Thanks for sharing your experience John. I acquired an '86 and have been considering several performance upgrades that you have covered in your videos.
I just got an 1986 fiat Bertone x 1-9 for free from someone and thinking of rebuilding it back would like some tips of engines .thinking of a Honda 20 engine not sure if that’s right. Thank you for your vids really informative.
Those CD wheels still look very good, they are an absolute classic, keep them. If you really want do do some competition, remember to rev a warm engine and let her cool down while running afterwards, your head gasket will thank you.
Had my X1/( back in the day, came with an Abarth system already installed (2 double tips) looked and sounded great. Not sure if they are still available.
That would be a no on the 205/15, not gonna gain more mechanical grip with a larger tire. Largest suggested tire would be 195/50/15.. NO larger than this. ~What are your goals for this x1/9? There will be more drag or friction loss due to the alteration of the contact patch. Regardless of the size tire, contact patch remains much the same area, what changes is the shape of that contact patch with differing sized tires. If you're after mechanical grip go direct to "R" compound tires. That WILL make a difference in grip. As for rim width, 6" is often good enough, 6.5" is really pushing it for clearance in the front. Altering wheel offset alters steering geometry and scrub radius. This will alter the feel of the car and mechanical grip. Lowering the car more than ideal for the design of the suspension will reduce mechanical grip rather than improve it. The front should be slightly nose up for the suspension to be where it need to be. As for wheel bearings, 1300cc/4sp cars had the smaller 128 based wheel bearings. They can be a problem, but not any where near as awful as many believe it is. 1500cc/5sp wheel bearings front & rear are completely different. They are MUCH larger with the rear wheel bearing, hub/uprights direct from the Lancia MonteCarlo-Scoprion. Know these were designed for the power of a 3.0 liter V6 or why upping the power in a 1500cc/5speed x1/9 well past 500bhp/500lb/ft of torque is not an issue in any way. The exhaust system must have a flex pipe or a flex joint or it is assured to fail. The stock exhaust on the x1/9 has a stainless steel muffler and a flex joint using three stainless steel springs and special nuts that do not come loose. To prevent future failure of this exhaust system, a flex pipe or flex joint must be added or the problems will continue to grow and worsen as the welded joints heat cycle and crack. Any hardware used on he exhaust system MUST have nickel based anti-seize to stop the nuts & bolts from becoming inseparable. There are copper plated exhaust nuts (these would be M8) that work far better than the "deformed" prevailing torque nuts shown in the video. Know about Xweb?
Thanks for your input, Rapunzel. I guess I'm just out of luck with tires then. I had 185s on 13 and 14" wheels that were Toyo R888s. The only other option is 185/60/13 Hoosiers if I can find them, but I would have to buy yet another set of wheels. My goal at this point is to sell it because I can't autocross it.
@@johnlawson2576 If your're serous about solo II aka Autocross, tires would be R compound and NOT anything in 205/50/15. Wheels & tires are consumable-disposable items on any Solo II_autocross car. Really sounding like the x1/9 is not for you.
@@rupunzel6299 I have been autocrossing for 17 years. I have 22 wheels between my two competition vehicles. They haven't called it solo II for at least ten years. Most competition these days is on 200tw tires. The classes have changed quite a bit. Its just not worth it to keep trying to run a vintage car that isn't supported by tire or wheel manufacturers. I usually compete in a 370Z that has a lot better tire/wheel options. They are expensive tires at 285/35/19 though!
What front brake upgrades did you do there? I must still start working on my car again. I've been useless 🤣🤣 my fenders are flared so that helps me a lot with tyre space
@@johnlawson2576 ok. I'm putting on my lenso 17inch on myne that i have from my racing gocart. My fenders are flared so clearance is not a problem. I just need to machine spacers for 4x98 to 5stud. Will get some aluminium billets. I just need 40mm of sett
@@johnlawson2576 i have a ford granada front hub from the go-cart which is 5x120 i think i must engineer bracket for it to work in front. Then i automatically have bigger brakes and strong hub in front
Those wheels do not suit the X19 at all. TBH, I'm not keen on the standard ones either. I think the original 3 spoke are the better suited or final editions multi-spoke style.
As you probably know, you're increasing rotating mass and unsprung weight by going to a bigger wheel. Also, X1/9s and 128s have weak unit wheel bearings to start with. Maybe your cornering will make up for less acceleration
The real problem is lack of tire and wheel selection. Compromises are kind of inevitable. 195/45/15s are almost gone now, too. Ideally I would run 200 treadwear 185/60/13 tires on 13x6 wheels, but they don't exist.
Hi John, I'm in the UK and I spent a lot of time three years ago, stuck exactly where you are now. This isn't meant to be a criticism, but I think 13'' wheels are an essential part of the X19 formula, were also used in the Gp5 Dallara, and are still the preferred choice at competition level for sprints and hill climbs eg Manuel Dondi, Thomas Kohler. The smaller the wheel the lower the inertial mass - they spin up quickly. Fifteen inch wheels will mean you will be stuck with 35 or 45 section tyres, you'll need to raise the car on the struts to avoid fouling the front arches, and not to mention they will look wrong. What you need is a road legal motorsport tyre for all weathers. The Lotus Elise still uses 13", and Avon produced the control tyre for it. It's called the Avon ZZS, in 195 /55 /13, it has an incredibly tough sidewall and is closer to a 205 in terms of width, in fact was designed to replace the 205. You can run these on a 6J but the next size up (215), requires a 7J. You can run a 7J on the rear with custom offsets, without modding the arch externally. Internally you will need to either roll the arch or just reduce the lip by 10mm. I'm running the 195's all round, on gas coilovers, nearly three inches below stock in terms of ride height, no issues. Also, those period alloys are real heavy by modern standards. I use Billet Ultralites from image wheels, which are 35% lighter. I can send you some pictures of the setup if you want. Springs wise, I'm about to install Faulkners all round, 225 rear and 175 front. I've been working down steadily from 300/250! I got an Addco front swaybar, reckon these are essential, standard rack but small diameter steering wheel. There's also a company called Tillett, they make FIA approved carbon shell seats for the Elise Cup, which fit the X but you'll need to fabricate custom runners. You can save a lot of weight over the oe seats, plus gain five inches of legroom. I'm fitting a 150bhp 1500 with ITBs, and close ratios from the Punto GT. Gordon Fogarty has built a 200bhp small block, just under 2 litre, using the Fiat Tipo block as the base. Check out my blog at RMS Motoring Forum / Members Cars / The Ultimate X. Regarding Allison's exhaust, I purchased their 4-1-2 system and I'm hoping it'll be quiet but I've not fitted it yet. It was very expensive, and arrived packed in a single layer cardboard box without any padding. The box was ripped and the muffler dented. Their response was - well, you got it, so what's the problem? Anyway, I had my engineer guy look at it. He said it looked like a copy of a good design, but the collector was very poorly made.
@@markbowden7238 Hi Mark, saw your project on RMS and wondered if you still have a car to sell? Have had a couple of X1/9s in the past and fancied another.
I just recently purchased a 79 and I appreciate your videos. My plan involves significant modifications and your videos have been informative 👍👍
Thanks for sharing your experience John. I acquired an '86 and have been considering several performance upgrades that you have covered in your videos.
Good luck with your X!
I just got an 1986 fiat Bertone x 1-9 for free from someone and thinking of rebuilding it back would like some tips of engines .thinking of a Honda 20 engine not sure if that’s right. Thank you for your vids really informative.
Those CD wheels still look very good, they are an absolute classic, keep them. If you really want do do some competition, remember to rev a warm engine and let her cool down while running afterwards, your head gasket will thank you.
Great video 🏁
Had my X1/( back in the day, came with an Abarth system already installed (2 double tips) looked and sounded great. Not sure if they are still available.
In light of all the trouble you had with the Allison exhaust do you recommend Allison exhaust systems ?
The bends are too sharp and there is no flex joint to deal with the vibration. The drone at 3500 rpm is severe. Maybe better to have one made custom.
That would be a no on the 205/15, not gonna gain more mechanical grip with a larger tire. Largest suggested tire would be 195/50/15.. NO larger than this.
~What are your goals for this x1/9?
There will be more drag or friction loss due to the alteration of the contact patch. Regardless of the size tire, contact patch remains much the same area, what changes is the shape of that contact patch with differing sized tires. If you're after mechanical grip go direct to "R" compound tires. That WILL make a difference in grip. As for rim width, 6" is often good enough, 6.5" is really pushing it for clearance in the front. Altering wheel offset alters steering geometry and scrub radius. This will alter the feel of the car and mechanical grip. Lowering the car more than ideal for the design of the suspension will reduce mechanical grip rather than improve it. The front should be slightly nose up for the suspension to be where it need to be. As for wheel bearings, 1300cc/4sp cars had the smaller 128 based wheel bearings. They can be a problem, but not any where near as awful as many believe it is. 1500cc/5sp wheel bearings front & rear are completely different. They are MUCH larger with the rear wheel bearing, hub/uprights direct from the Lancia MonteCarlo-Scoprion. Know these were designed for the power of a 3.0 liter V6 or why upping the power in a 1500cc/5speed x1/9 well past 500bhp/500lb/ft of torque is not an issue in any way.
The exhaust system must have a flex pipe or a flex joint or it is assured to fail. The stock exhaust on the x1/9 has a stainless steel muffler and a flex joint using three stainless steel springs and special nuts that do not come loose. To prevent future failure of this exhaust system, a flex pipe or flex joint must be added or the problems will continue to grow and worsen as the welded joints heat cycle and crack. Any hardware used on he exhaust system MUST have nickel based anti-seize to stop the nuts & bolts from becoming inseparable. There are copper plated exhaust nuts (these would be M8) that work far better than the "deformed" prevailing torque nuts shown in the video.
Know about Xweb?
Thanks for your input, Rapunzel. I guess I'm just out of luck with tires then. I had 185s on 13 and 14" wheels that were Toyo R888s. The only other option is 185/60/13 Hoosiers if I can find them, but I would have to buy yet another set of wheels. My goal at this point is to sell it because I can't autocross it.
@@johnlawson2576 Why not autocross-able?
The smallest tires with any kind of selection for autocross are 205/50/15. I am AZ Drifter on Xweb, but I rarely go on there anymore.
@@johnlawson2576 If your're serous about solo II aka Autocross, tires would be R compound and NOT anything in 205/50/15.
Wheels & tires are consumable-disposable items on any Solo II_autocross car.
Really sounding like the x1/9 is not for you.
@@rupunzel6299 I have been autocrossing for 17 years. I have 22 wheels between my two competition vehicles. They haven't called it solo II for at least ten years. Most competition these days is on 200tw tires. The classes have changed quite a bit. Its just not worth it to keep trying to run a vintage car that isn't supported by tire or wheel manufacturers. I usually compete in a 370Z that has a lot better tire/wheel options. They are expensive tires at 285/35/19 though!
Very interesting video thanks for the information. For the muffler i will suggest to installing a short flex pipe .saluti dal Canada.
What front brake upgrades did you do there?
I must still start working on my car again. I've been useless 🤣🤣 my fenders are flared so that helps me a lot with tyre space
I just rebuilt the calipers and went with EBC greenstuff brake pads and DOT 5 fluid.
@@johnlawson2576 so still your original hubs?
@@aldostefanini1392 I replaced the rears. Just under 100,000 miles on the fronts. Replaced the wheel bearings. Original hubs.
@@johnlawson2576 ok. I'm putting on my lenso 17inch on myne that i have from my racing gocart. My fenders are flared so clearance is not a problem. I just need to machine spacers for 4x98 to 5stud. Will get some aluminium billets. I just need 40mm of sett
@@johnlawson2576 i have a ford granada front hub from the go-cart which is 5x120 i think i must engineer bracket for it to work in front. Then i automatically have bigger brakes and strong hub in front
Full send, throw some 17 inch wheels off the new spider on it like I did my spider 2000 😂
Catalytic con what?
Those wheels do not suit the X19 at all. TBH, I'm not keen on the standard ones either. I think the original 3 spoke are the better suited or final editions multi-spoke style.
As you probably know, you're increasing rotating mass and unsprung weight by going to a bigger wheel. Also, X1/9s and 128s have weak unit wheel bearings to start with. Maybe your cornering will make up for less acceleration
The real problem is lack of tire and wheel selection. Compromises are kind of inevitable. 195/45/15s are almost gone now, too. Ideally I would run 200 treadwear 185/60/13 tires on 13x6 wheels, but they don't exist.
Hi John, I'm in the UK and I spent a lot of time three years ago, stuck exactly where you are now.
This isn't meant to be a criticism, but I think 13'' wheels are an essential part of the X19 formula, were also used in the Gp5 Dallara, and are still the preferred choice at competition level for sprints and hill climbs eg Manuel Dondi, Thomas Kohler.
The smaller the wheel the lower the inertial mass - they spin up quickly.
Fifteen inch wheels will mean you will be stuck with 35 or 45 section tyres, you'll need to raise the car on the struts to avoid fouling the front arches, and not to mention they will look wrong.
What you need is a road legal motorsport tyre for all weathers.
The Lotus Elise still uses 13", and Avon produced the control tyre for it.
It's called the Avon ZZS, in 195 /55 /13, it has an incredibly tough sidewall and is closer to a 205 in terms of width, in fact was designed to replace the 205.
You can run these on a 6J but the next size up (215), requires a 7J.
You can run a 7J on the rear with custom offsets, without modding the arch externally. Internally you will need to either roll the arch or just reduce the lip by 10mm.
I'm running the 195's all round, on gas coilovers, nearly three inches below stock in terms of ride height, no issues.
Also, those period alloys are real heavy by modern standards.
I use Billet Ultralites from image wheels, which are 35% lighter.
I can send you some pictures of the setup if you want.
Springs wise, I'm about to install Faulkners all round, 225 rear and 175 front. I've been working down steadily from 300/250!
I got an Addco front swaybar, reckon these are essential, standard rack but small diameter steering wheel.
There's also a company called Tillett, they make FIA approved carbon shell seats for the Elise Cup, which fit the X but you'll need to fabricate custom runners.
You can save a lot of weight over the oe seats, plus gain five inches of legroom.
I'm fitting a 150bhp 1500 with ITBs, and close ratios from the Punto GT.
Gordon Fogarty has built a 200bhp small block, just under 2 litre, using the Fiat Tipo block as the base.
Check out my blog at RMS Motoring Forum / Members Cars / The Ultimate X.
Regarding Allison's exhaust, I purchased their 4-1-2 system and I'm hoping it'll be quiet but I've not fitted it yet.
It was very expensive, and arrived packed in a single layer cardboard box without any padding.
The box was ripped and the muffler dented.
Their response was - well, you got it, so what's the problem?
Anyway, I had my engineer guy look at it. He said it looked like a copy of a good design, but the collector was very poorly made.
@@markbowden7238 Hi Mark, saw your project on RMS and wondered if you still have a car to sell? Have had a couple of X1/9s in the past and fancied another.
@@patrickdixon4945 hello and very nice to hear from you.
Yes, I've got two for sale atm, both are E-reg, red, west Dorset.
@@patrickdixon4945 Happy New Year ... maybe you changed your mind or maybe I'm nowhere near you... best of luck tho!
If your competing, going up to 15 in will make the gearing even worse
Another trick you can roll those wheel well flares out with a baseball bat.
Anti-seize man!
195/40/15 would be ideal even 185/40/15
Do you find those on imaginarytires.com or the Tire Rack dark web site?
Time to go aw11.............
Those tacky wheels don't fit the character of a Fiat X1-9