1980 Fiat Bertone X1/9 with 28 hp Cat diesel swap

[theycallmeebryan]

Originally Posted by tournapart

you very may have well made the most reliable fiat known to man....congrats

but I do contest the fun to drive comment as well...the only way 28hp is fun is in a moped...

good luck with the sale

SCAG POWER EQUIPMENT - CAT 28hp Diesel Engine

It makes 28hp, but it makes almost DOUBLE torque..... 54ftlb. The engine probably accelerates just fine for a small car. I'd love to see a small turbocharger installed on it to increase the efficiency of that little motor.
This engine would be great for a home built 1+1 Reverse tadpole setup!

[cfg83]

theycallmeebryan -

Thanks, that's actually the kind of "spec sheet" I was looking for. I was curious about the power, so it should be able to get up hills as claimed.

Makes me wonder. My Dad's VW Karmann Ghia was 60+ HP @1800 lbs. How much would the Bertone weigh with the diesel engine?

CarloSW2

[MetroMPG]

I've driven one of these cars (gas) - probably the most fun I've had driving slow. Mid-engine handling on skinny tires was ridiculously entertaining. I bet it'd still be a hoot with the oil burner in it.

[WV6Z]

WOW! I wish I had seen that as Woodruff is local for me here (I'm in Anderson, SC)! Unfortunately for me, I work in Pendergrass, GA so this little gem would have been just about perfect for my 130 mile per day round trip commutes!

[larryn2o]

Originally Posted by tournapart

you very may have well made the most reliable fiat known to man....congrats

but I do contest the fun to drive comment as well...the only way 28hp is fun is in a moped...

good luck with the sale

my midget has 31 HP and is a ball to drive

[ChillyBear]

AHHH I love old fiats! but why get rid of the bulletproof 124 engine or 2k whatever. Those things are fun! We also had a midget, it was really fun. Except im 6'3''.

[chuck1947]

Don'tcha just love all the critics that probably have NEVER had the guts to try ANYTHING different but let someone else try it and they put on their frog legs and leap. I think it's great that you put the cat in the Fiat... I'm sure you are going to lose some things like rapid acceleration, etc but thats the price you pay for a high mileage.. give the guy a break man. If you can do better, then do it or shut the hell up.

[larrybuck]

It takes more skill to drive an underpowered car well getting super mpg. while sharing the road with CIVILLIANS, who easily lose the ci part!

Especially if we are talking about driving that's not just a 4 lane to the grocery store, and back!

[WV6Z]

I have given up my marathon commute and now work locally, but still would have loved to have gotten my hands on the Cat powered X19......Chuck 1947 and larrybuck, couldn't agree with you guys more if you paid me.

[Dave's Civic Duty]

Originally Posted by WV6Z

I have given up my marathon commute and now work locally, but still would have loved to have gotten my hands on the Cat powered X19......Chuck 1947 and larrybuck, couldn't agree with you guys more if you paid me.

WV6Z,

i agree w you guys as well. Anything diesel! It wasn't always that way. A musician friend of mine turned me on to running WVO in a VW rabbit at least 10 years ago. I've been hooked ever since. He wore the ol 81 out, mostly rust & upgraded to some early MB iron. 76 240D & an 83 SD. I am almost ready to get an 84 300D on the road.

Some of the skid steer's have turbo diesels in them, so they do make them that way. I would need a kit to fit one in my Miata....................Fun!

Dave