General Performance vs Reliability

[Beancounter]

Hello folks!

Been a while since I was last here, mainly due to the fact that my Panda has been passed on to a mate for the last 9 months.....

Said mate, another firend and myself are hoping to use his/my Panda in a rally next April. 1500 miles in four days across Europe.

The Panda has been sitting SORNed in my mates garden since March because the alternator packed up.

Besides sorting out the charging system, what else do we need to do to ensure reliability for our trip next year? Is it possible to get a wee performance boost whilst not sacrificing reliability?

The Panda is a 1986 (D reg) FIRE engined model.

TIA.

 

[dave]

are you bringing it back after
?

 

[pandafan]

K&N replacement filter is ESSENTIAL ! ... makes breathing a lot easier (and a nice noise), coupled with an inline glass petrol filter, which can be opened and cleaned a billion times: at least!.
Disconnect the air intake to your carb from its rediculous position below water-level and run it into your heater-fan intake at least; or onto your roof at best ... remembering to make the 'air in' downwards, or you will fill your carb with rainwater.
An oil-cooler might help, depending upon your intentions. You could also contemplate heating your car with a ceramic heater ..., fitting a larger radiator and double-fans; wired in series.
... or you get really serious ... :devil:

 

[Alan.D]

What's the rally?

1500 miles in 4 days will be pretty relaxed.

 

[Sprox]

I think I have a couple of spare alternators...........

 

[Sprox]

.... and performance boost - take out the back seats - strip out all the weight from the insulation - stick a 4x4 camshaft in for an extra 5bhp

 

[Xsisley]

yea i would say

easy performance mods..
big k+n
good fuel filter.
oil/oil filter change (these things do help)
correct tyres / pressures

slightly more confusing mods....
(as sprox said)
4x4 cam. for about 5bhp more.

little bit trikier again......
1242cc punto lower end. with 4x4 head (inc cam)( runs really well)
and a twin choke carb off a 1.2 of some sort or the 1.1 twin choke fiats.
(runs VERY well)

but it really depends on what your after.
all of the above are reliable

aran.