26-February-2003

After a couple months of research, I finally took the plunge and started ordering parts. I've ordered tires, wheels, shocks, and springs. I'm sticking pretty close to budget actually, with a few "extra" expenses pushing me over the edge.

Tires
I originally intended to run either 215/50-13 or 235/45-13 Kumho Ecsta tires, since they would give me decent life, withstand the occasional trip on the street, and not be to expensive. However, I came across some fairly fresh used Hoosier A3S03 225/50-13 autocross tires. Four tires with a few runs on them Ð still showing holographic tread Ð and two tires with about half tread for $150. I couldn't pass that up.

Wheels
I ordered a set of 13x8-inch Diamond Racing Mini-Stock wheels. These wheels come in either black or silver, but I will be painting these white. Diamond offered to powder coat them white for me, or send them with no finish. I opted for no finish, saving me a little money. I have a good source for powder coating through work, so I might get that done, or just go cheap and rattle can them white.

Since these wheels require a special 45-degree taper lug nut, I decided to make my life easier and convert the Fiat to wheel studs. Diamond did not list M12x1.25 45-degree taper nuts, but after calling, they said they had some. I have found some M12x1.25 60-degree taper nuts from a local tire store for cheap, and I plan on getting either threaded rod, or some 2-inch long bolts and making studs. This has added about $75 to the project, but will be a good upgrade.

Shocks
After much research, I decided to try a set of SPAX adjustable shocks. I knew the Konis would work, but unfortunately they don' t offer external adjustments. I've had experience with these on old Saab's, and hated the fact I couldn't make quick adjustments. I could get these modified to have external adjustments, but that would add considerable cost to an already expensive unit. The SPAX units offer 24-way external adjustment, and were roughly $75 each. The giant mail order company NOPI was listed on the SPAX web site as a dealer, and believe it or not, had them listed in their e-catalog. My only reservation is that they won't have them in stock, and might take a while to get, or they will come back and say they can't get them.

Springs
I've done quite a bit of research to determine what length and rate of spring I want for the Fiat. I will not be installing bone-jarring spring rates suitable for national-level CSP competition. Instead, I've selected some "mild" rates of 300# front and 250# rear. I found an excellent resource on the web, Century Spring out of L.A. They had a great online catalog, so I could peruse page after page of spring dimensions, before settling on the ones I wanted. I don't intend to lower the car too much, roughly 1-inch all around.

Seats
I have been researching seats for Mr. Fiat. I want to get some old school looking racing buckets. Nothing fancy or expensive, just some basic black little dune buggy style. I've found a couple sources, including some from Summit Racing. This will probably be a purchase I'll do after I start driving the car some.

diamond.jpg Diamond Racing Mini-Stock Wheel	hoosier.jpg Hoosier A3S03 Autocross Tire	seat.jpg Summit Racing Seat with Ugly Blue Cover
spax.jpg SPAX GSX Adjustable Shock	spring.jpg Incredibly Detailed Coil Spring Drawing