Fiat Coupe 16VT - More (Reliable) Power

[Spee]

Hi All,

New to this forum but a regular on the FCCUK Forum, however, the FCCUK Forum has become so focused on the more plentiful 20V Fiat Coupe that most of my questions on there seem to fall on deaf or uneducated ears.

So, I'm running a stock 1996 2.0 16v Turbo Coupe Fiat at the moment, it's about to come off the road for a spruce up and general going over during the dark winter months.

While it's off the road, and while it's safe and warm in the garage, one of the jobs I am going to get stuck into is tidying up the engine bay, this will involve removing the engine as well. Now, while it's out I'd like to have some engine work done, it's a bit tappety, but otherwise pulls well and is fairly low mileage for it's age (96 car - 79K) no smoke, oil consumption is fine, despite a couple of leaks and no knocking or other funny noises. Always starts, on the button, just how I like my cars!

I did have an issue earlier in the year with the balance shaft tensioner breaking up, thankfully I caught it in time, the screaming on acceleration gave it away! So, the engine has been running for the last 4 months with no balancer shaft belt, this decision was taken as I knew the engine was to come out soon, and its a pig to sort in situ, and after reading posts on various forums, this one included, I decided it was safe to do. In all fairness, the only noticeable difference is the engine seems more free revving, there is no noticeable change in the smoothness of the engine at all.

Engine wise, I'd like reliable power, it's 195 stock, no idea what it is running now at this mileage, but I'm aiming for a good solid lump of extra power, around 280 to 300Bhp. I don't want to strap on a huge turbo giving me a wallop of power for a short time then nothing, I'm quite happy with the power spread as it is standard, although if it spooled up earlier, that would be an advantage. So I'm currently sourcing an uprated intercooler, a tubular manifold (found this now I think) a de-cat exhaust system (I've been looking at the OMP GRP N system as I've used this before on a Delta Turbo and it was nice and quiet!) and other bits and bobs to increase power without changing/ uprating the turbo.

I think, and correct me if I'm wrong, that for reliable power, I need engine work, most notably head work. I'm not looking for Group A power, so engine condition allowing I shouldn't need to be touching the block.

So, any advice would be appreciated please. I'm no engine man so the head will be done by a specialist, GC maybe.

To summarize, 280-300 Bhp, reliability and decent torque band, it is a road car only. Any idea of costs would be handy, although I appreciate this is going to vary considerably from engine to engine.

Thanks chaps.

Gareth