General what to do?

[ricketh]

Hi guys :]..
I'm just about to put in for my test YAY

Anywho, my dad gave me his Bravo 1.2 16v and it's pretty much stock everything :]

What shall I do to it first to receive ultimate repsect from the bravo kings and queens!

Pics:

 

[Hellcat]

Fresh oil change and air first.

Maybe then some alloys and if you're feeling flush a bumper with foglights?

 

[Helz]

Have you got any NCB on your insurance? A few of us were discussing this last night and any major modifications are going to be costly if you haven't, so best to stick with smaller, non-performance things for now, as Hellcat suggests.

You already have our respect for your choice of car, welcome to the fold

 

[mountainmachine]

Ok so asuming your a young driver as your just about to sit your test, i'd get quotes from your insurers before you do anything. What to ask them is how it will affect your policy if you fit standard FIAT parts, ie alloys, bumpers, spoiler etc. As they are often more sympathetic to that than if you lowered it and shoved on some 17's.

As its an 80sx i'd debadge it. Clear indicators, HLX bumber, spoiler etc or Abarth kit if you can find one and it wont kill you insurance wise, I personally dont like the abarth rear spoiler, well from pics i've seen of it anyway.

And some marea headlights. Possibly light tints on the rear windows, HGT interior..

But stay away from performance, induction kit etc as they'll kill you for that insurance wise. And very little gain anyway.

 

[JoskeJTD]

If you want respect from the Bravo Kings and Queens, keep it a nice tidy example, dont drive like a loon and dont crash it.

I wouldn't bother with any mods of any kind, maybe some added security so nobody takes it away.

 

[klemster]

HLX bumper

Why would he need a hlx bumper?

Just a few subtle mods make a big difference..change the side repeaters, foglights, small spoiler, alloys and a good wash and wax

 

[Tomasso]

IMHO - go check if the cambelt/tensioner/pulley have been replaced - what's the mileage on this baby?

Fiat recommends to change these parts after 120 K kilometers and this is a wish rather than a tech spec as they snap around a hundred. I have changed mine at 80 K for the first time and around 160 for the second time.

 

[Hellcat]

Why would he need a hlx bumper?

Just a few subtle mods make a big difference..change the side repeaters, foglights, small spoiler, alloys and a good wash and wax

HLX bumper so that he has the foglights you speak of...

 

[mountainmachine]

HLX bumper so that he has the foglights you speak of...

Exactly!


Just dont get an HGT or marea one, as you'll have to change the wings etc too!

 

[klemster]

he could just put them into his existing bumper..far easier than getting a whole new bumper

 

[mountainmachine]

True but to get a nice finish it'll end up in the bodyshop, whereas finding a nice red HLX bumper with fogs properly attached etc shouldnt be too much trouble. I've seen plenty about in the scrapyards.

 

[klemster]

all he has to do is drop the bumper and on the back of the bumper there are circles marked out where the lights go...all he has to do is cut them out!he would only need to get the inserts that hold the lights in place sprayed and then put the lights in!

 

[mountainmachine]

Really didnt know that, didnt notice it either when i had my Brava bumber off from an 80sx.

 

[Hellcat]

all he has to do is drop the bumper and on the back of the bumper there are circles marked out where the lights go...all he has to do is cut them out!he would only need to get the inserts that hold the lights in place sprayed and then put the lights in!

I've seen someone do this. A lot of work and just as much expence. Plus it doesn't look quite as 'original'.

 

[klemster]

i did it..it looks perfect..even if you mess up cutting out the hole the insert that holds the light covers it up. i cut it out using a stanley knife, it isn't difficult to do really. all the bravo/as in my nearest scrapyard had front impact ruining the bumper or else they didn't have foglights. cutting the holes out would take longer but if he can find a hlx go for it..i quite like the washers on the bumper!

 

[Tomasso]

I've seen someone do this. A lot of work and just as much expence. Plus it doesn't look quite as 'original'.

They do look OK, lots of B/B/Ms have it like that. Not a big one to cut out holes, too. Spraying them is doable (though you need to get a can of paint made to match).

Real pain is the centre console's switch panel. You need to get one from scrappy as you can't simply add one switch to it (well, you can, but with soldering, cutting etc.). And note that Pre-FL models have different connectors from Post-FL plus Mareas have different connectors from B/B. Best thing is to pull your panel out and search for similar one with this one in hand.