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

Fiat:eBay Motors (item 190331002149 end time Sep-02-09 05:38:39 PDT)

Neat vehicle, for sure :)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1254959126

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1254959194

SVOboy -

Vay-rrrrreee Een-tay-rest-ink!

CarloSW2

The "I can do it, why can't the automakers" quote at the end of the ad kind of bothers me a bit... people still don't understand that what you're doing in your back yard just isn't appealing to the general public in most cases.... :rolleyes:

I also have a fairly difficult time seeing that car getting 70MPG with 28Hp and still being "fun" to drive. I'm sure it's slow as molasses, and probably doesn't like to accelerate either, since that engine is probably a piece from a mid-size tractor or something similar, which doesn't have variable fuel timing.

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

It's probably fun to cruise past gas stations.

It's fun to drive your own creation too... whether it's actually any better or not.

I suppose it can be fun to drive something simply because it's "different". It's fun to field questions from the curious. For a while anyway.

Hello -

I found the engine in it's native lawnmower :

61'' FERRIS ZERO TURN LAWN MOWER 28HP CAT DIESEL IS4500 - eBay (item 380146958717 end time Sep-06-09 07:05:16 PDT)
http://www.ferrisindustries.com/imag...1a45eng2lg.jpg
http://www.sleequipment.com/store/im...g769421778.JPG


CarloSW2

Gas Gauges

Gas gauges are easy to view from operator compartment.

That was part of the ad that you posted... a diesel engine that needs Gas Gauges?!

Christ -

Ha ha, here's the engine spec :

I just did some googling to find the non-ebay stuff. They propagated the error from this features sheet :

IS 4500Z Detail Gallery

The thing is, the lawn mower is also offered in a 35 HP V-Twin gasser. Sooooooooo, the original document should have stated "Fuel gauge is easy to view from operator compartment".

CarloSW2

Good gods, man! You're a searchin mo'fo!

Christ -

As with most of my nolegia, just enough to be dangerous.

CarloSW2

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!

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

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.

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!

fun
 

my midget has 31 HP and is a ball to drive:thumbup:

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''.

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.

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!

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:turtle: