General Coupe turbo buying advice

[bravotony]

Hi guys hope you can give me some advice I have been running a bravo hgt for the last 3 years and am lookin to get a coupe turbo, but could do with some advice on which one ie 16vt or 20vt and what to look for when buying and how much I should be paying, cheers guys

 

[bridges]

this is a frequently asked subject but to save you a search I will summarise.

both 16v and 20vt are cracking cars. 20v is a newer design and more economical 16v is argued by some as being more reliable or at least less to maintain, cambelt etc. getting parts and advice for the 20v is easier though, basically it comes down to choice.

when looking at cars look less at mileage and more at how the cars been looked after. particularly try to find one thats had all the big jobs done as will save a fortune.

 

[jimboy]

Give the guys at...."Fiat coupe forum" a look. loads of advice there & an extensive buyers guide.

 

[Rustbucket]

Forget running one 'on the cheap' as they are serious performance cars and need servicing and budgeting to match. They also aren't Jap 'Fire and Forget' weapons so be prepared for a lot of tinkering, fiddling and cursing as the Italian's really shouldn't be allowed anywhere near auto electrics...

 

[elberto]

First, keep in mind supercharged engines from FIAT are..... not just "delicated", but "particular"; I mean you should use particular care.

16v turbo is the same engine of Delta, I don't know in your country, but here (Italy) you'll find a lot of tuners which can get out a lot of hp from this engine.
You also need to "feel" the turbo: in 16v you'll feel the "kick in ass" when turbine starts.

20v turbo is the most powerfull engine (original) and you'll feel the engine as a without-turbo one (power is linear).
If you need to tune this engine you should choose very carefully the tuner because not all tuners know this engine.
But with fews changes you can reach up to 250 hp in safe mode.
The only "problem" of this engine are the belts: you have to check them carefully.

Both of engines has got the same problems: you have to use the turbine carefully (it means you have to wait the water and oli temperature are ok before push hard, wait the turbine keep cool before switch-off the engine).

Then you should check interiors (there are some differences between the t16 and t20 versions) as your personally taste.