So happy I'm not into numbers or performance mods. I just love driving whatever is in front of me.

I apologize for this post, and my disregard for .1 differences in stats.

 

So happy I'm not into numbers or performance mods. I just love driving whatever is in front of me.

I apologize for this post, and my disregard for .01 differences in stats.

I have put 2000 miles on my car in 7 weeks driving the mountain roads of Arizona not once worrying about the 0-60 time. On another note...some people would like to know the performance of certain mods. I will do the best to provide some useful information in my spare time. Have a great day driving you Spider.

 

Thx for taking the time to post
Mike

 

Yes. Thank you Pure. Can I call you Pure?

Many of us are interested in how much improvement a certain device or combination of devices can provide. I have the same set up, except for the muffler delete. I noticed a bit more rumble out the back when I installed the EDL. Did you notice that or had you already deleted the muffler? Also, did you purchase a part online, or go to a muffler shop to delete your muffler?

 

Pure is just fine. I already had the muffler delete on. I had it made by a local muffler shop. Some of these shops are really good at this type of stuff.

 

You can load the converter up to around 2600-2700 rpm. This produced the fastest time of 6.40 seconds but also produced wheel spin out of the hole.

Good job. 6.4 is a pretty good time. There are no official 0-60 specs for the automatic as far as I can tell, but I think that's a full 1 second faster than stock. It's tough to tell because the numbers are effected by a lot of variables. TFL got about 8.7 in their "very unofficial" 0-60 test, but that was in San Diego, I assume in higher temperatures, and with two people in the car. They had a stick shift, but it doesn't look like they were shifting very fast :

I had multiple runs of 6.44 to 6.48 seconds. On a stickier surface I believe you may be able to load it a little more, possibly to almost 3000 rpm. With the top up, a cooler morning and a stickier surface a 6.0 or 5.9 could be possible.

sticky surface and lower temps and you just might.

Manually shifting the automatic may also produce a faster time due the requirement of the transmission to make a shift from 2 to 3 right before 60 mph. My next runs will be made manually shifting the car. I will try to get out early in the morning to make some manual runs.

I don't think it will with the Dynamic map, but maybe. It's worth trying. Shifting at 6250 with that map seems to work pretty well.

Greg

 

Good job. 6.4 is a pretty good time. There are no official 0-60 specs for the automatic as far as I can tell, but I think that's a full 1 second faster than stock. It's tough to tell because the numbers are effected by a lot of variables. TFL got about 8.7 in their "very unofficial" 0-60 test, but that was in San Diego, I assume in higher temperatures, and with two people in the car. They had a stick shift, but it doesn't look like they were shifting very fast : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ3RkIzN8as




sticky surface and lower temps and you just might.



I don't think it will with the Dynamic map, but maybe. It's worth trying. Shifting at 6250 with that map seems to work pretty well.

Greg

Not the horsepower up there between 6250-6500 that would make a difference in the times but maybe it will hit 60 before it shifts again if I go to 6500. It will be real close. Missing that extra shift could make a big difference. We will see.

 

Lets ask Greg also what he thinks about the torque converter. Thy have done a lot of testing on this engine...what do you think Greg. How durable is this tranny...especially the torque converter?

 

We haven't tested one all the way to destruction. However we think it's very durable, probably able to handle 2400rpm launches and any amount of power the stock turbo can throw at is.

Greg

 

We haven't tested one all the way to destruction...

The Aisin TB-65SN (Mazda code SJ6A-EL) is rated to 221 ft-lb (300 Nm).

 

Why are people so obsessed with 0-60 times? They are car abuse and not a great real world measure of performance anyway. And the 124 is a sports car not a drag racer. If you want to drag race you bought the wrong car.

 

I think obsessed is too strong a word. We are interested in all aspects of performance. Clearly if I was obsessed with 0-60 times, I wouldn't have bought a Fiat 124, or a Fiat 500L, or a Fiat 500 Abarth, or any of the other cars I own. This is just one aspect of performance, and it's the topic of this particular thread.

Greg

 

I believe 0-60/62 is a real world measure of performance. That spec has been used for at least 50 years not only in the U.S. but around the world as a measure of performance. Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Chevrolet, Mopar, Ford and almost every other manufacturer go to the trouble to test and publish these times for a reason. Now that being said...it is not the only measure. You also have handling(suspension/chassis/brakes) of the car. They all fit together to define a performance automobile. You can have the best suspension in the world under a chassis but if it take 18 seconds to get to 60...that's not real world performance. And vice-versa.

 

0-60/62 is a "generally accepted" measure, but it's not a good one or a "real world" one. 80-120kph (50-75mph) would be a much more "real world" measure and much less susceptible to "variables". I've owned cars like a Renaultsport Megane that struggle to launch cleanly and can only muster 6 secs 0-62 that can keep a Boxster S honest 50-75. That's "real world" performance.

 

Looking at the question from a different perspective: Isn't any argument against 0-60 being important, an argument against the Limited Slip Differential being important, when you already have Electronic Stability Control? They serve similar functions in keeping power focused on the proper wheel, and the only time when the ESC is not significantly effective is at launch.

 

Huh? How do you draw that bow. ESC & LSD don't serve the same purpose at all.

 

RBH58...I think we all understand at this time that you don't believe 0-60 is a mark of all world performance. Fine...that is your opinion. However this thread was started for those who believe it is and would like to discuss it as such. I suggest you start your own thread about your topic and quit taking this one off track.

 

Im discussing 0-60 times. How is that "off track"?

 

"I really don't need to get in a daily my d**k is bigger than your d**k thing. And if you needed to compensate that way then you'd buy a Hellcat."

How is this derogatory comment about 0-60 times??

 

As Pure said, if you don't think 0-60 is important, than you are in the wrong thread. This thread was started with a single purpose, and that was for 0-60 times.

I fully understand the importance of passing big trucks on the highway. We have that in the US as well, big triple trailer trucks, and sometimes you have to pass a double trailer on a two lane road. The extra power from Euro+Drive Lite is very helpful in these situations. However LSD is totally worthless in that scenario since the car isn't going to be breaking its tires loose in the 50+ and up highway range anyway.

LSD primarily helps in three conditions. It helps a lot at very low speeds when tire spin is a factor. That's why it's relevant to 0-60 times. It also helps at the track when exiting a tight corner with a lot of power on. In that condition without LSD the inside wheel can sometimes spin. That second scenario is mostly a race track issue, as it's pretty tough to drive the car that hard on the street, and even if you do, on the street you probably don't care than much about shaving off a tiny bit of time before the next corner. The third condition is when your car would otherwise be stuck on a slippery surface, like ice.

LSD and ESC are different, but at times perform very similar functions. However I think that's a subject for another thread, as is the Hellcatenis Size topic.

Greg

 

This thread subject was a 0-60. I dared to suggest it was a meaningless measure subject to too many variables and not "real world" because nobody drives like that 99.99% of the time and I get flamed for suggesting it. I don't think it was off topic. As for the ESC v LSD thing, yes they are both improve control in very different ways. With a RWD car I'd lose ESC before I'd want to lose LSD.

 

This thread subject was a 0-60. I dared to suggest it was a meaningless measure subject to too many variables and not "real world" because nobody drives like that 99.99% of the time and I get flamed for suggesting it. I don't think it was off topic.

I'm not flaming you, I just happen to think that it is an important metric for some people, mostly in the USA.

As for the ESC v LSD thing, yes they are both improve control in very different ways. With a RWD car I'd lose ESC before I'd want to lose LSD.

Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and see it differently

Greg

 

All that aside, I've come to understand that the point of the post is to ascertain whether or not people are wasting their money by fitting various performance upgrades, and acknowledge that to achieve this we need baseline performance figures, which 0-60 is undisputedly one of.

 

​

Well said... that is all I am asking.

 

Don't we all? The cars in my garage are all about fun. But I wouldn't back either of them to embarrass an reasonably competent family SUV away from a set of traffic lights.

 

I do all my racing with no one else in the other lane now...you never have to worry about losing?

 

I went out for a drive just a little while ago and couldn't resist just one quick pull to 60 mph. The ambient was actually 86 compared to 75 before and I had only 1/4 tank of gas. I brought it up to about 2300 rpm before take off. I let the computer shift from 1-2 at 6250 then moved it over to manual for the 2/3 shift and ran it out to 6500 then shut down. The road was sticky because of bright sun and warmer temps so no wheel slippage today. All this added up to a new best of 6.10 secs. I am now fairly certain 5.9s are obtainable. This is one fun little car...ready to run the curvy mountain roads, the autocross track or just a straight interstate on the way home. Enjoy your Spider today...take a drive.

 

My best so far is 6.54. I am not exceeding 2000 rpm at start. I have not installed a new exhaust system. Still debating that. (For you Aussies, the exhaust mod is not so much for 0-60, but for sound.)

 

what difference have you noticed with that set up? Just different sound or better (or worse!) engine pickup?
Do you get any resonance at certain speeds?
As you say that has to be the easiest back box (muffler) delete.

 

No drone or resonance at any rpm. The sound is considerably better. The way it should have been to start with. As far as performance I am sure it reduces backpressure a little which can increase turbo spool up. I have other mods that would not allow me to see a difference in the muffler hence my improved 0-60 times.

 

I'm in love with the sound of the record monza exhaust. Sounds angry. Lots of pops and burbling.

I've heard the muffler delete online too. engine sounds huge with that, definitely not like a 1.4L 4 cylinder.

 

We need a better picture...anyone got one??

 

This comes with the following quote: Monza exhaust and the famous valve that gets stuck due to rust... but even with the rust issues, all the folks seem to love it. This is on a 500.

Looks like the same valve as on the 124 Monza exhaust on the previous page.

 

From Fiat USA website

"Record Monza Dual Mode Performance Exhaust

An interesting detail is in Europe, the Abarth's free flowing exhaust muffler is changed out at Abarth's central headquarters for a Record Monza system which features an exhaust bypass valve. In the US, the Record Monza will be offered as a Mopar accessory. Changes in exhaust noise pass-by standards, as well as a way to keep the price down, were contributing factors to that decision".

So that seems to imply two modes. Possibly activated by the "Sport" button? Any Euro/UK dwellers on here got one?

 

Those are very good times for the real world at altitude. It's important to remember that published magazine times are usually "corrected" times and not the times that were actually seen. The correction factors are pretty unreliable for a turbo car.

Greg

 

5.97 0-60 Today

For those who are following this thread..new best today...made it into the 5's...5.97 secs 0-60 mph...one run only and with wheel spin still and 1/2 tank more fuel then what I had when I ran a 6.06...there is still more left...

 

For those who are following this thread..new best today...made it into the 5's...5.97 secs 0-60 mph...one run only and with wheel spin still and 1/2 tank more fuel then what I had when I ran a 6.06...there is still more left...

Am thinking this thread needs some videos!

 

Let's get this started with what's already available...

Looks to be around the ~7 sec mark.

Looks to be around the ~8 sec mark.

Looks to be around the ~8 sec mark.

 

Looks to be around the ~8 sec mark.

 

So pretty much in line with what they should do. 7 secs for the Abarth and 8 secs for the Fiat.

 

That seems about right, although a little slower for the automatics.

Greg