Punto (Mk1) My MK1 Punto Sporting 1.2 16v

[J.R Racing]

Very nice indeed and well done for persevering when others would have chucked in the towel!

The sportings are a nice blend of performance and economy, any more plans for it?

 

[homeward]

Even though I'm a Mk2 owner, I actually prefer the shape of the Mk1 -- and, like all Puntos, yours looks absolutely glorious in bright yellow!

You've made this into a fabulous example, already; and I'm terribly impressed at the lengths you've gone to, so far -- especially the heater matrix replacement (...which is the job -- combined with having to replace the whole exhaust -- that finally did for my 1994 Clio, a couple of months, back: it just seemed one time-consuming step too far -- especially for a car worth only a couple of hundred quid)!

I look forward to seeing some more updates and piccies...!

PS: There are some really good photos in there...! :worship:

 

[Jamie M]

Good work keeping it on the road, I have a mk1 1.2 85 elx 16v which I hear is the same engine as the sporting. My question for you is how hard is it to replace the cam belt on them because I hear the 16valvers are pigs for it and did you use locking tools or just mark everything up?

Thanks

 

[blu73]

i wouldn't say its harder as such, just you need to use a locking tool and be extra vigilant checking everything is done right and tensioned properly as unlike the 8v it is not a non-interference engine.

 

[blu73]

Any updates?

 

[Bushboy]

Not really... It failed the MOT in November on a few minor bits and emissions. Going by the read out I decided it was down to faulty cat and a slight blow in the backbox. Ordered the parts only for the engine to loose compression across 3 cylinders. Never really looked into why and sold it to a breakers.



Have to draw the line at some point with old cars. Shame really as I miss it. Was a lovely car to drive and I'm always looking at others Theyre getting very hard to come by these days though...

Drive a Lupo at the moment, which hasn't been without it's faults either but it's a nice place to be, although pretty average to drive.

 

[blu73]

fair enough, i can understand that but still she was a pretty one

 

[Bushboy]

I just wish I had dropped a replacement engine in when I wanted to rather than trying to fix it initially. Probably would still have it now if I did

 

[jatkinson]

Ahh its a shame , you need to get back in to your fiats (Y)

 

[Bushboy]

I do!

May is the time to look into it. Insurance is up so ideal time to go for a new motor when starting a new policy.

I have been looking at Coupes but dave of all people told me it will break every day... He's not wrong, but hardly encouraging

Just a 20v N/a. None of this turbo nonsense

 

[blu73]

turbo nonsense??? how dare you lol

Gotta say, to me a coupe without a turbo is like a pie without pastry, just pointless. But each to their own i suppose.

 

[Bushboy]

Believe me, I would love a turbo but maintenance and running costs are just too high for me to consider one as a daily. A 20v n/a on the otherhand is quite doable.

 

[StevenRB45]

Shame it went, 1.2 16v in a mk1 is my favourite punto all round, remember mine being bags of fun but unfortunately also met an early end.

 

[fostertom]

Shame it went, 1.2 16v in a mk1 is my favourite punto all round, remember mine being bags of fun but unfortunately also met an early end.

Exactly. What wd a 1368 mk.2 Sporting engine with 6sp box, or Panda 100HP engine, be like in a mk.1 Punto?

 

[StevenRB45]

Exactly. What wd a 1368 mk.2 Sporting engine with 6sp box, or Panda 100HP engine, be like in a mk.1 Punto?

Not sure Tbf the original ones were 86bhp so not hugely down on the 1.4 starjet, also cable throttle with light kerb weight and short gears made it feel more responsive than either panda 100 or 2b sporting so guess it would depend if you kept a yank by cable set up rather than the dim witted fly by wire and which gearbox you used.

 

[fostertom]

Cor, something new every day - fly by wire?! Does that mean when you floor it the ECU decides to over-rule with gradual acceleration or something, for emissions or economy reasons?
Light weight yes.
But short gearing? AFAIK 5th on the Punto mk.2B 6sp is actually a fraction shorter than 5th on the mk.1 5sp, and 6th is an overdrive top.

 

[Palio]

I do!

May is the time to look into it. Insurance is up so ideal time to go for a new motor when starting a new policy.

I have been looking at Coupes but dave of all people told me it will break every day... He's not wrong, but hardly encouraging

Just a 20v N/a. None of this turbo nonsense

Why would it break? Have it serviced regularly and buy a looked after one & it should be fine. I ran one as the everyday workhorse for 6 years and it never broke down & nothing ever fell off (Pinninfarina coachbuilt it don't forget) - another 3 years down the line I couldn't bear to sell & now use it as a classic!

And the VIS 20V properly serviced is as quick as knackered turbos round the Gaydon test track - in the real world you don't need the turbo IMO.

Not sure Tbf the original ones were 86bhp so not hugely down on the 1.4 starjet, also cable throttle with light kerb weight and short gears made it feel more responsive than either panda 100 or 2b sporting so guess it would depend if you kept a yank by cable set up rather than the dim witted fly by wire and which gearbox you used.

Agreed. The mk1 is a cracker and gives a MUCH purer driving experience. Definitely quicker, more willing, and none of that woolly electric power steering, economy biased 6 speed, or fancy don't need a cable accelerator! The engine's so good I've got one being put into a Classic Panda - should be quick - and don't worry it came from a batterered Elx not a Sporting!!

 

[StevenRB45]

Agreed. The mk1 is a cracker and gives a MUCH purer driving experience. Definitely quicker, more willing, and none of that woolly electric power steering, economy biased 6 speed, or fancy don't need a cable accelerator! The engine's so good I've got one being put into a Classic Panda - should be quick - and don't worry it came from a batterered Elx not a Sporting!!

the elx was the rare one, that and mine was an Elx...although good choice for a donor cat as less likely to be ragged about.

 

[Palio]

the elx was the rare one, that and mine was an Elx...although good choice for a donor cat as less likely to be ragged about.

I'm sorry - it was a bit knocked around due to school runs in London, had no Mot, needed more than its running value in Mot repairs, and had a fair chance of being sent to the crusher soon even if someone had repaired it. At 50k miles the engine was the valuable bit & yes that's exactly why I went for it - all the Sportings (at my £350 engine budget) were dead or dying having been (happily) thrashed around for 15 years. Sorry again but I'd never kill a good one