The 4C modification thread

[MawsleyCarValeting]

We did geo, ECU (280bhp) and exhaust,sounds so much better than Alfa race one. We did the full ECU so can put the old one back on.

[Moley RUFC]

MellowshipSlinky said:

Do the button covers just clip on ?

Yeah, they’re a snug fit over the OEM parts. You can get them in various finishes ie carbon, red, etc. I just preferred the Italian colours!

[MellowshipSlinky]

https://www.koshigroup.com/product-category/cars/a...

[Moley RUFC]

T5GRF said:

That looks rather nice, I especially like the carbon insert on the wheel. Could I ask where the button covers came from?

I ended up buying all the parts from AutoMadness in the USA. Sure I had to pay some import tax but it still worked out cheaper than the UK based Koshi stockist

[MellowshipSlinky]

Moley RUFC said:

MellowshipSlinky said:

Do the button covers just clip on ?

Yeah, they’re a snug fit over the OEM parts. You can get them in various finishes ie carbon, red, etc. I just preferred the Italian colours!

Thanks.

[Jo3h]

MawsleyCarValeting said:

We did geo, ECU (280bhp) and exhaust,sounds so much better than Alfa race one. We did the full ECU so can put the old one back on.

How do you find the car after the new ECU?

[MawsleyCarValeting]

Jo3h said:

How do you find the car after the new ECU?

Hi. A lot sharper throttle response and boosts a lot harder and longer. When I swap back to the old ECU you can really tell the difference it’s nowhere near as urgent. On cold ish roads the rear will loose grip with minimal throttle input in dynamic mode. Definitely recommend it wouldn’t want the car in standard form now

[MellowshipSlinky]

How easy to swap ecu’s over?
I assume if the car needs to go to Alfa you just swap over and no one’s the wiser?

[MawsleyCarValeting]

MellowshipSlinky said:

How easy to swap ecu’s over?
I assume if the car needs to go to Alfa you just swap over and no one’s the wiser?

5 mins max. 4 bolts and the 2 large black clips on top.

[Stuart J]

MellowshipSlinky said:

How easy to swap ecu’s over?
I assume if the car needs to go to Alfa you just swap over and no one’s the wiser?

Ecu can be swapped easily agreed but the ecu contains loads of info we don’t know about and if interrogated enough I’m sure they could glean it had been swapped , probably not at the dealers but certainly by the manufacturer. In the event of a large claim that might happen

Lastly a word of caution when posting. This is a public forum which means manufacturers can and I know do read the forums . I know of one manufacturer a few years ago who blocked a warranty claim based initially on threads on a forum . I would add the car was heavily modified but it happened.

[T5GRF]

Moley RUFC said:

I ended up buying all the parts from AutoMadness in the USA. Sure I had to pay some import tax but it still worked out cheaper than the UK based Koshi stockist

Thanks, I had no idea just how many aftermarket carbon bits there are for the 4c!
Tempted by the door cards and Centre console trim..

[Armitage.Shanks]

T5GRF said:

Thanks, I had no idea just how many aftermarket carbon bits there are for the 4c!
Tempted by the door cards and Centre console trim..

I'm looking at getting the door cards covered in leather with some stitching down the prominent section to match the dash etc. The plastic effect is a bit too basic IMHO. Not sure about the centre console thinking leather/alnactara mix but door quote first. Why they didn't use the same cards as in the US (albeit they have airbags) is beyond me

[MellowshipSlinky]

The door cards certainly let the interior down (as does the plastic centre console)

I’ve seen these guys work on a Lotus and it was fantastic.

https://allonwhite.co.uk/car-interiors-trimming

[MawsleyCarValeting]

MellowshipSlinky said:

The door cards certainly let the interior down (as does the plastic centre console)

I’ve seen these guys work on a Lotus and it was fantastic.

https://allonwhite.co.uk/car-interiors-trimming

That’s my mate Shaun. Top guy top work.

[MawsleyCarValeting]

Stuart J said:

Ecu can be swapped easily agreed but the ecu contains loads of info we don’t know about and if interrogated enough I’m sure they could glean it had been swapped , probably not at the dealers but certainly by the manufacturer. In the event of a large claim that might happen

Lastly a word of caution when posting. This is a public forum which means manufacturers can and I know do read the forums . I know of one manufacturer a few years ago who blocked a warranty claim based initially on threads on a forum . I would add the car was heavily modified but it happened.

Yeah well mines well out of warranty now so no worries with that. If the car was that modified they didn’t really need a forum to tell them that then. Like any claim they will always try and get out of paying but most dealers will be happy for the work. It the part you have modified has had a direct influence on another part failing then yes I think your screwed.

[Stuart J]

MawsleyCarValeting said:

Yeah well mines well out of warranty now so no worries with that. If the car was that modified they didn’t really need a forum to tell them that then. Like any claim they will always try and get out of paying but most dealers will be happy for the work. It the part you have modified has had a direct influence on another part failing then yes I think your screwed.

Correct , just a nod from me to those who don’t realise public forums are just that

[T5GRF]

Armitage.Shanks said:

I'm looking at getting the door cards covered in leather with some stitching down the prominent section to match the dash etc. The plastic effect is a bit too basic IMHO. Not sure about the centre console thinking leather/alnactara mix but door quote first. Why they didn't use the same cards as in the US (albeit they have airbags) is beyond me

Recovering the door cards with leather would look better than the carbon but it's finding a good trimmer that would really make it look oem I guess. Maybe some kind of group deal could be organized with the right trimmer, there does seem to be a few owners that might consider it..

[MellowshipSlinky]

MellowshipSlinky said:

Out in the car today and whilst the geo is brilliant, it’s developed a very loud squeaking / rubbing from the front suspension.

First started on slow parking manoeuvres but by the end of my journey I could hear it over the engine even at 30-40 mph!

Something not quite right....

Just back from Jamie’s - needed a new lower wishbone..
Obviously the car is under warranty, but I figured the time it’d take me to drive home, then to a dealer for them to diagnose, then arrange a day for it to be done and drive back...etc

My time is worth more than that so had Jamie fit one.
Car feels even better than it did last week.

[arguti]

MellowshipSlinky said:

Just back from Jamie’s - needed a new lower wishbone..

I think I saw your 4C parked outside when i was there to pick up my Alfa 75 just before lunchtime!

[T5GRF]

Does anyone know what donor vehicle the 4c heating and ventilation switches are from?
I'm thinking of smartening up the interior and the crappy plastic switches have to go!
I know there was a firm in Japan making metal replacements but they seem to have stopped making them.