Thanks Dunc for taking my comments out of context. I posted that not long after reading the thread I mentioned below regarding road traffic accidents and blame. I did actually amend my original post (before it was put here by Dunc) as I realised it was a bit strong. Let's quote a bit more from that particular thread...
Forum member who has just bought an UT engine: "Bits have been taken off and gearbox split (in the boot) to aid extraction and with a quick look over the unit, if this has had a service and gasket change in the last 200 miles, I'm a Dutch-Chinaman!! the oil was sludgy-black and lumpy as well and the new belt was greasy and damaged..
I have removed all the UT engine mounts and gearbox linkage as I assume these are not required.
Thanks to Rachael and Alex for your offer of spares, I am missing loads of pieces to this jigsaw and will be in touch...."
After further examination of his acquisition, forum member who has just bought an UT engine: "I cannot believe people are so tight that when they replace stuff in or on an engine, they are too bloody tight to replace with proper gaskets and use silicon sealants ... ok maybe on some air intake stuff, but the bleedin sump and crank covers ffs..."
Me: "EDITED! - Sadly a lot of these cars have been in the hands of YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPERS with lots of enthusiasm but little technical ability. Read the UT section of the Fiat Forum, or even worse, the Turbo Collective forum; you'll see what I mean."
Forum member who has just bought an UT engine: "I have tried to register there so that I can ask questions if need be but have not received an account activation email yet, maybe its as I click the 'born before '96' .. I'm deemed too old?
To be fair, it doesn't look like a bad bunch really ... just mad enthusiasts like ourselves, trying to get the best out of their cars."
Me: "Maybe I sound a bit disparaging, but some of the threads I have read on the forums are frightening. I'm also not impressed by members who after running into the back of their mate's car, blame their mate's driving! I suppose I'm just a grumpy old woman."
I have been a member of both the TC and Fiat forums for a few years now, and I don't think anyone could accuse me of keeping my knowledge to myself. This talk of the X1/9 OC withholding some sort of secret information like some cabal is utter drivel by people who made ar$es of themselves and got chucked out of a small insignificant club, and who should take it on the chin like grownups and move on. There are plenty of X1/9 OC members who like me, give their knowledge and assistance freely here and elsewhere.
I apologise if I have offended anyone on the TC or Fiat forums who don't deserve such comments. Feel free to have a go at me if you wish.
X1/9 owners don't get bitter, they just get even. Uno Turbos are great cars, and all respect to the likes of Jai, Leigh (with the mad Mini) and WayneGTS, but UTs were just lucky to be around during the hot hatch war. Whatever you do to an UT it will never be as good as a car with its engine in the correct place, i.e. in the middle. Fiat's politics cut short the life of the X1/9, but the potential of the chassis has been demonstrated many times. Check out the exploits of Johannes Graversen for instance (and he used a Fiat 1.4 turbo engine).
All the best
Rachael