Hi folks, I’ve just joined and am looking for some info on the Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo. I’d like to get as much info as possible before deciding on one next year. (I’ve got a load of questions so apologies for the long post but please jump in with any info/help as I’m new to these cars!)

I come from mainly a Saab background but fancy a change this time for something a little smaller and fun to drive...a bonkers 20v turbo would fit the bill nicely. Look, go & sound fantastic.

What’s the various models and specs of these and are the LE/Plus versions worth it? Are there any sought after ones to look for?
How are they like to live with as a daily?
Whats the running costs/servicing like?
Reliability….how often do they go bang!
Whats the main things to look out for when I view one….any good buying guides on line? (really don’t want to buy a pup)

Apologies if I keep mentioning Saab in this post but it’s all I’ve really got to compare with. The last car I had was a heavily modified 9000 Aero so I’d like to get the Coupe up to around the same power level which was between 450-470 bhp before I decided to scrap it. But I’m guessing I could get away with maybe 350-400bhp for similar on the road performance to the Saab with a smaller turbo like another GT28RS or GT3071R 0.64 instead of going back to the big laggy GT3076R that I’ve got upstairs!

Before I get to the engine mods I’d like to sort the handling dept!

Springs & Dampers
What’s a popular and good value suspension & brake package to go for? Can you get Bilstein B8 dampers with Eibach springs for these as they’re always a good combo or should I be looking elsewhere like Koni?
(I won’t be able stretch to coilovers).

Brakes
How about brake pads? I’ve found EBC Yellow Stuff ‘R’ pads great on both my previous cars so are they a popular choice here or do you go for something like DS2500/3000’s instead which also get great reviews?
Same with discs...what’s worth considering? I noticed a few have Brembo drilled discs fitted so is this a standard fit or popular good vfm upgrade?
I can’t afford a big brake kit so I guess that’s out!

ARB’s, Strut Braces & Polly Bushes
How do these handle with the standard stuff? Is it worth upgrading to thicker front & rear ARB’s or rear only?
Strut brace, I’m sure I read these come with them as standard so do you replace these with uprated ones?
What’s the score with swapping bushes for Powerflex ones? Should I do the whole lot or just a choice few?

Engine & gearbox questions

Engine
First question is how much power can these reliably take before you have to open them up and start uprating the internals?

We’re pretty lucky with the older Saab engines and 450-500bhp’s achievable with bolt on mods. What’s the score with these engines & how strong are they? I’ve seen a couple on ebay recently with Forged engines above 400bhp and seen one online above 500!!

Can they get 350/400bhp on standard internals with a gt28rs sized turbo & supporting mods?

Fiat tuning companies & decent tuning guide
Are there any dedicated Fiat tuning companies worth considering who sell off the shelf parts for these?
Is there a tuning guide online with the different tuning stages laid out with what needs upgrading and what the power levels are per stage? Just to get a better idea of what’s achievable and what can be salvaged off my last car (got some bits that might come in handy)

ECU Tuning & Fueling
Are there any guys here who can remap (and if possible live map) these or do you go for the pro tuners? If so which are recommended and which should I avoid? At what level should I upgrade the injectors, map sensor, FPR & pump?

Exhaust System & Intake
Any nice sounding cat back systems to consider and where do you source your 3” Down Pipes? Do the bigger power guys fit a tubular when fitting something like a GT30 sized turbo or keep the stock manifold?
Air filters….keep the standard box with drop in performance filter or fit a decent induction kit…where from/brand?

Intercooler
Question for the guys running 300+bhp, do you stick with the side mount IC or go for a FMIC?
China ones ok for these? What’s the max size & style to fit please? For

Gearbox differences
Do you keep to the same gearboxes if one pops or swap & change between different models, I’ve read the older cars are 5 speed and newer LE & Plus cars are 6 speed…what’s recommended and how strong/weak are they? I had loads of fun trying out different ratio boxes in the last car so how do the 5 & 6 speed compare? Do any coupe’s come with an LSD?

Clutch
What’s the uprated clutch options? I’m not too keen on paddle clutches...
At what stage would I be looking at uprating it for something a little more heavy duty?

Flywheel
Do you get a lightened one off the shelf or send the stock one off the get machined? Just thinking if I change the clutch may as well get this done same time to save on labour!

Recommended Garages in South Wales/Bristol?
All very new to me the Fiat scene so who’s worth going to and does a good job from basic servicing to a full engine rebuild/tune? How difficult are these to work on and do they need a fiat coupe specialist or can a competent garage cope ok?

Misc questions
Breather kit?
Lights…a few guys have said these can be poor?
Tyre/Wheel sizes…how big is too big/ruin the ride?

^^^^^^
That’s a shed load of questions sorry but these are very new to me!
Cheers, Dave

That is a lot of questions. Use the search and you'll get a lot of info.

Have a look at technics Car which is for sale. The spec on this will answer a few of your questions also



http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1387857#Post1387857

Welcome to the forum Dave. I have to say I like the way you think!

Have a read through this to give you some idea as to what is needed to reach the power levels you are aiming for... Clicky

Hi & thanks, yeah I've been looking at this one for some ideas, awesome! Price it's a bit out of reach for now. I'm hoping to get around £4.5k together by march to either pick up a nice slightly modded one or get something around the £2k mark and use the cash for any furhter engine/handling mods.

Thanks! I'll take a better look through the guide now. But going off that list I think stage 2 tune is what I'm initially after...350bhp was a nice place to be on the 9000

I've just found this beast on here!!! Wow!
http://www.fiatcoupeclub.org/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1299872&page=1

Is there a build thread for it?

Regarding the gearbox, 5 speed is the one to go for if you want a punchy 3rd gear. The 6 will give you better mpg (slightly)
I've had both and prefer the 5.

Welcome to the forum!

I think the first think you need to work out is what you want. Have you driven a good standard car? They feel quick and make a good gt car. If on the other hand you want a track toy then you could buy a car with a blown engine for very little money and go about forging it to run high 300's +bhp.

My opinion on tuning, is that if you want tune beyond beyond bolt on mods, buy a base model turbo with a good shell and build on that. I don't think the LE or plus models add anything if you're talking about a track car.

Welcome to the forum Dave

Welcome Dave.



Joe (Countrycruising) @ FCSS in Hereford/Worcester and Leighton (Flea) @ FCPerformance in Bristol would be the guys to speak to and should be able to answer all of your questions between them. They're both in the trader section on here as well. There are a few other respected specialists about too, but are further afield.

Hi Dave - glad you got your forum registration sorted.

Motor mech will very shortly have a heavily modded 20vt coming up for sale. Rough spec is;

Fully forged engine (wossner pistons, Cunningham rods)
Lightly flowed head
Modest turbo (gt28rsr, I think)
Aquamist
KW coil overs
17" Team Dynamics ProRace 1.2

Power is around the 400bhp mark, but capable of much more with a bigger turbo

It's broom yellow, 1998, and has done just 80,000 miles (10,000 since the forged build). Has full history, with a large box full of receipts and paperwork. Current owner has spent circa £20k in the last four years

Not sure on price yet, but should be within your budget

The 5 sounds more fun then! Do the Plus models also come with 5 speed?

Hi, I can't see it touching a track tbh mate. Going off my current cars usage it'll only be driven maybe 6 days a month as I work away and train/bus it instead of drive so I'm after something a bit mental to enjoy on my days off.

Thanks Theresa...got here in the end

Thanks for the info there. Theyre both roughly the same distance so I can see me taking it to each one in time. I've been reading up on the live mapping here...I think I'll be dropping it with Flea a few times when I add more bits!! Sounds really good!

Hi Nigel, as per the email thanks mate but typically it's a few months too early (just my luck really...and I quite like the yellow cars!!) dave

Edit- Whats the gt28rsr? New one on me I had the 0.64 gt28rs on the Saab before the 3076....fantastic turbo & loadsa fun!!!!

Absolutely no expert but I was reading the forum this morning - the rs will give you big boost at high revs but the rsr helps bottom end torque and will actually be more use in daily driving. Track? go rs. Road use? go rsr (and will be easier on your car).

Good luck,
Tim

Thanks, ill look into these rsr's a little more. Now we're talking turbo's! What's the 'super spool' turbo I've seen on a few cars?
Also does anyone here run a Holset turbo? I've done a search but can't find much info on them here, they're a pretty popular upgrade on the Saab scene for some big power instead of going down the Garrett GTBB route. I was going to fit this HE451ve VGT unit to my 9-3 but common sense kicked in and I've sacked the idea! It's huuuuge!

Pictured next to my 3076 (might fit this to the coupe though if I find a forged one next year at the right price)
[IMG]http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac307...073460725CE.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac307...0730149D253.jpg[/IMG]

With these forged engines what gets 'forged' altogether. Is it the pistons or do you uprate the conrods and lighten the crank etc? And what's the max bhp they can run?

Cheers Dave

???

Anyone running any more than jbt?

612!!!! Cool!
What's he running on that? Must be a complete animal

http://www.midlandscarservicing.co.uk/

This is his web site.

Think JBT is running "GTX 3076" .82 exhaust side?? And 4" exhaust.... Amongst many many many other things

Nick

Correct! The full story is in the magazine (Practical Performance Car); unfortunately there are a couple of pictures of John as well

GTX 3076 turbo (serious bit of kit!!) sadly out of my price range but they're meant to give awesome top end power and much quicker spooling than my old gt3076r.
4" exhaust...is that from the turbo back? So a 4" DP

What kind of figures are guys getting with a 0.64 gt3076r? That one in my link is a bit different to the one on my last car so not sure how it'll be on the coupe. Last one was a 0.86 with 0.50 comp housing (looked identical to a 0.86 3071) so fairly laggy but good fun above 80!

I'll have a look for that tomorrow, I can never find a copy in my local agents though!

Think Fleas own car was running .64 gt3076 and made 502 bhp....
Also think Begbie runs this turbo on his 16vt.... He's making 435 bhp at a miserly 1.5 bar of boost (actually about 1.35 bar towards red line as I think his injectors can't cope?)....

He is