Grassroots Motorsports 2005 challenge

[Zagato78]

We've decided to enter the 76 Beta Coupe into the GRM 2005 challenge. We're going to need to change the wheels on the car to be complaint, but that should be about it. Anyone have any low cost performance tips they'd like to share. It'll be nice to get a Lancia some racing mag coverage.

Thanks!

Dan

[cthargiss]

It all depends on what you describe as low cost. There are NO cheap performance mods. Start with a set of FIAT 1608cc cams from a wrecking yard. Add a Weber 34DATRA carb and a K&N air filter. Electronic ignition from a 1979 FIAT 124. Change the strut oil to 20W motorcycle fork oil if you do not have Koni's or Bilstein's. How fast do you wnt to go; How much money do you have?
Craig :twisted:

[Zagato78]

Great tips! I have a performance motor build up waiting, but that would be way more than the $2005 limit. I like the idea of the 1608 cams.

Dan

[cthargiss]

Forgot to add: AutoSpecialties SuperLux brake pads. Available from major parts houses and as good as EBC or Repco
Craig

[Vx gunmetal]

Before you jump on the 1608 cam idea, checkout the heads and camshaft section on this board. The believe the current thinking is the 1608 cams are not a performance gain over what you already have. Check the thread or speak to Will on this forum, he can point you in the right direction.

Michael

[cthargiss]

The 1608 cams do offer a definate improvement over the US emissions cams. The misunderstanding came about when a well known builder stated that euro and US 1608 cams were different. They are not, the measuring system was. 1608 cams in a US 1800 offer a 10-15 HP increase.
Craig

[badboyboogzy]

can you put these 1608 cams into a 1600 and if so what kinda car are they from originally

[cthargiss]

They were from the 1608cc FIAT 124 and 125 series TC, and the Euro 1608cc Beta. They will fit any TC with the distributor in the exhaust cam box, or you can change the cam boxand distributor along with the cam.
Craig

[Will]

...I'm posting the same thing on like four different threads now-- check the 1608 cams against the 1800 cams, they are the same. I've personally borrowed three sets of 1608 cams, from as far away as Austria and New Zealand, and they are identical to the 1800s. I have yet to see a "euro" cam, and I put up that challenge to Croft four years ago. I have also yet to see a "receeded" valve seat from using unleaded fuel.
(I have seen burned ones, of course,but that has nothing to do with unleaded!)- but that's another story.

I guess the question on the GRM challenge car is, what is allowed?

I mean, if the only rule is it has to cost less than $2005, then $200 worth of chromium rings and overbored carb jets will let you run nitromethane through it. This assumes you won't run it flat out too long, or too often!
(I'm guessing another $600 for stainless exhaust valves and inconel seats is out of the question)

How does it get driven, i.e raced? A port job is "free", but you really don't want to do much more than a short side radius blend on a FIAT TC, and the obvious other mechanics (lightening, tire/wheel selection) will probably net you a better gain.

If I had to go cheap, but labor wasn't an issue, I'd get some nylon sheet and make up a 4-port slide throttle, then transplant the injectors and ECU from one of the FI cars. Sure, it would take a good 50 hours of fabrication, but it's cheap, and you know what it'll do!

-Will