, there is 0 cumulative experience racing on our team, and we showed up with a fiat. So we paused for a bit and then put the cage in it and finished the build. This, however was pre-covid, so of course E36 M3 hit the fan. We rebuilt the engine within budget (ie: just dropped new rings and bearings in it, and resurfaced the head using my kitchen counter) and got it running. We picked up a 1984 Fiat X1/9 for $500 in 2019 with a blown head gasket. I've made some threads in the past on the Lemons forum (which is.quiet, since facebook ruined the internet) and the X1/9 forum which is great, but this project is getting weird. Long time lurker, first time poster here. ![]()
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