500 Abarth 1.4 Turbo swap.

[Mike Schofield]

Ok, so here we go! This thread will cover the swap of a 2012 500 Abarth 1.4l Mulitair Turbo engine into my 82 X 1/9. This swap has been performed twice already by the one and only Mr. Tony K. (My uncle)
First post will show my X in its current state and some various pictures of the harvest etc..

 

[Mike Schofield]

Many things need to be done with this swap and the list is long and distinguished. here is just a couple things we we’ve been working on. We’re adding a limited slip diff to this build as well so that required the disassembly of the trans to swap the carriers. Also, the first picture shows a frame used to move the shell around so that Tony’s work bay won’t be tied up throughout this build as the current 500 shell cannot move under its own power and later down the road, the X shell. Also, having your own metal lathe and milling machine are almost a requirement as the endless need for custom jigs and parts required are non existent.

 

[Mike Schofield]

Here is a short video of just one of the custom parts being milled by Tony’s home engineered, designed and built cnc modified mill.

Milling custom x1/9 part

youtube.com

 

[Mike Schofield]

Here’s a short video of how the 2012 500 lived it’s life (after death) before having its power train harvested. (This is a USA car that had been written off)

 

[Joe F]

Very interesting. Does your uncle have any performance specs on the previous builds?

 

[Mike Schofield]

Here’s a great video.

 

[Mike Schofield]

Very interesting. Does your uncle have any performance specs on the previous builds?

We have not run any of the swaps on a Dyno yet.

 

[Waterbury]

Love this. Personally prefer this over any K Swap simply for the Abarth respect in these cars.

 

[BrianM]

This is great. I think every X owner thought of this when the new 500 came out. Best of Luck.

 

[Bjorn Nilson]

Love this. Personally prefer this over any K Swap simply for the Abarth respect in these cars.

I agree, but unfortunately, the Multi-Air stops you from using an aftermarket ECU and other features which makes the swap unnecessarily complex. I would go for a FIRE that is much more open for modifications and tuning. Probably much cheaper and easier to find as well.

 

[kmead]

I agree, but unfortunately, the Multi-Air stops you from using an aftermarket ECU and other features which makes the swap unnecessarily complex. I would go for a FIRE that is much more open for modifications and tuning. Probably much cheaper and easier to find as well.

In North America we only have the Multi Air as Fiat sold no new cars from 1982 to 2012. The 500s all came with a MultiAir normally aspirated or turbo. The same with the 500X and 500L as well as the Jeep related versions.

The Fire engines or pre MultiAir engines were never sold here and would have to be imported at best from Mexico or more likely the EU.

The TJet engines would be ideal or putting the TJet cam assembly, as previously discussed, on the MultiAir long block would be work and could allow the use of a standalone engine management system.

 

[myronx19]

Sweeeeet!

 

[Ron Avery]

Very cool, update.

 

[MikeHynes]

Any info on how the swap effected the weight of the car?

 

[Mike Schofield]

Any info on how the swap effected the weight of the car?

That’s a great question. I think I’ll let Tony field that question but I’d imagine if it’s heavier than the stock engine and trans that it would be beneficial over the rear wheels.

 

[TonyK]

That’s a great question. I think I’ll let Tony field that question but I’d imagine if it’s heavier than the stock engine and trans that it would be beneficial over the rear wheels.

The car was taken to the truck scales and weighed in at 2195 LBS full tank of fuel. The stock Abarth car comes in at 2600 LBS, not sure if that is full fuel or not.

TonyK.

Grimsby Ontario Canada.

 

[tvmaster]

Only in Canada, eh? Pity….

 

[carl]

The real question is whether MWB will ever come out with a "kit" to make this a DIY conversion.

 

[rx1900]

Only in Canada you say? Pity….

Haha !!! I'm probably one the few who remember what you are referring to. You must surely have grown up in Canada in the 70's ??

 

[tvmaster]

Haha !!! I'm probably one the few who remember what you are referring to. You must surely have grown up in Canada in the 70's ??

A ‘Rose’ by any other name would drive as sweet….