Unleaded Conversion

[Phil L]

Please can someone advise me

a) can a 1981 2.0 Beta Spider be converted to unleaded?
b) a reputable garage in the Bristol (UK) area that would be able to carry out this work?

Many thanks

Phil

[sickchilly]

Easy unleaded conversion... fill the tank with unleaded.

What else do you have to do? The US was using unleaded in these cars years before that and the only difference was compression and a catalytic converter. You don't need to worry about valve seats or the like. Just fill it up, it can take it no problem. If it pings, fill with the next highest octane rating.

[Pete]

:D

Hi Phil,

I've been running my Thema 8v IE turbo on unleaded without any problems even though the recommended fuel is four star, and it's basically the same engine. I also intend to run my beta coupe VX on unleaded as well.

As for a reputable garage in Bristol (UK). I can point you in the direction of the garage that did the work on my Thema to get it through the MOT, but I've only used them once so I can't give you a long term usage recommendation I'm afraid. Having said that I am very happy with the work that they did to get my Thema MOT'd, along with the price; and I intend to take my Beta to them for some work that I need doing on it. I also saw other customers there who seemed to have been using the garage for a long time and they obviously kept coming back.

The details:
Italian Car Specialist
Unit 4b
Central Trading Estate
Bath Road
Bristol
BS4 3EH

Tel: 0117 972 0600

The owner's name is Steve Bateman.

Apparently the trading estate's been renamed "Paintwork Trading Estate" but in my A-Z it's Central Trading Estate. Driving along the Bath Road you'll see a big "Book Barn" sign on the river side of the road, turn in, (there are seperate IN and OUT gates), and take the first left. Down an incline and turn right at the end of the low wall, the garage is the second unit on the right, blink and you'll miss it 'cos the sign is about A5 in size and the entrance is just over a car's width.

Hope this helps

Pete

[Phil L]

Pete, Sickchilly thank you very much for your responses. It seems the solution is much easier than I thought :D

I will be using unleaded going forward as advised.

Pete, thanks for Steve's details, I live about 1 mile from his garage! :D

[Frezer]

I don't get the all the fuss about unleaded in a Beta. My dad used to drive them on LPG (liquified petrolium gas) 20-15 years back, there is no lead or what so ever in that, and he never had any engine probs.

LPG was even offered from factory in Betas, whithout engine modifications. So unleaded fuel should not be a problem either.

Cheers, Merijn

[badboyboogzy]

there is a thing you can buy here its called a fuel docter it cost about 250aud and about 100aud for intsallatin it bassically means you can run any fuel uleaded, lead replacement, premium, super, high octane, and raceing fuel but unless your engine was setup for that i woudnt suggest that i think they are available all over the world try a google on fuel docter i seem to remember something about a leaded car even being run on deisel in a testing thing they did it also improves preforamnce by about 10-15% you save on your fuel buill as it runs cleaner (more bang for your buck) hahaha and it will help to keep those lovley old cars and not so old cars on the road alot longer they come with a fairly comprehensive warrenty aswell it like full money back and stuff but dont quote me on that anyway try a google and if you cant get email me at battabetabitz and i will see if i can help you
renay
bbb

[Maigret]

I have been running my VX on Unleaded for 5 years with no problems including some towing so it has worked hard.

My fathers 1978 FIAT X1/9 has been on unleaded for 8 years with no problem.

Both are British spec cars. Leaded fuel has been unavailable for about 8 years in New Zealand. The highest octane is 96 which is marginal at times, especially if it has been in the tank awhile.

Just put the unleaded of suitable octane in and use it.