2001 Fiat Multipla 1.9 JTD ELX

There's a cheap Fiat Coupe turbo in the Classifieds too!

The Alfa 16V 1.9 JTD would probably fit on the same engine mounts, and it has a bit more power, but you're limited by the standard clutch/gearbox. Might as well stick to the same 1.9 and chip it up to about 140bhp!

Never thought I'd ever say it, but I think I like this! You've certainly done it a good turn. I will keep my eye in here from now on I think.

Sup Gang, thought I'd chuck some pics up on here to show "progress".

Still got the same engine in it, actually runs okay but I still feel we're on borrowed time so I'm in talks with a mate about this lovely low mileage lump over in the valleys.

Till then I've got this sump protectorating bar:



Which is nice. Came courtesy of stealthstylz and should help the missus keep the black stuff in the motor.

Took a picture of it with the back seats out the other day and it crossed my mind that perhaps not everyone knows you can have these out in a few minutes. Such amazingly practical cars. You should totally get one.



Finally got the rear bumper re-painted and on the other day. Gave it a bit of love with a gravelly sponge courtesy of some child labour and then popped out and took a few pics.











Still needs a bit of paint on the plastic bit at the bottom of the tailgate and also on the side trim on the doors, but it's looking much better - I think?

Excellent. Looks so good.

'Sup Autopervs?

A quick meant-to-be-doing-working post to get yous up to speed.


They hadn't done this ^ which I would've known if I had any clue what was lurking under the palletwrap. I was confused and duped by the driveshafts. This was good, as it meant I may be able to move it myself.

Got it in the back of the car with help from Mrs. Dee and got it down to TAB without hernia/pulled/sprained bits. This is where I enlisted the help of a professional as when I try these things it always goes wrong (even if I did have the time, I probably would've ruined it and also Because Italian).

Turns out it is the wrong engine! OMG FAIL FML etc.

Luckily, we has teh technology. mantaphil was in there like swimwear and managed to swap all of the gubbins off the original lump and onto the very early Multipla engine - which was seemingly different in every way. Even the bloody sump was different!

The process was so convoluted, it somehow involved removing the dashboard (ecu wiring apparently). It is at this point I felt relieved I didn't try it myself. Not only would I have screwed it all up, it would have taken years.

Phil really came through with this. It was particularly laborious and he got it done asap with minimal moaning and even gave me a bit of a deal. What a star. He even took a few pics.







*scene missing*

[insert_working_car_pic_here]

Yaay. Drives really nicely now, feels a bit more powerful too and with a new turbo, new cambelt, waterpump, aux. tensioner, gasket set etc it should go on for a while! Hope so, cause I'm POOR! Better the devil you know and all that.

Will chuck some more gumpf in here once I get a day on it this week, want to paint a few bits and fit the sump protectorator and maybe some tyres. Word.

[/quote]
I've been trying to think of what to replace the Multipla with when it dies. Cool though something like a Honda Stepwgn would be, and as much as I'd love a Chevvy 3100 van, I can't help but come back to the idea of a 20VT in a Multipla. Petrol ones are even cheaper to buy too! Wonder how much a decent conversion would cost...
Cheers
Duncan[/quote]

This has crossed my mind more than it should too, although I've still got a convertible itch to scratch at the moment

Some progress today. Will try to address your above request in this post mylittletony.

First off, the tyres. Ages ago when I put the bigger ones on the back it was basically 'cause I couldn't afford to buy all four. Well I'm still skint, but the fronts became more and more desperate, so I've bitten the bullet and gone for some part-worns.

Before:



After:



Drives so much better now and has also filled the arches nicely and given Mrs Dee a little more sump clearance - they also protect the alloys a bit more so win-win.

Next, I went to Halfords where a good friend of mine replaced the battery with a new one (foc). Since it'd been laid up for so long without being driven we'd been having electricity problems. He tested the alternator and it seems okay so unless it has a drain somewhere, it was a dud battery - which is now gone.



On the way back I stopped for a cheeky pic, lovin these tyres.



Next up was the faded grey plastic at the bottom of the tailgate.









Hit it with some Montana because it sticks so much better than the other paint I used for the bumpers.



Came up nicely, I'd like to do the whole car this colour actually.

Anyway, went over it with some cruddy black stuff I had lying about which isn't as good but at least it's black now.



Had a great plan to replace the blue Fiat badge with a red one, but it didn't go well.



99p on Ebay with no dimensions listed so was a blind punt - oh well.

Next up, I stencilled the tyres with a bit of YOMAMA.



Never fails to raise an eyebrow at the nursery.

Then came some preventative measures. I'd had the sump guard from stealthstylz for ages but hadn't got round to fitting it.



Bit of a brush.



Splash of paint.



On it went.







Ready to be ruined. Really happy with the whole car. Needs driving now, I'm off!

Christ that's err daring...

Each to their own and all that, sorry for being negative or whatever but I really can't find any merit in that. The lines in the livery run across the lines of the car and there is just too much going on for me personally.

Progress-wise I have a new drivers door mech waiting to go on, the missus has all but ripped off the splitter already and I need to paint the side strips still. Not much else happening apart from getting used and abused daily. Bonnet needs another polish and some sealant, looks poop again.

Difficult to find time for cars these days, would love to say that I've spent the last month on a sabbatical installing air-ride and painting it but I haven't. I've been at work. Have a picture of an ugly car as consolation;