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#61
Show and Shine / Re: The Not So 'Cherry' 81 380...
Last post by Bridgecity - Feb 25, 2026, 09:13 AMOh thats's a tough one, such a cool car. Sounds like you've made your decision on the direction. If you can find the time then that sounds like a good path. Cross fingers that the internals are good, but like you say, good chance that it's done. Worth a look though I think.
Back in the late 90's/early 2000's I had a '91 Prelude (interference engine). Dealer we bought from told us the timing belt was replaced shortly before it was traded in. About 40k kms later the belt went while Mrs. BC (not married at the time) was driving it. My dad and I decided to just slap a new belt on and gamble that everything was good, and it was. Drove the car for years after that.
Back in the late 90's/early 2000's I had a '91 Prelude (interference engine). Dealer we bought from told us the timing belt was replaced shortly before it was traded in. About 40k kms later the belt went while Mrs. BC (not married at the time) was driving it. My dad and I decided to just slap a new belt on and gamble that everything was good, and it was. Drove the car for years after that.
#62
Welcome Mat / Re: So anyway...
Last post by RRocket - Feb 25, 2026, 01:20 AMQuote from: Firm on Feb 24, 2026, 08:28 PMOEM, I can't send an aftermarket customer to a 3rd party distributor to buy a $1700 OE Fiat turbo. That OE turbo you linked it just someone marking up an OE Turbo. OE dealer is similar price, but wherever this customer was the local dealer was 3+ weeks to get it.
In either case, $1700 is a lot for a replacement turbo on a little gas engine. The GM & Ford units, which fail at an alarming rate, are between $500-1000 USD and widely available from various reputable aftermarket sources.
You said "couldn't get anything at all". Which means "SOL". Clearly that isn't the case.
If I couldn't get anything at all, I'd look aftermarket. So that's why I linked.
Also, they're sub-$700 at Rock Auto..though it wouldn't be a Fiat part.
#63
Show and Shine / Re: The Not So 'Cherry' 81 380...
Last post by Firm - Feb 25, 2026, 01:06 AMAgreed, this is a really good looking spec, I am normally not into these, but this one just looks right.
Adding to the story here, I found this listing on a Classic Car dealer's website from January 2021. The car looks amazing in these photos, clearly the poor old girl has had a REALLY rough 5-years and 5K miles since then.
https://www.sevenhillsmotorcars.com/vehicles/142/1981-mercedes-380sl
Deeper inspection hopefully this weekend and if there's nothing fatal found, I am going to throw a new chain & guides in it, re-set the timing, and hope for the best.
Adding to the story here, I found this listing on a Classic Car dealer's website from January 2021. The car looks amazing in these photos, clearly the poor old girl has had a REALLY rough 5-years and 5K miles since then.
https://www.sevenhillsmotorcars.com/vehicles/142/1981-mercedes-380sl
Deeper inspection hopefully this weekend and if there's nothing fatal found, I am going to throw a new chain & guides in it, re-set the timing, and hope for the best.
#65
Welcome Mat / Re: So anyway...
Last post by Firm - Feb 24, 2026, 08:28 PMOEM, I can't send an aftermarket customer to a 3rd party distributor to buy a $1700 OE Fiat turbo. That OE turbo you linked it just someone marking up an OE Turbo. OE dealer is similar price, but wherever this customer was the local dealer was 3+ weeks to get it.
In either case, $1700 is a lot for a replacement turbo on a little gas engine. The GM & Ford units, which fail at an alarming rate, are between $500-1000 USD and widely available from various reputable aftermarket sources.
In either case, $1700 is a lot for a replacement turbo on a little gas engine. The GM & Ford units, which fail at an alarming rate, are between $500-1000 USD and widely available from various reputable aftermarket sources.
#66
Electric Vehicles (EVs) / Re: Ottawa offers new EV incen...
Last post by RRocket - Feb 24, 2026, 07:12 PMI don't have a problem with a road tax.
Currently, EVs don't pay their share for road maintenance and infrastructure via gas tax like ICE do.
Now whether such a tax would be used appropriately or frittered away is something else entirely.
Currently, EVs don't pay their share for road maintenance and infrastructure via gas tax like ICE do.
Now whether such a tax would be used appropriately or frittered away is something else entirely.
#67
Welcome Mat / Re: So anyway...
Last post by RRocket - Feb 24, 2026, 06:55 PMQuote from: Johnnymac on Feb 24, 2026, 05:29 PMQuote from: Firm on Feb 24, 2026, 04:58 PM^It's true, had a customer the other day looking for a replacement turbo for the Fiat 124 Abarth, couldn't get anything for him at all.See that is what I would call an excuse to upgrade the turbo and get it tuned
OEM or big? Not hard to find:
https://shopeurocompulsion.net/collections/fiat-124-engine/products/genuine-fiat-gt1446-turbo-1-4l-turbo-applications
https://shopeurocompulsion.net/products/eurocompulsionturboupgrade?variant=30215571406896
#68
Electric Vehicles (EVs) / Re: Ottawa offers new EV incen...
Last post by dkazzed - Feb 24, 2026, 05:32 PMI thought Alberta was first but Saskatchewan increased theirs from $150 to $300 so they must have been first. Alberta's rate is $200.
The flat rate is probably easier to administer than going by odometer readings but they could at least provide different classes. A first gen Nissan Leaf, Toyota BZ, Hyundai IONIQ 9, and Cadillac Escalade IQL are all going to wear a road differently.
Example:
Under 100 kW charge rate or 40kWh battery, and under 2500 kg GVWR: $100
Under 2500 kg: $150
2500-3999 kg: $200
4000-5499 kg: $300
The flat rate is probably easier to administer than going by odometer readings but they could at least provide different classes. A first gen Nissan Leaf, Toyota BZ, Hyundai IONIQ 9, and Cadillac Escalade IQL are all going to wear a road differently.
Example:
Under 100 kW charge rate or 40kWh battery, and under 2500 kg GVWR: $100
Under 2500 kg: $150
2500-3999 kg: $200
4000-5499 kg: $300
#69
Welcome Mat / Re: So anyway...
Last post by Johnnymac - Feb 24, 2026, 05:29 PMQuote from: Firm on Feb 24, 2026, 04:58 PM^It's true, had a customer the other day looking for a replacement turbo for the Fiat 124 Abarth, couldn't get anything for him at all.See that is what I would call an excuse to upgrade the turbo and get it tuned
#70
Welcome Mat / Re: So anyway...
Last post by Firm - Feb 24, 2026, 04:58 PM^It's true, had a customer the other day looking for a replacement turbo for the Fiat 124 Abarth, couldn't get anything for him at all.