Fiat X1/9 motor swap - Ecotec Ep. 1

[@KurtofTrades]

If you found this helpful consider sending me a Super Thanks with the icon below the video, ❤💰 I will buy a Coffee with it! ☕

[@matthewchandler2647]

At first I thought this might be a nightmare build, but no! You’re Dad is the fab man! Can’t wait to see how this plays out!

[@KurtofTrades]

I’m excited too! Should get the first start this spring!

[@gregdeutschlander4054]

Amazing build! Can't wait to see the finished project.

[@manodfergus]

This is all great in its own way and I wish you well. X1/9 it ain't, there's nothing left.

[@KurtofTrades]

You aren’t wrong. It will still look like an X1/9 with the same rear and front even the grill. The sides are going to be quite wide and it will have a litte bit different aero on the front.

[@ihate2wait]

You are so right but when modifying an X1/9 in any way, when does it stop being an X1/9? Honda K swap? Lancia 2.0. Bigger brakes? Blame that on Fist. They fought Bertone from the start and built the X begrudgingly. 5hey did not even attempt to find the car’s amazing potential. All of the R&D was done by Abarth, PBS, FAZA etc. the very platform allows you to make what ever you want out of the car as with any race car, the winners didn’t drive off of the showroom floor.

[@findlvrg4276]

Amazing build!

[@ihate2wait]

If you’re going to create a new engine out of the Ecotec why not use a h1 V8 to begin with. Engine weight is 200 pounds and a NA engine makes 450hp. It would mighty tight in a stock X1/9 but you’ve cured that problem. Couple that with a Quaife 6 speed sequential trans and the Ecotech set up becomes a Ford flathead comparatively.

[@TbsDltn]

Kurt of All Trades

[@c0jonz]

When will we see episode 2?

[@KurtofTrades]

Should be early January, thanks for watching!

[@jad67jd]

OK? Why a Chevy engine? And not a Honda k20 engine?

[@KurtofTrades]

He has worked extensively with the LSJ and lnf as opposed to the k20 so he knows how to mod them. Also he has a ton of parts for them got a really good deal on several motors and internals. Basically he had all the stuff to do it already and knows the motor extremely well.

[@zg8626]

"Super light"???????????

[@KurtofTrades]

Yes indeed! Thanks for watching!

[@zg8626]

@@KurtofTrades Mine weighed a tonne! (well, quoted kerb weight of 914ish Kg as compared with a Lotus Elan's 680) I always understood that lots of extra Rust-o-Steel™ was added to comply with threatened US roll-over regulations that never materialised once they'd done the job of scaring off European imports, the result of which being that the X1/9 (at least in original non-corroded to hell form) was remarkably strong for the time. I remember various pictures doing the rounds of cars that had hit trains etc leaving the passenger cell intact; Probably better than one might have fared in the Lotus. The upshot was that the X1/9s power:weight was not as good as it should have been and hence the popularity of fitting Lancia twin cams etc. From the looks of it, your dad's may indeed end up being super light. I would have been happy with 750kg and 150bhp in a non water-soluble chassis. Actually, if they'd made that, I'd still have mine. Keep up the videos. Always good to see something X1/9-shaped being kept on the road.

[@KurtofTrades]

I’m curious to the final weight as well. Doors are going to be aluminum frame and carbon/fiberglass along with the majority of the front and rear clip.