Technical Panda 1.2 4x4 tuning

[lydonhfisher]

Here's a question: What reliable modifications can I do to my 2006 Panda 4x4 1.2 to improve its torque? I want to do this because I am putting bigger tyres on, and so I obviously need to compensate for the adverse efffect that it will have on performance. Please share your experience if possible...

 

[hollister]

the 4x4 already has slightly bigger tyres compared to the ordinary model, would it really be beneficial to widen them further?

 

[R1NGA]

Agree with Hollister - no need for wider tyres on a 4x4 as it's over-tyred already. More grip than is entirely safe for a car with such a high C of G.

Whilse you can do all manner of things like cold-air intakes, different exhausts and perhaps even slightly bigger throttle bodies, none of this will make much difference. The intake, head and entire exhaust are quite restrictive, as it's not designed to be a performance engine. However, 75torx at 2,600rpm from a standard 1.2 is not to be sniffed at and suits the car very well.

But if you must tune it (!), then you'll need to spend almost s much again on the work to make it fly. Look for my Thread about Rotrex supercharging and see what I mean.

As it happens, my Panda enthusiast mate Paul has just put a 100HP into a 4x4 and has finished the job properly. I'm off to see it on Thursday, and I suspect to find a car that performs much the same as mine (his is just 10bhp shy at the top end but likely to have a bit more torque below 3000rpm) but probably for half the price. It might be the way to go for you?!

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I wonder if 'bigger tyres' meant taller, not wider? You would gain ground clearance by going for taller tyres, but with the effect of raising the gearing too (hence, I suspect, the need for more torque)

Whatever you do, watch for tyres rubbing on the front suspension on full lock (the standard tyres get very close), and also on the plastic trim in the offside rear wheel arch (that protects the fuel filler tubes), as again, the standard tyres get very close to this.

The Panda Cross has 15" wheels which gains it some height, but the wheel offset is further out, possibly to prevent problems in these two places?

 

[Panda2007]

I am interested in this thread, unfortunately it kind of got hijacked by the discussion on tyres. I'd like to ask if something can be done to liven the flaccid on road performance here!!

I have an ordinary Panda multijet but there is a LHD 4x4 advertised and I would like a LHD one to take abroad. Thing is it's not an obvious autoroute cruiser is it! So is there a way to increase power with modest investment on the 1.2 petrol, (2007) for motorway cruising.

 

[R1NGA]

The simple answer continues to be No I'm afraid - the whole end-to-end setup on the 1.2 8v is designed for 60bhp and that's it. You could spend months sorting out bigger induction, intake, throttle bodies, completely re-porting the head, going hairy cam and doing the exhaust - and still only make 85bhp. Trust me, I thought a lot about this!

But, I've now seen and been in my mates 4x4 which today runs a Panda 100HP engine and it is brilliant. Stock 100HP engine and entire wiring loom, but it bolts straight onto the existing 4x4 gearbox, takes the same clutch and everything. The route my friend took was via a written-off 100HP which donated the entire wiring loom and interior as it happens, so the 4x4 now sports full Climate, dark 100HP interior, dark windows and rear spoiler - all as per 100HP. Looks completely brilliant and just as stealth as mine.

But on balance, the cheapest thing you could do is have a straight swap with a 1.4 8v engine - remove the 1.2 and fit the 1.4. These things are almost free from breakers yards and I will be doing this when my 1.2 finally calls time with the supercharger.

Or you could just keep clear of motorways and relish in the sub-3000rpm torque of the 1.2 and enjoy yourself!

 

[Panda2007]

I'm tryiing to work out how to thank you R1NGA, and since I've failed I thought a short note would suffice! Informative post that may get referred to again in the months to come. John

 

[homeward]

I'm tryiing to work out how to thank you R1NGA...

Click the smiley face in the bottom right-hand corner of his post...!

 

[R1NGA]

I'm tryiing to work out how to thank you R1NGA, and since I've failed I thought a short note would suffice! Informative post that may get referred to again in the months to come. John

No worries - ill report back if I ever get round to swapping my 1.2 for the 1.4.

 

[mozart]

The simple answer continues to be No I'm afraid - the whole end-to-end setup on the 1.2 8v is designed for 60bhp and that's it. You could spend months sorting out bigger induction, intake, throttle bodies, completely re-porting the head, going hairy cam and doing the exhaust - and still only make 85bhp. Trust me, I thought a lot about this!

But, I've now seen and been in my mates 4x4 which today runs a Panda 100HP engine and it is brilliant. Stock 100HP engine and entire wiring loom, but it bolts straight onto the existing 4x4 gearbox, takes the same clutch and everything. The route my friend took was via a written-off 100HP which donated the entire wiring loom and interior as it happens, so the 4x4 now sports full Climate, dark 100HP interior, dark windows and rear spoiler - all as per 100HP. Looks completely brilliant and just as stealth as mine.

But on balance, the cheapest thing you could do is have a straight swap with a 1.4 8v engine - remove the 1.2 and fit the 1.4. These things are almost free from breakers yards and I will be doing this when my 1.2 finally calls time with the supercharger.

Or you could just keep clear of motorways and relish in the sub-3000rpm torque of the 1.2 and enjoy yourself!

85 fron 1.2 is not bad at all .....even 8-10 horses if we can gain with no big effort