Fiat X1 9 Fiat 500 Abarth Engine Swap

Fiat 500 Abarth engine swap into Fiat X1/9 Car body
Fiat X1/9 Abarth engine swap
Fiat X1/9 Fiat Abarth engine swap
Fiat X1/9 Fiat 500 swap
Abarth engine in Fiat X1/9

[@nicoconstantacos8851]

I knew this day would come, you fellas are the first I've heard of making this work. Hats off to you, great work.!!

[@racerron27]

Nice job on the swap. I have owned 5 X's, starting with a new '78, and two of them were made into autocross cars.

[@tlipizy]

Saw an x19 for sale no engine, I though abarth 1.4 turbo engine. Did a quick search behold. Good job.

[@jorgeaspron5733]

That's the swap we were waiting for

[@Bobbr3]

Nothing less than awesome. It's sort of like an example of the saying "If you can dream it, you can do it." Many have mentioned the "what if" for a project like this, but these guys asked the same question and then proceeded to DO it! Bravo!!

[@elderair6285]

Great job! Hope more people follow. It really is amazing how great these cars are with the proper engine and what better swap than a Fiat power plant. I took the EASY route and build a N/A 170hp 1.9 stroker motor out of Punto, Stilo and Tipo parts! Either way is a great way to get some X tra power into your X.

[@Fiatx192040]

+elderair Thanks for the comment. I have owned an X since 78 and now it is truly amazing and fun to drive. My 79 X has high compression engine with a 40-80 camshaft and seems slow to the Abarth X. You are correct that it isn't cheap, but some dreams never are. One of the considerations before this swap was to install a Solar APU gas turbine engine rated at 160HP. with 10:1 reduction gearbox coupled to the X or Uno transmission. I am not sure what swap is more complicated. If you check XWeb the multiair project I have edited my last post and posted a link to an early development video of the project. I will release another progress video around Christmas.TonyK.

[@RPacheco808]

That's how they should have come from the factory! Great job!

[@Fiatx192040]

+Roland Pacheco Roland, I am going to have to agree with you. I did another driving video with Rick DeWildt driving the car. Rick's dad years ago sold me my 1979 Fiat X1/9 new that I still have. Rick knows these cars very well and currently is Principal owner of DeWildt Chrysler in Hamilton Ontario Canada. When I get a chance I will assemble the clips and post the video. You just have to remember that it has been 30 years since Rick drove an X1/9 and this time he is loving it.TonyK.

[@RPacheco808]

That's awesome! I love that you are doing what I have always wanted to do myself. You never know what the future holds :)

[@dbef0666]

Congratulations on accomplishing the impossible !!!

[@zzzdogutube]

again you amaze me.. crazy amount of work to make right.. Thanks

[@patrickbrown7491]

Like the idea of a retrofit arbarth engine, keeps the X1/9 reinventing itself to something that would be built currently! Had a RH 78' X1/9 in Australia, didn't get them till late 77'. metallic blue, came in green & bronze also.

[@Fiatx192040]

Back in the 70's I worked in a small Fiat dealership, blue, green, bronze and brown were common colours. Just to let you know that the Fiat X1/9 79 to 87 drive line uses the same splined drives as the Fiat 500 Abarth. Go figure, 40 years go by and the parts really didn't change. TonyK.

[@patrickbrown7491]

@@Fiatx192040 ,Midwest Bayliss developed? Saw he did K20 conversion. I looked into a 4age conversion 20years ago, drew it up they fit.

[@Fiatx192040]

@@patrickbrown7491 In the fall of 2013 Bob Martin and I visited Midwest Bayless in Columbus Ohio and stripped out a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth that he did some research into doing an engine swap with. Cost started to get up there and the idea was abandoned. A test body and fit up was never done. I purchased all the parts that I needed from him for $6000 USD and brought them home and worked on the swap over the course of a year and a half. TonyK.

[@patrickbrown7491]

@@Fiatx192040 ,the 500s are popular here Arbaths also but not many as pricey for a small car, wheels would suit also. More complimentary having a fiat motor in there, did see rear chassy section for fit up.

[@Eff_Marti]

Still have it? I wonder how the car turned out as a daily driver with this engine swap... i found a cheap one i want to turn into an old-looker but safe-driver

[@Fiatx192040]

Yes still have it and it is the most reliable vehicle that I own, I now have 6000 miles on the car. TonyK.

[@the_katman2181]

Great job. I love the sound of your car.

[@bremms1]

Having owned and tracked a few X's. You need 7" wheels with 5-10mm Less offset, GOOD DOT track rubber, stiffer springs, Koni shocks. You won't have traction issues. It will drive MUCH better. BRAKES!! the stock brakes have great feel, but are inadequate for anything over 100HP

[@Fiatx192040]

+bremms1 Thanks for the comments. A swap like this is an evolution of many things to obtain a new balance into a nicer driving platform. Changes to the tires and brakes at the very least are expected next on the list of this project.

[@bremms1]

+Fiatx192040 It's such a cool idea with the Abarth motor. Look forward to your project as it comes along. I ran Revolution RFX 7x13's and modified Koni struts. My original post sounded a bit snarky... Sorry, it wasn't meant that way at all.

[@Fiatx192040]

+bremms1 no issues here, you certainly didn't sound snarky. Thank you for the direction with struts and rims. I had some engine coil over heating problems that are now resolved along with a drive line problem. The reason I kept this quiet was that I would be bombarded with ideas that would consume a lot of time that would be taken from the build. Just remember this all started 2 years ago when I picked up the drive line from Midwest Bayless.TonyK.

[@scottschleh6584]

if not 8" rims

[@KingCast65]

Hats off to you, Sir.

[@StevendeKock]

This is amazing, do you have a thread on this build? Would love to find out more information on this. Please!

[@Fiatx192040]

There are other video's on my channel with segments of the build. I have never made a complete video of the transplant.

[@holmgrown]

I'm just a poor boy and I have some plans for my X1/9 Burtone Picture a V 6 and 5 speed Mopar Front wheel drive, from a Shelby Charger and a K frame from a Plymouth Voager van transplanted into the Fiat mid engine

[@Fiatx192040]

In the words of Bob Martin, it is possible to transplant any engine into anything with enough time and money. A swap like this one cost's about $10K in materials. That price would be lower now as wrecks 9 years ago were expensive. That being said material costs and fabricating costs are up. TonyK.

[@fawoo_4235]

my dad is going to do the same thing but with a abarth 595 engine with the automatic gearbox wich is going to be a first of the world

[@nursemaned1]

Hey, I'm in the GTA also. Never drove a Fiat X 1/9. Thinking about buying one. Would love to see this car if you had the time.

[@Fiatx192040]

Hi Edmund, currently the car has for the last year sat in my garage as I have been building a house for my son. That now completed I need to catch up with a few things around the house before I put it on the road. I would suggest that you give me your email address and we can figure something out. Also there are X1/9 owners located in Toronto that I could put you in touch with if you want to see a car closer to home. TonyK.

[@nursemaned1]

N u r s e maned@ g m a I l. Com Thanks alot

[@Fiatx192040]

@@nursemaned1 response sent. TonyK.

[@PeterKKraus]

V6 24 valve , or 4 cyl 2.5 liter 16 valve ...supercharged , why bother with another anemic engine?

[@Fiatx192040]

I wanted to keep the engine upgrade in the same family. My choice that is all. TonyK.

[@gioelepagliarani4927]

hi, what brand are the odometer and tachometer? thank's

[@Fiatx192040]

Both are made by Marshall and are 3 3/8" in diameter. The Tach uses the Abarth engine input, the Speedo uses a magnetic pick up and reluctor on the left front wheel to generate pulses for the speedometer. The speedo can be calibrated once the car is on the road. TonyK.

[@se7ensnakes]

I have a 75 Fiat x 1/9 and I have a Lancia Beta scorpion engine and gearbox. I want to swap the SOHC for the DOHC. I know there are plenty of people that have done it but i am looking for information on how to do this specifically. I am looking for info on: 1) Sheet metal and transaxle motor mount work and placement 2) transaxle - engine tilt. 3) Drive shaft info. Any reference to detail on this type of project would be greatly appreciated

[@Fiatx192040]

+se7ensnakes Have you tried going on XWeb and send Rupunzell ( Bernice Loui) and email. She has a lot of contacts and a better mind than I do to remember this stuff. Also on the UK X1/9 Owners Club Rachel F would be another contact to follow up with.TonyK.

[@se7ensnakes]

Fiatx192040 I have looked through both forums but only discussions. Nothing technichal. However I will see about Bernice Lou and tony k. Thanks!

[@RGHTBrainDesignDrive]

Fiatx192040 What an excellent video! Cool swap!

[@AlbertManiscalco]

what happens to the shift pattern when you put a front engine into the rear of the car?

[@Fiatx192040]

Nothing, it is the same, just the cables come from the front rather from the rear and then the shifter is made to keep the shift pattern the same as well. Everything is fabricated to work correctly. TonyK.

[@AlbertManiscalco]

thanks, ive always wondered about that...kinda what i figured but never knew for sure. @@Fiatx192040

[@KOMPASGARAGE]

Any way to get in contact with you?

[@Fiatx192040]

Give me an email address. I will be heading shortly, but will get back to you. TonyK.

[@chriszenier826]

How do you deal with the electronics? Mainly ecu.

[@Fiatx192040]

This platform cannot work with out the Factory ECU, so you must provide that environment for the engine to work correctly. You must use the factory ECU, however I have used the Open Flash Tablet on this engine and it works flawlessly. The current tune on my engine is for 177 HP. This engine in this car is a real blast to drive. TonyK.

[@chriszenier826]

@@Fiatx192040 Thanks for the response. I have been contemplating this for a Fiat 600 Abarth build but wasn't sure if there would be problems with the canbus system. My main car is a 2013 Abarth and would love to be able to put that powerplant in a 600. Thx for the positive inspiration! Awesome job!

[@pgaven9396]

I just picked up a fiat x19 nd the dang reverse won't won't work...I wonder how much will it cost or how to fix it

[@pgaven9396]

It's a 1985

[@Fiatx192040]

Reverse on the X1/9 is dependent upon the 1st/2nd gear slider sleeve and the reverse idler gear and shaft. The shaft on the older 5 speeds was of lesser diameter and had a tendency to bend. Holding the shifter in reverse in these conditions allow reverse to work. If you have not reverse at all, then do you have 5th? as they are both on the same selector shaft. TonyK.

[@Fiatx192040]

It has been awhile from when I have heard from you, of course being banished has something to do with it. The 5 speed with reverse on the 1st / 2nd slider sleeve was a bad ideal. The idler shaft was too long and not supported well. Later models had a thicker shaft but the casting sometimes would crack. So, when driving the car be gentle in reverse, don't jump on the gas pedal when in reverse because you are asking for trouble. Nice to hear from you. TonyK.

[@scottschleh6584]

Failed reverse gear is pretty common. Just earn to park in pull through spots only! The car is really lite. if you really need to back up you can alwaysjust get out and push it back.

[@idriwzrd]

Most excellent.

[@soto3689]

I engine swaped my X1/9 with a WEBER IDF 40 you can see it on my channel...

[@autox19]

woo hoo!!! awesome job!

[@tommyboy1two]

can we get a few more videos on this car?

[@Fiatx192040]

+tommyboy1two What are you looking for? Completion , running, progress? I need a bit of direction.TonyK.

[@tommyboy1two]

Is all of the above a okay answer? Lol

[@Fiatx192040]

+tommyboy1two Big order. First off there is another video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKWmdH-JoLVkjaujn my channel that has a lot of information in the development stage. I do have another video that I will unlock as well. Thanks for the interest. It has been a long an consuming project. There are still a few bugs to iron out, but I am hoping that they will be resolved shortly. TonyK.

[@Fiatx192040]

+tommyboy1two This has been a long project, there are still some bugs to work out, but I am nearly there.Check out the following You Tube Links on my channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKWmdH-JoLVkjas kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHW7d2CHg9SnaLM Abarth Powered X1/9 ConceptTonyK.

[@Fiatx192040]

+tommyboy1two I have posted to links about this project. They are You Tube video's. If you cannot see them please let me know.TonyK.

[@camaroyoung7687]

What was your total expense to make that conversion

[@Fiatx192040]

+Camaro Young That is a big question and I will try and answer it. First off you need a donor car or access to a car. You don't need the body so if you get a car then you can sell the body parts off from the purchase price. I purchased the parts I needed from Midwest Bayless for $6K but the body stayed there. That was 2 1/2 years ago, so I think you could do better now. The car had only 2790 miles on it so everything looks new. I like to work with Stainless Steel for the brackets and exhaust system and that gets pricey as well. The car has working Air conditioning. The issue now is that you have 2 entities a 1987 Fiat X1/9 and a 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth. Nothing talks to each other and there is no way for it to happen. The X uses a speedometer cable and the Abarth uses wheel sensors. You need a new speedo and tach, although I think it would be possible to use the stock X1/9 tach, but I didn't bother going that route. $450 for the gauges and another 100 for the tach adapter to drive it.I would say roughly and I did not keep track of the costs because I wanted to do this and see it happen. Expect another $4K. This includes paint. Midwest was doing the K20 swap for $18 to 20K years ago. Swaps are not cheap, there is a lot of fabricating and head scratching to be done. I did most of this myself. Then make it all work. I was watching a TV show the other day where they took an old Dodge Dart and put a Hell Cat engine in it. They chopped the wiring harness and removed a lot of stuff and expected it to work, even Chrysler told them the engine would not run Looking at the pile of wires on the floor I knew it would not run and I don't even know what a Hell Cat engine is. Six guys spent 2 days going no where. They installed an after market ECU to get the engine to run. But they had an after market ECU with support to turn to. With Fiat and the Multiair that is not going to happen. You have to run the stock ECU and everything else it is looking for or you will have a dead engine and even then this platform will send you a curve that you didn't expect. I do not regret this swap one bit. It is neat, fast and fun and the car is light and goes like hell.Hope that answers some of your question.TonyK.

[@camaroyoung7687]

Thanks for the reply. It looks and sounds awesome!