Hi all. Ive noticed theres 2 schools of thought whenever I mention tuning (of any sort).....' you'll blow up your car you prat!' and the opposite one of ' why not try this...'. Why are so many of us so polarised in our opinions? The way I see it is like this....
BMW recently released the 335 Coupe & it looks fab. But now the M3 is about to come out. Its even 'fabber'! Why not see the Fiat Coupe as the 335 but Fiat never released an M3 equivalent. Hence, when we (well me anyway) talk of tuning its about tastefully, purposefully & sympathetically improving on a great car in a way in which Fiat may have done had they put their mind to it.
So, for me, its not about stupid spoilers, go faster pipes & stripes etc. I want to retain Chris Bangles' inspirations and make my Coupe a little faster, handle a little tighter, sound a touch sportier & look a smidgen more meaningful.
Lecture over.....its off my chest now!! Please no more telling me Im a plonker for just considering improving my car!
Im sure I'll geta few replies....................

You're right - there are two distinct sides to the argument, but both sides accept and understand the other's viewpoints ( as long as it doesn't involve a great big boot spoiler or viper stripes)

There's a lot to be said for keeping it standard. Reliability, longevity and cost being the obvious ones. Its a pretty fast car as standard and more than capable of holding its own against MUCH more modern and MUCH more expensive machinery

However, since someone stuck an engine inside a carriage instead of a horse at the front, people have been trying to go faster.

Personally, I really enjoy my (very) modded car. Other than a Fiat bodykit and some 17" wheels, it looks very standard. Its pretty firm to drive, but not madly so (I drive well over 30,000 miles a year, so it has to be fairly comfortable)

However, (assuming the basic mechanics of the car are in good shape) you can make some modifications fairly cheaply that will make a fair bit of difference, such as...

Good tyres
uprated shock absorbers
strut brace
good brakes
G-Tec chip
Panel air filter
Exhaust

There's probably about a grand's worth of work there, but you'll have a 250bhp car that goes, stops and corners pretty well.

Cosmetically, there's very little the Coupe needs - a little lowering sometimes helps the visuals, but by far the easiest is to have the lower bumpers and sills painted body colour. if you want it to look stunning, just keep it clean - it'll always turn heads when its shiny.

Nigel, seems you & I sing from same hymnsheet. But Im very much the newbie of course. Anyway, Id like to lower mine but keep the Fiat alloys....how would be best to do this & how much lowered looks visually the best in your experience? (if it looks obviously lowered then Im put off you see). Id like a gtech chip also but Im really scared of doing damage to my car. I dont do many miles in it & I dont drive it fast very often. Lastly, any simple ways to bring out the exhaust burble a little. Love the throaty sound Ive heard on some of the videos. Always wanted TVR just for the sound alone but dont need one now I love my coop!

Chris, if you don't drive it fast very often, then I question your need for performance mods. If you're scared of damaging your car, then its best to leave the engine well alone. As long as you keep it well serviced and check the oil regularly, it will last for ages. 220bhp is plenty for most people.

I'm lowered 25mm and its about right for me - much more and you're asking for ground clearance problems. If you want to lower, you should use springs AND shocks. Lowered springs on stock shocks is asking for trouble.

Exhaust - I'd recommend SuperSprint. Its mild steel and thus has a deeper note than most stainless systems. The centre pipe is the weak point - should last a couple of years though. Having said that, short journeys are killers of mild steel axhausts, so maybe you should go for a Miltek stainless. I've also heard good things about PowerFiat's stainless systems.

There's one more problem with modding - its addictive. once you get a feel for more power, you just can't stop. I always said I'd be happy with 300bhp, but now I'm at 400, I can't help thinking that another 50bhp would come in handy

Come on Nigel.....'question my NEED for performance mods.' Whats need got to do with it!!! Tell me anyone who NEEDS to go faster other than a racing driver during a race(and maybe the emergency services on call). For the rest of us, all of us, its just a matter of WANT. And there aint nowt wrong with that! I dont go fast often, but when I do Id like to go faster while being safer, handling better etc etc etc. Read the first sentence in your reply....how patronising! But I still love you matey..he he. No harm done!

not meant to be patronising, just realistic.

I've seen so many people set out on the modding trail then regret it. I've wished many times that I'd left it standard (so has my wife!)

It was your comment about being scared of breaking the car that led me to me questioning whether you should be considering modding it

Just adjusting your throttle cable can make a huge difference.

Chris - if you chip the car and get the fuelling checked then the engine should be fine. Your turbo may go, and so may the clutch etc. if they are worn. Mod away, but just be prepared for the extra stress the car is put under - more power and you'll want better brakes + suspension etc. etc.