My TD04 Abarth 500

[.Tyler]

Had my Abarth 500 SS for 18 months now but only recently started fiddling.

Had the wheels sprayed red and then got a TD04 turbo, 200 cell cat, 2.25 inch stainless exhaust with a middle silencer, Forge Induction Kit, Airtec FMIC, uprated injectors and Assetto Corse boost/MAP sensors

Work and mapping were done by ProAlfa in Watford, these are the go-to guys especially for mapping on these.

I always loved these even when I had my Inferno. It was a healthy 164bhp/216lb-ft when I last had it on the rollers and went well. It's a little animal now though!

Next up is a brake upgrade once I've finished these off, and Bilstein B14 coilovers

 

[Daniel]

They look so so cool!

I just can't get comfy in them. :-(

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

I love these so much!

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

That'll burn a lot of folk on the road that! Love it!

What do the standard internals take on these? I've seen seriously fettled ones with 350bhp and always wonder what sort of coin they've spent on the engines internals...?

 

[.Tyler]

They'll take 1.6 bar but not for long lol. Mine's at 1.4

You're getting into big money upwards of 250bhp.

 

[PP200t]

Wow!! This is awesome @.Tyler. I'd love to do this to my abarth punto. Just funds hold me back. If my turbo goes pop I'll definitely consider it. What did you need to fit the turbo? And can I ask details please? Pm if you'd rather.

 

[Philip.]

I'll admit, I was looking at these on eBay and auto trader today!

I'm seriously tempted after seeing the figures on yours, bet it flys.

 

[Mr Plums]

They look so so cool!

I just can't get comfy in them. :-(

So im guessing worse than a 1*2?

I really like these, squat little things!

 

[withoutabix]

Looks epic dude

Ours is more than enough fun with 180 so can't imagine another 40+ on top of that haha!

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

Look's cool as, bet it surprises a quite a few on the roads.

 

[-Rob]

My SS was cracking fun with 160hp-ish.. Can't imagine what this is like with 240!

I'd change the alloys to a more subtle colour and then you'll surprise even more cars.

What's it like getting the power down?

 

[.Tyler]

My SS was cracking fun with 160hp-ish.. Can't imagine what this is like with 240!

I'd change the alloys to a more subtle colour and then you'll surprise even more cars.

What's it like getting the power down?

They were standard SS white before but I recently had them done in red to compliment the mirrors and stripes.

The front tyres are Falkens which are ok but don't have long left on them. It's managing to put most of it down without too much hassle when the road's dry. I reckon it'll be no problem once I get some fresh rubber next year, probably PS3s

 

[-Rob]

They were standard SS white before but I recently had them done in red to compliment the mirrors and stripes. The front tyres are Falkens which are ok but don't have long left on them. It's managing to put most of it down without too much hassle when the road's dry. I reckon it'll be no problem once I get some fresh rubber next year, probably PS3s

That's fair enough, looks like a great car.

I went from Avon ZZ5's/Uniroyal 2 to PS3's on the front and it was a whole different car.. It transformed it, literally so much grip. I wish I had done it sooner.

Only reason I sold up was because of the steering feel and seating position for my 320 mile commute.

Just needs cruise control and better seating position!

 

[PP200t]

Just needs cruise control and better seating position!

You needed a grande punto abarth or a punto evo abarth.

 

[Paul.M]

This looks ace, love these little cars.

Pro alfa are currently building a panda 100hp with an abarth engine for a good friend of mine

 

[Cub.]

Lovely!

Do these come with a diff standard?

 

[Ollie1]

Looks smart mate, picked my abarth up a couple of months ago, love it.

 

[.Tyler]

This looks ace, love these little cars.

Pro alfa are currently building a panda 100hp with an abarth engine for a good friend of mine :smile:

I was having a nose at it while I was there. That'll be some machine when (if ever haha) it's done. Used to have one of those when they first came out and loved every second of it.

 

[.Tyler]

Lovely!

Do these come with a diff standard?

No they've got one of those pretend electronic ones which did an ok job with standard SS power. I haven't tested it properly with the extra power yet!

 

[Scrooge]

Awesome car!!

 

[Cookson]

This is epic. I bet that's a right hoot to drive

 

[Advikaz]

My gripe with these (I use one as a work horse/daily) the feedback through the steering is crap, and I don't really think they handle that well either. I used to think it was fine until I pushed on with it.

Also the brakes aren't half as good as they look. My 200 was a much better drivers car. Topgears bit that they did on them was laughable. Yeah the 200 has to be worked harder, but in terms on handling the clio is in a different league.

The 595 does make me smile though, but being like 6ft4 not 'ideal'.

I'd have thought you'd be at more power with the different turbo?

 

[_Tom]

Love that.

 

[.Tyler]

My gripe with these (I use one as a work horse/daily) the feedback through the steering is crap, and I don't really think they handle that well either. I used to think it was fine until I pushed on with it.

Also the brakes aren't half as good as they look. My 200 was a much better drivers car. Topgears bit that they did on them was laughable. Yeah the 200 has to be worked harder, but in terms on handling the clio is in a different league.

The 595 does make me smile though, but being like 6ft4 not 'ideal'.

I'd have thought you'd be at more power with the different turbo?

Really? Did you see the graph? Won't get much more without going forged. And I'm well aware that 200s are far better drivers cars. I find the SS brakes cope reasonably well when they're nice and warm and they performed fine for me at the 'ring last year (of course with less power). I will be upgrading them once these pads have died though

 

[Paul.M]

I was having a nose at it while I was there. That'll be some machine when (if ever haha) it's done. Used to have one of those when they first came out and loved every second of it.

25 weeks and counting now for a five week build! it's had 2 rebuilds so far but is now forged so hopefully third time lucky

 

[Advikaz]

Really? Did you see the graph?

Completely missed it sorry bud.

Bet that shifts!

 

[.Tyler]

Completely missed it sorry bud.

Bet that shifts!

Sorry I posted then decided to edit! I could have been clearer in my first post too!

 

[Advikaz]

Sorry I posted then decided to edit! I could have been clearer in my first post too!

No sweat matey, sounds like a weapon!

First gear on these is comical anyway, I imagine you're in it for milliseconds haha!!

I bet the pull in second and third is mega!

 

[JonnyK]

is a 2.25 diameter exhaust not restrictive with a TD04? would there be more gains to be had with a 2.5?

 

[bill]

That looks awesome! Wheels are perfect imo, love it!

 

[.Tyler]

is a 2.25 diameter exhaust not restrictive with a TD04? would there be more gains to be had with a 2.5?

That was my initial thought but the exhaust builders said there was no need to go up to 2.5 and they seem to know their stuff.

These can happily make more torque with 300lb-ft being about the limit for the standard gearbox. Power wise though it's in the sweet spot. If I wanted more it's an engine-open job!

 

[Advikaz]

That was my initial thought but the exhaust builders said there was no need to go up to 2.5 and they seem to know their stuff.

These can happily make more torque with 300lb-ft being about the limit for the standard gearbox. Power wise though it's in the sweet spot. If I wanted more it's an engine-open job!

What kind of £ have you thrown at it, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[.Tyler]

What kind of £ have you thrown at it, if you don't mind me asking?

It's at around 3k for all the parts and labour including mapping

 

[Inequality Street]

Possibley picking up an SS soon. Viewing one Saturday with intent!

 

[_Tom]

Possibley picking up an SS soon. Viewing one Saturday with intent!

The swift or whatever gone back?

 

[Inequality Street]

The swift or whatever gone back?

Possible trade in to get rid. Over the phone the trade in they offered us was only £600 less than we paid in November, so might just take the hit.

 

[_Tom]

Possible trade in to get rid. Over the phone the trade in they offered us was only £600 less than we paid in November, so might just take the hit.

£600 for 5 months isn't too bad to be fair.

 

[Inequality Street]

£600 for 5 months isn't too bad to be fair.

Thats what we thought. Suzuki are flat out denying all responsibility now too, so it would end up in court. Court fee's initially are £495, then time off work etc. If it was a few thousand hit, we'd follow it through. But for £600 I think we'll swallow it.

And 500 SS's are lush!

 

[_Tom]

Thats what we thought. Suzuki are flat out denying all responsibility now too, so it would end up in court. Court fee's initially are £495, then time off work etc. If it was a few thousand hit, we'd follow it through. But for £600 I think we'll swallow it.

And 500 SS's are lush!

100% on both. Chop it in and I love the SS.

 

[Inequality Street]

100% on both. Chop it in and I love the SS.

Update - We bought the SS! It's as loud my my Clio, which is hillarious. Really fun drive, I agree with @Advikaz on the steering feel, isn't as good as the Clio. But even from a short test drive, I already really like it.

Collect Saturday, will stick up my own thread and stop hyjacking this one!