Abarth 124 Spider and the nightmare of fitting an Orra Racing Intercooler

My first blog of the New Year 2026, and just a heads up, I'm immediately going to start whining. I will let you decide if you think I have a fair reason if you choose to read on.

So, as many of you will know, I enjoy modifying my cars, which can be an expensive pastime, and for that reason, I like to find out as much as possible before committing to doing stuff.

After much research, with some advice from various people from the Abarth scene, I decided to opt for an Orra Racing Intercooler. This was a follow-up from other mods, as I slowly progressed towards bigger, more expensive ones to boost my car's performance.

Abarth 124 Spider Orra Racing Intercooler

After speaking to Orra Racing via WhatsApp and using Italian translation, I completed the order request online for my Abarth 124 Spider, choosing Red silicone hoses to go with the larger performance intercooler. I also asked if they could supply a 135-degree bend for one of the pipes, as I had read on a forum that this would help with fitting the intercooler between the alternator and steering rack on a right-hand-drive UK car. My order was placed on the 13 th October 2025, and I paid 919.64 Euros...choosing to pay via PayPal in 3 instalments.

The weeks passed by, no contact from Orra... I waited patiently, then on the 11th December, I contacted Orra with a message, "Please could you tell me how things are going with my order?"

I then got a reply, "Hi, your order is ready. We will arrange shipment tomorrow. I will notify you with the tracking number."

Move to 16th December "Good morning, your order is ready. I'll send you the tracking number now." "Unfortunately, we only have the Black silicone hoses available. Is that okay?"

I replied, "Hi, how much longer would I have to wait for the Red ones?"

"Unfortunately, the shipment will arrive at the end of February; there are some delays."

I thought to myself, Well, I have waited this long, what's another couple of months, so I replied

"If posssible  I'd prefer to wait, just the other parts of my car are completed in Red."

I was then informed, "We have already organised the shipment... and keeping the package stuck for more than 2 months becomes more complicated."

So stupidly, I accepted that the intercooler was coming... The first BIG disappointment.

The intercooler arrived within a few days. I had already arranged to have it fitted at my good friend Kurtis's workshop, over at Wolf Performance, with an agreed fitting price and a day to drop my car off.

Big Disappointment Number Two

After a couple of hours, Kurtis from Wolf performance calls me,

"Err, Glenn, there is a problem. Could you come down and have a look, and I can  show you and better explain."

So,  Ern and I go to see Kurtis, where he points out to both my dad and me the problem with the pipes/hoses and the plumbing up of all the required parts whilst my car is up on the lift.

Orra Racing Alloy Pipe - checkout the angle

Orra Racing Alloy Pipe - Can you see a issue ?

 

As Kurtis discovered and I now realise, whilst the intercooler itself is fitted snugly, there was no way the combination of pipes/hoses was going to connect up.

As I stated when I ordered the intercooler from Orra Racing, "My car is a right-hand drive." I had read on various forums about the alternator and steering rack being an issue. This seems to be a problem when European suppliers provide their intercooler with pipes and hoses that they claim will fit.

I just want to make it clear: we tried every combination of the provided pieces, and there was no way the various bends were going to fit between the alternator and the steering rack.

One of the only temporary solutions was to use the standard pipe where the alternator/steering is located. The thing is, once you start adding more joints to a system, the greater the chance of leaks, and it can lead to a bastardised job. All I wanted to do was buy a bit of kit, have it fit, work and move on to my next addition to my car, not this headache, especially when a company says it will fit and it obviously doesn't.

Kurtis then came up with a solution. He knew a guy who could potentially make an alloy pipe designed from the original, which would be a solution moving forward. The thing was, he didn't know how much this bespoke pipe would cost until he saw the fella.

My gob almost hit the floor of my dad's car on the way home as Kurtis rang me back...

"Glenn, mate, that pipe will cost £360 to get made. What do you want to do?"

I replied after a little thought, "Aye, just get it sorted."

New Custome Pipe

New Custome Pipe

New pipe

Anyhoo, my car has now been off the road for a week. It's taken the alloy-welding guy a bit of time to design and weld up the new pipe, and for Kurtis to fit it and test my car. Hopefully, I'll be picking her up soon.

So, I would advise anyone heading up this route to get and fit a larger, performance intercooler to do your homework. Don't just assume something will fit. 

Oh, and the best of it is that upon contacting Orra Racing, they were adamant that the fault of the intercooler not fitting was at my end. They assured me, "We even sent the 135-degree bend, and this has been supplied to another UK user who fitted it with no problem."

Orra Racing has since stopped responding to my WhatsApp queries. When I asked to see the blog post this other user had posted, they did not reply. Oh, and the video and images they sent me are for a left-hand-drive car. 

It's my fault I agreed to the black hoses after they were already shipped out, or it was too much hassle to keep my shipment until the correct ones arrived.

Anyhoo, those in the know can take a look at the images I have posted. Maybe you can explain how you would have solved the incorrectly oriented angle of the supplied alloy pipe.

In ending would like to say a huge thank you to Kurtis over at Wolf Performance for trouble shooting anddoing everything he could to get my car sorted.

Traditional Scottish Craftsmanship

 This post continues from one I made in October, when I decided to purchase an old, antique Baume pocket watch, one that I have incorporated into the book I am currently writing.

As I needed a chain for my new...err!... old watch and began searching on sites like eBay and Etsy, I noticed that many of the Albert chains featured small trinkets, some of which were quite interesting. There were various non-precious Jewels which could be spun in their mounts. I guess back in the day, this was the equivalent of a fidget toy. 

There were silver animals, I couldn't find a raven or a crow, my favourite birds, but anyway, it got me thinking how I could add to the watch and chain to make it mine, and I came up with the idea of adding a clan crest, Johnstone being my surname and one I am pretty proud of.   

Clan Crest Silver

So there I was, scouring the internet for a small clan, Johnstone, something or another, that would suit my ideas. This is when I came across Clan Crest Silver and Roddy Young. I got my eye on a pendant that came along with a chain. Obviously, I didn't need the chain, so I decided to fire off a message to Roddy.

Clan Johnstone Pendant

Roddy replied extremely quickly, and what a delightful and friendly response! He informed me that if I visited his website at Clan Crest Silver and explained exactly what I was looking for, he could advise and suggest what would be fitting.   

Just waiting for a lobster catch

Anyhoo, long story short, I entered into a few brief email conversations with Roddy. Eventually, I decided on going with a small 5/8" pendant that Roddy would fit a small ring to, so that I could then get it popped onto my Albert chain. I have yet to complete this task as I am awaiting the arrival of a fairly unique lobster catch. 

Sterling Silver Lobster Catch

You see, I intend to hook the chain to a belt loop, as I won't be wearing it with a waistcoat, like in the olden days. No, I will carry the watch in my pocket, as it's small enough not to be uncomfortable. Maybe it will replace my gratitude pebble and become a gratitude watch as I listen to it.

Very pretty engraving on the watch, which is 150 years old

Well, that's about it, folks. Though I would like to give a big thank you to Roddy, over at. Clan Crest Silver - Traditional Scottish Craftsmanship. Although I have not met Roddy in person, his messages were so warm and friendly. He didn't attempt to sell me something I didn't want. The Sterling Silver pendant is beautiful and came well wrapped in a small velvet box, arriving precisely on time. Roddy sent me a delivery date and tracking number so I knew when to expect the item.

Thanks again, Roddy. I love the wee pendant; it will look spot on once I get everything in place.

Disaster Averted

 This is going to be a short post, not one of my long-winded epics. 

Ok, "Disaster Averted."

Yay. Everything swapped over, and no broken bits

So yesterday I took my brand new swanky Guardian Designs steering wheel over to the lovely chaps at Wolf Performance to have it fitted...Yay!

Upon getting to their place, I was greeted by Danny and Kurtis, and we shared some canny banter, mainly me talking their lugs off in a manic fashion about my new book. I am excited about it, what can I say?

Anyhoo, my dad and I said farewell, we are off to Greggs for a couple of Greggs Dummies, some coffee, oh, and wait, I'll have a bacon and egg sandwich, hash browns and chuck in one of those chocolate doughnuts for good measure, I swear it's these steroids making me hungry all the time.

I've just finished me bacon sarnie when my phone rings. Ooh, it's Kurtis that didn't take long. I haven't even started my doughnut yet.

"Err, Glenn, a've got some bad news, that steering wheel is the wrong one," says Kurtis.

Me "Yer Joking." followed by a few redacted swear words.

"No", he says, " It's for a manual car, it hasn't got the cut-outs for your paddles." My car is for cripples, you see, an automatic.

"Ahh, reet, well, all come around to see you and pick up the steering wheel."

So off we go, and Kurtis explains he doesn't think we can modify the wheel. I am absolutely gutted, and thoughts of "Omg. I have just spent in excess of a grand on something I may now have to make into a wall clock," comes to mind.

But, and this is a huge but. I have been reading this book, it's called "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck." Now I don't know if it is this book, but lately, and since starting to read it, my fucks are very limited. So although I was disappointed, I didn't do what I usually do and go on and on and on, whining, until my dad says "Glenn will yer shut the fuck up whining, there's nowt you can do about it."

I even recognised that I had handled the disappointment in a much better way and discussed this with The Ern, and we both had a laugh over the irony of the situation.

I then fired off an email to Tomasz over at Guardian Designs explaining the issue. I was very surprised when he responded in about 30 minutes. On a Saturday, Tomasz is in Poland. 

Tomasz said I guess we both missed the fact that my car was an auto and needs the different parts to be fitted. But and here is an even bigger BUT. He told me not to worry, that the parts from my old steering wheel could be transferred over. I would then be able to fit my paddles and have the black inlays and the new leather wheel, just like I had purchased. Well, I was over the moon.

My dad ordered a trim removal kit, and that is what we have been doing today, changing all the parts over.

The airbag was a nightmare to get off. I was stressed when removing all the fiddly plastic bits, thinking Don't break, or snap. Oh, and I haven't been out for a ride in the car since fitting the steering wheel, so I hope it is aligned correctly, otherwise I will have to take it off again.

I learnt, I guess a valuable lesson over the last few days. Don't whine about stuff that you have no control over, and don't think too far into the future. 

Oh, and I guess I lied about this post not being too long, but you're here now, so...

Very random, I'm very weird, the things that go on inside my heed.

If you have been reading any of my posts, you will know I have decided to write another book, and I have to say I am having such fun.

Antique c.1870 Baume Geneve 935 Silver Full Hunter Pocket Watch & Key

I think my dad, on the other hand, is a bit fed up with me wittering on about my ideas, and constantly saying "Oh, Ern, I've written another bit, have a read, go on, see what you think."

I'm pretty sure deep down my dad is actually enjoying my story, as the other day, after reading the last chapter I had penned, he said, "Aye, that's canny, mek's yet want to see what happens next."

At that point, I thought, well, I must be doing something right, as that is what you want all readers to be like. You know that book you can't wait to pick up, and are not too happy when you have to put it down..

Anyhoo, I have a title, but I don't know if I can use it, as it has a somewhat sweaty connotation of a word. I'll keep it to myself for now, of course, don't want anyone nicking my ideas.

The main character in my book, well, he's an ordinary hard-working bloke, with a north-east accent, no airs or graces. He is quite an introverted bloke, with not many friends. Sound like anyone you know?

In the story, he has a few sentimental items: an old, dark guitar and a silver half hunter pocket watch. This is where the title of this post comes in...

You see, for some unknown reason, I started browsing the interwebs for 'Antique pocket watches.'

Now, do I need an antique pocket watch? Of course, I don't. But once Glenn gets something in his head, well, that's it.

I am now awaiting delivery of an antique pocket watch.

 

Antique c.1870 Baume Geneve 935 Silver Full Hunter Pocket Watch & Key

I think the last time I had a watch was when I was a kid. Most of you won't be able to remember 'Busby.' He was a bluebird and was in  BT's television adverts. The watch was a blue-strapped digital thing. You see, it took me ages to learn how to tell the time on a regular watch.

Being honest, I still get mixed up about whether noon is a.m. or p.m.

Antique c.1870 Baume Geneve 935 Silver Full Hunter Pocket Watch & Key

Once I get my old pocket watch, I will have to find an antique Albert chain. I don't suppose I will wear the watch with a waistcoat, but I do want to keep it fastened somewhere, don't want to lose it like I did with my gratitude Pebble.

I've now just come up with another addition, so I've been researching. Once I discover a suitable chain, I am going to have a silver pendant made. My surname and the Johnstone clan, whose motto is "Nunquam NinParatus," which translates as "Never Unprepared." Not quite me, but hey, we can't all be perfect...

Clan Johnstone - Yay, go the Johnstones

Okay, bye for now...

Feel free to comment...

Kintsugi - Broken, then repaired

 I wrote this poem earlier today while just sitting on the couch, and that's all I have to say, really.

Kintsugi

Beautiful person, fragile, fractured and rebuilt so strong.  

Once broken beyond recognition, but not beyond repair.  

Pieces put back together with so much love and care.

Those aren't cracks in your armour, they are just scars that you wear.  

Part of your life, your heart and soul, and how you got there.

Beauty those imperfections, embraced within your flaws.  

Your transience, understanding of time and all those inner wars.

Strength in your ability to adapt and change when circumstances can shift.  

Understanding that your openness and patience really are a gift.

Resilience is your weapon, your ability to always fight.  

Never giving in to negative darkness, always searching for the positive light.

Your lacquer of gold has repaired your wounds, hidden deep inside.  

Kintsugi has led you to beauty and allowed you to reach out and shine.

Much better power washer and shorty pressure washer gun - Ooh it's pretty too.

 

Finally got Lola washed

Lola (Loud.Obnoxious.Little.Abarth)

Well, I'm still off work, not feeling great as I am gradually reducing the steroids each week. 

Hopefully, once I start this new treatment, which is next week, in a few months, it will kick in, and I can get back to some normality.

Anyhoo, I have been keeping myself busy with little jobs here and there, and of course, doing stuff I enjoy: reading, writing, and messing with my guitar.

It must have been a good few weeks ago when I went to wash my car, my wee Abarth 124 Spider, 'Lola.' I got all the gear out: a bucket, a wash mitt, and the snow foam bottles. I have four of them—one for the pre-wash, another for the snow foam, one for the ceramic coating, and the final one for the alloy wheel cleaner.

I unwound the long hose attached to a reel on the side of our house and brought out the small Karcher, which my dad had very kindly bought me about 5 or 6 months ago. Plugged the Karcher in, turned on the water and..."Yer've got to be joking," the Karcher was dead, nada— nowt.

Little shitty yellow box

So I went indoors whining, like I do when things aren't going to plan, swearing my head off about the Karcher and a woe is me, "All a want ta dee is wesh me car." Anyway, Ern comes out, checks out the little yellow shitty box of trouble, and he can't get it to work either.

Long story short, Amazon, who always seem to be good at accepting stuff back, just told my dad to pack up the Karcher, not to worry about its original box, and send it back. So Ern did as instructed, and within a couple of days, he was reimbursed—nice one.

Anyway, moving on, as you all know, the weather has been a bit naff lately, with rain and really strong winds, so my car has been sitting in the backyard, all covered in muck and leaves.

I got on to my dad saying, "Look, I've been online and read a few reviews about this jet wash, it sounds canny, but I think the bigger one is even better, as it has a wind-up reel on the machine and it stands up."

Ern and I had a look online and saw that we could get one at Toolstation. It was a Hawksmoor 160bar model. 

Ern headed off to see if he could check out one or, if not, get one in stock. I agreed to put the extra £80 or so towards the machine, alongside the £50 he had got back from Amazon.

Oh, and I had also seen an ad on Facebook for a stumpy power wash gun. Top tip: I wouldn't buy from sellers on Facebook. If you see something you like, you can generally get it cheaper on Amazon. So I was off searching on Amazon and came across this funky-looking gun with various ends and fittings.

When Ern returned, he had a look, thought it looked canny, so bought it to fit on the new power washer when it arrived.

Adaptor from Amazon

Gun to pipe adaptor

Canny bit of kit this funky stubby pressure gun

The Hawksmoor High Pressure Washer 160bar, by the way, is a 100% improvement over the Karcher K 2 Horizontal, which I grew to despise.  I just used it this morning to wash my car, and it makes the job much easier to get the thing out, use it, and then put it away.

Hawksmoor Pressure Washer 160bar

My dad had fitted a longer hose on the Karcher, which was so stiff it was a nightmare to loop back up for storage. The hose pipe fitting to the machine always leaked, and even though I took great care of it—emptying it after use, putting it away carefully, etc.—the bloody thing broke way before its time.

The hawksmoor: Yeah, like everything else is made from plastic; however, it does appear durable, it's easy to move on its wheels, the hose is a lot more supple, so easy to move when you are going around a car, plus a lot quicker and easier to wind up and put away on the in-built reel. 

The hose is flexible, and the reel makes it easier to put away

The pressure is about right for what I wanted, and it's working well with my cars. I can't say what the original lance/gun is like because my dad fitted the new stubby gun, which is much better to use. It makes it easier to get under wheel arches, and I didn't have to fight with a long lance or worry about the hose scraping across the paintwork as I was washing.

Cool looking and works great

Stubby Gun

Stubby gun you can change the nozzles easily

I know not much of an in-depth review of each item, but hey, if you are interested in any of this gear, you can do what I did and find loads of info online.

  

Wor Nev supervising

Here is a link to the Stubby gun, which we got from Amazon. It comes with various ends that click in place to adjust the water stream for different jobs. Just click on images...

You can pop different nozzles in, really quickly and easily

Oh, and I had to buy another electric snow foam bottle. When I went to get one of mine, I hunted high and low in our shed and thought I was going mad since I couldn't find it. 

If you are going to get yourself an electric snow foam bottle, shop around as they are all at different prices; sometimes you can hit on a bargain. I think I only paid £8 for this one, but looking, they have gone up in price.

I have a couple of these; they work really well

Ern revealed, "Oh, I borrowed it for one of my friends' dogs." If Wor Nev were that clever and would wash my car for me, I would even give him a bit of pocket money.