Okay, so I'm looking to swap out my fiat panda 1litre fire engine (L reg) for a more powerful alternative. However I'm looking for a swap with as little work as possible. None, if not MINOR, body cutting and no change of gearbox and drive shafts.

I've got the idea that a 1.4 16V punto engine is pretty much a direct swap. Same gearbox and drive shaft etc. I'm aware I will need the engine loom and fuel pump change.

This will be my first swap so please forgive my naivety. My questions are:

1. Is it possible to use the original box and driveshafts?
2. Am I correct in thinking the Punto 1.4 16V is a 'straight swap', if so what age? If not are there other fiat/lancia alternatives?
3. What list of components will i need to make the swap?

P.s. I have access to all the equipment required for the swap and have a basic degree of mechanical knowledge. This is essentially a project for my own development so am fully aware of the effort and work involved.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi mate,

Looking forward to see your progress on 1.4 16V.

Please could I ask you to use search option on this forum? if not working fine go to google and type in " fiat forum panda classic punto engine swap" that should pick all the info within few sec.

Ps.1. Please consider upgrading the brakes as part of engine swap - we don't want you not being able to stop.

Which year is your car and how much miles current engine done?

Ps.2. 1.4 16V is probably the most complicated one to go for .

Okay I will use the search option.

And yes, I will definitely be upgrading the brakes, given the stock ones aren't too good on with the 1 litre anyway.

It's L reg first registered 11/93 and 72,000 miles

adamvarley said:

Okay I will use the search option.

And yes, I will definitely be upgrading the brakes, given the stock ones aren't too good on with the 1 litre anyway.

It's L reg first registered 11/93 and 72,000 miles

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I'll be more then happy to give a second home to your current engine when it will became surplus.

another wishing to do an engine swap. well i am not too sure on the 16 valve ones, but anything 8 valve will bolt directly to the original gearbox.

come to think of it, people have put the 1.2 16v engine on the original 8v gearbox with no issues... ahh i remember some one telling me that all the bolt patterns on any FIRE engine ( 8v or 16v) will all line up with any FIRE engine gearbox.

as far as engine conversion goes, old engine comes out, mounts from old engine gets put on new engine, then new engine goes in. that easy.

any FIRE engine will fit in the panda. however you do have to cut the cabin air box back a bit.

theres plenty of wiring diagrams on the forum too.

you will need a fuel pump capable of providing the correct pressure

i can confirm that a 6 speed gearbox will stick out just that little bit too far and will cause the wheel to rub on it (this happens with cinquecento and a panda is the same width)

the cars that would make a good dona car would be any fiat from 1993-1999. punto Mk1s are the most common to go for, but if you are after the 1.4 you may have to go for the brava or bravo.

make sure you change the cam belt on the new engine before you put it in the car. if you have to do it after the engine is in it will be hard to do, you have to move the engine across in the bay.

you may have to run wider fuel lines. if you get a pump with a low flow rate but the right pressure you would be fine

you will have to adapt the coolant system to match up with the new engine. its pretty easy on the 8v engines but not sure on the 16v.

i myself have put a 1.2 8v punto engine into a 999cc panda 4x4.

theres a fair bit of info on here, however the best place to ask what engine and gearboxes go well together would be the cinquecento section. a few of the members have had quite a bit of experience with that kinda thing.

Ugh that six speed box is awful, spoilt the 100hp Panda - the should've just put a turbo on the 1242 which in my opinion is the ideal engine for the mk2 Panda.
It's not the brakes that are awful, it's the lack of servo!

Good luck with the conversion!

I can vouch for the 1.2 16v Punto Mk1 engine married to the standard Panda 5 speed box, wicked combination

(That conversion is talked about in the "Panda looking Panda" thread by @Palio)