So, where to start......
RESULTS:
172bhp
285Nm @ 4580rpm
On the 6th June 09 I visited G-Tech Engineering GMBH, based in Stetten (DE) - about 1hr south of Stuttgart.
I had the following fitted to my Abarth 500.
1. ECU Chip 'S' - 163bhp engine upgrade.
2. Full exhaust (manifold back) including sports cat in stainless steel. Rear box coloured Inox (black)
Price paid = 1750eur including fitting, VAT and guarantee on the ECU.
The work took about 2 hrs in total (including time on the dyno). They first removed the old exhaust system, it seemed a very quick job and the only problem was seperating the backbox from the mid-section as corrosion had already started to weld them together.
Once the old system was off they attached the new stainless steel system and quickly installed the new chip. It is an extra box that is secured just in front of the battery (see pics).
Once the installation was completed the car was put on to the dyno to verify the upgrade and to check for any errors. The upgrade was successful and the car produced 172bhp and 283Nm torque @ 4580rpm. G-tech estimate the exhaust to be worth about 6bhp.
The 'S' chip can be underwritten with an aftermarket warranty from Allianz, validity is to match that of the Abarth warranty - i.e. 2 yrs from date of CAR purchase. Just to clarify the Allianz warranty expires 2 yrs after initial car purchase, irrespective of when the aftermarket chip is fitted. This either makes it very good or bad value for money, depending on when you have the work done.
The condition of the old system when it came off the car was surprisingly poor in some areas - the car is 6 months old with 10000miles and has done 1/2 a winter season. I would be wary of the new Abarth exhaust system that will be imminently released if it is made of the same stuff.
All the staff at G-tech were pleasant, helpful and friendly and they speak enough English that you dont have to speak any German! The only hiccup in the whole day was that they dont accept electronic payment - meaning I had to find 1750eur cash at 5pm in a sleepy German village with only foreign cards - luckily I managed it!
The workshops are clean and you instantly get the impression this is a very professional outfit. Apart from Abarth they seem to mainly work with Porsche, although from their website I see that they modify Opel and BMW too.
Pictures! (please do not complain if they are too big!)
Dyno printout:
Outside G-tech:
One of the other cars - lowered with G-techs own wheels:
Old back box:
This is the bend just before the back box, notice the rusting already:
My old system on the top, next to a brand new stock system on the bottom:
New rear box:
New rear section:
98RON only!
Looking bare:
Initial mounting:
New front section:
New mid-section:
The box of tricks, discreetly hidden infront of the battery tray:
Back on the ground:
On the dyno:
VIDEOS.
Before we start I am not very good cameraman and I havent the patience to be editing the videos, but I have two short ones.
The first is the intial startup of the car at G-tech.
The second is a bit longer and is in the parking garage at a hotel in Stuttgart.
They give a good enough impression of the sound, but you have to hear it in real life for the full effect!
Impressions:
I have done about 400 miles in the car since yesterday and so far everything is performing as expected.
There seems to be a lot more eagerness in 2nd gear under hard acceleration and then in 3,4,5th gears the increase in power is much more noticeable. The pace at which the car goes from 60mph-130mph is quite amazing. The power is linear and always available - no noticable turbo lag and so far I havent noticed much difference in mpg.
The exhaust is a peach
It keeps the 'cheekyness' of the original - that burble is still there and there is a much more noticable over-run. It pops and gargles as it drops down the rev range.
If you are gentle this system is just as 'discreet' as the stock system, but if you are agressive it really barks! It doesnt drone on the motorway and doesnt seem any more intrusive to me as the OE system during the highway cruise.
Around town (if you play) it is much louder and people hear it coming - the occasional backfires that the car produces really 'pop' now and are very loud (I like
). Exhausts take a couple of weeks to 'coke up' usually and deepen in their sound, so ill have to wait a while for the final results. Its really two thumbs up from me for this system.
I hope that this little review was helpful - I think I am right in saying that I am the first on here to plump for the aftermarket tuning option and I am happy to answer questions as I go along.
Brakes and suspension remain stock for me:
You definately do NOT need to upgrade these for such a power upgrade. Ill probably lower the car on coilovers in the future, but thats purely aesthetic and not due to the power upgrade. The brakes cope just as well as before. Dont forget the cars not going any faster than before; its just getting there quicker!
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