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Two FCSS Specials!
#1576266
07/06/2016 22:40
07/06/2016 22:40
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 156 Berkshire
tim16v
OP
On a journey
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OP
On a journey
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 156
Berkshire
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Here are some pictures of two cars originally built by Joe and now gracing my drive. The VIS is described in the register thread below and the porto is the remapped 2.4 N/A that was recommissioned by Joe a few weeks ago. It needed a fair bit more work than I had been led to believe by the vendor but was pleased with the results. That was 'phase 1' which also included a full service and a fair bit of work to put it back to a nearer standard specification on some cosmetic items and the springs too. It also nearly popped it's CHOD and this was only discovered after a puddle formed on the workshop floor - if you're going to pop your CHOD Joe's place must be amongst the best places for this! Close call though. The VIS is mechanically standard and was driven over the weekend after having sat in the garage for a few weeks while I get to grips with the porto which is 'under development'. The VIS is basically 'finished' so doesn't need anything other than routine checking. The two cars could hardly be more different. The porto has a turbo gearbox with Visco and, with a nicely (IMO) low end torque biased Flea remap feels like you're being pulled along by a large V6. It is about 190bhp with a similar maximum torque output I think. Very strong throughout the rev range with a flatter torque curve than normal so there's not too much more to be had by pushing it close to the red line. On the picture it's the red lines with torque being the top one. In addition it is very quiet and actually feels like a more sophisticated 'grand tourer' for this reason, but slightly heavier too. By contrast the VIS feels almost hyperactive. Razor sharp throttle, excellent raw exhaust note, lighter and certainly adequate torque made for a good trip down to the coast at the weekend. It would be nice if it had a Visco but I've decided to leave well alone as it's been fine for years now. Phase 2 work on the porto will comprise dealing with a few niggles, another check over, fitting LE front lips, changing the wheels to dark 16'' 16VT like the VIS and a few pedantic issues inside that need to be dealt with. It's an interesting project that has got off to a good start. Narrower wheels and tyres on spacers might make it feel lighter too although this is not a problem - it feels very well planted at all times. It also has high backed Recaro sports style leather front seats that will have to go, to be replaced by standard seats in due course.
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Re: Two FCSS Specials!
[Re: tim16v]
#1576268
07/06/2016 23:12
07/06/2016 23:12
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162 Glos
Brilly1uk
Club member 1034
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Club member 1034
Competition Level
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
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Two very good looking cars and an interesting review of their respective merits. Joe's job is to bring my own Porto to the same standard!!!
Fiat Coupe 20VT Alfa Romeo Spider BMW X3
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Re: Two FCSS Specials!
[Re: tim16v]
#1576285
08/06/2016 01:43
08/06/2016 01:43
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,221 FCSS 01684 593187
Countrycruising
Club Rep Europe, member 914
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Club Rep Europe, member 914
Forum veteran
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,221
FCSS 01684 593187
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Great write up Tim, and it's great to see the pair of them parked together on your drive Both these examples hold a soft spot in my heart along with the memories of building them. The 2.4 setup on the early ECU is the better build imo to the later fly-by-wire as mapping is easier, cheaper and the alloy plenum design allow less restriction to airflow. The one I'm building at the moment is similar to the first 200bhp 2.4 I built in 2012, that was a VIS with the alloy plenum, but this one will be running the GTA throttle body which will increases the diameter greatly adding to that already noisy induction raw that makes the engine sound like it's running on individual throttle bodies
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Re: Two FCSS Specials!
[Re: Mark_S]
#1576327
08/06/2016 14:29
08/06/2016 14:29
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,015 ation
szkom
Club member 2000
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Club member 2000
Forum is my life
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,015
ation
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I like the alloys on the Porto. Me too. I wonder what they are?
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Re: Two FCSS Specials!
[Re: szkom]
#1576329
08/06/2016 14:50
08/06/2016 14:50
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,221 FCSS 01684 593187
Countrycruising
Club Rep Europe, member 914
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Club Rep Europe, member 914
Forum veteran
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,221
FCSS 01684 593187
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I like the alloys on the Porto. Me too. I wonder what they are? I'd like to know as well as they look OE but I've not matched them to anything. Size is 215/40/17's with a 10mm spacer to clear the Brembo callipers.
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Re: Two FCSS Specials!
[Re: tim16v]
#1584399
12/09/2016 21:36
12/09/2016 21:36
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 156 Berkshire
tim16v
OP
On a journey
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OP
On a journey
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 156
Berkshire
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I am sorry to report that the two have now become one! As you may have seen on Joe's Facebook page, in a totally random event, while the porto was parked outside my house a road works lorry came past with a heavy steel ladder hanging down which hit it. Random because I happened to be working at home that day (rare), nothing much happens in our road anyway and it was only there as I was checking the oil on a level surface. I had just stood up, heard a 'bang' and it smacked the bonnet down. Could have been much worse indeed though. Anyway it's been written off as a cat 'C'. I have considered the salvage angle but that is not really viable so unfortunately it is being removed from Joe's premises shortly for due process. Many thanks to Joe for helping me with this, getting it transported, estimates prepared and responding to my myriad of emails. Epic patience! Unfortunately though I have to move on to the next car now. I was genuinely going to get this sorted over the next 2 to 3 years to make it 'the' excellent and unique 2.4. Plenty of Joe's expertise has gone in to it so far but the repairs now required are too extensive. The bonnet is buckled and large areas of paint are needed. Finally the agreed value mechanism in the policy has 'worked' in this instance and the insurers (through Adrian Flux) have been really helpful too.
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Re: Two FCSS Specials!
[Re: tim16v]
#1584402
12/09/2016 21:50
12/09/2016 21:50
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 826 Kent
cyborg7
Club member 1400
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Club member 1400
Enjoying the ride
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 826
Kent
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Blimey that was a close call Also just spotted the 'danger cyclists' sign - that's equally as scary.
Last edited by cyborg7; 12/09/2016 21:53.
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Re: Two FCSS Specials!
[Re: cyborg7]
#1584411
12/09/2016 22:46
12/09/2016 22:46
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162 Glos
Brilly1uk
Club member 1034
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Club member 1034
Competition Level
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
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Oh no!!! Really sorry to hear your bad luck and the end of another Porto. (Thank goodness though you have managed to keep your head)!
Fiat Coupe 20VT Alfa Romeo Spider BMW X3
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Re: Two FCSS Specials!
[Re: tim16v]
#1584503
14/09/2016 00:25
14/09/2016 00:25
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,960 west bromwich
coupedummy
Je suis un Coupé
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Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,960
west bromwich
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Keep an eye for me joe! Either way hope it can be saved in some form
Last edited by coupedummy; 14/09/2016 00:28.
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Re: Two FCSS Specials!
[Re: coupedummy]
#1584660
15/09/2016 22:43
15/09/2016 22:43
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dannyboy100
Unregistered
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dannyboy100
Unregistered
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Re: Two FCSS Specials!
[Re: dante giacosa]
#1584737
16/09/2016 18:54
16/09/2016 18:54
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162 Glos
Brilly1uk
Club member 1034
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Club member 1034
Competition Level
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
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Yes I believe it was a 2.4 non turbo - the handy work of Joe at FCSS. I am sure there might be some links on here from the past.
I hope it gets saved for another day.
Fiat Coupe 20VT Alfa Romeo Spider BMW X3
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