Is the Lancia Beta lump worth any effort

**mr2by4** · 19-12-2014, 12:53

I have had a look and it is clear than I can get 50-100% more power from the little twin cam pretty cheaply. Vick Auto is in my home town and they offer cams, pistons, headwork etc. For $3500 I can "build" my 2 liter to get close to 200 hp. The downfall of that set-up will be the nature of a small displacement high output carb'ed engine. For close to the same money I can put in an 24 valve V6 with a bit more HP, loads more torque, a great sound and stock factory FI from Bosch. I just wanted to know if I should go straight for the displacement. The only real downside to the swap up to the 6 seems to be the weight, and that it will be a longer process than just slapping cams(with uprated springs to support them). pistons, and some sort of carbs. I could do ITB fuel injection instead of carbs for about $1k more on the 2 liter, but I would still be missing that torque.
I have found a 24v Alfa for sale. Price is good, now I am trying to figure out how good or bad this example is (how complete and how worn out).
I will get to know the car with the little 4. Maybe I will like it enough to keep it. It looks like almost 200 lbs of weight come on board to upgrade the motor. Adding weight and HP is not always a good thing. My truck has lots of power but is not much fun to drive...

**mr2by4** · 19-12-2014, 12:57

Originally Posted by Fiat 131 Abarth#2

i am not 100% sure but this engine looks like it works in an Stratos!
and it's easy to find in the states.

There are a lot of great motors that would work. A GM v6 is not high on my list. I was trying to stick with motors that had the right "flavor". If I just wanted cheap power I would pick up a Toyota 3sgte and slap that in there. My friend is able to get 400 whp out of those pretty easily and they are not difficult to locate at all.

**Guy Mayers** · 19-12-2014, 14:32

Unless the long shaft fouls the chassis at full droop?

**mr2by4** · 19-12-2014, 15:25

The transmission is the one that neil is running (e153)in its native application so I am guessing that it works.

**The Slug** · 19-12-2014, 16:21

I think Phil has said in the thread that the extra weight helped to settle the car, making it better to drive.
Personally I would say go for the unstressed V6 engine. Take careful measurements with regards to the drive line and the chassis. and buy what you think is best for you.
Not much point in going the alfa route if you cant get spares, when you are able to get a good source of other v6 engines and parts, don't make life any harder for yourself than it needs to be.

**mr2by4** · 19-12-2014, 18:41

Oddly I can get parts, just finding motors is a bit of a bother. Besides, pistons etc are easily made custom or shipped. Cams reground etc and the FI is just standard bosch stuff.

**Paul** · 19-12-2014, 18:48

maybe showing my ignorance here, but wouldn't a lighter engine improve the weight distribution which in turn should improve handling characteristics? Lighter springs/damper settings calculated for the lighter engine would help with any skitishness?

**Paul** · 19-12-2014, 18:52

Originally Posted by mr2by4

Oddly I can get parts, just finding motors is a bit of a bother. Besides, pistons etc are easily made custom or shipped. Cams reground etc and the FI is just standard bosch stuff.

Where in the US are you? Just checking my local Craigslist today shows 3 164's for sale. One of them claims 44K miles (no price), the others are in the $3K range:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4801359987.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4802990351.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4806774652.html

**mr2by4** · 19-12-2014, 18:52

Originally Posted by Paul

maybe showing my ignorance here, but wouldn't a lighter engine improve the weight distribution which in turn should improve handling characteristics? Lighter springs/damper settings calculated for the lighter engine would help with any skitishness?

If a heavier engine helped to settle the car, he had his suspension set up incorrectly. I know that tire pressure, bound and rebound as well as springs could all cause the car to feel skittish with a light rear end. I have driven heavy tailed cars, and they can feel quite planted (my 1976 Turbo Carerra was one) when properly sorted, but there is a penalty when they step out.

**The Slug** · 20-12-2014, 00:35

Originally Posted by Paul

maybe showing my ignorance here, but wouldn't a lighter engine improve the weight distribution which in turn should improve handling characteristics? Lighter springs/damper settings calculated for the lighter engine would help with any skitishness?

Originally Posted by mr2by4

If a heavier engine helped to settle the car, he had his suspension set up incorrectly. I know that tire pressure, bound and rebound as well as springs could all cause the car to feel skittish with a light rear end. I have driven heavy tailed cars, and they can feel quite planted (my 1976 Turbo Carerra was one) when properly sorted, but there is a penalty when they step out.

Me, I just take advice from the guys that have the car's, have competed in them for years successfully, covered several thousand miles and appear to know what they are talking about from experience.
I find its something you can't pick up from a book, experience.

Good luck with your engine choice and suspension setup, it will be interesting to see which way go, and how far from what others have done you end up with.