Mods for a '99

[Homieazteca]

So,

First: On sound, I'm looking to up the sound a bit, when i got berchenko it came with a sony hu and some speakers, i changed them on the spot for a pioneer hu and 4" speakers with a set of tweeters next to them, i also place some sort of foam i had and now i can hear some bass, can't to over 42 on volume tho. But now, shere's no speakers on the door, id like to mount some 6,5 2 way 300w (cant remember the make, theres no hole, dont know if theres cables, i'll update).
I have a vector 6 channel to power some rear speakers* and one or two 8" depending on space.
*rear speakers.. Where? I cant find a place. Theres some places in the back next to the back door framepost that might fit a 3.5" but i think its too much work for no real gain. (Only my dogs in the trunk will hear)
I guess basic sound implies a 6x9 or so. Any ideas on the place?
The subs i was thinking on the trunk left side where the net is, custom fit some flat box, but how are the acoustics? Again, dogs.. (Cant leave them deaf). How about under driver seat, similar flat box. I have an active flat sub, sounds Ok, but ideally goes to my wifes audi to help.
All is equipment that has been in my last 3 cars.

Second: suspension: i'd like to lower a bit, here they sell to lower 25mm(if i understod right, still learning local toungue) for €120 (full set of springs, no shock), i like the ride, feels good but here, the countryside roads are curvy and wavy, i feel the roof pulling aaaggggrrr, it sticks good.
Anyways, id like somethint that wont affect so much the damping (as in how the shocks absorb hits) but gets me a bit more sporty(?) feeling, i don't really carry heavy loads nor id like to lowride it. Family man. Question is: whats the drop?

Wheels, i think mine has metal rims, 14", can i put 15"? I think i can. But only summer rubbers.

What else? Any body knows how to gain a little torque on a 1.8 petrol? I feel like mine could use a tune up.

How about the roof? I think there is enless possibilities, is there screw holes behind the cover? How about a big custom box with lots of ideas inside? Would it drop or hold? I've seen these special inside bars for skies. How much weight can those side holes take?(where the bars go in).

Lets hear it...

[Kokain]

25mm lowering? Add another 30-50 and you can get a full set of TA Technix coilovers. It will stiffen the ride and feel better. For the rear you just have to free up the torsion bars (soak them in oil) and then adjust them how you like. 15" is easy upgrade, just go to the car morgue and pick them up from a Berlingo Mk2 Multispace. Music wise I can't help you, I was actually going to scrap the whole sound and just make a boom box that just plugs in to the battery. I want something I can remove when I don't need it. This is a on the bottom of the "to do" list though.
As for engine power, I'm afraid those 1.8's are pretty bad in general and there isn't much light at the end of the tunnel. In fact I would go as saying, ditch the car and get yourself a MK2 with 1.6 TU5JP4, much better power, much better fuel economy, but if you have to keep it then don't really worry about chipping. Just get a cone air filter for easy maintenance and get yourself a 2nd catalytic converter that you can gut it out and make a De-Cat. This will get the van to fly through the rev range all the way to the limiter. Normally after 4k you probably feel that there is zero pull even if you rev its tits off. The decat will fix that. But yes once you do the breather mods you are pretty much stuck. Anything else is waste of money for this engine.
Like I said maybe seriously give it a thought about selling it and getting a Mk2. I suspect if you get your hands on a Desire model with the ModuTop, the rear speakers are a lot bigger and you can easily modify the gap to fit bigger speakers. I think they are 4" in the rear. Hell with the modutop shelf (looks like aeroplane luggage compartment) you can even jam it with 6x9 over hanging and s**t. It could work really well.

[Homieazteca]

25mm lowering? Add another 30-50 and you can get a full set of TA Technix coilovers. It will stiffen the ride and feel better. For the rear you just have to free up the torsion bars (soak them in oil) and then adjust them how you like. 15" is easy upgrade, just go to the car morgue and pick them up from a Berlingo Mk2 Multispace. Music wise I can't help you, I was actually going to scrap the whole sound and just make a boom box that just plugs in to the battery. I want something I can remove when I don't need it. This is a on the bottom of the "to do" list though.
As for engine power, I'm afraid those 1.8's are pretty bad in general and there isn't much light at the end of the tunnel.  In fact I would go as saying, ditch the car and get yourself a MK2 with 1.6 TU5JP4, much better power, much better fuel economy, but if you have to keep it then don't really worry about chipping. Just get a cone air filter for easy maintenance and get yourself a 2nd catalytic converter that you can gut it out and make a De-Cat. This will get the van to fly through the rev range all the way to the limiter. Normally after 4k you probably feel that there is zero pull even if you rev its tits off. The decat will fix that. But yes once you do the breather mods you are pretty much stuck. Anything else is waste of money for this engine.
Like I said maybe seriously give it a thought about selling it and getting a Mk2. I suspect if you get your hands on a Desire model with the ModuTop, the rear speakers are a lot bigger and you can easily modify the gap to fit bigger speakers. I think they are 4" in the rear. Hell with the modutop shelf (looks like aeroplane luggage compartment) you can even jam it with 6x9 over hanging and s**t. It could work really well.

Thanks for your input.
I read about the De-cat, I like the sound of that. I don't really know what it means but indeed after 4k feels like reving engine in a parked spot, it won't move. Could you elaborate a bit more? I'll do some homework as well... quick question, will it affect MOT? (that yearly check), meaning on the exhaust of CO2.

I think for now I have to stay with this car. I feel the 1.8 could give a bit more than the 90hp, maybe some tweaking.

When i was looking for a Berli, I saw all models(desire, multspace, 1.4, 6. 8, diesel (I wanted 2.0 td, but out of budget), etc.. and stuff, but I like this one as it gives me certain freedom. Also, for me, the attraction of modifying the car lies on the hobby aspect. DIY.
Audio is important in my case; I also thought of an removable bass box if I carry stuff, but how cool to hear and not see, nor have to move anything...

Suspension, as I mention don't really want to stiffen it (maybe if I had 150hp), just give a bit better (lower) g-point. 25-30mm should do with stock shocks, anybody has done this?...

Cheers

[Kokain]

Yes it won't pass MOT that's why you need to keep the original CAT and fit it before you go for inspection.
http://i.imgur.com/Vce4Cg4.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nCDojkg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ThZcjYz.jpg
Here is some photos from my ghetto hardware thread It's pretty easy DIY to do, the hard part is finding somebody that will sell you cheap 2nd cat that is broken. If not you gonna have to look on ebay somebody that is breaking a 1.8 Berlingo. Power wise I'm afraid nothing can be done, if you try those chip tuning companies you will see they don't support the 1.8 benzin on the list. Like I said it's a dead end with that engine. It's single cam ffs and not to mention it does 30mpg or less.
Good luck finding springs by rate (kg) and made to fit Berlingo . Pretty much no manufacture lists their spring rates, especially when it comes to those el cheapo spax and other bottom brands. So worst of all you end up with the same ride stiffness as the OEM stuff.

Like I said 1.6 16v son. It's not even that great engine but it's the best you get in the van world. Rethink this before you start your work.

[Homieazteca]

Very nice, indeed that's some handy work.
I'll search the yards and we'll see, thanks for the lesson.