Newbie getting information

Hello group,
I am new here. I don't have a Spyder yet but I am intrigued by them. I'm in the process of obtaining information on these unique vehicles. My wife has given me permission to pursue my mid life crisis-mobile!! As a result I have a few questions to ask the group:

1. For most Spyders, the rear suspension seems to be a swing axle setup instead of IRS. How does this affect handling?

2. With the mid engine set-up, how long can I expect the transaxle to last? It is turing in the opposite direction than originally designed is it not?

3. How difficult is it to service the engine? i.e. distributor, belt and generator replacement etc.

4. Here comes the really dumb question: do these cars come with heaters? I live in Baltimore Md. where the winters can be a little cold and I would like to drive the beast year round. I used to drive a MG Midget in my sheepskin bomber jacket and almost always had the top down.

Thanks in advance for a reply,
Gene DiGennaro
Baltimore, Md,

Gene,

I'm relatively new to the Spyder thing, but did some research before buying mine and also owned/drove some of the earlier 356's, Beetles, etc. Mike, Larry, George (And others) have much more knowledge than I, so I'm sure they'll chime in if something I say isn't quite accurate (Or dead wrong!).

1. Handling:

Handling is quick and you must pay attention more than in your average car. Swing axle oversteer can be a problem "on the edge" but under normal, even spirited, driving isn't a big deal.

2. Transaxle:

The positioning of the transaxle isn't that big a deal...Many.most used in these cars are purpose built for the application and are quite durable. Just like any other manual tranny, what makes the difference is how the driver uses/abuses it.

3. Servicing the engine:

With the engine facing the "wrong way," any kind of tinkering between the engine and the firewall is requires time and patience, but it isn't THAT difficult...Just don't decide to change the fan belt an hour before you are supposed to be at a wedding.

4. Heater:

I haven't heard of a heater in a Spyder. With the exception of a couple of 20 minute drives on "warm" (55 degree) days, mine has stayed parked this winter (I'm in northern Georgia). Vicki V, on the other hand, drives hers daily and she's in Nashville.

Hope this helps.

TMc

1. My car's not on the road yet, so can't really answer you.
2. The only thing spinning the opposite way is the ring gear and axles and bearings. All other shafts/gears spin the same way.
3. There is at least 3 inches of space with a type 1 motor. Some guys make a removable panel for distributor/fan belt access. Anyway, with electronic ignition you won't need to retime it ever. Vintage Spyders have more room due to no torsion housing. Type 4's are a little longer than type 1, but will fit.
4. Some guys install electric heaters under the dash, and say they are effective. They don't use the cigarette lighter types. I would recommend a hardwired one with good sized wire #8 or #6, and don't forget a heavy ground wire also. BTW, it was zero degrees in NY state on Sunday morning. I am contemplating a heater or two under the dash as well. I saw a Beck Spyder with heater boxes in 1991, but it was a stock size motor, and I don't know if it would be worth the trouble with a hi-po motor. That would require large bore heater boxes so there wouldn't be excessive back pressure. You also need to duct the air and provide a fan to push the air.

I currently in the MD area for the next week so you can give me a call

hblake@tulane.edu

Actually, I believe that only the axles and bearings are spinning in a reverse direction

The ring gear is moved from one side to the other and is turning in its correct rotation in relationship to the pinion gear.

Gene-o
As long as you dress warmly, you'll have no problem driving around town and on trips. I drove my Spydie in weather in the 20's, maybe even a teen or two, this year, with the driver window out and did fine. I'm not saying it is as warm as a car with a heater, and in very cold weather, you'd need hand and feet protection for a long trip. But it is certainly doable. It was in the 30's and 40's this weekend and we did a 300 mile trip with both windows in and had to take off coats!! My Speedster was A LOT colder than Spydie and I drove it in a much worse winter last year. Very drafty car.
v v

Larry, don't be pedantic!

I wasn't being pedantic, some people, the author of this thread included, believe that the gears are actually turning the wrong way in a mid-engine configuration.

Didn't want to perpetuate this mis-conception

Just having fun, maybe I'll get threatened by certain multi-named posters that I will "lose a battle of wits" or something to that effect.

Lets hope that it doesn't come to that. I think he is on his best behavior and wants to participate in an adult manner.

Who do you think now wants to participate in an adult manner, Larry? Are you referring to yours truly?

John,
More appropriately, you should be asking Daniel that question.

But I do believe that he's referring to you.

To answer your question, yes, I'm referring to you in my post.

From what you've communicated to me, I believe that you now want to conform, actively participate, and want to do the right thing !!!!

Am I correct????

Yes sir, Larry. I am a fellow Spyder owner and would like to participate & contribute any knowledge and or questions pertaining to these awesome motor cars.

PS: And you now have proof that I'm a Spyder owner from the photos that I e-mailed you. I told you from the start that I was 100% ligit when it came to owning a few awesome cars.

what's a girl to believe anymore?

ah Oh, Larry; SpyderMike just called you a girl. Thats a rather degrading comment towards a tough retired veteran cop like you. Are you going to take that? (just kidding LOL)HA HA

Avy, that was actually a barb aimed at you in jest.

It is hard to remember what is the truth and what was a fabrication with you John - I was using a line from something I remember (and damned if I can't remember where than line comes from) to comment on just that.

Ole
Miguel