[DicKy]

Guys a doubt. Did Contessa ever come with 2.2l Isuzu diesel engine straight from the factory?
Know about aftermarket engines but am asking about factory fitted HM DSL engine.
Did a TD on a Contessa, the owner claimed it was 2.2l, me opened the bonnet and saw only 'HM DSL' on the engine block. Couldn't see any engine model number to confirm if it's the 4FD1.
The reason am asking is cause the 2.0 DSL that i drove earlier(in fact the only other Contessa i drove) jerked and kinda lugged when i put it into 4th at about 50-60km/h, whereas this one just pulled clean(well as clean as a 2.0DSL can pull)
Or did earlier versions of 2.0DSZ generated 73BHP instead of 55BHP? The one i drove was '96 model.
Waiting for reply...

[KkVaidya]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Guys a doubt. Did Contessa ever come with 2.2l Isuzu diesel engine straight from the factory?
Know about aftermarket engines but am asking about factory fitted HM DSL engine.
Did a TD on a Contessa, the owner claimed it was 2.2l, me opened the bonnet and saw only 'HM DSL' on the engine block. Couldn't see any engine model number to confirm if it's the 4FD1.
The reason am asking is cause the 2.0 DSL that i drove earlier(in fact the only other Contessa i drove) jerked and kinda lugged when i put it into 4th at about 50-60km/h, whereas this one just pulled clean(well as clean as a 2.0DSL can pull)
Or did earlier versions of 2.0DSZ generated 73BHP instead of 55BHP? The one i drove was '96 model.
Waiting for reply...

2.2 Diesel i doubt. For the 2.0 liter Isuzu I am damn sure. It was launched in 1995. I even have a test drive article from Auto India on that.

[anjan_c2007]

Abhishek Kushte, my FB friend from Ratnagiri has sent these pictures of a rotting Contessa Classic. This appears to be one from the last refreshed version.

[KkVaidya]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

Abhishek Kushte, my FB friend from Ratnagiri has sent these pictures of a rotting Contessa Classic. This appears to be one from the last refreshed version.

No this is not the last refreshed version. The last one had a four spoke wheel.
The gear boot rubber is tempting as mine is torn. Same goes for the twin lamps with the silver back plate bracket - I paid a lot of money to source new lamps but could not find a new bracket so settled for a used one.

[KkVaidya]

Can anyone guide me on how to remove the dashboard?
I need to do some dent work on the rainwater channel atop the engine bay.

[regnex]

Hi fellow contessa owners, im stuck in a dilema trying to start my contessa. I had it driven into my garage to carry out restoration and modz. Now I cant get it to hold on ignition after cranking. It kind of starts nicely but doesn't at all hold with the accelerator pressed. I cleaned the carburetor, fuel pump and fuel line working fine. Fuel gets pumped okay . Carb is of nikki brand.
Please advice.
Ps I did in between take off the starter to service.

[Amritg]

Originally Posted by KkVaidya

Can anyone guide me on how to remove the dashboard?
I need to do some dent work on the rainwater channel atop the engine bay.

Here is a diagram of the dash. I haven't removed it myself.

[Amritg]

Originally Posted by regnex

Hi fellow contessa owners, im stuck in a dilema trying to start my contessa. I had it driven into my garage to carry out restoration and modz. Now I cant get it to hold on ignition after cranking. It kind of starts nicely but doesn't at all hold with the accelerator pressed. I cleaned the carburetor, fuel pump and fuel line working fine. Fuel gets pumped okay . Carb is of nikki brand.
Please advice.
Ps I did in between take off the starter to service.

you mean it idles but on acceleration it cuts off ?

[KkVaidya]

Originally Posted by regnex

Hi fellow contessa owners, im stuck in a dilema trying to start my contessa. I had it driven into my garage to carry out restoration and modz. Now I cant get it to hold on ignition after cranking. It kind of starts nicely but doesn't at all hold with the accelerator pressed. I cleaned the carburetor, fuel pump and fuel line working fine. Fuel gets pumped okay . Carb is of nikki brand.
Please advice.
Ps I did in between take off the starter to service.

Well as of now it seems a problem with the carburetor tuning or the Ignition!
As you say you had taken the starter to service, it could be some goof-up in the ignition timing.

[ntomer]

I have always been a fan of American muscle cars; but being a SITKOM never allowed me this indulgence :( So now I have decided to settle for what we have as closest to a Mustang, a Contie.

I plan to sell off my Gypsy, buy a Contessa, plonk a good petrol engine in it, get FFE, red leather seats, retro chrome steering, shiny chrome wheels and color it canary yellow with a black roof. The idea is to make it LOUD in every respect.

Please tell me which engine can be mated easily with contie. I can get most engines from Sotiganj, Meerut.

[akshay4587]

Why Not Retain the Stock 1.8L Isuzu Petrol Motor.
It has decent punch,and above all,your vehicle will be reliable.
IMHO,retain the stock petrol motor,and play around with cosmetics.

[ntomer]

Originally Posted by akshay4587

Why Not Retain the Stock 1.8L Isuzu Petrol Motor.
It has decent punch,and above all,your vehicle will be reliable.
IMHO,retain the stock petrol motor,and play around with cosmetics.

Yaar, the stock motor is under-powered. I want something good to go with the show...

And while we are at it, any ideas about stiffening the suspension?

P.S. If any good example comes up for same in your part of world, gimme a shout

[Ajaybiz]

Source Skoda TSI 1.8L engine from some scrapped car, even 2L GM diesel motors used in Magnum and Cruze are good choice.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Ajaybiz

Source Skoda TSI 1.8L engine from some scrapped car, even 2L GM diesel motors used in Magnum and Cruze are good choice.

No ways! For one, the engine will cost multiple times of the car. Then, the Skoda is a FWD, while the Contessa is a RWD.

The best part about the Contessa is the silky smooth & reasonably powerful 1.8L Isuzu petrol. Stick to that only. Good news for you is, the 1.8L Isuzu is extremely mod friendly.

[ntomer]

Originally Posted by GTO

No ways! For one, the engine will cost multiple times of the car. Then, the Skoda is a FWD, while the Contessa is a RWD.

The best part about the Contessa is the silky smooth & reasonably powerful 1.8L Isuzu petrol. Stick to that only. Good news for you is, the 1.8L Isuzu is extremely mod friendly.

Hmmm... Sounds like a nice idea...

Any ideas on stiffening the suspension?