Tuning Getting the best performance from a 1.2, 16V fiat brava

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Tuning Getting the best performance from a 1.2, 16V fiat brava

jellymonster

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Hi, I have a 1.2l, 16V, X Reg fiat brava.

Basically, I want to get higher performance from my engine. SO far, what I have gathered, good ways to do this are:

Induction Kit - Doing a little research, I found GSR are supposed to be the best thing to go for. I think, if I remember, they we're about £100? but I'm probably looking at the wrong thing. Also, a friend of mine told me, that to get the most out of doing this, I would probably need a back box as well. He told me this one: 5" Repackable Stainless Steel Silencer for £96 would be good. But I don't really know, somebody will probably correct me :p.

Chipping or remapping - I heard that this will also be good, but I think to remap my ECU I need a OMDII socket, which I don't think my car has :S. But the same friend told me a good chip would probably cost about £70.

Head and Cams - Not really sure what this is, I think it's adding more valves. I already have 16V can I get higher? like 20 or more? Some links and prices would be nice =)

Lastly, does anyone know what kinda mods I have to register? This subject, I found is kinda hazey. My Dad (the mechanic) seems to think that I have to tell my insurance about me putting a computer, amp, sub and speakers in my car :S. Little light on this would be appreciated.

If anyone has any other performance tweek ideas, if you could also post rough cost and maybe even a link, it would be amazing =).

Also, you can tell me if you think it will be a lost cause tuning an engine this small. And tell me if I wont even tell a big difference.

Thanks all for reading, I'll post my other findings on this as I come across them.
 
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Why don't you save yourself a lot of time, effort and money and buy a 1.6?? It will have more power than any 1.2 with boy racer mods and because it will be unmodified the insurance may be cheaper too.:)
 
Why don't you save yourself a lot of time, effort and money and buy a 1.6?? It will have more power than any 1.2 with boy racer mods and because it will be unmodified the insurance may be cheaper too.:)

So you think there's not really any point in tuning my car and may as well buy a new one.

Ok, thanks, I'll see what's around.
 
bpetersb is right. A 1.2 is a 1.2, it's never going to be a hot rod! I find mine is fast enough for what I want. Overtaking is it's worst point, but as long as you anticipate the road ahead and rev it, the car goes well enough (surprisingly so for a 1.2).

I don't think the mods you mention would make a great deal of noticeable difference. They probably will be noisier and kid you into thinking they make it faster. All mods would need to be told to the insurance company and they will hit you for it!
 
bpetersb is right. A 1.2 is a 1.2, it's never going to be a hot rod! I find mine is fast enough for what I want. Overtaking is it's worst point, but as long as you anticipate the road ahead and rev it, the car goes well enough (surprisingly so for a 1.2).

I don't think the mods you mention would make a great deal of noticeable difference. They probably will be noisier and kid you into thinking they make it faster. All mods would need to be told to the insurance company and they will hit you for it!

Ok, thanks for your reply. I think I will just leave it until I find a car I want. Admittedly, it does go if I want it to, revving it to 7500 revs :p. Even overtook a evo the other day :p, don't think he was trying though :(.
 
The best thing about the 1.2 with petrol prices as they are is the economy. I had my Greek registered one over here for a while and driving it to and from Greece I was getting about 46 mpg. I even got 39mpg last time I drove across towing a trailer with my 247kg motorcycle on it!
I am driving a 1.6 Marea Weekend now and notice the extra at the pumps.:)
 
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