Hi everyone!

A few weeks ago I was walking down a road in Kingston and saw this little green beauty sitting in a garage. It was in a bit of a sorry state, but the side profile enticed me to take a look. I didn't think much of it until I saw it again, then decided to look it up online. And now I am spell-bound They look absolutely beautifal. I love the pre-facelift front ends, absolutely stunning.

At first the power output and FWD put me off it. But, after owning a FWD smart forfour (old style, 1.1) and finding the chuckability of it great fun, I've come to seriously consider this car.

My only worry is that I'm coming from a highly modified crossfire putting out around 270 BHP to a 130 BHP car, and whilst 130 is certainly enough to lose your licence I'd love to push it up a bit higher with comprimising reliability or driving experiance.

What are the options here? I've done some research and I'm struggling to find anything concrete, are there any RR proof of what mods do?

If the B can reach 60 in 8.3 seconds with 130 then I'd like to aim for 180.

Thanks all!

Another question - It looks as if the later cars are the better ones to go for, although I only really like the earlier style bumper - are the earlier style bumpers easy to get hold of? I have a feeling they are not

Dont all B's come with the 1.8 130 BHP engines? Autotrader seems to list some with 130, some with 113 across FL and PFL.

Hi, There is ooodles of interesting stuff, power included if you press the tuning prefix button towards the top of the Barchetta thread page. KC3 has modified his silver Barchetta somewhat. I quite often revisit these threads and enjoy reading what others have achieved. Small power relative to larger sports machines but large smile inducing driving.
SteveD

Hi, and welcome ! I'm not really sure that the B is well suited to that much more power, when pushing on I always find mine to be quite twitchy especially in the wet. Maybe that's just me being jumpy. Personally I like to just swan about enjoying people looking at the car and trying to work out what it is.


By the way I've also found that tourists from the far east like to take photos of the car especially selfies, has anyone else found that or is it just me again ?!!

Cribus said:

By the way I've also found that tourists from the far east like to take photos of the car especially selfies, has anyone else found that or is it just me again ?!!

Click to expand...

I've never had that but I don't think I hang out in touristy areas.

I have had "cool car" comments though.....

I've seen so many people old, young, children crick their necks watching me drive by. Amazing looking car.
Having said that they have their little problems.
Main one I think is tin worm, especially rear inner wings and footwells. I welded all mine up, ok now.
Change the cam belt.
Door seals leak.
All minor stuff.
Engine is bulletproof really.
Good luck.

Over here in the IOM we get lots of tourists (not just Lewis H avoiding vat on his jet, allegedly) and it really seems to catch their eye. I've had women draping themselves over it whilst their other halves took pictures, all very embarrassing when you return to the car in the middle of that. So be prepared if you ever visit such a place.

Its a Fiat, there is always a list.Since you are already on the right side of the pond get a pro to change the belt.Power train is well built. Linkages,switches, and weather seals, not so much. People love the car, just don't smack it up

Cribus said:

I've had women draping themselves over it ... all very embarrassing when you return to the car in the middle of that.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't let women drape themselves over my B. They might dent it. But they're welcome to drape themselves over me instead.

To return to the topic of power: the determining factor for the B is that it has a Hitachi ecu, which is a closed loop system, and can not be remapped...
Downside of this is that you can not get an 'easy' remap (or piggyback) for instant power increase. Upside is, when you modify the engine, the ECU needs no remapping and will adapt its setting automatically.

For tuning, therefore you will needs things like c&b-camshafts, good exhaust, porting, that kind of stuff. Cams and exhaust will probably get you to about 160hp. This might not seem much, but the 1.8 delivers it power very convincing and smooth.

Rcl said:

To return to the topic of power...

Click to expand...

Spoilsport!!!