Tuning T-Jet Handling

[jamsec96]

Hi, I have a Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet and i am keen to do some upgrades on engine, styling and handling. The problem i have and the advice i need is what i can do to upgrade the handling of my punto apart from the obvious, tyres and pressures etc. The handling gives me lots of under steer and the kicks back for some more let off over steer. What sort of ugrades can i make to it to help me with this? Coilovers? Bushes? Top mounts? obviously i know i can spend thousands but i want to keep to a good price for it all.

Thanks, James

 

[yoko]

go for eibach springs and biletein b6 shocks and upgrade the anti roll bar

 

[middo85]

What tyres are you using?

Im always curious when people complain of understeer as mine will only do it with worn tyres in the wet.

Eibach sportlines sharpen the handling a bit at the expense of a bit of ride comfort and as Yoko says new shocks will be needed soon afterwards as the standard ones are put under more strain.

Like any FWD car its important to balance it properly through bends but IMO the GPS handles very well, other than the lack of feedback through the wheel.

 

[jamsec96]

okay good to hear, i am at work at the mo. and will look into the prices and stuff later, looking to get quite a bit of a lower ride too but obviously not decked. The tyres on the car are continentals on the front and two miscellanious on th rears. i only bought the car about 2/3 weeks ago and the tyres have a lot of tread left so i want to make the most before i spend the money haha. But speaking of tyres, which ones actually suit the punto's driving style and handling and work best for the middle to top end price range. tks.

 

[jamsec96]

also, my friend recommended AP coilovers for it

 

[jameshobiecat]

What tyres are you using?

Im always curious when people complain of understeer as mine will only do it with worn tyres in the wet.

I agree, when I first had my t-jet it had some budget rubbish tyres on the front and understeered terribly. I put continental's on the front and swapped the budgets to the rear and it would snap into oversteer, particularly on damp roundabouts. Now its on continentals all around and is secure as a rock. As said before, the handling balance of the gp is fine, shame about the feedback!

 

[kyle96]

I put continental winters on my GP, handling is rock solid and never looses grip unless your going daft speeds, and even then it's controllable

I got some apex springs 35mm and now there's almost no body roll, and takes corners like a dream, just goes to show 2 little mods like that the difference it makes

 

[fingers99]

Can't remember what size tyres the GP has. Cheapest performance tyres are probably going to be Rainsports or Faulken.

 

[jameshobiecat]

Can't remember what size tyres the GP has. Cheapest performance tyres are probably going to be Rainsports or Faulken.

205/45/17 88v

For reference, continental sport contact 5s are about £130each on asda tyres and are multiple test winners.

P.s. Watch the load index. The t-jet requires a 88 load index where the standard for that size is 84. Technically the wrong load index is an mot/insurance fail but no-one ever seems to get picked up on it.

 

[fingers99]

Camskills have no stock of that size (but worth waiting). Typically, Uniroyal are 25% + cheaper than Contis (and are the same company).

Specs are (Fuel Eff.: C Wet Grip: A NoiseClass: 2 Noise: 72dB).

Conti are: (Fuel Eff.: C Wet Grip: A NoiseClass: 2 Noise: 72dB). £118 from Camskill. (Other retailers are available.)

 

[eggy1977]

I'm looking to get two new front tyres on my t-jet in the new few days, atm I've got one original Dunlop Sport 9000 on the rear that's now finally getting to the limit, and the other three are all Fortuna tyres my dealer put on a couple or three years back, which have been decent for cheaper tyres, although one of the front ones has always lost a fair bit of pressure. Gonna put the good front one on the rear and get two good quality front tyres.

Done a bit of research and I'm a bit more clued up on things, are the Continental Sport Contact 5's the best tyres to get then? I'm not going to be changing my tyres in the winter/summer so would I be better off with the WinterContact TS 850's for all year usage or is there no real point?

Also are the Uniroyal RainSport 3 tyres the similar tyres mentioned above, and are they worth considering if cheaper.

My tyres are still the standard 205/45 R17 88v

 

[middo85]

I'm looking to get two new front tyres on my t-jet in the new few days, atm I've got one original Dunlop Sport 9000 on the rear that's now finally getting to the limit, and the other three are all Fortuna tyres my dealer put on a couple or three years back, which have been decent for cheaper tyres, although one of the front ones has always lost a fair bit of pressure. Gonna put the good front one on the rear and get two good quality front tyres.

Done a bit of research and I'm a bit more clued up on things, are the Continental Sport Contact 5's the best tyres to get then? I'm not going to be changing my tyres in the winter/summer so would I be better off with the WinterContact TS 850's for all year usage or is there no real point?

Also are the Uniroyal RainSport 3 tyres the similar tyres mentioned above, and are they worth considering if cheaper.

My tyres are still the standard 205/45 R17 88v

If you dont intend to change them DONT put winter tyres on it for year round use.

Winter tyres are excellent at low temperatures but they use specific compounds for cold weather which dont offer as much grip when its warmer.

The Contis get great reviews but ive never used them so cant offer an opinion.

Uniroyal rainsport 3 are excellent, particularly in the wet. Had them on my old mondeo and they eliminated the understeer it had with Michelins on it.

Based on experience id recommend the Uniroyals, Goodyear efficient grips or Kumho ecsta le sports

 

[eggy1977]

Ah cool, the Uniroyals make it about £50 cheaper. so might go with those instead if the difference is minimal, like someone says above they are very similar to the Continentals.

Halfords works out the cheapest for the Conti's, given their discount for 2 or more tyres.

I get steering wheel juddering at 70mph, might as well ask, will the balancing sort this or will I need the wheels aligning?

Halfords don't stock the uniroyals, not found many places that do so far, but at F1 it's only £206 for two - plus i notice they do a free wheel alignment check.

 

[Ckem247]

I'm running parada spec 2 on series 2 sporting alloys 215/45/17 on my 1.2 and coilovers on there lowest height handles like a dream even my mums fiesta feels like a boat to drive now. Tyres to be replaced with 4 kendas but

 

[middo85]

I get steering wheel juddering at 70mph, might as well ask, will the balancing sort this or will I need the wheels aligning?

Need to get your tracking and balancing checked as well as checking for buckled alloys or damage to suspension components mate

 

[eggy1977]

argh. Well lets hope it's something straight forward then

Cheers.

 

[jakepocock]

I've got Pirelli P Zero Nero GT tyres on my T-Jet. Fantastic grip in the wet and dry.
I've also had Hankook ventus v12's too and they're brill too, although slightly less grip than the Pirelli's.

 

[Matthewr1990]

I know I don't drive a GP anymore but if you're looking for good tyres I highly recommend Dunlop Blu response sports, the wet grip is phenomenal. Reduces road noise and I'm yet to get under steer from my much heavier Bravo. In fact I get over steer as my back tyres aren't as good and kick out because the response from the front when I turn is fantastic. Oh and they're about £65 a corner for my car.

 

[eggy1977]

I got the Rainsport 3's, absolutely chucked it down after I got them too, wasn't really wanting the weather to rain quite so much despite the name of the tyre.

Had then a couple of weeks and can safely say then are miles better than the Fortuna ones, much more grip when cornering and great in the wet and dry, also think the are quieter too. What's more getting the wheels fitted and balanced has got rid of the steering wheel judder and the noise I had previously is still yet to return so an all round great result. The bloke at the garage questioned why I was having Uniroyals on a Fiat, but I guess he just doesn't understand! hehe

 

[jamsec96]

Hi guys, since i originally posted i have bought ap fully adjustable coilovers for the punto and fitted them on saturday. Fantastic, the handling is much better, the body roll has been eliminated and it now sticks to the corners a lot better. I'm still on **** tyres, all different, i am now drawn between tyres, from what you guys have posted and what i have seen it looks like its going to either be uniroyals, rain sport 3'S or continental sport compact 5's. I cant get tyres until i get my new wheels. Also what does anybody know about stretches tyres and how the affect performance or if they dont. Thanks.