Tuning manda 16v

[leonsdada]

I must say, I have been busy in last 2 days!
I have been hoping to get a 1242 16v in my panda for a long time and things are finally taking shape.



bye bye good old 999..


...in the new 16v


that is when i realised how much more work was involved...



Almost finished....

All this was achieved in 2 days of 10 hours work. Luckily Damon was with me to help (although sometimes it felt like I was helping him ), as we had a few hiccups on the way. Things are looking promising now!

Well, i think a few more hours in the morning tidying up the wiring and make sure everything is tight, she will be ready for a test drive. I can't wait!

 

[blackpool]

Looks like a productive few days, what car did the donor engine belong to? Does it marry up with the original panda running gear or was that swapped as well? What about engine control/management how difficult was that to wire up? Is that its final resting place in the engine bay or just for testing?

Where are you going to put the spare wheel?



can I have the plastic timing belt cover off the old engine?

 

[leonsdada]

The engine is off a mk1 punto sporting, gearbox remains the same.

The wiring was surprisingly easy, as long you do your research . the ECU is mounted on one of the suspension studs and another one lower down. Nice an steady, but will make a bracket for a sllightly more 'elegant' fitting

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Keep that 999cc unit safe. Knowing Manda it was an extremely well serviced and looked after engine!!

 

[leonsdada]

Keep that 999cc unit safe. Knowing Manda it was an extremely well serviced and looked after engine!!

Yes, once i finished tidying up the 16v, the 999 will get a good clean, i will replace a few gaskets here and there and store it. You never know!

Well Manda 16v is now on the road, and I must say the car is completely transformed! And in a good way!
The lowering springs are really helping as well, it feels nice and taut and now approching roundabouts is a far more comfortable business

There are still a few annoyances to sort out. There is a tiny prick hole on the side of the oil sump that needs patching if possible, i need to find a cam cover breather hose and connect it properly to the induction hose. And finally i need to get down the tyre shop to fit my 'new' 13" alloys to replace the cinq wheels (they've seen better days).
oh, and an afternoon of cleaning, waxing, polishing, back to black etc.

2012 looks like the year of the Panda

 

[Johnbee]

Keep that 999cc unit safe. Knowing Manda it was an extremely well serviced and looked after engine!!

T'was

Well Manda 16v . . is completely transformed! And in a good way!

i need to get down the tyre shop to fit my 'new' 13" alloys to replace the cinq wheels (they've seen better days).

oh, and an afternoon of cleaning, waxing, polishing, back to black etc.

2012 looks like the year of the Panda

, best £50 wheels I ever had .

Manda does love a wax

:slayer:

 

[alexbpl]

I miss my 1.2 16v Panda....

Fitting the engine is literally a DREAM!

Its like they made the Panda to have a 1.2 16v in it, I mean the gearbox fitting is the same, starter fits, fuel supply is sufficient (if injected)....its perfect!

 

[pandamonius_maximus]

I missed this, that looks tidy! As you say looks like it was meant to be there!! Nice work, Panda's always look great in black.

 

[blu73]

i always fancied a poky panda. :ideaerhaps when i have sold off a few cars

 

[pandamonius_maximus]

i always fancied a poky panda. :ideaerhaps when i have sold off a few cars

It's all the rage at the moment

Also pandas are small, there will be room for 1 more!

 

[blu73]

you think? my stilo isn't in this picture either..

 

[pandamonius_maximus]

you think? my stilo isn't in this picture either..

Do you need that hedge?

 

[blu73]

its on the to do list

 

[alexbpl]

You can hit 90mph in 3rd gear - with ease - in a 1.2 16v Panda

 

[L7 KVV]

Really need to do this myself. I bought a 1.2 16v brava last may and its been lying growing mouldy ever since

 

[leonsdada]

Thanks for replies..,
I recommend the 1242 swap to any panda owner! Fuel economy is improved, cruising at motorway speeds and overtaking is now possible without worrying about blowing up the old 999. And thats that mad acceleration, combined with the noise of a basic k&n kit it will surely put a smile on your face and terrorise your passengers...
Unless you are planning to keep the panda as a collectible, go for it!
Just make sure you get a decent donor engine with trackable mileage and service history (not easy).
Also make sure you consider all the expenses that might come with conversion. Think about how much it is going to cost, and double it just to be on the safe side... Remember if you ever sell your panda (shame on you) you won't get it back...

 

[leonsdada]

Ah nearly forgot..
A big thanks to lewey, alexbpl and especially pandasport for posting on this site and giving me the inspiration for this project!

 

[purple haze]

Tops...:worship:

 

[VmanC]

Great stuff Charmania and my blue CLX are getting very excited .

 

[leonsdada]

Browsing on the net, daydreaming about fitting a punto 6 speed gearbox with an Quaife LSD. Reality check, check bank balance...:bang:

I came across this, affordable and seems to tick all the boxes.
http://www.importperformanceparts.net/imports/phantomgrip-fiat.html
http://www.phantomgrip.com/

reviews seem to be a bit of a mixed bag. Some reckon they are great, some reckon they are an absolute waste of time money and will potentially destroy you gearbox..
anyone had experience with these? to me it sounds like a gimmick that would obliterate the poor panda diff. I doubt there would even be any room for it. Maybe it works on bigger, heavier duty gearboxes.
any thoughts?