Fiat 126 bis, daily.

[Mr-Noz]

Right, So first things first, I'm 17, and I've passed my test, I've been driving around a renault clio, but it's not for me, So i decided I would go for something rwd. Well, at 17 this is difficult, and even on traders insurance, it was hard to get insured on any of the cars i wanted, small engined bmw's etc. So i found this on eBay, late one Saturday night, i decided to give it a bid, low and behold, i woke up on Sunday, found out I'd won it and picked it up that day.

Unfortunately, the gearbox had lost first, and there's no MOT or Tax, but it runs, but probably not for that long. Plans are to sort out the problems with it, then maybe some form of engine swap. I've seen a lot of videos online with 1100cc fiat fire engines in them, So i may give that some research, If you know anything about them, or have one yourself, please drop me some info on it, I'm a trainee mechanic and my dad's a mechanic, so we should be able to work it out eventually, but I'd like to know if i'm heading into a minefield.

First post on driftworks, hopefully all the pictures work.

 

[hoagy5]

Are those rwd then? got any engine bay or underneath pics? How about a motorbike engine..

 

[Mr-Noz]

Yep, rear engined, rear wheel drive, And I don't have an engine bay picture currently, But i'll get one a bit later. I had thought of a motorbike engine, just the fiat fire engine seems like the cheapest option. Any suggestions for motorbike engines?

 

[Mr-Noz]

Requested engine bay photo.

 

[DrunkBog]

I love the Polski Fiat 126.

You should have bought the Fiat 126p not BIS. The 126p has a 2 cylinder air cooled 600cc or 650cc up right engine with 24hp (can't remember the exact HP any more) but it's somewhere round that figure. The BIS has a 2 cylinder liquid cooled 700cc that was put on its side.

The 126p is the one that is the easiest to convert. Most of the converted ones have a 1100cc engine out of a Punto, but I also seen ones with an engine out of a Fiat Tipo Turbo. Although its a RWD it will be really hard to drift, the front is so light that when ever a bus or truck passed you it lift the front end... The solution to this was to put a concrete slab or slabs in the boot which it at the front. It's also a SWB so you won't be able to hold much angle. But what do I know I'm only 19 and still learning to drift

Hope to see some interesting updates soon.

 

[Sotiris Miata]

Hi dude!My grandpa owns a Fiat 126,but an edition called Personal 4.It has a tiny 652cc air cooled engine and achieves 0-60mph in three days!Really cool car!If you have any questions feel free to send me a pm.

 

[Mr-Noz]

I wanted the 126p, but they're a bit less practical for me, as I ride bmx, and a hatchback would make it far easier to get my bike out. I will update this thread with what goes on. Looking a motorcycle engines, could be a possible swap.

 

[Mr-Noz]

Hi dude!My grandpa owns a Fiat 126,but an edition called Personal 4.It has a tiny 652cc air cooled engine and achieves 0-60mph in three days!Really cool car!If you have any questions feel free to send me a pm.

Posted whilst I was posting that response haha, I will do if I need anything man.

 

[Supra Gaz]

This could be so cooll if you put some retro wheels on it, slam it and keep it simple.

 

[kiruji]

Hah, that's awesome; always had a soft spot for slightly shit little cars

Do this to it:

 

[Mr-Noz]

This could be so cooll if you put some retro wheels on it, slam it and keep it simple.

That's the plan, Probably going to pick up some of the 126p bumpers in chrome, instead of these plastic bumpers, the rear one is cracking badly.

 

[Mr-Noz]

Hah, that's awesome; always had a soft spot for slightly shit little cars

Do this to it:

Any chance you know of a build thread on that? I was looking at the r1 engines when someone suggested motorbike engines.
Thanks

 

[kiruji]

Sorry dude, not really - there's a single link at the bottom of the Speedhunters page I linked to earlier, and Google throws up this (lots of pics) but it's not a full build thread.

 

[Mr-Noz]

Sorry dude, not really - there's a single link at the bottom of the Speedhunters page I linked to earlier, and Google throws up this (lots of pics) but it's not a full build thread.

Ah well, cheers dude, better than nothing haha.

 

[docwra]

The BIS was at one time the cheapest and least powerful production car you could buy in the UK - IIRC it didnt even have a 0-60 time as it wouldnt do 60

 

[Mr-Noz]

Hahaha, yeah. Iirc this one will do 0-60 in 30 something seconds, and will go on to a grand top speed of 72. Which, is still really slow. I just think they're funny little cars. It's slightly more comical that I'm 6'3" and barely fit.

 

[docwra]

Hahaha, yeah. Iirc this one will do 0-60 in 30 something seconds, and will go on to a grand top speed of 72. Which, is still really slow. I just think they're funny little cars. It's slightly more comical that I'm 6'3" and barely fit.

Dude, you have removed the front seat and drive from the rear bench for comedy reasons, right? ESSENTIAL.

 

[Mr-Noz]

Hahaha, I've thought about it. Probably just going to get another seat, and mount it another 6 inches back from the original position.

 

[Mr-Noz]

So I've read through a couple of build threads for bike powered minis, and I'm probably going to go with the gsxr 750 I've been offered. A lot of people have fedback that they're decent engines. Anyone know if there's a major problem with them? Mine will be from the late 80's.

 

[victim]

Amazing project. I'll be watching this for sure!