economical performance modifications

["James Tyson" <jftyson@domain.elided>]

For pre-82 115 series cars the most bang for the buck comes from replacing 
the mechanical fan with an electric fan.You can spend $150 or so to buy a 
complete bolt-on kit from Ricambi or Centerline or,if you're more 
mechanically skilled than I am, you can acquire an electric fan at your 
friendly local junkyard for no more than $25.GTV's and Spiders are limited 
to a 12"diameter fan that fits and works better as a "pusher"(mounted in 
front of the radiator).You will save 5-7hp at high rpm,make less noise and 
put far less strain on your water pump.If you go the junkyard route you'll 
need to rig up a thermostat,relay & mounts-no problem for a real Alfisti.
    Another very affordable upgrade is an MSD ignition box.The 6A costs 
around $135 and the 6AL(same unit w/built in rev limiter)costs around 
$175.The hotter spark from the MSD really improves low end 
performance.Tubular headers are available from IAP,Centerline & Ricambi for 
less than $300.They are reported to add 10-12hp.In my experience any 
performance camshaft results in poorer low end performance.My GTV with IAP 
11mm cams has very little grunt below 3000rpm then pulls like crazy up to 
6800-7000.The problem with performance cams is that once lift exceeds maybe 
10.5-10.7mm the cam follower bores have to be notched to clear the cam 
lobes.This can be done in situ by a VERY careful and skilled 
mechanic.Obviously the best way to perform this is to remove the head.I have 
noticed that 10548 Euro cams are readily available on ebay for 
$150-250.These cams don't require any head work and provide a nice 
performance upgrade over the US spec cams on Spica equipped cars.I'm not 
sure when the Spider shifted from a 4.56 to a 4.10 rear(1980 or 81?)but 
installing a 4.56 definitely would improve acceleration.I believe the entire 
rear axle assembly(including trailing arms and "T"arm) from a pre-4.10 car 
will bolt into later Spiders w/o modification.Find a wrecked/rusted Spider 
and have at it.If you can't find one,come to Houston-I have a complete 4.56 
rear axle assembly in my backyard I'd love to get rid of.Jim Tyson



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