Technical Mpi brace on a Cinq

[Duncan]

Got a shiny new OMP Mpi Seicento brace for my 16v Cinq and when i try and shut the bonnet it's hitting the brace near the battery

What am i doing wrong??? The bracket on the offside of the bar does look a bit like it's been welded on at the wrong angle

 

[Cento186]

Is it mounted on or under the expansion tank bracket? That's the only thing I can think of...

Edit: I retract that comment, you don't have one fitted In which case I cannot see why it doesn't fit?

 

[ycming]

I never had that brace before, but i always though thr mpi brace is one that goes up straight across then down.

Silly question, could this have been fitted the wrong way round?

 

[ycming]

I never had that brace before, but i always though thr mpi brace is one that goes up straight across then down.

Silly question, could this have been fitted the wrong way round?

Also did you have to mod the ECU bracket for them both to be on ?

 

[Duncan]

The straight one is the Seicento Spi brace. Ecu bracket sits on top and i cut the coolant bracket in two. Seen this one on loads of Cinqs

Can only think it's cos i've got the car jacked up and i'm bolting one side down first then the other. Gonna try it with the front on the ground tomorrow and do all 6 bolts bit by bit.

Doesn't just rub on bonnet a bit - bonnet completely rests on it! Needs to sit at least 30mm lower :bang:

 

[Duncan]

As seen here:

Looks like he has modded the bolt holes so it sits further back....

 

[AppleSei]

There are two types of MPI sei strutbraces

One for models fitted with ABS

One for non-ABS models

Its possible you have the first one, which was designed to bypass the ABS box/system

Its been a while since i have owned a sei and im semi retired but if i am correct you will probably have to get rid of it and get the non ABS strut brace

 

[Cento186]

Regardless if which one you have it should fit anyway. It's on the right way round for sure since it's impossible to get it the wrong way round.

I was under the impression this brace is the only mpi brace, with the other two omp braces (Straight and straight with a bend) being for spi sei and cinqs.

As long as the brace is flat on the strut tops it should fit perfectly (unless your car is bent )

Is the underbonnet design slightly different between cinq's? That may be your issue...

 

[Duncan]

Regardless if which one you have it should fit anyway. It's on the right way round for sure since it's impossible to get it the wrong way round.

I was under the impression this brace is the only mpi brace, with the other two omp braces (Straight and straight with a bend) being for spi sei and cinqs.

As long as the brace is flat on the strut tops it should fit perfectly (unless your car is bent )

Is the underbonnet design slightly different between cinq's? That may be your issue...

Thought exactly the same about all of that

As far as i'm aware it's not been crashed. Never been declared and can't see any signs of accident damage.


Just had a look at a Seicento Mpi with the same brace and couldn't really see any differences other than they had adjusted the bar to be longer.

 

[Duncan]

Sorted.....




Cut the 'frame' on the bonnet Doesn't look too bad.

 

[blu73]

i demand pictures!

 

[MiniMetaller]

You've got the pictures of my Cinq there. I've cut part of the bonnet away to accommodate the brace as well. You might find it also hits the washer jets too, but it may not.

The hole locations for the brace have also changed as you spotted, but that is to change the suspension geometry, rather than move the brace.

James

 

[Duncan]

You've got the pictures of my Cinq there. I've cut part of the bonnet away to accommodate the brace as well.

Aaaah...mystery solved!

Will post pic tomorrow. Brace is about to be stripped and painted

 

[blu73]

not plastidipped?? lol

 

[Alfa Patch]

Engine bay looks immaculate. Very nice.

Did you paint the panel above the heater box or was it always like that?

 

[Duncan]

not plastidipped?? lol

No! although i did consider it....

Engine bay looks immaculate. Very nice.

Did you paint the panel above the heater box or was it always like that?

Nope. Always been like that. Think all really early 899s are like it.

 

[Duncan]

i demand pictures!

Needs tidying up a bit.

 

[blu73]

ah, thats less chopped up than i was expecting.

 

[cookie88]

That engine bay looks awesome! Could I ask what performance mods you have done?

 

[Duncan]

That engine bay looks awesome! Could I ask what performance mods you have done?

Check my thread out dude

https://www.fiatforum.com/members-motors/338620-my-94-1242-16v-cinquecento.html