General New UT project - Alot of work!!!

[axnutty]

Well some time back I said I was in the running for a barn find UT... well I arranged the sale today - so for the princly sum of £25 I've just bought myself a MK1 Uno Turbo!! Wooo!

The car has been sat on axle stands for some years... actually 11 years to be exact - judging by the tax disc!!

Engine and box arent in the car but sat next to it... I also found another gearbox in pieces! so am guessing that may have given up the ghost. Hence the engine removal - but why it was never refitted I dont know?!

I also found a lot of spares in boxes including 3 ECUs which looks ominous...especially as theres no ECU on the car and all the electrics are hanging down in the foot wells... hmmm

Body wise is very good - well for a 1988 Uno anyway! The strut tops are totally solid with no rust at all, as is underneath and the boot floor. The doors have no rust on them what so ever!

The rear arches have some on the lip (but will be covered by the bodykit when thats refitted) and the sills looks dubious in a couple of small places. Not that im scared by a bit of welding - All in all pretty dam good!

Then I came across some paperwork including service manual and original reciepts of sale. Turns out the lad bought it in '94 (ie 6 years old) for £3K drove it for 2 years and its sat ever since! Hence why the body aint too bad!

Unfortunatly the drivers seat is worn out, front bumper has got smashed, bodykit is missing in places and rear bumper has been badly painted. Still hopefully eBay may turn up some bits and pieces?? Or maybe someone on here???

If all else fails I could always sell it on to some X19 owner

Just got to get it back to mine and make some space and I can start cracking on with it and get some better pics and insight into what needs doing exactly!

 

[Dunc Uno Turbo]

awesome!

looks fairly good for saying its sat there doing nothing!

glad the old owner put it on axel stands and kept it dry


good luck with the project matey

Dunc

 

[circolo]

Where do you find these hidden treasures???

I've been after something like this for a while now, (a part time project, where I can while away many a rainy Sunday in the Autumn, in my Garage). But the cars' I see online are always far too rusted out - which is something I'm not keen on dealing with. Mechanics, aren't a problem, just welding and rust is a no, no.

This one looks very fixable, and lucky that it's been stored on stands, out of the weather.

Looks good.

 

[axnutty]

I know where there are 2 more sitting in a barn (and have been for 10 odd years to my knowledge - one of which has a blown engine but body isnt so much as dinted!) but ive tried to buy them before but the owner has some amazing idea hes going to do something with them (and the other 30 odd cars hes got in their) which he simply wont.

Theres some pretty amazing stuff in their too... Lotus Elan, 1071 Cooper S in full 60's Rally set up, alot of 30's/40's cars, MG's, Triumphs, etc. etc. But the guy wont sell! Grrr!

---

The car above will need some welding on the sills, not much though. Theres some "tin worm" threads creeping up from the rear arches and a small bubble on the roof that ideally would want sorting, but then the car would need a full respray and at the moment I cant be throwing that much money on it For the minute my major issue is getting it up and running - then MOT. Before I can start dreaming about repsraying it and making it mint!

I'll update this thread when I start work and create a blog of whats happening with it if anyone would find that interesting?

 

[Dunc Uno Turbo]

I'll update this thread when I start work and create a blog of whats happening with it if anyone would find that interesting?

deffinatly!!!!

u must DEFFO do that

make sure its an interesting read with plenty of pictures etc

Dunc

 

[Jai]

Engine and box arent in the car but sat next to it... I also found another gearbox in pieces! so am guessing that may have given up the ghost. Hence the engine removal - but why it was never refitted I dont know?!

top or bottom link boxes?

I also found a lot of spares in boxes including 3 ECUs which looks ominous...especially as theres no ECU on the car and all the electrics are hanging down in the foot wells... hmmm

not much to worry about, thats fairly standard for a running uno tub anyway

btw...intensely green eyed at your find, well done

 

[Dunc Uno Turbo]

not much to worry about, thats fairly standard for a running uno tub anyway

lol, yeah, as jai says, im sure before fiat let u drive the UT out the forecourt when u bought them new they pulled the wiring down so u could see it

all UTs have dangling wires! its "charactor"

Dunc

 

[axnutty]

LOL, yeah... but these are really loose including dash surround etc

Also - just been looking at the logbook and it quotes the CC as 1299 not 1301 like I'd have thought? (Not that I've any idea if the engine sat by the car is the original or not) but I take it this is some sort of early weak engine is it? :bang: Supposed to be at work at the minute otherwise Id do some googling

 

[circolo]

Weren't the very early UT's released with the 1299cc unit? Superseded from "E" reg onwards, (around 1986/7) to the 1301cc unit. Then finally for the MK2 the 1372cc unit.

 

[Dunc Uno Turbo]

Weren't the very early UT's released with the 1299cc unit? Superseded from "E" reg onwards, (around 1986/7) to the 1301cc unit. Then finally for the MK2 the 1372cc unit.

correct!

up to early E plate - 1299cc
E plate to 89 G - 1301cc
90 G - 94 M - 1372cc (mk2)


as for the 1299cc being a weaker lump, most definatly not, just 2cc smaller lol. nothing to worry about mate

Dunc

 

[axnutty]

...just 2cc smaller lol. nothing to worry about mate

Dunc

Ah thats OK then - seems an odd change to make though - must have had some sort of reasoning behind it you'd have thought? I just presumed it would be because of some advancement in engine design which also created an extra 2cc's as a consequence.

Incidently just checked and my car was first registered on the 30th of Jan 1988 - which tallys nicely with whats been said.

As for the g'box being top or bottom link I dont know. I will get some pics when I get it back here and see what the verdict is. I take it one is weaker than the other. Given im going to have to take the thing back to basics before rebuilding and renewing bits I may as well use the best OE spec stuff from the production history.

 

[Jai]

1299cc came with the strada bottom link gearbox, which likes to chew 2nd, and esp third gear. later mk1's with the 1301cc had the toplink from the tipo, bit stronger.

 

[Biz]

Wow good find!

Get that little gem shining again mate!

Yeah a detailed blog (like the brilliant one i saw on a Snoop-nosed Mk2 Escort at the recent Classic Ford show at the pod with about 100+ pictures in it!) would be a good Referance aid for people in the furure

Im doing one when i Re-shell my MK2 Uno turbo!

 

[axnutty]

Right I will do a blog thats fine - I did a fairly big one detailing the restoration and rebuild of my Citroen AX Ex works rally car and found it pretty useful to look back on.

Doing some research just now then I found this pretty useful site

It says...

...The initial Uno Turbo Mk1 had a 1299cc engine and the first generation Bosch-Marelli engine management systems. If tuning is required these EMUs should be avoided. Amongst other things they were not specifically designed for unleaded fuel...

...The 1301cc version quickly replaced the 1299cc. On paper it generates the same max power (105bhp) in practice the 1301s are noticeably more spritely and torquey motors...


Anybody add anything to that then? Anybody know of any UL fuel issues I should know about? Are the turbos alright or is it a very good idea to move onto the MK2 mani and turbo (I know it flows more but is it more resilant as well?)

Also correct me if im wrong but I seem to remember years ago that Cann Durant used to claim that you could up the boost to just under a Bar, a better filter and exhaust and increased fuel pressure would work well and increase power from the 105 to 140BHP. The website mentioned above also claims that 135/140BHP a very realistic and easy (cheap) modification level to go to. It also claims a 0-60 at 6.5secs and a top speed (as little as im interested in top speed) at 140MPH! Is that about right because that seems remarkably impressive to say the least! I get 140BHP in my AX and it weighs a good 100KG less than a UT (735KG as opposed to 845KG) and it only just achieves those sort of figures!

As said earlier on my major concern is to get it up and running before I start to even think about modifications. But im dealing with such an unknown quantity with the condition of mechanical side of things that if Im going to be replacing parts then I may as well be getting the better OE options. (Im a big beliver in parts bin tuning )

On thats note it was mentioned the "Strada" box is weaker than the "Tipo" style. Is there a list of ratios and FDs available anywhere. Im guessing the Tipo box will have been used in Tempras and Puntos as well. Normally I would ask what is the best "sports ratios" and lowest FD as that suits my driving style, but then Ive never had a turbo'd car before and what friends I have with turbo'd cars always are seaching for the longer ratios!! lol! (but then they are all facinated by top speeds :shakehead I guess its what you want from the car but what do you lot think to the std ratios and is their any box that people opt for as a better bet?

 

[thepottleflump]

This site has some useful tuning info.

http://www.sfconline.org.uk/models/uno/uno.asp

 

[axnutty]

Thats the same website as I linked too. Does have some useful info was just wondering if anyone else had anything to add from here?

Had a chance to do some more research today. Just to compile this info in one place I thought I would post it here in this one post. Hope no one minds.

If anyone could answer any of the blanks or add anything then please do so

GEARBOXS

Standard 1372cc Uno Turbo

1st 3.909
2nd 2.267
3rd 1.469
4th 1.043
5th 0.875

FD 3.353

Standard 1301/1299cc Uno Turbo

???

Tipo 1400/1600cc

1st 3.909:1
2nd 2.267:1
3rd 1.440:1
4th 1.029:1
5th 0.827:1 [0.849:1]

FD (1.4) 3.765:1 [3.938:1]
FD (1.6) 3.563:1

Some other FD's:

Tipo 1.7 - 3.765
Tipo 1.9TD - 3.167

‘boxes in [brackets] are be distinguished by white label with diagonal purple band and ID code C513.5.13.32




To quote some of the advice UnoRacer gave on another site - it seems to be that whilst this later type box is more robust, the earlier box can always be rebuilt with new synchros and bearings and gives less transmission losses than the latter type. It also (although Ive got little data to back this up) has far better scope for changing ratios by use of X19/Delta componenets. I also understand the 5th gear cluster is easier to swop. (a benefit if I ever get serious with racing - not that I can see that happening somehow!)

A X19 FD - 4.077

Lancia Delta 1500 use a close ratio gearcluster as standard.

Cylinder heads

Also another idea hit me - does anyone know if the UT gains a low compression ratio by cylinder head mods or pistons? As I would have thought there would be good scope for finding big(ger) valve heads on other models if you could safely change heads without upsetting the CR too much. Anyone able to shed some light on that?

Standard Valve sizes

1299/1301cc UT

38 (in)/ 33 (ex)

1372cc UT

36 (in)/ 33 (ex)

Tipo 1600cc [Engine Code 160 A2.000]

37.5 (in) / 39.4 (ex)

Tipo 1600cc [Engine Code 159 A3.000]

39.5 (in) / 31 (ex)

Not knowing much yet but would the Delta/X19 heads be any good?


Camshafts

1299/1301 cc UT

8 (in) / 8 (ex)
0/40 30/10

1372cc UT

8.8 (in) / 9.5 (ex)
14/44 36/6

X19

9.85 (in) / 9.9 (Ex) Lift
24/68 68/24

75SX

???



Looking at www.catcams.be They quote their fast road spec turbo cam to be:

Part # 1900220
Duration 289 / 267° 229 / 218°
Max lift 10.10 / 9.05mm
Lift @ TDC 1.95 / 1.25mm

Which interestingly the max lift isnt that much more than that of the X19's.







Also in the quest to stockpile some of the obvious parts Im going to require I stumbled across this website which proves to have a good selection of cheap body parts!

 

[axnutty]

A few more gear ratios to add just so ive a list of info here.

Uno (45/45S/ES/55/55S/70S) - Presumably MK1 box Gearbox ratios

1st 3.909
2nd 2.055
3rd 1.342
4th 0.964
5th 0.780 (0.830 on 45S)

FDs -

4.071 (45 and 45S)
3.867 (ES)
3.733 (55 55S & 70S)

So the 45S has a rather interesting box then, with a very low FD (albeit not quite X19 standards). Also after the initial whole between 1st and 2nd, the remaing gear spacings are close (in comparison to the other boxs ive data for anyway.)

 

[unoracer]

Hiya Charlie, As you have read, I have messed about with gearing on the race uno a fair bit. I am still using the delta 1500cc box with x1/9 final drive in it. I havent had a full race with it yet, but so far, it seems to do quite well mated to the tuned 1500cc. To be honest tho, if I was using the uno turbo engine, I would probably revert back to the mk2 uno turbo 'tipo type' box, as I think it takes the torque of the turbo engine much better, albeit being heavier and having more frictional losses etc. The uno turbo mk2 box that I have has a 3.765 crownwheel and pinion from a tipo 1.4 box, which should be reasonable in a turbo application.
I'm pretty sure that you cannot interchange any gearbox parts from the 'fire' engined unos such as 45 and 60 fire, as they are different boxes altogether, but any of the sohc lampredi engined unos mk1's would have used the strada/delta type box. mk2 uno 70sx used tipo box.

(I'll let ya know about the uno 70sx situation over next couple of days by the way!)