Grande Punto Possible Upgrades

[grantm616]

Hi guys, I've not been online for a while. After now having my 1.9 Grande for 6 months I've managed to save up a nice little next egg saved up, will be around £1500-2000 in total in the next couple of weeks.

I'm sure this should go towards XMAX presents but since I've not bought myself anything for a while it wouldn't hurt I don't think.

Now so far, I've got my private plates, wrapped behind the number plate, debadged the front and replaced with a plain black grill. I then removed 'Punto' from the rear and also took off the old style blue 'FIAT' badge and replaced it with, OK an Autobots badge, I'm a PC Engineer, need's some geek about it!

Also dewipered the rear and got a grommet for the remaining hole.

After getting tired of the rain I fitted some wind deflectors to avoid getting soaked to the bone every 5 minutes seeing as I'm in Scotland.

Removed the stupid plastics from under the boot carpet and managed to squeeze a spare wheel in there.

Also got it running on 215/45 R17 tyres to give it a bit more width and generally a bulkier look.

Now I'm stuck, I need some ideas and after looking over these forums for literally months now I can't decide.

I've debated small things, right down to having a piece of glass cut and fitted to the small hole in the rear window rather than the rubber grommet.

So here it is, I actually washer her yesterday but the rains have come and I done a 150 mile trip last night so never helps!

Yep I know the Transformers badge doesn't fit, it's something I will address when I start spending pennies on her again!

Comments more than welcome guys!

One more thing, I'm trying to avoid anything too ostentatious and OTT. Also any way to increase power/mpg and generally improve handling etc would be good!

 

[jameshobiecat]

Get a re-map to 170bhp then save the rest of your money for the inevitable gearbox rebuild.

 

[grantm616]

Get a re-map to 170bhp then save the rest of your money for the inevitable gearbox rebuild.

I've read about this, surely there's a way of strengthening these engine prior to ripping the total arse out of them?

I'd find it hard to justify doing something that was just causing so many other problems at the same time. I'd rather get it done right so after it's done, there's (alright you can't guarantee no problems) basically no more maintenance required.

 

[ianal09]

Lots can be done with that amount of money.
1000-1500?
it depends on your taste?
i see that yours isnt lowered yet? might as well consider getting a coilover for it? or power try and browse tmcmotorsport.com

 

[grantm616]

Lots can be done with that amount of money.
1000-1500?
it depends on your taste?
i see that yours isnt lowered yet? might as well consider getting a coilover for it? or power try and browse tmcmotorsport.com

Yeah it will be getting lowered I'm just not sure of the best kit to get, I don't want to blow the whole budget on a remap and lowering, seems an awful waste if I'm honest.

 

[ianal09]

Yeah it will be getting lowered I'm just not sure of the best kit to get, I don't want to blow the whole budget on a remap and lowering, seems an awful waste if I'm honest.

AP coilovers is one of the best coilover out there for GP (most people suggest this set). are you going for euro look?

 

[grantm616]

What's the Euro look? Excuse me if it's a stupid question.

 

[grantm616]

Decided to play safe and ordered Sportlines and should have an HID conversion delivered tomorrow since driving recently I've not been able to see a thing on the dark roads so should help a lot.

Is there anything special that needs to be done with those kits? My cousin had one and he's pretty thick so wouldn't imagine it takes much effort/skill.

 

[MISC1691]

I'd say some new alloy's wouldn't go a miss, make it a bit more individual.
A new Fiat badge or smooth the boot completely.
Darker front headlights, like Abarth's or S2 lights with flyeyes kit.

That's what I would probably do myself as for the lights, when I bought my T-Jet the standard bulbs were pants, pure brilliant white bulbs and I can see for miles now!

 

[GYoung87]

I'd say some new alloy's wouldn't go a miss, make it a bit more individual.
A new Fiat badge or smooth the boot completely.
Darker front headlights, like Abarth's or S2 lights with flyeyes kit.

That's what I would probably do myself as for the lights, when I bought my T-Jet the standard bulbs were pants, pure brilliant white bulbs and I can see for miles now!

Can I ask what bulbs? I cant decide which to go for. Osrams are ok but seen better

 

[MISC1691]

Can I ask what bulbs? I cant decide which to go for. Osrams are ok but seen better

I literally have no idea, from halfords, pure brilliant white, they are blueish if you look at them from an angle was around £25 for a pair, i'll have to look for the box lol

 

[grantm616]

I literally have no idea, from halfords, pure brilliant white, they are blueish if you look at them from an angle was around £25 for a pair, i'll have to look for the box lol

I actually bought those 'white' ones but still don't think they're actually good enough to be honest.

As for the alloys I actually like the stock ones, been debating getting them redone, maybe a tough lighter since they're all but knackered anyways from the previous owner. Can get the full powercoat and paint done for around £170 and the guys work is really good.

Also toiled with light smoke 20% tints on the back windows and rear of the car.

 

[MISC1691]

I actually bought those 'white' ones but still don't think they're actually good enough to be honest.

As for the alloys I actually like the stock ones, been debating getting them redone, maybe a tough lighter since they're all but knackered anyways from the previous owner. Can get the full powercoat and paint done for around £170 and the guys work is really good.

Also toiled with light smoke 20% tints on the back windows and rear of the car.

They work great for me, only bad thing is they can light things up a bit too much sometimes (bad reflections).

Iv'e been looking at getting alloys powdercoated in a similar colour lately but the dark silver, anthracite, gunmetal colour I can't get quite right, think it has to be just right with some cars and I can't find a convincing one to spend the little cash I have left on, but o wel!

 

[grantm616]

They work great for me, only bad thing is they can light things up a bit too much sometimes (bad reflections).

I was looking at darker wheel colours but I think it won't suit my car. You need either bright paintwork or black paint to suit dark rims in my opinion.

Should have my HIDs today with any luck. New springs should be here tomorrow with much luck!

 

[grantm616]

Only ordered the springs yesterday and that's them on the car now. Sitting much lower but give it a few days for them to settle in and I think I'll see a huge difference!

Just waiting on YODEL dropping off my HID's that I ordered yesterday, hopefully they're here in the next hour or I'll need to wait 'til tomorrow to get them fitted.

I'll get pictures up soon enough!

 

[MISC1691]

Only ordered the springs yesterday and that's them on the car now. Sitting much lower but give it a few days for them to settle in and I think I'll see a huge difference!

Just waiting on YODEL dropping off my HID's that I ordered yesterday, hopefully they're here in the next hour or I'll need to wait 'til tomorrow to get them fitted.

I'll get pictures up soon enough!

That's some super fast service!

 

[grantm616]

That's some super fast service!

I thought the same, ordered spirings and HID's at 6 last night, springs showed up by parcelforce at 10 this morning, needless to say I'm still waiting around for my HID's from YODEL, might see them by Christmas with their reputation.

Car's looking so much better now though, actually couldn't get over the difference when I took it down off the ramp and realised that the supports were too high, had to lift each corner up and pull the lifts away from under it.

Was a tell tale that it had dropped a fair bit, big diesel engine should help them settle in quickly though I think.

 

[grantm616]

Tried fitting my HIDs today. Will be a job for my mechanic cause I just can't get enough room to work and don't trust myself to take out the headlights. Pictures tomorrow with it all done though!

 

[grantm616]

Hi folks. Getting the windows tinted on Monday morning. Still having bother with these HIDs though. Will put picks up with it lowered and tinted on Monday though. I'll keep you posted!

 

[grantm616]

Isn't there any way of editing posts??

That's the HID's in, finally after persisting with them for 3 hours this afternoon I cracked it.

Tints on tomorrow morning so I'll put picks up when it's done!