HF 1.3 series 2?

[RobD]

Is anybody aware of any Series 2 1.3HFs being built by the factory ? I can't find any official reference to such a model but I've seen one or two series 2 cars on You Tube where the owners state they are 1.3 HFs . I assume these are simply lookalikes .

[Neil]

Second series coupes (including Fulvia 3, Montecarlo and Safari models) only came as 1.3S & 1600 HF/Lusso, no 1.3HFs just series 1 1.3 HF (818.340/341), possibly 1.3s with HF parts fitted such as front suspension.

[stanley sweet]

Yes, 1st series only. My S2 is 'in the spirit of'.

[RobD]

This Ser 2 "HF" 1.3 has been the inspiration for what I'm trying to create with my car.
Hopefully by the spring my car will be sounding and going as well as this one ...well that's the plan anyway...

https://youtu.be/cGiZR23VyhQ

[lancialulu]

Nice. Are you going to modify the front wishbones??

Or are you going for the Rosso Corsa "fully" adjustables setup?

[RobD]

Modifying the wishbones is a definte possibility Tim but I don't like doing stuff until I've got a benchmark. I'd like to do a few hillclimbs with the standard set up to see how it feels. I like the feel and predictability of the standard car and I'd need to be sure that a bit of negative camber on the front would bring some meaningful benefits. The experience gained bike racing taught me not to modify things just because everybody else seems to be doing it.

The first priority is to
 1] build an engine with decent bore and valve seals.
2] make sure a sufficient quantity of mixture can be introduced into the engine and compressed accordingly and
3] ensure the spark plug sets fire to it at the correct time.

Getting those three basics right is currently occupying a great deal of my free time

[stanley sweet]

Am I right in thinking that the 1.3HF's have positive camber and negative was introduced with the 1.6?

[RobD]

The pictures I've seen would certainly seem to suggest that Stanley. It could be that because the 1.3 HFs were mainly destined to be loose surface rally cars rather than tarmac racers it was preferable to stick with neutral camber. Negative camber, whilst potentially desirable for high speed cornering on tarmac can reduce the available grip under braking and acceleration. 

[lancialulu]

I thought the replica HF had negative camber..... Seemed quite at home on hill climby roads!

[RobD]

From the look of it I'd say the replica definitely had negative camber! Not to mention some closer ratio cogs. It's also being driven by someone who clearly knows his stuff...

[stanley sweet]

Yes - the way it was going around those corners would suggest that - at that speed mine would probably plough on off the road. The Zagato I had from Richard Fridd had negative camber - it certainly felt sharper when I used it on track days - you could really chuck it into a corner. I've read that neg camber results in heavier steering at road speeds but I don't have any great memory of that. Be interesting to drive a Fulvia with neg camber again on the road to see how different it is.

[Richard Fridd]

The modified wishbones were the best single improvement to the car. Altering the ride height also affected the camber. Lower=increase to positive

[lancialulu]

Needs 6j offset to work as intended.

[stanley sweet]

What did you do to the wishbones, Richard. Shorten the top one, lengthen the bottom one, or a bit of both?

[Richard Fridd]

Top pressed wishbone shortened by welding two washers close to the existing holes and drilling two new holes in the washer centres. Bottom tubular wishbones lengthened, by cutting and internally sleeving, then rewelding the 'gap'. Small chages in length have quite an effect regarding camber. One thing to consider, is maintaining the original position of the outer CV joint. 6JX14 Campagnolos were fitted.