THAT is some fine driving
If in doubt, FLAT OUT
iTrader: (33)
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,046
From: Nor Cal SJ
Car Info: 2010 Hatch, 2011 Sedan
Looked like slicks and when you are hauling *** on a clean road in a short wheelbase, mid engine, RWD car, the *** is going to be all over the place. That's why it is skill, because it was kept well in check the whole time.
Thread Starter
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,301
From: San Jose, CA
Car Info: http://kiva.org/invitedby/brett4254
From my buddy Chuck who really know's his Fiats
I think you are right that it has a high HP Suzuki in there-perhaps a large displacement Hayabusa.
The Europeans are fond of using high bore kits ~1400-1600cc and ~260+ HP.
There are also high revving European twin cam motors that fit the X1/9.
A popular X1/9 swap 20 years ago was the supercharged Lancia 2L TC called the Betamax and its transaxle which is really just a scaled up X1/9 gearbox.
That setup is very tight but it locates everything nicely and has even been used in street X1/9's.
That hillclimb Fiat was a really fast, well driven machine, but actually not out of line with what you would see at SCCA National level solo level in D-Mod.
1400 lbs inclucing driver and 280 HP typical in that class (at National level anyway).
Almost everyone at the top of the class has either has gone to mid-engine chassis or 15" or so of engine setback in a front engine car to get a minimum of 55% on the rear wheels.
The Europeans are fond of using high bore kits ~1400-1600cc and ~260+ HP.
There are also high revving European twin cam motors that fit the X1/9.
A popular X1/9 swap 20 years ago was the supercharged Lancia 2L TC called the Betamax and its transaxle which is really just a scaled up X1/9 gearbox.
That setup is very tight but it locates everything nicely and has even been used in street X1/9's.
That hillclimb Fiat was a really fast, well driven machine, but actually not out of line with what you would see at SCCA National level solo level in D-Mod.
1400 lbs inclucing driver and 280 HP typical in that class (at National level anyway).
Almost everyone at the top of the class has either has gone to mid-engine chassis or 15" or so of engine setback in a front engine car to get a minimum of 55% on the rear wheels.
250,000-mile Club President
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,770
From: Bizerkeley
Car Info: MBP 02 WRX wagon
The stock X-1/9 was indeed a "POS"- but at the same time it pulled the highest lateral acceleration g numbers of ANY car in stock trim back in it's day, yes even up there with the Lambo's and Ferrari's, and that was with 65 series street rubber on 14X6" wheels. Drop in a tweaked motor, strip a few hundred pounds and bolt on some fat meat and that thing will get around cones and corners faster than a lot of lower powered formula cars.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
808subaru
Hawaii
53
Oct 18, 2005 02:56 PM
Group B
Bay Area
2
Jan 18, 2003 08:14 PM