Hi everyone thanks for the warm welcome to the forum, Where do i start lol. Well i bought the car Last October 08 as a project to keep me busy over the winter months. So off i went looking for something cheap and easy to run and work on. So off i set looking for Fiats and found this little R Reg 1108cc Cinquecento Fire Sporting in Imola Blue in Newcastle and without even seeing the car off i went on the train from Edinburgh and as much as it was in bad shape when i first saw it with just pure neglect need i say but i just had to buy it.
Well it had one years MOT on it when i bought it? But christ knows how? But it did, well the camshaft seal was away on the pully side, the coil pack bracket oil seal was away, the water pump was crying and dripping water lol, the seal on the front coolent pipe was away and dripping more water, the cam cover seal was away, so needless to say it was a 10 year old oily wet sad Fiat and the tryes were scrap and i don't think it had ever been washed inside or out EVER!! LOL.
So off i set and got it into the garage and up on the axle stands and over the winter i replaced the waterpump, front coolent pipe seal, cam cover oil seal, both camshaft oil seals then tested the thermostat and flushed the coolant system and replaced the thermostat housing seal and topped it all back up with fresh water and anti freeze summer coolent 50/50 mix,then i gave it a good service changing the oil and oil filter,f uel filter, new spark plugs, new ignition leads followed by a new timing belt and new tensioner and timing belt cover as that was missing,
So with all that done it was time for a good wash even the engine bay as it was bad!!! Followed by a good valet inside, then body work was to be be fair not all that bad for a 10 year old motor, so i gave it a good t-cut twice!! lol , followed by a good polish it came up a treat. I then gave the glass a good polish and finished it with treating what little trim was on the car and it was then starting to take shape and give me something in return?? a big cheesy smile lol.
So what was next? Well i got it back into the garage and back on the axle stands and the wheels off and took them to my local tyre fitter and got them stripped down as the alloys were going away to get powder coated white. So i then ordered a new set of pirelli 700z tyres and when the wheels were away getting coated, i removed the front shocks and rear dampers and springs and ordered a new set of OEM front shocks and rear dampers as the others were shot and then bought a set of 20mm g-max lowering springs and got them all fitted. I have also fitted a single Blaupunkt cd player but thats about it for the ice i am afraid, as its not my thing, i have also fitted a set of ripspeed door sill protectors and foot pedals and aerial to tart it up a little, lol,as you do.
Well with this all done, i bought a focus induction kit adjusted it so it fit better and fit it along with a new omp upper strut brace and a set of four rally giant driving lights and a set of sparco rally style mud flaps. Then i started on the graphics on the car. I fitted the new rear ashley twin dtm centre exit back box followed by rally stlye stickers to help the the rally look i have today.
I am not going to lie and say its been easy because its not but i have enjoyed it and its not finished yet.
So whats next? Well nothing until the tax and mot runs out in October 09 then i am going to sorn the car and take it off the road over the winter as i have big plans. I am going to remove the rear trailing arms, front anti roll bar and rear axle sub frame as well as the cam cover and get them powerder coated and fit a new set of powerflex trailing arm bushes, anti roll bar bushes, fit a rear spoiler and set of side skirts. I also hope to get a set of of omp bucket seats with 4 pin harness for both seats, boss kit and rally style steering wheel as well as matching pedals. Then and only then might i start weight shedding and fit a cage??? But to be honest i am not sure i will ever fit the cage unless i am just going to use it for track days??? As they are lethal weapons when not wearing a helmet and i am not ready to die lol not just yet thanks lol.
The only engine mods i have is the Focus induction kit. So the car is still as standard
1108 cc 8v SOHC FIRE 54 hp (40 kW)
So do i have Engine mods planned??? yes and no but to be honest i would rather keep it standard,well the engines internals that is.
Well thats about it i may have missed a few things out but hey give me a chance its Friday night and i have had a few beers.
Thanks
Scuderia
