Changing the gear-knob

[Tom]

Hi

I'm just buying a Bravo 1.8 HLX and will be happy with it (for a while ), except for the awful plastic moulded un-ergonomic monstrosity of a gear-knob it has.

1. Has anyone changed theirs?
2. How would I go about getting it off? Twisting? Pulling? Brute force?
3. It is a standard size gear-stick underneath, or Fiat-specific?
4. Would I have to replace it with a Fiat Abarth knob (do they even make them?) or could I use any; for example a Nismo one, or some other jap job?

Thanks


Tom

PS How easy would it be to lower her by about 30mm?

 

[Roberto]

gear knob

Hiya,

Removing the gear knob involves either loosening a clip below the knob underneath the gaiter or using a small hack saw 2 saw down the middle of the existing knob. It all depends on the year of ur car as 2 whether or not u have the clip or not. I have a 97 HGT and it took 30 seconds 2 hack saw down the middle of the knob and prise it off with consumate ease.

As far as I'm aware it's a standard fit gear lever, so if u want to buy a Nismo or Momo knob, u should have no problems fitting it. Yes, FIAT do make an Abarth leather knob in black and red plus they also make a leather gaiter with aluminium base. Here's a pic of mine...

Regarding lowering, 30mm all round should b no problem, altho' u would need 2 take in2 account what size wheels u have on there. If u have the standard wheels, u should b fine. If u plan on fitting bigger 1's, then I'd consult a dealer or garage b4 u do 2 make sure there won't b any problems. My HGT has the Abarth lowered suspension which lowers it by 40mm all round and I have the standard 15" wheels.

Hope this is of some help,

Rob.

 

[syedtaq]

Arbath

Where did you buy the Arbath product and the floor mat. Looks nice. Any chance to purchase online. Please e-mail me you reply, since I will be away until next week.

Regards,

SYED.

 

[Tom]

Thanks!

Wow! Thanks Rob - good advice and not a bad turnaround time, either!

Are Abarth parts easy to get hold of? How much for the leather knob? And how much was it to lower your HGT?

Cheers

Tom

 

[Roberto]

Abarth accessories

Hiya,

Ok, the gear knob, gaiter and sill plates r all genuine FIAT Abarth parts available from any main FIAT dealer. 1 of my local dealers, Desira, do online sales via email. Get in touch with them on 01379 650131, fax is 01379 643436 or [email protected] .
If ur a FIAT Motor Club GB member, u can get up 2 70% discount on some parts.
Off the top of my head, the prices r as follows:

Gear Knob £30
Gaiter £60
Sill Plates £25
Mats £30

I only went 4 the standard FIAT mats, but u can get Abarth 1's for £40

I also have the Sports Exhaust Trim fitted which is about £50.

Not sure how accurate the prices r, but they'll give u an idea.

The Abarth badges, which i have fitted on the interior and exterior r avaulable from www.abarthbadges.com .

Hope this helps,

Rob.

 

[Roberto]

P.S

My car was already lowered when I bought it, so I can't tell u how much it costs, but check with a dealer if u want the genuine FIAT Abarth Springs kit or check out places like Ripspeed at Halfords or other mod shops 4 3rd party spring kits.

Cheers,

Rob.

 

[Big Al]

WASSUP!!!

Hi Tom+Roberto howz ya doin????

Just to let you know Tm i have just purchased the gaiter and its &68+VAT, but i was lucky to know someone at fiat that did it inc vat.

What u hoping to do to it??I also have a 1.8hlx, yes, yes i know Roberto u lucky git having a HGT!!!!

On mine i have the full Abarth kit, 17's and in the week i'm having the boot flushed and a E-tech spoiler fitted on op of the factory fitted one! Hopefully it will look mint?!!??!!??!!??

l8ter

Allan Brown

 

[Roberto]

Abarth Kit

Hiya Al,

Well, u might think I might gloat at having an HGT, but I have 2 say I envy u guys with HLX's coz the Abarth Body kit will fit ur cars but not mine
This is due 2 the HGT being slightly longer and wider than all the other models. This is because they had 2 squeeze the behemoth 2.0 20v 5 pot engine in. So I can never fit that nice, genuine body kit and have 2 make do with the purpose made skirts and spoilers that u only get on the HGT. Shame, coz I really like that Abarth kit.
Never mind tho'....the performance sure makes up 4 it

And b4 any1 suggests 3rd party kits, I saw a 1.4SX the other day with the Indy kit on it and this ridiculous roof spoiler and it looked AWFUL ! The only good thing about it was the OZ wheels he had. The really shocking thing was that he was selling it 4 £5995 on a P plate. He had de-badged it, I guess in the vain hope that people would think it was more than the 1.4SX it was, but, as I'm sure a lot of u can, I can pinpoint a model from various clues in the trim i.e lights, brakes, interior gadgets etc.

It might have looked better if it had been fitted better 2. Looked 2 me like he'd bodged it like an Airfix kit !!
Like I've said b4, if u do it well, for example, like Amit did with his poor, recently departed blue stunner, then it looks good, but throw kit on willy nilly without care and it looks like, well let's b honest, a piece of S**T !!

Anyway, best of luck Tom with any work that u do and let us all c a pic when it's done
Here's 1 of mine for Al, just 2 get his juices flowing !! LOL

Cheers,

Rob.

 

[Paul]

Re: Abarth Kit

really is a cracking looking car u got there Rob.

 

[Roberto]

thanx....

Thanx Paul....haven't really done much 2 it. I just let it's own originality shine thru'.
Weather (& energy) permitting, I'll b giving it a good polish 2morrow and finding a nice location 2 take some better pix.
My g/f Marla has promised 2 lend a hand, so it shouldn't take 2 long, and c'ing as I'm recovering from a major cold, I'll need all the help I can get. She also suggested she might lay across the bonnet in hot pants and a skimpy top, but when I told her I'd still find the car more attractive she slapped me 1 and threatened not 2 help at all !! LOL

Anyway, hope 2 have some new pix here soon,

Rob.