Technical Seat Marbella/mk1 panda suspension (bike engined)

Currently reading:
Technical Seat Marbella/mk1 panda suspension (bike engined)

Dalemaltby

New member
Joined
Oct 6, 2013
Messages
44
Points
13
I've recently picked up a seat Marbella in awsome condition. To cut a long storey short it's got a honda car 1000cc engine in the front and it's rear wheel drive. The problem I have is handling. The rear still has leaf springs and dampeners but has been converted a lot to stop the diff moving forward. I've read that there's some Volvo dampeners that will fit the rear and stiffen it up. Any idea what car there off and could also do with new leaf springs or a shock to replace the old system all together.
Also need a coilover system for the front. I was going to just do some trial and error to see what I could get to fit but someone out there must know something.

Cheers dale
 
I'll try and get it up on some stands. There all standard shocks tho all round.
It's a honda cbr 1000 engine. Not a honda car engine.
 
Keeeeewl!! Definitely need pictures :D sounds epic!

I am also looking for improvements to handling but as it turns out rear leaf springs take some thought to replace! Also more risky with getting an MOT as you are changing suspension mounting points (probably need an SVA sort of thing).

Damper wise you can make panda rear dampers fit by being clever with the leaf spring mounts and flipping them round more details here:
https://www.fiatforum.com/members-motors-non-fiat/211200-seat-marbella-mk1-panda-replica-23.html

and you can buy panda / Y10 turbo adjustable dampers much more easily. I got mine from here I think it was:

http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pa...sub.mhtml?car=lanciay;category=shockabsorbers

The front is much more "not off the shelf though" and I'll be getting in contact with Leda most likely this winter (Leda).

You've got a similar problem but the opposite to me I imagine (much lighter engine in the front opposed to the Lancia Y10 lump being heavier).

Hope that helps!

This is mine:
Photo0894.jpg


Now show me yours! haha!
Si
 
Last edited:
You've been busy under there!! And using all the existing mounting points with some additional ones.

But looks like you've taken care of the slop in the suspension. Now just looking for damping and stiffness improvements?

Using y10 adjustable dampers and maybe assistor springs if you need to increase stiffness but otherwise looks like you already know what you are doing really.

I did have a thought to replace the dampers with quad bike coil overs (a long as I could adjust the damping rate on them) but opted Y10 ones in the end.

Looks great anyway, how does it look on the flip side? Is it a sleeper look?
 
You've been busy under there!! And using all the existing mounting points with some additional ones.

But looks like you've taken care of the slop in the suspension. Now just looking for damping and stiffness improvements?

Using y10 adjustable dampers and maybe assistor springs if you need to increase stiffness but otherwise looks like you already know what you are doing really.

I did have a thought to replace the dampers with quad bike coil overs (a long as I could adjust the damping rate on them) but opted Y10 ones in the end.

Looks great anyway, how does it look on the flip side? Is it a sleeper look?


Si, he tells us in the first post that he bought the car already like this so he may not know as much as you think. Also, it's possible that he's not in this country so sva's and mot's may not apply. Dale, can you clarify these points please?

Si's Y10 component suggestions and link are good though, will be looking at them myself. (y)

To go any further would require a complete re-design of the suspension. One possible design would be to ditch the leaf springs altogether and beef up the traction bars that pick up on the front shackle mount, then use coil overs at the back too. You would also need to add traction bars that mount from the top of the axle to fabricated mounts on the body. A panhard rod or watts linkage would also help stabilise the axles sideways movement.

I think I'd be inclined to try Si's suggestion of Y10 dampers first, and hope that does the trick. ;)


Edit: I can now see that you already have upper traction bars so you're not far off the re-design as it stands.

P.S. What is the axle from?
 
Last edited:
ImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1381059005.677985.jpg
ImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1381059021.176495.jpg
ImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1381059032.278407.jpg

Yes i have only just brought it from a chap who lives round the corner from me who also built the car. Im mechanicly minded. I work on trucks etc also have a mate who does steel fab etc. its a uk car which passes an mot fine. Even the emisions.
 
Hes built the car using what he had. The engine is still in the bike frame so the mount are 2 range rover mounts and an escort mount. Even uses part of the handle bars and clutch lever off the bike. He just used as much of the parts he already had and did a bloody good job of putting it all together and making it work. It goes like f*#k as well. Fuel tank in the boot. Desperatly need a bigger or hi flow radiator tho.
 
End time: 3 Nov 2013 17:21:07 GMT


View item:
1x Lancia Y10 Monroe Gas Matic Rear Shock Absorber Suspension Damper New



Sent from my iPad

Can't find adjustable ones but I've only been looking for 10 minutes. Will have to delve deep into google later
 
They do look good in black don't they :devil: And that does look very tidy in the engine bay. There is a lot more going on in there than I was expecting. I think the original engine took less space up haha!!

Wonder if it's quicker than mine...weight is definitely your friend but I do have a torque advantage...

Drag race? :D

I am going to be at Shakespeare County Raceway with some work colleagues on the 26th October (halloween special event) - weather dependant. Could be a good opportunity n'est pas? :slayer:

Before I do race you though... do you know what sort of power / torque / weight you have?

I'm on about 130hp I think with 770kg (need to check these though as A. not sure the rolling road was trustworthy and 2. weight may have gone up as I have fitted heavier seats and a roll cage since I last weighed her!).
 
Cbr engine is about 133bhp but this ones got about 50k on it. Do have another cbr engine for which is about 15k miles.

When I get the sloppy suspension sorted and some decent rubber I'd be well up for a race. How far are you from santa pod?
 
Cbr engine is about 133bhp but this ones got about 50k on it. Do have another cbr engine for which is about 15k miles.

When I get the sloppy suspension sorted and some decent rubber I'd be well up for a race. How far are you from santa pod?

Don't need to worry about suspension for a drag race...no corners :D

Santa Pod is not impossible for me but it's 45 mins for me to get to Shakespeare county raceway and 2hrs 30 for Santa Pod. Might consider the pod though, as I've not been there before. But probably not a lot of difference between them track wise. :p

Had a check on the europerformance website again. They are adjustable but it's not in the title:
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/product_info.mhtml?product=2574167

The adjustment isn't ideal as you need to un-do one of the eyelets and turn it round to adjust it but the instructions tell me it is possible at least! I haven't tried yet though.

PS the image is a generic koni picture. you'll get sent what I have fitted.
 
Last edited:
I'd just have them at the hardest setting. Looking to get the leaf springs Redone as well. Can't seem to find new ones.

What's advice on front suspension then?
 
Its all info about the rear suspension. Think ive got that covered now. Its front thats going to be the issue now as there are no coilover kits out there
 
Back
Top