Hi all,

New on here, but collect my Abarth on Tuesday, Very excited!

After I collect it, my intention is to completely modify it, perhaps by going a little too far, but isn't that the point of an Abarth??

I was intending on taking my car to G-Tech to have it modified to GP/R spec but I am finding it very difficult to communicate to them even with many thousands of euro burning a hole in my pocket. Anyway that is another story..

Can anyone recommend a UK tuning company who could really go the whole hog on my car and look after the conversion from end to end? If you know what the GP/R kit contains you will know what I'm after.

On top of the GP/R kit I'm intending on modifying brakes, shocks (for road and track), seats, wheels & tyres and probably a host of other items. On top of the list will hopefully be stronger six speed gearbox and a LSD of some type to cope with the extra power and torque.

Any suggestions outside of "what are you doing that for" much appreciated! This is my first foray into Fiat so don't know any companies who could help.

Cheers,
LL

Isn't the GP/R something crazy like 260bhp? If so. I'd probably try Auto Delta. In general they are Alfa guys. But with the Mito around they will have good knowledge of the 500 Abarth.

Venters said:

Isn't the GP/R something crazy like 260bhp? If so. I'd probably try Auto Delta. In general they are Alfa guys. But with the Mito around they will have good knowledge of the 500 Abarth.

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Yes, about 265bhp. I've dropped Auto Delta a line, thanks for the tip, seems like they can produce the goods on the Alfa's so here's hoping they can do Fiat's too.

Will definately need a new gearbox with that kind of power!!

forevertom said:

Will definately need a new gearbox with that kind of power!!

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Or several spares in the Garage

Ive modded a few cars in the past.

Several basic rules, research research & research.

Decide exactly what you want the car for, If its big power for pub talk & the odd traffic light grand prix then engine mods & a few prayers should suffice. If however its to improve the overall car then you need to take a lot more time.
Research several tuners, DONT be fooled by who can get the most bhp, look at dyno maps & see how the powers delivered, My last modded car went from 150 stock to just over 350 bhp but with a massive powerband. Someone else took a similar car to nearly 500 bhp but it had a huge turbo, a very linear power delivery & took ages to wind up, yep he had one of the most powerful ones in the country but it lacked driveability & was probably slower on the road. On the opposite you dont want the power coming in with a bang, its a light FWD car so all you will do is light up the front tyres, impressive as it is you will actually be going slower

Look at what you want the car for & where you will be driving, I built mine with the aim of doing well in the Cannonballs so it had to be quickish on Motorways & ended up with a max of about 170 but also agile in the mountains so attention to Brakes & suspension was essential as well as beefing up the transmission. Never won but managed a Second


As far as transmissions & brakes go a bespoke gearbox rebuild will give a much stronger box but look also at what else in the fiat range from a more powerful car might fit, I bought a virtually new Audi TT box for £250 to go in my last car, Quaife wanted several thousand to build a box, Clutches again can be an issue, Ive got a twin plate carbon in the latest car as Im trying to handle 500 ish bhp, it does that OK but being I guess a semi racing clutch its an absolute mare in traffic when hot, so much so that it may be coming out whilst the Engines being rebuilt


Keep those Euros in your pocket for a few more weeks & decide what you want, do your research & you may find theres more than one person who can deliver. As I said blag some test rides & drive the test car slowly as well as quickly, quick always feels good but if the cars lumpy when driven slowly or delivers the power with too much of a bang it will become tedious to drive. When I tried a car before choosing my tuner I drove it through the middle of town on a Saturday morning, then found a few beautiful backroads & was convinced

And lastly welcome to the slippery slope of tuned cars, its fun but make sure you have deep pockets

sometimes less is more


have a think why Abarth built the race cars with 'only' 200 bhp

have you driven an esseesse - more than enough

also spend some money on driver training and track tuition before being a guinea pig with telephone number modification projects

i just don't want to see you wasting your money because you are chasing the rainbow

I've got some pics for you of the seat mounting thing. I just need to upload them. Hopefully on the weekend. I'm out tonight getting some jobs done that need done for the Nurburgring end of next week.

PS: If the abarth arrives in time come to the 'ring with us

RobW said:

sometimes less is more


have a think why Abarth built the race cars with 'only' 200 bhp

have you driven an esseesse - more than enough

also spend some money on driver training and track tuition before being a guinea pig with telephone number modification projects

i just don't want to see you wasting your money because you are chasing the rainbow

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Would tend to agree

If you want the Ultimate Abarth build a 4WD mid engined special but no point starting with a new car, theres bound to be one on a salvage site soon

If I had that much burning a hole in my pocket I'd be talking to Fiat about a road going Assetto Corsa.

Mark Elvin said:

If I had that much burning a hole in my pocket I'd be talking to Fiat about a road going Assetto Corsa.

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absolutely

Mark Elvin said:

If I had that much burning a hole in my pocket I'd be talking to Fiat about a road going Assetto Corsa.

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This is the same Fiat that can't train their dealers to understand service schedules? That Fiat? Good luck

I'd be more inclined to go to a specialist or a European Fiat dealer who knew their stuff and do it that way.

jnoiles said:

This is the same Fiat that can't train their dealers to understand service schedules? That Fiat? Good luck

I'd be more inclined to go to a specialist or a European Fiat dealer who knew their stuff and do it that way.

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Well what other Fiat would you go to if you wanted to buy a 500 Assetto Corse?

306maxi said:

Well what other Fiat would you go to if you wanted to buy a 500 Assetto Corse?

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That would be ABARTH

Renowned for working their engine-tampering wizardry on all manner of mildly sport-inspired Fiats since the 1950´s, tuners Abarth have flung the doors open to their new home at the Fiat group´s Mirafiori complex in Turin, Italy.

The new purpose-built 23,000m2S Abarth building, christened ´Corso Marche´ is positioned between the multi-functions of Fiat´s centres of Style and Experimental Construction, as well as the core departments of Engineering and Design.

Over 100 Abarth employees will work at the former Mirafiori engineering plant, bringing together a plethora of key disciplines under the one corporate roof. The new HQ has been divided into several different areas: competition cars, prototype development, cars derived from standard production, and the Racing Department.

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RobW said:

That would be ABARTH

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Not this again Gawd I love it when you try to make out that Abarth are more than just a rebadged Fiat competition dept which makes fast Fiats.

If we forget the BS you constantly spout about Abarth being a proper independent brand then they've got a lot to answer for with some of their woefully **** dealers. Yeah I'm going to pay more money to get an Abarth and have to deal with dealers who appear to be rather often inept and feckless and who go around on their wanky little Abarthforum slating anyone who dares criticise the car or the brand. Personally I'd be more likely to buy an Abarth if I could buy one from a Fiat dealership and not have to endure the shoddy treatment some forumers here have had.

Next you'll be telling me that the Mito isn't a GP in drag or that the 500 isn't indeed a pretty Panda.

306maxi said:

Not this again Gawd I love it when you try to make out that Abarth are more than just a rebadged Fiat competition dept which makes fast Fiats.

If we forget the BS you constantly spout about Abarth being a proper independent brand then they've got a lot to answer for with some of their woefully **** dealers. Yeah I'm going to pay more money to get an Abarth and have to deal with dealers who appear to be rather often inept and feckless and who go around on their wanky little Abarthforum slating anyone who dares criticise the car or the brand. Personally I'd be more likely to buy an Abarth if I could buy one from a Fiat dealership and not have to endure the shoddy treatment some forumers here have had.

Next you'll be telling me that the Mito isn't a GP in drag or that the 500 isn't indeed a pretty Panda.

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quality bite there Maxi

RobW said:

quality bite there Maxi

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Would you expect any less of me?

I love my pretty Panda (with an additional hairdryer attachment)

Once again chaos reigns. My work here is done.

jnoiles said:

Once again chaose reigns. My work here is done.

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Damn Canadiaustralianbrit

Umm, thanks for the various responses, I think..?!

Call me frank, but a lot of assumptions being made and to be honest I don't give a **** as to what some of you may think of what I'm doing and why.

I've been building engines myself for over 20 years so have a fair bit of experience. I've also raced in various series starting in the late 80's so tick that box too. In addition to this, I haved owned and own several, serious performance cars and this car is just a toy for a bit of fun to take on track, Santa Pod laughs etc, and a Q car for the road to wind up my mates and their exotica. I'm not really too bothered if it's compromised in some ways.

My question was simply aimed to get some details of people who can tune Fiat's in the UK. I don't have the time anymore to do this sort of thing myself so I wanted to hand it all over to a specialist who has experience doing this. An Assetto Corse is not road legal in any way shape or form, and I am not going to go about cutting out the integral cage in this car, I do not want a full on race car. Besides, it will be too slow.

Anyway, the good news is that G-Tech finally got back to me and I'm in the process of booking my car in for complete modification mid September. If you're interested go over to the Abarth forum and you can see the full details and watch the transformation for better or worse.

I'm going to be a bit conservative and go for the 1.6L 295 PS conversion - just in case it offends anyone...



jnoiles - thanks, that will be excellent. Would love to go to the Ring - daughter no.2 arrived a couple of weeks ago so I am housebound for a few more weeks!! Have fun and take some pics and vids!!