Well here it goes....the build begins this weekend. I have just bought an engine crane and stand so I have no excuses anymore for the work to be on hold.

I know I have nothing to show yet, but I am too excited to wait till tomorrow to spread the news

For those of you who dont know already, here is the plan:

1. Take one 965cc panda 4x4 engine from a mk1 with shotgun holes in the side.
2. Strip it of every component except the block as its aaaall changing :devil:
3. Block will get a slight overbore and there is aparantly a need for some clearancing in the crank case to accomodate the longer stroke.
4. I might be doing some work on the head although its already assembled I would like to get it properly flowed (the other thread will come in very useful here :devil. The intake has already had some work, so the exhaust outlets are what I will be concentrating on.

The result... 70hp and 85Nm torque (from 48hp and 69Nm).

Overall this is going to be a steeep learning curve and so I have no idea how long its going to take.

First job tomorrow is to make room in the garage for the operation.

Si :devil::devil::devil:

Good luck mate. Looking forward to the progress reports

Bougainvillea Rosso said:

Good luck mate. Looking forward to the progress reports

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Thanks, really excited now. I think things will move quickly now, really hoping to go to Europe in her when its done, but the deadline is 28th July and so I cant be too sure!

Si

Sounds good ! What abarth bits are you using in the project ??

Panda Van said:

Sounds good ! What abarth bits are you using in the project ??

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Heya, well the crank and cam are the only genuine abarth parts I supose. But the conrods, pistons and head are all from an abarth specialist in America (Scuderia Topolino). Very helpful, really showed up the alternative british sources unfortunately

So it will have the standard A112 abarth cam, and crank. The head has a bigger inlet than the standard 965cc engine and the more thirsty carb used on the a112 as well.

The bit I cant decide on is the exhaust manifold. I think I should splash out on a custom job as I've tried to find 4-2-1 manifolds for my engine but for a panda and I have had no luck. I may have to get in touch with Middlebarton garage. Maybe bodge a a112 abarth manifold to fit. They can be bought for ~£90. The manifold on at the moment is the worst peice of work I have ever seen!! Welds so thick they halve the diameter on of the tube almost

Few other bits and peices of course but thats the bulk of it. Probably more I need to concider too but that i will find out when I talk with the local machine shop!

Oh yes, stuck on clutch choice too lol. There seems to be a choice of 170mm (standard 4x4 panda one) or the 160mm one the use on the race engines.

Si

Just took a look at Scuderia Topolino, looks like they do some nice bits !! Sound like youre doing quite alot with the motor - great !

Good luck mate. 28th July!

On a serious note, don't spend too long thinking about the clutch. Just a good quality new one will do it I reckon. Much cheaper than a race one, but will work just fine. Cinq sporting makes more torque than your projected figures and only uses a 180mm clutch.

No watching the Grand Prix. The sooner you get it done, the sooner we can head down to Shakespeare Raceway and drag it!

yeah, paul at scud. top. really knows what he's doing when it comes to these engines. He's got a stunning 600 I think it is.

I'm up for a drag race anytime really, would be good to have a before and after 1/4 mile time

Si

lewey said:

No watching the Grand Prix. The sooner you get it done, the sooner we can head down to Shakespeare Raceway and drag it!

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Great - i'll be there, should get some great pics of you both now i can be trackside !!!:slayer:

Well the next public track day event is 13th-14th June. Perhaps make it an forum event if there is enough interest?

http://www.shakespearecountyraceway.com/events.asp

Si

Exciting times!!!...Good luck Si.....Will be looking forward to reading all about it...

kev

purple haze said:

Exciting times!!!...Good luck Si.....Will be looking forward to reading all about it...

kev

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extra extra

pandamonius_maximus said:

Well the next public track day event is 13th-14th June. Perhaps make it an forum event if there is enough interest?

http://www.shakespearecountyraceway.com/events.asp

Si

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Can deffo be there with my camera - worth a post up in events ??

Panda Van said:

Can deffo be there with my camera - worth a post up in events ??

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Sounds good to me. Need to show these modern mk2 classic panda's who's in charge

You going to do the honors and make this official?

Si

What state of tune will yours be in on 13th June then Si? Not worth making it a bit later in the season?

Don't mind either way, as mine is as fast as it will be for good while I would think!

I'll do an event thread thing tomorrow once I've checked details if you and Jeni are still keen.

I wonder if Xsisley's old 1.4 Panda is still around or got destroyed for engine?

lewey said:

What state of tune will yours be in on 13th June then Si? Not worth making it a bit later in the season?

Don't mind either way, as mine is as fast as it will be for good while I would think!

I'll do an event thread thing tomorrow once I've checked details if you and Jeni are still keen.

I wonder if Xsisley's old 1.4 Panda is still around or got destroyed for engine?

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It will be in a 965cc state of tune but I wouldnt mind getting a couple of results from the car so I'm up for the early one and then do one later in the year once the new engine has been run in.

Anyway, back to work!

Si

Made it an official event.

Reply in there to chat about it obviously. Let's show them we can use the forum properly!

lewey said:

Made it an official event.

Reply in there to chat about it obviously. Let's show them we can use the forum properly!

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Haha, yeah we have been a bit rebelious recently!

I will make a remark in the appropriate area...

Si

A bit of off topic info for you Si....I have seen a Mk1 4x4 local to me the same colour as yours just have to track him down...when i do i will get a pic...and its a "B" reg!!!!!!

kev

purple haze said:

A bit of off topic info for you Si....I have seen a Mk1 4x4 local to me the same colour as yours just have to track him down...when i do i will get a pic...and its a "B" reg!!!!!!

kev

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my word. So there is more than 2 out there still then