I got a gorgeous Panda Sisley 4x4 with a 999cc petrol engine and I want to put a diesel engine in it from one of the old diesel Pandas in order to run it on Biodiesel. Does anyone know how possible this is or if it has been done before??
- Kai

What old diesel panda.?? And why?? Pandas mpg is not bad and why cock up a car which has cult status and worth money....is this your first panda?

:yeahthat:

I'll find you a rattly old diesel & take the poor Sisley off your hands - maybe a Fraud Fiesta or Peugrot 205 in exchange? Just a thought..... Please don't wreck a good Sisley!

God luck funding a Derv mk2. Was covered a few weeks ago and not worth doing. I looked into a mk3 Derv lump into a mk2 a few years ago. Again not worth it.

Why take the most powerful engine in the pandas range and replace it with the least powerful?

Ok, just found the previous discussion about this. Fair points and yes it is my first Panda. Yeah, I'll not be attempting this I think, no point trying to save money in the long run if it involves going bankrupt in the first place.

There are lots of good reasons to do the conversion. Diesel engines are better offroad, the 4x4 panda isn't particularly fuel efficient, and if you can get old frier oil you can make 2000L of biodiesel a year cheaply and tax free.

To keep the four wheel drive and to make the conversion "easier" you would want a FIRE engine. Unfortunately there are effectively no FIRE derived engines from an era that would make a swap easy with regard the electronics. The only FIRE diesel engines are modern ones whose brains are heavily linked to every other device intha car making it an unrealistic conversion. That said anything is possible and i stumbled across this the other day

The 1.3MJ isn't a FIRE engine is it?

Looks and sounds . Makes my 4x4's tyres look tiny!

I run a car on veg oil...the tax free limit is 2500ltrs a year..but how on earth would they know how much your putting in!.. As for old fryer oil this is now being snapped up by big companies.. Plus chip shops and alike are getting threatened by local govt offices that they must dispose of the oil correctly (companies/licence/etc) and not to the likes of you and me as it could be creating a hazard. It will not work on most modern diesels and depending on the type of fuel pump you have you will need to heat the oil. You will also have to change you fuel filter on a regular basis. Come winter you will have problems starting the car in very cold temps. Some people revert back to diesel during this time or run two tanks..start with one containing diesel and then switch to one with WVO. All not quite as simple as it at first seems.

Yep, I have been involved with this for awhile...plus you seen the price off filter kits, the aggravation and the potential for it to go bang. Makes the exhaust gases smell nice though...

nitro_warrior said:

The only FIRE diesel engines are modern ones whose brains are heavily linked to every other device intha car making it an unrealistic conversion.

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I have proven it is possible and actually not that difficult for a amateur spanner monkey 3 times now with a 1242 modern Panda engine in a classic Panda, 1368 16v in my classic Panda and now my Uno with a 1368 Turbo engine. All using standard electronics without modifications.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

The 1.3MJ isn't a FIRE engine is it?

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Not by name, but it is the same block with mods actually. FIRE gearboxes bolt straight up and FIRE engine mountings can be used. A 1.3 M-jet would be easy to put in a Panda using the same mounts and gearbox I have in my modded classic. I have thought about it before as an ultra-economy experiment, but as I am already happy with the economy and speed of the 100HP classic panda, I want to do other things with my time.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

The 1.3MJ isn't a FIRE engine is it?

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When I looked in to this ages ago that was the conclusion I came to through my research. Though citation is certainly needed as I can't for the life of me remember if the source was reliable.
EDIT: Clearly I learnt it from the likes of Lewey!


If I were to do it, I would find another older small diesel engine and make it fit, preferably one with cheap seals.

If you're looking for better economy from a Panda you need to look at upping the gearing at least as much as engine swaps.

VmanC said:

If you're looking for better economy from a Panda you need to look at upping the gearing at least as much as engine swaps.

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Definitely, the Mutijets own C514 "punto" box (same as my panda) is a great candidate. Really tall gearing!

engine Skoda Felicia 1,9D good off road
it's a friend's car

That 4x4 has such as awesome look!

I'd love to see it next to a proper humvee. It'd be like its minature twin!

Pandik said:

engine Skoda Felicia 1,9D good off road
it's a friend's car

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Is there any info about the conversion online?

How did he keep the 4wd? Does the Skoda engine match up with the panda gearbox or did he need to make a conversion bell-housing?

lewey said:

Definitely, the Mutijets own C514 "punto" box (same as my panda) is a great candidate. Really tall gearing!

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Are you saying a Punto box would bolt onto a 1.0 fire engine?? Hmm, if so i'm having thoughts. Dangerous when that happens...

TomSaintJames said:

Are you saying a Punto box would bolt onto a 1.0 fire engine?? Hmm, if so i'm having thoughts. Dangerous when that happens...

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It does. Have a look at my car in members motors or something. I've had a 5 and 6 speed in mine. Put your dangerous thoughts in a new thread. I can probably advise or save you time/money.

had problems with the gearbox the same as I do, but it keeps him
transmission is equal to the engine without flange here on the video it shows.
if you want I can give him e-mail
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/user/cari610#p/u/13/Uwk500tKMrk"]YouTube - ‪cari610's Channel‬‏[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/user/cari610#p/u/12/_BCukAKAJfw"]YouTube - ‪cari610's Channel‬‏[/ame]

Pandik said:

had problems with the gearbox the same as I do, but it keeps him
transmission is equal to the engine without flange here on the video it shows.
if you want I can give him e-mail

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What problems are those? Is the 4wd system up to the extra power and torque? I would be a little worried about the half shafts and diffs with the extra power and those tires. I shattered the differential with the standard engine and road tires, let alone all that!!!