Hi guys,

What was the reason behind fiat changing the 1299cc engine originally in the uno turbo for the 1301cc engine?
Are there any drawbacks with the 1299cc?

Thank you

the main thing appears to be the type of gearbox used, the 1299 came with the older strada bottom link, the 1301 with the tipo toplink, 2nd and particularly 3rd gear suffered a lot with the strada box

Alex don't do it if it's going to be a daily driver

alex...you joining the ranks of the enlightened?! you do realise such a move will cause you much heartache, as well as joy?

Alex22 said:

Hi guys,

What was the reason behind fiat changing the 1299cc engine originally in the uno turbo for the 1301cc engine?
Are there any drawbacks with the 1299cc?

Thank you

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Welcome to the dark side :devil:

Jai said:

alex...you joining the ranks of the enlightened?! you do realise such a move will cause you much heartache, as well as joy?

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sounds like Turbo Cinq ownership to me... i have come well prepared

If i can shift my turbo cinq soon, then i'm thinking about buying one.
i was just wondering if its better to find a mk1 with the 1301cc rather than the 1299cc... i know its only like 2ccs difference lol.

1301 is better due to the gearbox, the actual engine is ny on identical

I seem to remember that the 1299cc UT is the most rare being only made for a short time. I also seem to remember Fiat messed around with the 1.3 engine (not just with the UT) by starting off as 1301cc, then dropping to 1299cc, then going back to 1301cc. Makes sense to drop to 1299cc because back in the 80's car insurance groups were based on engine capacity and 1301cc pushed you into a higher insurance group. That's also why we had the dog slow 1.3 Capri, Cortina and Cavalier!

Why they went back up to 1301cc I'm not sure

Either way, as Oldschool says the biggest factor is that the 1299 UT Strada based gearbox is weaker than the later 1301 UT Tipo based gearbox. However, I'm no expert on the UT and I also think there are some grey areas as to exactly what Fiat were fitting and when!

might go for a MK2 lmao.
thanks for the insight tho

Alex22 said:

might go for a MK2 lmao.
thanks for the insight tho

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Both mk1 and mk2 UT's are good cars though mk1's are generally more expensive as they're rarer and are now regarded as classic cars. The mk2 can't be far behind though. Mk2's are slightly easier to get parts for though judging by my experience of Fiat dealers today... :bang:

Mk1 engines are regarded as stronger (forged crank apparently) though the mk2 has more power (122bhp compared with 105bhp). Both will take more boost and stay reliable up to around 150bhp. Above that you need to start spending money to keep engine longevity.

Your best bet is to buy on condition rather than year or whether it is mk1 or mk2. Bodywork is the most important as they can rust to bits before your eyes! The general running gear is also easy to get parts for though turbo specific engine parts are getting thin on the ground. I think working AFM's are all but extinct?

Either way get a good one, cherish it, and you'll have a fantastic little Italian buzz box. Get a bad one and it will be a nightmare and a bottomless pit as far as time and money are concerned. Choose wisely!

late model mk1, you got the tougher gearbox, cool looks, and the snazzy black and red interior with red seat belts that the mk2 lads miss out on....

IMO best uno to go for would be a late mk1 with the stronger gearbox and without a sunroof. but saying that a late mk2 on a M reg would be nice. but yeah best to go on condition, sorry 1986Uno45S but a uno turbo is not a classic car,

oldskoolmk1unoturbo said:

sorry 1986Uno45S but a uno turbo is not a classic car,

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I'm only calling them that because of the interest shown in mk1 UT's by various classic car magazines and also because of the rising prices. It IS a classic 80's hot hatch though

Jai said:

late model mk1, you got the tougher gearbox, cool looks, and the snazzy black and red interior with red seat belts that the mk2 lads miss out on....

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meh got red seat belts in my cinq haha.
i just don't know whether or not to take the plunge.
buying a UT means selling my cinq turbo. i've gotta imagine the UT would be more reliable since its SUPPOSED to be a turbo charged car in the first place lol

cinq turbo wouldnt be even as quick as a standard UT, a uno with a few basic mods i.e air filter stainless exhaust and boost increased you would leave one for dead

Well its quicker than u think
i'm not really bothered about it being faster, i jus want the charatcer that my cinq has

Alex (Ghost) ran his Cinq Turbo against Chris' (Bushboy) Uno Turbo mk1 at the Pod (I think) last year/ year before. Chris' UT wasn't running that great but still beat Alex's Cinq!

my mate used to have a 1242 cinq which was chipped, 75 cam, 4-2-1 manifold, induction kit, straight through exhaust which was sooo loud lol and i could pull away from him in 5th from a rolling 40mph start in my old mk1 uno turbo,

Thats because u had a what? 1301cc turbo? runnin what boost?
i'm not here sayin i wanna keep the turbo cinq coz it'll be as fast as a UT coz of course it bloody won't be...
In fact think i started out askin what the diffs in the engines were. thats been answered :slayer:

1986Uno45S said:

Alex (Ghost) ran his Cinq Turbo against Chris' (Bushboy) Uno Turbo mk1 at the Pod (I think) last year/ year before. Chris' UT wasn't running that great but still beat Alex's Cinq!

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i could argue that one but ill let him come and defend himself