I am from the US. Moved to Turkey. Dont have any Fiats in the US so I never driven one...... Except my father inlaws Turkish made Fiat. The Coupe has caught my eye. Cars are very expensive here. Looks like the only thing with a decent amount of horsepower and performance is the Subaru GT and the Coupe Turbo. Leaning towards the Coupe. I did find a thread from 13 years ago on the Subaru website and surprisingly they talk highly of the Coupe. They are kind of hard to find but they show up once in a while. The only one I have seen in a while is a 16v Turbo model. Would like the best to offer..... with in reason..... can I make the 16v Turbo out perform the 20v Turbo? Don't know what kind of aftermarket parts are available for the Fiat. But lots o parts for the Scooby.
General Newbie
- Thread starter ryan1428
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General Newbie
I used to have the 20V non turbo Coupe and it as a lovely/great car. I preferred it to the 20V Turbo because it was a little more driveable and had a better turning circle. When you are negotiating mountain passes with tight, near standstill turns then the non turbo model is easier to get around these bands and not launch you into the opposing wall 
Talking strictly about 16V Turbo vs 20V Turbo then both are cracking engines. For me the main advantage of the 16V 4 cylinder engine is that maintainability is far better. For example for the 20V the cam belt change requires the engine to be slipped to one side (Fiat say take it out). Slipping to one side requires partial suspension and engine mount disconnections, battery box removal and some other stuff I can't recall. However on the 16V engine it is what I would call a "normal" cam belt change.
In terms of grace and smoothness the 20V / 5 cylinder is a peach of an engine. It is however a big and complex lump.
The 16V engine is as far as I recall essentially of Lancia Delta Integrale makings. Like all Fiat/Lancia 2 litre engine blocks, cranks, con rods etc. they are pretty much bullet proof. They can take abuse and modest engine performance tuning requires no special block/crank/con rod alterations.
Bearing in mind the Integrale's motor sport heritage then performance parts, tuning and associated expertise are not an issue.
In terms of a 16V Turbo being made to out perform a stock 20V Turbo then I do not see this as an issue.
Suggest you have a look at http://www.fccuk.org and other similar sites.
Talking strictly about 16V Turbo vs 20V Turbo then both are cracking engines. For me the main advantage of the 16V 4 cylinder engine is that maintainability is far better. For example for the 20V the cam belt change requires the engine to be slipped to one side (Fiat say take it out). Slipping to one side requires partial suspension and engine mount disconnections, battery box removal and some other stuff I can't recall. However on the 16V engine it is what I would call a "normal" cam belt change.
In terms of grace and smoothness the 20V / 5 cylinder is a peach of an engine. It is however a big and complex lump.
The 16V engine is as far as I recall essentially of Lancia Delta Integrale makings. Like all Fiat/Lancia 2 litre engine blocks, cranks, con rods etc. they are pretty much bullet proof. They can take abuse and modest engine performance tuning requires no special block/crank/con rod alterations.
Bearing in mind the Integrale's motor sport heritage then performance parts, tuning and associated expertise are not an issue.
In terms of a 16V Turbo being made to out perform a stock 20V Turbo then I do not see this as an issue.
Suggest you have a look at http://www.fccuk.org and other similar sites.
You are welcome.
I hope others will post a response as well because as you might have gathered I'm posting with good intent and experience but can not claim definitive engine expertise especially when it comes to 16V 2L 4 cyl TURBO tuning options and parts availability and prices.
With regards to tuning then most things are possible, especially with the Fiat twin cam engines, but the costs and potential avenues I've not explored in recent times.
If we were talking about a Strada/Ritmo 130TC engine then I would have far more detailed experience and opinions to offer
I hope others will post a response as well because as you might have gathered I'm posting with good intent and experience but can not claim definitive engine expertise especially when it comes to 16V 2L 4 cyl TURBO tuning options and parts availability and prices.
With regards to tuning then most things are possible, especially with the Fiat twin cam engines, but the costs and potential avenues I've not explored in recent times.
If we were talking about a Strada/Ritmo 130TC engine then I would have far more detailed experience and opinions to offer
Off the top of my head I didn't really have any issues with my 20V.
There would be two things I would check
1) The Auxiliary drive belt (20V engine)
This is a double side Poly-V belt. They are more subject to premature failure. Sadly when they fail the don't snap but usually shed one or both of the out Poly-V ribs and these get wound round the crank shaft behind the pulley wheel and this then leads to the camshaft phase/timing going out as the strands get ingested into the cam belt running gear. The engine management light will come on well before there is any likelihood of piston to valve contact but of course one then needs to stop the engine and get the both the aux belt and cam belts/tensioner changed.
With regards to buying second hand then the aux belt inspection is a guide/precautionary awareness. Unless it looks brand new or has a recent service record change then I would get it changed sooner that later.
2) Front bumper / engine under tray
The Coupe has a very long and low front axle overhang. I would expect to see the odd scuffs and scrapes on the underside of the front bumper. It is also advise to check that the engine under tray is present AND in tact. One common front lower bumper injury is caused when people turn into parking bays with medium to high kerb stones. This results in a rather abrupt shock that have fracture the composite under tray. Sadly these are very expensive and many people don't get them replaced. Not the end of the world but something to bear in mind.
There would be two things I would check
1) The Auxiliary drive belt (20V engine)
This is a double side Poly-V belt. They are more subject to premature failure. Sadly when they fail the don't snap but usually shed one or both of the out Poly-V ribs and these get wound round the crank shaft behind the pulley wheel and this then leads to the camshaft phase/timing going out as the strands get ingested into the cam belt running gear. The engine management light will come on well before there is any likelihood of piston to valve contact but of course one then needs to stop the engine and get the both the aux belt and cam belts/tensioner changed.
With regards to buying second hand then the aux belt inspection is a guide/precautionary awareness. Unless it looks brand new or has a recent service record change then I would get it changed sooner that later.
2) Front bumper / engine under tray
The Coupe has a very long and low front axle overhang. I would expect to see the odd scuffs and scrapes on the underside of the front bumper. It is also advise to check that the engine under tray is present AND in tact. One common front lower bumper injury is caused when people turn into parking bays with medium to high kerb stones. This results in a rather abrupt shock that have fracture the composite under tray. Sadly these are very expensive and many people don't get them replaced. Not the end of the world but something to bear in mind.
