Fiat Coupe 20VT - The duel is on!

[blown_vr6]

Problem is Spink is lots of people with low mileage cars dont think that the cambelt needs replacing due to age related wear as much as mileage related.
Youll see lots of them for sale with 50000 miles on that are 8years old that still havent had the belt done - i know this from when i was looking around!.
Also Fiat never changed the auxilary belt as a precaution - this is the belt that breaks due to a seized tensioner and takes the cambelt out with it.
Its as much Fiats fault for not realising or not wanting to realise this problem - they were too happy charging cusotmers a grand to do a cambelt.
Nowadays there are specialists who will do the whole job and that includes bolt belts and all tensioners and the water pump for about 350-400 quid.
The bottom end of the engine is nigh on bombproof and will take nigh on 400bhp without internal mods.
If the belts have been done and the turbo is new or upgraded then you wont have a lot to worry about - the old T28 doesnt last that long at higher boost levels.
Traction is very good - my Missus car is running around 260bhp and you have to try very hard to get the fronts to spin up - once its moving its very quick.
260bhp cars will run mid - high 13's all day long due to the diff.
If you want to race them at the pod then i think you might be in for a surprise

Pete.

[Robatron]

Well I went to meet up with about 6/7 fiat coupe owners in epsom yesterday and I have to say it was a great day out. There was no hooning about or tearing up the local streets just a meet up for lunch.

I dont think it should be too much bother organising some kind of a meet with these guys, I for one would be up for it even if it isnt at the pod.

[Greg_S]

What location are we thinking for this meet?

@S2driverUK or Robatron would you like to arrange this one?

[Robatron]

Well I can give it a try, but I will probably need a hand sorting it out at some point.

I suppose somewhere central that we can all make and that will have enough room to accomodate all of us.

The trouble with arranging a meet at santa pod is that we would need to gurantee enough cars racing down the strip. I have no problem attending but I am very reluctant to take part in thrashing the car from standstill. So if enough people get on the strip from both forums then its not really a problem

[Greg_S]

I'd have a go down the 1/4 there. It may be worth arranging it at a time when there is another event on at Santa Pod & meet up together either enroute or there

[S2central.net]

Well guess what....

I kinda like the Fiat 20V Turbo Coupe (shock horror) - anyone that owns one (massively generalising here) has more taste and style than the wannabee Scoobie & Evo brigade.

They are a nice looking thing with a niche group of owners (not unlike the S2 mob assembled here), great going wee engine and have eminent giant killing ability. IMO their only weak point is the FWD (and always questionable Italian electrics err not that the S2 is immune from the odd wiring calamity) - it just rains too much where I live - I love the planted feel of quattro in wet or dry... (or snow with winter rubber attached) depsite the obvious weight disadvantage on the S2 chassis.

[Robatron]

I agree with you completely Paul. I dont find them the most attractive car but they are heavily under rated as far as I am concerned.

Greg, how can I find out what events are occuring and when?

[spink]

heres the pod calendar

http://www.santapod.co.uk/calendar.php

[Robatron]

Thanks mate

So how about a Run What Ya Brung sometime in january?

That way there is plenty of time to arrange something and time for people to keep that date free, plus the fact that I am pretty busy in october and november

[Ross]

I'd be interested in this one - a meet, at the pod or whatever. I think the Fiat Coupe is a bit of a sleeper!! Only time I've had an encounter was up in the Lakes... wasn't in the S2 and he was flying some. January would be cool @ the pod, as I'd imagine it'll be damp 'n slick and the 4WD will come in handy

Would have to agree I'm not sold on the looks of the Fiat but have a bit of respect for the mentality that goes into buying one. Didn't realise they were so tuneable too! Still lovin' my S2 though

Cheers
Ross

[Greg_S]

Any news on this one?