My New Bella!

[MikeyRules]

Well thought I'd start a new thread now I've actually got the car home and have started doing some rebranding and modifications to track the progress and help others who fancy going down this route.

 

As bought/standard:

 

 

Rear Badge removed:

 

 

Standard head unit:

 

 

New Sat Nav / DVD / TV / WI-FI /Rear view camera head unit: (I'm still waiting on this and hope to have it installed before Xmas)

 

 

New Momo Design black grill:

 

 

 

I'm now waiting on a new Lancia Airbag, Sill plates, rear badge and 4 hub caps, ah and a set of mats...

[Rossocorsa]

Black grille looks great I reckon I'll have to fit one, did you have to take the bumper off or not to fit? Do you have any leads on cheap airbag covers really bugs me staring at that badge when driving.........

[MikeyRules]

No opted not to remove the bumper and simply snapped the lugs off the old grill to remove... The new grill secures at the top and bottom anyway and I used some tiny blobs of tiger seal on the back (at each lug point) to make sure it stays put.

 

There's always a few airbags on Italian eBay to be honest, although a lot are second hand which I didn't want. I ended up getting a brand new one by emailing the seller for a 'buy it now' price including UK postage and she came back saying £95 all in. It's a complete unit though as the front doesn't separate.

[Rossocorsa]

You've done well with the airbag, haven't checked but I was under the impression that it might be possible to just replace the cover even though it is only supplied complete as a spare part(?) I think the black grille might be a good compromise on my car , same colour as yours, as it will blend in more. Did it come complete with badge?

[MikeyRules]

Yes it came complete. I must admit the badge is bigger than I remembered, but having said that it does follow the centre line of the bonnet so doesn't look out of place.

 

I had a guy squinting at the car through his rear view mirror yesterday as we both pulled into the petrol station. When he got out he said ah Lancia, I wondered what it was... that looks fantastic was it expensive!? Made my day!

 

Interestingly most of the Alfisti on Alfabook seem to really like it, but most of my friends think it hit the ugly tree on the way out of the factory hahah

[Nello]

Good work Mike! Suprised you were able to remove the Grille without taking the bumper off but fair play for getting there!

I still prefer the earlier Grill with the vertical 'Shield' but looks great. Let me know how you get on / where you get the Airbag - I'm watching a few on ebay Italy too. Where are you getting the Sat Nav from? They a big money arn't they?

 

I've had loads of comments like that as well including one chap I watched actually stop his car to park up and look around mine! Fiat really missed a trick!

Edited December 11, 2014 by Nello

[MikeyRules]

Thanks fella, I'm really pleased with it! Yes I did look at the earlier grills, and do know what you mean about it flowing better with the lines of the car. However I'm going black and grey for a bit of a meaner look, (Mirrors were already black) and will eventually have the alloys powder coated black or maybe even try some Alfa alloys (8C style) in a dark anthracite.

 

The Sat Nav I first saw on Italian eBay, but after further bit of investigation I found the company website with an English option and after a quick chat with the owner via email ordered directly. As mine doesn't already Nav he is including the right plug 'n' play loom, and I decided to get it in Piano black rather than silver.

 

Link here: http://www.almigliorprezzo.net/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=55

 

It's cost me about £450 including UK shipping, which I think is pretty good as it maintains the original equipment look and feel plus gives me some great tech! I do have a few concerns over postcodes as Italian post codes are only 5 digits and not 6 like ours, plus whether the TV frequency range will match etc.. I have bought a separate reverse camera too, so am hoping that will be plug 'n' play once I've installed it into the tailgate and wired it into the reverse light feed eek!

[Nello]

Nice one Mike - Not sure Mrs Nello would let me stretch to one of those but you never know. Be interested to see how you get on.

Darkened wheels will look great! The Momo S wheels are darkened - they are actually the same wheels as the Bravo T-Jet with different centre caps to disguise the fact! I've got a sneaky trick for a cheap way of making some Lancia'ed centre caps if interested 

[Rossocorsa]

Just ordered airbag and grille, just hope try are ok when they arrive. Now does anyone know if dealers can change the sat nav splash screen?

[MikeyRules]

Yeah I'll post some pic's when it arrives and once installed... The You tube vid's look great so I'm hoping for the best!

 

I do like Bravo T-Jet wheels, so might keep an eye out, but love the circle designs Alfa's have as they really shout Italian to me! Any Idea what size they are? Are they 18's?

 

Too late unfortunately with regard the wheel centres as I have a set of four Lancia ones winging there way to Blighty from Italy already  I thought I could stick some Lancia badges on the existing caps once I'd removed the 'wings' but the badges don't cover where the wing tips would have been if that makes any sense?

[MikeyRules]

Just ordered airbag and grille, just hope try are ok when they arrive. Now does anyone know if dealers can change the sat nav splash screen?

Well that's the 3 of us increasing the Lancia brand in the UK ha-ha!

 

There technicians should be able to with the diagnostics... From memory it's not that difficult, and only a matter of finding the right menu and option... Whether they will be willing to is another matter! One of y friends was the head tech at Mangoletsi and would do stuff for free, but alas he now works for Amari Supercars!

[Rossocorsa]

Well that's the 3 of us increasing the Lancia brand in the UK ha-ha!

 

There technicians should be able to with the diagnostics... From memory it's not that difficult, and only a matter of finding the right menu and option... Whether they will be willing to is another matter! One of y friends was the head tech at Mangoletsi and would do stuff for free, but alas he now works for Amari Supercars!

Pity that multiecuscan can't do it, I'm sure it is probably really easy to do but don't have a friendly local dealer that can do it. I might email the dealer I bought my car from, they seemed quite friendly but they are down south of London (I went a long way to buy a limited!) so it's not practical to go there

[Rossocorsa]

With regard to wheels I think the momo design (bravo) ones are a bad fit for the design, most of the original alloys incorporate Lancia shield motifs which I find appropriate. Retro fitting 18 inch wheels isn't ideal as cars originally fitted with 18s have a different rack with restricted lock to avoid tyre scrubbing at extreme lock.

[MikeyRules]

With regard to wheels I think the momo design (bravo) ones are a bad fit for the design, most of the original alloys incorporate Lancia shield motifs which I find appropriate. Retro fitting 18 inch wheels isn't ideal as cars originally fitted with 18s have a different rack with restricted lock to avoid tyre scrubbing at extreme lock.

I'd be very surprised if 18's make a real difference to the wheel lock... after all going up one size of wheel means the tyre profile comes down to enable the rolling radius to remain the same. The size and shape of the car make 17''s look lost and the arches are quite bit to begin with. Where did you hear that the steering lock was restricted on cars with 18's?

 

Pity that multiecuscan can't do it, I'm sure it is probably really easy to do but don't have a friendly local dealer that can do it. I might email the dealer I bought my car from, they seemed quite friendly but they are down south of London (I went a long way to buy a limited!) so it's not practical to go there

Where are you located? (I'm in Cheshire) If we could find a central dealer maybe we could have all 3 cars done at the same time? Maybe a Fiat/Alfa/Lancia specialist would be better than a Chrysler dealership? As long as they have Fiat Examiner it should be fairly straight forward.

 

The central display between the Rev/Speedo also shows the Chrysler logo and wings as you get in the car, so this will need changing too...

[Nello]

Heres the Bravo T-Jet wheel:

http://ipocars.com/imgs/a/e/z/n/z/fiat__bravo_1_4_t_jet_16v_2008_4_lgw.jpg  

 

and here the Delta Momo S:

 

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/fTt1-yrct5Q/0.jpg  

 

 

Its the exact same wheel so won't make a difference in terms of rack / lock. The rack spec is standard across the entire UK Delta range......

All they've done is created/borrowed a different centre cap as they couldn't be bothered/want the cost of making a Chryser one for UK cars using the same Fiat wheel... 

[Nello]

Mikey to replace / hide the sills' I found a guy on ebay who makes Martini stripes. He custom made me some to mask the Chrysler wording complete with LANCIA logo. I'll post up a picture on Monday as I have got the entire plastic door sill cover off at the moment to fit the Delta Illuminated door sills ....

 

Rosso - how much did you pay for the Airbag and where if you don't mind me asking?

Edited December 12, 2014 by Nello

[MikeyRules]

 

Its the exact same wheel so won't make a difference in terms of rack / lock. The rack spec is standard across the entire UK Delta range......

All they've done is created/borrowed a different centre cap as they couldn't be bothered/want the cost of making a Chryser one for UK cars using the same Fiat wheel... 

Are the T-Jet's 17'' or 18''?

 

From a ride perspective I'd like to stay with 17s and they're cheaper for tyres too... Although having said that, the car does have huge overhangs so looks better on 18's... As said before I do love the circle designs that Alfa use, so may try and find something to suit when my bank balance recovers from all the eBay Italia purchases this week!!

[MikeyRules]

Mikey to replace / hide the sills' I found a guy on ebay who makes Martini stripes. He custom made me some to mask the Chrysler wording complete with LANCIA logo. I'll post up a picture on Monday as I have got the entire plastic door sill cover off at the moment to fit the Delta Illuminated door sills ....

 

Rosso - how much did you pay for the Airbag and where if you don't mind me asking?

Ah you star, that will be really helpful!!

 

The ones I've found on eBay don't look right to me... they are the usual stainless steel type but with one side curved over to form a lip, and I'm fairly sure they won't fit over the plastic strip.

 

Yours sound like they are a great compromise!

[MikeyRules]

Before I get my todger cut off by the wife....  This is my last purchase!!!! (Well for this year anyway)

 

 

 

[Nello]

Ah you star, that will be really helpful!!

 

The ones I've found on eBay don't look right to me... they are the usual stainless steel type but with one side curved over to form a lip, and I'm fairly sure they won't fit over the plastic strip.

 

Yours sound like they are a great compromise!

 

Yes I saw those mate and also did not think they would fit. The custom stripes fix straight over the CHRYSLER working. The Illuminated sills were a OE option part but were a ridiculous £250+ from the dealer! They fit over the plastic black ribbed sill cover thats visible from inside the car with the door closed. Bit of a fiddle to fit as you need to take off the whole plastic cover to cut a recessed hole in for the light assembly to drop in to. The wiring then goes up the A post and connects in to the courtesy light fitting in the middle over your head.

They are a Lancia branded part. Will look great once done though with the door open - Martini Striped LANCIA with an illuminated DELTA logo! 

 

I'm pretty sure the T-Jet Alloys are 18"....

 

Nice plate! I've slightly changed mine to include some Lancia associated wording  Again I'll post some shots Monday...... Great to see some fellow Delta 3 enthusiasts in the UK at last! I thought I was on my own!

Edited December 12, 2014 by Nello

[MikeyRules]

If two's a Duo, is three a 'Herd'  of Deltas? Let's hope we can inspire some more fellow enthusiasts to join the party!  

 

Yes at least we can all bounce ideas off each other and share info whether it be where to buy or how much etc...I've fitted the little 25 x 25mm Lancia rear quarter badges today, and am impatiently (read very impatiently)  waiting for Postman Pat to delivery the rest of my goodies...

 

Re the Reg: The only pain in the *ss is that the DVLA have closed all of their regional offices at the beginning of this year and centralised everything back in Swansea. I now have to post off the assignment application and wait several weeks before being able to display the plate.   The only saving grace is that I haven't had the V5c back yet anyway...

 

Looking forward to seeing some pic's of your fancy sill plates!

[Rossocorsa]

re 18 inch wheels Deltas (and bravos) fitted with 18s at the factory have a different body code and a reduced travel rack, I am not sure if there are any other differences or not. Check your handbook on wheel sizes     

[Nello]

Mike - thinking about the Sat-Nav system. If you are getting it from that Italian supplier - I'd wager once plugged in it will already start-up with the Lancia splash-screen/logo. I'd doubt very much you would be able to reconfigure an Italian Delta to show a Chrysler logo. Pretty sure it would have been a UK only SW update to include.

[MikeyRules]

No you're absolutely right... It's Rosso that needs it changing on his factory fitted Nav, and all 3 of us that will need the little display between the rev counter & speedo updating to Lancia.

[MikeyRules]

re 18 inch wheels Deltas (and bravos) fitted with 18s at the factory have a different body code and a reduced travel rack, I am not sure if there are any other differences or not. Check your handbook on wheel sizes     

Where did you get that info from Rosso!?

 

It does seem a little odd?

[Rossocorsa]

Where did you get that info from Rosso!?

 

It does seem a little odd?

It's not odd it's true! Check your handbook or alternatively have a look on eper at the parts....