Tuning & Modifications => Abarth 500 => Topic started by: Hampe on March 17, 2013, 06:39:41 pm
Title: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Hampe on March 17, 2013, 06:39:41 pm
Hey peeps! Registered on this forum because it seems like some of you guys knows what you're talking about. I myself is Swedish(hope this is allowed ;)). Now when the spring is approaching I will order a GT1446 Turbo upgrade package from TMC motorsports(the one for 1800gbp). My car is a 2010 EsseEsse, and what I've read so far is that the brakes needs to upgraded for such an increase in power. But I dont understand why? It's not that I will push the 125mph and such, but I will just enjoy the acceleration alot.
If I turn it in to a local tuning company to do the upgrade the work will cost loads, since it seems like you have to disassemble the whole front of the car. For a guy who likes to get his hands dirty, can I do the work myself?
Thanks in advance for the answers. Best regards Hampus in Sweden. I will keep you guys posted with the project.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: jaya on March 17, 2013, 06:47:17 pm
Theres better turbos out there for half the price mines rated way over the Garrett and is a direct fit as well :)
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Hampe on March 17, 2013, 06:55:46 pm
Oh really? Sounds nice! Do you have a thread somewhere where I can read about it? Or do you mind telling more about it?
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: jaya on March 17, 2013, 07:01:09 pm
Yeah heres mine I've just had it done and the Turbo cost £700 custom built stage 4 https://www.abarthforum.co.uk/500-abarth-tuning/hows-this-for-custom-turbo/
MOD: Txt speak removed
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Hampe on March 17, 2013, 07:12:26 pm
Im kinda looking for a turbo upgrade that isnt that "custom", where you cant spot the difference if there is an turbo upgrade or not. I think the GT1446 will suffice just fine?
But Jaya, did you have to remove the whole front of the car to make the switch?
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: jaya on March 17, 2013, 07:17:03 pm
the way mines been fitted you wouldn't tell it was "custom" the heat shield hides the turbo so you wouldnt know if your still looking for standard look i will up load some pics this week, its just an option as its half the price for lot more power, As for fitting i know the bumper was off thats it as i did not fit it, if that helps
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Trooper on March 17, 2013, 07:20:25 pm
Bumper will have to be removed with any turbo work, pretty easy to do, just a matter of unscrewing it :thumb:
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: GTMartin on March 17, 2013, 07:21:04 pm
From what I have seen, the bumper is taken off to give more room and better accessibility of all the nuts and bolts. Also it will not get damaged if it out of the way.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Andrew on March 17, 2013, 07:49:38 pm
what I've read so far is that the brakes needs to upgraded for such an increase in power. But I dont understand why? It's not that I will push the 125mph and such, but I will just enjoy the acceleration alot.
The first person to get this conversion didn't think they required the brake conversion, well that's until they went grass-tracking...
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Griffs998 on March 18, 2013, 06:10:15 pm
work out what power you're wanting and then you'll have a much better idea of what constitutes a 'good' turbo - some people, and there are some, will like the standard IHI turbo because it gives snappy, lively performance lowdown, which they can make use of - others like a much bigger turbo that comes on from 3 - 4k and pulls hard to the redline, others like something in the middle - the trick for a road turbo is working out the power you want and then finding a turbo that is just big enough to achieve it, so you get the power you want and the best possible response - a 1446 will work well for 220ish and below
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Hampe on March 23, 2013, 01:52:28 pm
I would like to have about 200bhp, so I guess the 1446 is the right choice. Does it have good torque on low revs?
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Griffs998 on March 23, 2013, 02:13:50 pm
perfect for 200, right in its sweetspot i would imagine - it'll have a decent amount of torque sub 3k rpm - put it this way you wont be able to get 200hp with any more low down torque - the standard IHI unit is too small for 200, and any turbo bigger than the 1446 will really wipe out sub 3k performance making it feel at low revs unboosted
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Hampe on March 23, 2013, 04:07:09 pm
I'm thinking I will put the new turbo there myself. How hard could it be, right? Do you think you guys would be interested in me making a how-to guide along the way?
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: mightydquinn on March 23, 2013, 04:17:32 pm
I have the first tmc 200+ Abarth. With the 1446 suplied by Abarth Best result was 227. Have a look at you tube link. If you don't want brakes that's fine. But they do help Any questions fire away.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Hampe on March 24, 2013, 01:32:59 am
Thanks Mightydquinn!
About to order the kit, do TMC give forum members discount? Would be nice..
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Scorpion on March 24, 2013, 05:47:04 pm
About to order the kit, do TMC give forum members discount? Would be nice..
What exactly are you ordering? .... Put it another way ....what are you fitting- exchanging? Is it just the turbo or are you fitting anything else? Sport CAT, oversize centre pipe, induction, intercooler etc?
???
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Hampe on March 25, 2013, 09:00:25 am
Turbo, gasket, manifold, top heat shield, top water feed, oil feed pipe, compressor outlet air hose, 200 cell sport cat is included in the kit.
Will the cat affect my emissions, will it pass through the annual inspection of the car?
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Carlos on March 25, 2013, 09:42:11 am
I'm really interested to hear how you get on with this mate as I'm really interested in it myself!
I have gone as far as I can with Abarth goodies as I can with my car.. I've got sabelts, brembos, Monza konis esseesse and this kit is the last step to make it pretty much a manual 695!
Is the turbo manifold etc Abarth parts? Ie the same parts that are fitted to the 695's??
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Hampe on March 25, 2013, 10:32:48 am
Good question, I guess it is. Ill let you know when I get the kit delivered!
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: mightydquinn on March 25, 2013, 12:09:01 pm
The 1446 is available at your dealer. I believe it to be around £2000 But If its the hybrid one then that's the 230 kit dans got 255 on dyno Mine was suplied by my dealer and fitted by tmc. He has done a few. And yes hi flow cat should still pass emissions As mine was moted in November. And Mir is an Abarth 200cell cat.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Moose on March 25, 2013, 01:38:18 pm
I was under the (possibly misguided) impression that new injectors were needed to upgrade to the same spec as a 695?
Or is the intention to bolt on the turbo and do the best with the current ones?
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: jebu on March 26, 2013, 05:58:43 am
Does anyone know if tributo injectors are same as ss?? I'm curios about this gt1446 conversion, I'm almost there for tributo specced ss!! Just turbo and accessories to go!
Title: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Nadeem on March 26, 2013, 08:01:27 am
Take a look at the AGP SS kit contents, that's essentially what you need. Iirc you should need the injectors, but I'm sure there'll be a sticky or topic about this to confirm.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: jaya on March 26, 2013, 09:29:15 am
The standard Injectors are good for over 200bhp mine are standard and it runs fine altho i have just ordered the Big red Injectors
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: mightydquinn on March 26, 2013, 10:27:11 am
I am on std injectors at 227. Bhp. I need fuel economy. I am from Yorkshire.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Moose on March 26, 2013, 09:37:21 pm
In that case, I'm very interested in how this thread pans out :thumb:
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: mightydquinn on March 28, 2013, 10:25:07 am
Me too.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: 124grandeabarth on March 28, 2013, 10:34:30 am
Hi
My Abarth 500 Ferrari dealers version I have put the complete 1446 kit from GPA SS on together with Koni FDS and 695 Brembo. got 206 bhp and 344 Nm. Very happy vith the car.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: jebu on April 01, 2013, 02:19:30 am
Hi 124 what ECU are you running? Injectors? Do you need new intake for the airbox? Did the turbo come with everything for direct replacement?
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: 124grandeabarth on April 01, 2013, 09:24:11 am
Complete AGP SS kit #220 ecu remap by Scantune in Denmark start with tributo settings, and then we went for max 200 bhp just like what Abarth does with asseto corse race car.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: 124grandeabarth on April 01, 2013, 09:45:51 am
Yes I using tributo intake too the original airbox. All sensor and injectors has been change.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Hampe on April 22, 2013, 08:36:06 pm
Was pretty much just about to order the kit for 1799 GBP from TMC.
But after some e-mailing between me and TMC, they didnt recommend just getting the turbo with manifold and cat, but getting the kit 3495 GBP with uprated injectors and such.
Thats like double the price, so for me as for now, No Go...
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: rallyman on May 07, 2013, 08:33:11 pm
I have the 500 AC race car converted for the road. I just ran it on the dyno - 205 hp at 5300 and 292Nm with very flat torque curve from 3000 to 5000. Spec is GT1446 with 300cc injectors, updated boost sensor, marelli exhaust with cat and cone filter. I believe peak boost is 1.6 bar at 3000 but it reduces to 1.1 bar by 6000. (That is the standard AC map). Very easy to drive on the road, but feels a bit flat over 5000.
Just about to remap for more boost at the top end, so will keep you posted.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: londonrichie on May 07, 2013, 10:31:15 pm
Definitely more to give with the turbo. I have 290nm torque on the standard SS turbo...
Mightydquinn has remapped his A500 to 235bhp/325nm running a very similar same set up on the GT1446. Good luck :thumb:
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: dan vbv on May 08, 2013, 01:23:46 pm
when i did mine
i was undecided weather to go for the gt1446 kit or the 230kit
thay are very close in price i am glad i went for the 230 kit
as it is going to be cheaper for me in the long run as i am looking at 300+hp and 300ftlb
my car is only running 1.55 bar of boost the turbo can run 1.8 so i just need to upgrade the inside of the engine and get a custom map to get more power
you could get the gt1446 and fit it get a custom map but you want get the power it is capable of but once its on the car and running you could to the other bits when you can afford them to take the power up
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Han5y on October 04, 2014, 04:37:53 pm
Its a little bump, but its much of the same as the threadstarters.
Have the 1800£ kit been removed from TMC? I cant found it..
Is it removed becouse he recomends the more expensive kits..?
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Sphilli2004 on October 04, 2014, 07:19:24 pm
I think scara73 is the way to go over TMC now. The kit is much cheaper and like the TMC kit you get everything, unlike the TMC kit you can pick and choose what bits you want. They also do a number of turbos where you use an interflange so you can keep the stock manifold and get 225+ bhp
Perhaps people can correct me if I am wrong but I believe TMC get a lot of bits from Scara73 and then add their premium, I think TMC are quite expensive on some bits.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: pederb on October 31, 2014, 10:50:24 am
Why not take a GT1752S from a Saab Turbo, thats a step up turbo from the GT1446. I have the GT1446 on my US built Abarth
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: mightydquinn on October 31, 2014, 02:49:16 pm
The advantage with TMC is He tries all the different options
I have dealt with him From Abarth day 1 The service and back up Product knowledge are first class I don't think he is expensive.
I have taken my 1446 off. And going hybrid target a nice useable 270 Bhp I like the 1446 as it is designed for that engine and bolts straight on and works exceptionally well to produce 235. New car new project.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: ConnorAbarth on September 13, 2015, 11:20:53 am
So say if i bought a garrett would it bolt straight on to my stock manifold? Thanks.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: J_a_m_e_s on September 13, 2015, 11:28:48 am
No
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: benn on September 14, 2015, 09:21:27 am
So say if i bought a garrett would it bolt straight on to my stock manifold? Thanks.
Nope. It can be modified i believe.
But easiest option would be just to buy the manifold off the Punto for that turbo.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: ConnorAbarth on September 23, 2015, 03:36:58 pm
So would the punto manifold fit the 500?
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Danny-hall on September 23, 2015, 05:45:45 pm
Mightydquin, you said your hoping to go upto 270bhp are you doing that on standard internals or is your engine forged? Iv read that the engine only with stand 260bhp and around 320nm, be good to see how you go with 270bhp cos im running a TD04 turbo on my a500 capable off around 280bhp so i could turn boost up if your running 270bhp, im at 230/240 now
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: benn on September 23, 2015, 08:55:57 pm
Yeah if you buy one from a grande punto esseesse or similar.
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: Jhandy2 on June 26, 2020, 07:27:07 pm
just commenting to keep the info to hand. new to the car and really want to make it somthing you dont see everyday!!
any advice welcome
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: pj1985 on July 14, 2020, 11:21:17 pm
Yes lots of useful info in this thread
Title: Re: Upgrading the Abarth with a GT1446 turbo.
Post by: FactoryPilot on May 01, 2021, 09:01:30 am
Shame that TMC don't do the full kits anymore, in fact looking at their website over the last year or so (amongst others), seems like most of the Abarth tuning stuff is being reduced these days. Shame as nobody will ever make cars like these anymore and in 20 years time when everything is electric, we'll all be looking back wishing we'd shoved them away safely in the garage etc.