Monthly Archives: October 2013

4B4RTH Plate

Plated

After my plates came in the mail, and I was tagged as “BUB 558″, it was most definitely time to submit the application for a personalized plate.  In Iowa, it’s a $25 application process, then an additional $5/yr on top of your normal registration.  The form allows you to make up to 5 choices, and they’ll choose the first one that isn’t already taken, and isn’t something scandalous.

My choices in order were:
1) ABARTH
2) 4B4RTH
3) 5OO
4) 5OOA
5) GRIGIO

After an arduous 3 weeks of uncertainly, the notice came in the mail. My plates were ready for pickup!  “ABARTH” was already taken, so I was issued “4B4RTH”. Much better than “BUB” :)

4B4RTH Plate

4B4RTH Plate

4B4RTH Plate

4B4RTH Plate

Chrome fuel filler waiting to be installed

Can’t Resist the Mods

My other vehicles are far from stock. The ’94Z has a cammed 3400 engine swap with longtube headers for example.  So, how long can I keep the Abarth stock? Apparently, 3 weeks.

Starting things off simple. Just a replacement intake pipe and the cool chrome fuel filler. Will try to hold off on anything else until after winter, but no promises! :)

Why did I just go for the replacement aluminum pipe, rather than a full cone intake system? The stock system draws in cool air from behind the headlight, and appears quite efficient, aside from the bit of a bottleneck in the piece I’ve replaced. The other aftermarket systems seem to lose this “ram air” advantage, and some route the intake pipe right over the turbo, causing a drastic increase in IAT (Intake Air Temperature).

Stock intake system

Stock intake system

Intake pipe replaced

Intake pipe replaced

Chrome fuel filler waiting to be installed

Chrome fuel filler waiting to be installed

Stock fuel filler cap

Stock fuel filler cap

Chrome Fuel Filler Installed

Chrome Fuel Filler Installed

New chrome fuel filler installed. Requires removal of inner fender liner to access the bolts to remove the stock filler door

New chrome fuel filler installed. Requires removal of inner fender liner to access the bolts to remove the stock filler door