Fiat Coupe 20VT
Discussion
Love them. Got rid of mine in February and my mate bought it so now has three of the buggers. Pointless having a car in London especially with parking and ULEZ charges. I miss it but it was giving me some grief.
Which year/colour is yours? I'm posting this at work so can't see any images which you may have uploaded.
Which year/colour is yours? I'm posting this at work so can't see any images which you may have uploaded.
Thanks for reply, I purchased my car back in July this year, I had wanted one about twelve years ago but others things got in the way. It’s a Portofino blue example with 80,000 miles up and comes from the original owner who purchased it new back in 1998. It has a perfect service history and is in great shape, some say mint condition, it’s not far off. You will know about how good they are to drive and I love the more analog drive experience.
I will post up some images but at the moment the system on here seems to have problems.
I will post up some images but at the moment the system on here seems to have problems.
Check the oil, then check it again....
Lack of oil is pretty much the biggest killer of the engines on these cars and the dipstick isn't easy to read. The engines can easily use 0.5 to 1 litre per 1,000 miles, so its quite easy to run them low.
Next - check for rust - side seams of the boot floor, sills, arches, inner arches, floorpans. Also - take out the rear "door cards" and check the recess behind - the Pininfarina badges on the flanks aren't water-tight and they let water into the car, which then rusts out the bottom of the rear quarter panel
Front brakes (brembo calipers) can suffer with sticking pads. Rear handbrake cables let water in and freeze solid. Door locks can stiffen up and central locking can play up.
There's a coolant hose than runs around the back of the engine block, round the end of the engine under the throttle body, to the thermostat. It hardens and perishes and eventually splits - replace with a silicone hose.
The exhaust manifold can crack - usually around the No5 branch, but occasionally around the collector. Don't fit a stainless manifold - the OE manifold can be repaired and is good for huge power.
They understeer quite badly as standard, so choose your tyres carefully - they like decent tyres. They can be made to handle extremely well with a few choice mods. A Quaiffe differential turn them into a proper weapon around the bends, as they have the power and torque to drag the front end round, even at high speed.
If you want to retain value, keep it very close to standard. If you want to start modding, be aware that its a VERY slippery slope, as the power gains for relatively modest outlay are stunning. £100 will see you at 250bhp and you can have well over 300bhp for less than a grand. I reckon the sweet spot for a road-going Coupe is about 300bhp. Anything above this and you're starting to spend quite a bit of cash for ever-decreasing gains. If you're really after the big numbers, I can quote you a spec to take you to 500bhp
They are definitely a "marmite car", but I think time is being quite kind to them - you have to remember the design is a quarter of a century old now
Any excuse for a piccy....
Fiat Coupe 20 valve turbo Plus by Nigel Ogram, on Flickr
Lack of oil is pretty much the biggest killer of the engines on these cars and the dipstick isn't easy to read. The engines can easily use 0.5 to 1 litre per 1,000 miles, so its quite easy to run them low.
Next - check for rust - side seams of the boot floor, sills, arches, inner arches, floorpans. Also - take out the rear "door cards" and check the recess behind - the Pininfarina badges on the flanks aren't water-tight and they let water into the car, which then rusts out the bottom of the rear quarter panel
Front brakes (brembo calipers) can suffer with sticking pads. Rear handbrake cables let water in and freeze solid. Door locks can stiffen up and central locking can play up.
There's a coolant hose than runs around the back of the engine block, round the end of the engine under the throttle body, to the thermostat. It hardens and perishes and eventually splits - replace with a silicone hose.
The exhaust manifold can crack - usually around the No5 branch, but occasionally around the collector. Don't fit a stainless manifold - the OE manifold can be repaired and is good for huge power.
They understeer quite badly as standard, so choose your tyres carefully - they like decent tyres. They can be made to handle extremely well with a few choice mods. A Quaiffe differential turn them into a proper weapon around the bends, as they have the power and torque to drag the front end round, even at high speed.
If you want to retain value, keep it very close to standard. If you want to start modding, be aware that its a VERY slippery slope, as the power gains for relatively modest outlay are stunning. £100 will see you at 250bhp and you can have well over 300bhp for less than a grand. I reckon the sweet spot for a road-going Coupe is about 300bhp. Anything above this and you're starting to spend quite a bit of cash for ever-decreasing gains. If you're really after the big numbers, I can quote you a spec to take you to 500bhp
They are definitely a "marmite car", but I think time is being quite kind to them - you have to remember the design is a quarter of a century old now
Any excuse for a piccy....
Fiat Coupe 20 valve turbo Plus by Nigel Ogram, on FlickrLoved mine - that 5cyl motor is very tuneful.
The 5 speed with its very king 3rd gear
The interior is just so fresh even today
The racing filler cap
Weak points - headlights about as useful as a candle on a B road blast.
Handbrake cable can let water in and then come winter freezes it solid.
Air con wasn’t great on mine
Enjoyed mine for nearly 7 years and would happily have another.
The 5 speed with its very king 3rd gear
The interior is just so fresh even today
The racing filler cap
Weak points - headlights about as useful as a candle on a B road blast.
Handbrake cable can let water in and then come winter freezes it solid.
Air con wasn’t great on mine
Enjoyed mine for nearly 7 years and would happily have another.
Nigel_O said:
Check the oil, then check it again....
Lack of oil is pretty much the biggest killer of the engines on these cars and the dipstick isn't easy to read. The engines can easily use 0.5 to 1 litre per 1,000 miles, so its quite easy to run them low.
Next - check for rust - side seams of the boot floor, sills, arches, inner arches, floorpans. Also - take out the rear "door cards" and check the recess behind - the Pininfarina badges on the flanks aren't water-tight and they let water into the car, which then rusts out the bottom of the rear quarter panel
Front brakes (brembo calipers) can suffer with sticking pads. Rear handbrake cables let water in and freeze solid. Door locks can stiffen up and central locking can play up.
There's a coolant hose than runs around the back of the engine block, round the end of the engine under the throttle body, to the thermostat. It hardens and perishes and eventually splits - replace with a silicone hose.
The exhaust manifold can crack - usually around the No5 branch, but occasionally around the collector. Don't fit a stainless manifold - the OE manifold can be repaired and is good for huge power.
They understeer quite badly as standard, so choose your tyres carefully - they like decent tyres. They can be made to handle extremely well with a few choice mods. A Quaiffe differential turn them into a proper weapon around the bends, as they have the power and torque to drag the front end round, even at high speed.
If you want to retain value, keep it very close to standard. If you want to start modding, be aware that its a VERY slippery slope, as the power gains for relatively modest outlay are stunning. £100 will see you at 250bhp and you can have well over 300bhp for less than a grand. I reckon the sweet spot for a road-going Coupe is about 300bhp. Anything above this and you're starting to spend quite a bit of cash for ever-decreasing gains. If you're really after the big numbers, I can quote you a spec to take you to 500bhp
They are definitely a "marmite car", but I think time is being quite kind to them - you have to remember the design is a quarter of a century old now
Any excuse for a piccy....
Fiat Coupe 20 valve turbo Plus by Nigel Ogram, on Flickr
Thanks Nigel, I have spent some time in the fccc.co and they have been extremely friendly and helpful. so used to oil checking, wife’s car is a 2009 mini cooper Lack of oil is pretty much the biggest killer of the engines on these cars and the dipstick isn't easy to read. The engines can easily use 0.5 to 1 litre per 1,000 miles, so its quite easy to run them low.
Next - check for rust - side seams of the boot floor, sills, arches, inner arches, floorpans. Also - take out the rear "door cards" and check the recess behind - the Pininfarina badges on the flanks aren't water-tight and they let water into the car, which then rusts out the bottom of the rear quarter panel
Front brakes (brembo calipers) can suffer with sticking pads. Rear handbrake cables let water in and freeze solid. Door locks can stiffen up and central locking can play up.
There's a coolant hose than runs around the back of the engine block, round the end of the engine under the throttle body, to the thermostat. It hardens and perishes and eventually splits - replace with a silicone hose.
The exhaust manifold can crack - usually around the No5 branch, but occasionally around the collector. Don't fit a stainless manifold - the OE manifold can be repaired and is good for huge power.
They understeer quite badly as standard, so choose your tyres carefully - they like decent tyres. They can be made to handle extremely well with a few choice mods. A Quaiffe differential turn them into a proper weapon around the bends, as they have the power and torque to drag the front end round, even at high speed.
If you want to retain value, keep it very close to standard. If you want to start modding, be aware that its a VERY slippery slope, as the power gains for relatively modest outlay are stunning. £100 will see you at 250bhp and you can have well over 300bhp for less than a grand. I reckon the sweet spot for a road-going Coupe is about 300bhp. Anything above this and you're starting to spend quite a bit of cash for ever-decreasing gains. If you're really after the big numbers, I can quote you a spec to take you to 500bhp
They are definitely a "marmite car", but I think time is being quite kind to them - you have to remember the design is a quarter of a century old now
Any excuse for a piccy....
Fiat Coupe 20 valve turbo Plus by Nigel Ogram, on Flickr
I have had the CHOD replaced with a high quality silicone hose.
Had belts and tensioner changed.
The manifold has a small crack in the 5th branch which at some point I will have to get welded.
I need to have the rocker cover gasket replaced as it’s starting to weep.
I had the water thermostat replaced.
Definitely I am a keep it standard guy, it’s fast enough for me in factory trim.
Wanted to buy one back in early 2000’s but other things got in the way. Then the itch re-appeared.
Poweritalia (roger) has done the work on the car and I will certainly continue booking in with his garage.
I agree that the design still looks reasonably fresh, remarkable, of course I love it. Then the interior
it’s such a nice place to be, and very different to most other coupes. Then the drive itself,
Nice coupe you have, what are those wheels?
Edited by crankedup on Tuesday 24th December 15:08
Edited by crankedup on Thursday 28th May 16:37
Welshbeef said:
Loved mine - that 5cyl motor is very tuneful.
The 5 speed with its very king 3rd gear
The interior is just so fresh even today
The racing filler cap
Weak points - headlights about as useful as a candle on a B road blast.
Handbrake cable can let water in and then come winter freezes it solid.
Air con wasn’t great on mine
Enjoyed mine for nearly 7 years and would happily have another.
This has to be perhaps the only enthusiasts car where past owners who have sold and moved on have said ‘ I would like to buy another’ or words to that effect!! Time and again I read this sentiment.The 5 speed with its very king 3rd gear
The interior is just so fresh even today
The racing filler cap
Weak points - headlights about as useful as a candle on a B road blast.
Handbrake cable can let water in and then come winter freezes it solid.
Air con wasn’t great on mine
Enjoyed mine for nearly 7 years and would happily have another.
For me it’s a keeper, I’m almost 69 years now so keeping it close to mint as purchased and then passing it over to my lad, who is also a petrolhead.
crankedup said:
This has to be perhaps the only enthusiasts car where past owners who have sold and moved on have said ‘ I would like to buy another’ or words to that effect!! Time and again I read this sentiment.
For me it’s a keeper, I’m almost 69 years now so keeping it close to mint as purchased and then passing it over to my lad, who is also a petrolhead.
Mine was a one owner well me being the second. My old man did all the servicing on it but when it came to Change it I got £500....For me it’s a keeper, I’m almost 69 years now so keeping it close to mint as purchased and then passing it over to my lad, who is also a petrolhead.
I had one new in 1998, Portofino blue with the zender body kit. Got a really bad Superchips remap which involved soldering in a new chip. It overfueled and started using a lot of oil so the engine needed replacement after 18m of purchase. L&M international put a new one in and Owen Developments remapped it with a Unichip piggyback ECU. It made 280bhp.
After that it became a lot easier as people worked out how to get power from them. It still went like the clappers but not as fast as a mate’s Turbo Supra, the car I should have bought.
After that it became a lot easier as people worked out how to get power from them. It still went like the clappers but not as fast as a mate’s Turbo Supra, the car I should have bought.
wormus said:
I had one new in 1998, Portofino blue with the zender body kit. Got a really bad Superchips remap which involved soldering in a new chip. It overfueled and started using a lot of oil so the engine needed replacement after 18m of purchase. L&M international put a new one in and Owen Developments remapped it with a Unichip piggyback ECU. It made 280bhp.
After that it became a lot easier as people worked out how to get power from them. It still went like the clappers but not as fast as a mate’s Turbo Supra, the car I should have bought.
I never go down the modding path as I reckon the factory set the car up just fine, although I understand that lots of owners do like to mod out their cars. After that it became a lot easier as people worked out how to get power from them. It still went like the clappers but not as fast as a mate’s Turbo Supra, the car I should have bought.
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff