I want to upgrade my punto sporting (03 plate). Been looking at various options. Don't want to spend too much money as I plan to get rid of it next year but fancy some entry level punto upgrades.

Off topic a little... anyone feel that their MKII Sporting engine sounds a bit on the rough side when accelerating in low gears - I figured maybe it just needs to heat up a bit, but its the same noise at start, during and end of any journey in low speeds - maybe its just me but it sounds like its got a soar throat or something and this doesn't sound right - I can safely say when I first got car from new it did not make this kind of noise for at least the first 6k. Above 40 mph it sounds like a normal engine - but again at lower speeds when accelerating soft or hard it does sound like s**t, and its something more that the normal rev sound, also the engine is noiser when sitting idle (I have put 12K on it). The only maintenance I have given the car is the usual regular fluid checks.

I have recently had a 12K service and pointed out the engine/acceleration noises at the time of service, of course they said all was fine but I am convinced something is not right.

Anyway back to the topic, been looking at the K&N induction Kit - I suppose this one is a must - but what about Brakes, Sparks, Exhaust and even the type of Oil, although I don't want to void the warranty - looking for something that will improve the cars overall performance and keep it running smooth with a small BHP gain - and again cheaply.

Any advice helpful - thanks.

first thing K&N will reduce performance fact best value mod pound for pound is a remap GSR or alfa nige best to go to well worth the visit to either
check the link in my sig for more idea,s


www.puntomk2.co.uk

Drown out the 'rough' noise with a new custom exhaust- it doesnt have to sound s**t like a vauxhall nova, go to a specialist and tell them how loud/quiet u want it. I asked for medium-loud, its sounds throaty at lower revs but higher revs it gets louder/deeper.

If u get a new airfilter/induction kit aswell ul feel the difference (more responsive) but probably only gives about 5bhp??? less maybe...


EVERYONE- SPRAY YOUR PUNTOS BLACK

David

If you get a full big bore exhaust kit Manifold too Back box and a Cold air intake like the BMC CDA (Rip Off) you will get a totall of about 12bhp. Main difference is flat spots are removed and throttles response is a lot lot better . If you go the K&N route make sure you use the cold air feed pipes and route them all the way down to the intake in your bumper. Also if you can try make a custom Heat sheild and Duct to sit under the filter (in the process of making one myself). Also try angel tuning they do a ECU remap for the 1242cc 16v but make sure you do it after you have other mods on the car first so nige at angel tuning can program it accordingly .

Re: Punto Sporting MKII Upgrading + K&N performance?

wirly said:

first thing K&N will reduce performance fact best value mod pound for pound is a remap GSR or alfa nige best to go to well worth the visit to either
check the link in my sig for more idea,s


www.puntomk2.co.uk

Click to expand...

I plan to go with the K&N Induction Kit for my car, cheaper than the BMC option. Can u or anyone else explain what is meant by a K&N induction kit possibly reducing my cars performance. Surely this K&N will improve the air intake which cannot be bad for the car. I do not expect an increase in power.

I have ordered it up and it should be fiited within the next few days - but I dont want to fit it if it has a risk factor on performance - K&N design these to fit specific cars - surely they tested? I have only seen good reviews and recommendations for this K&N induction Kit until the qoute above - which hasmade me think I could be wasting my time?

Thanks for the other posts guys - I have been down to my local specialist and they can build me a complete powerflow exhaust system (a quiet one) for £300 fitted.

sneaky_alien_2 (sneaky_alien)

Re: Punto Sporting MKII Upgrading + K&N performance?

The new k&n air filter will be sat right at the top of the engine where all the hot air is, so can be sucking hot air into the engine, which causes a power loss. If you use the cold air feeds supplied with the kit and position them correctly so max cold air flow can be achieved there shudnt be a power loss. I use a k&n and can feel no powerloss- it works well with a less-restrictive/bigger bore exhaust.

Re: Punto Sporting MKII Upgrading + K&N performance?

Actually the air filter in the 16v will be in a different place to the 8v (which is what i was explaining in previous post)

I think its more to the side so wont be affected as much by the hot air, but still use the cold air feeds and maybe buy more from b&q......the colder the air the more power

Re: Punto Sporting MKII Upgrading + K&N performance?

my mate tony had K&N on his sporting at i gave a 2 bhp loss at a RR day
he has got a BMC now and it now running 4 bhp up on standard although he got cat back now as wella lot of money though the BMC
but there are a few places doing carbon boxes now quickshift do one for round £100

How about customising ur intake i.e using a length of alu pipe to move the filter away from the engine heat, u can then mount the filter in the front bumper somewhere allowing maximum cold air without feeds and no hot engine to deal with just a thought!

Someone did it one on a cinq on this thread

Mic.neale did it hes got some pics of his

https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=14879

I had a word or two with my specialist outfit who will be fitting this K&N and they are clued up on fitting this K&N Induction Kit to my Punto. They will be putting the air intake hose down at the front bumper - more or less as indicated on K&N's fitting manual for that part and model of car.

I am however unsure as to exactly what this K&N will do - if anything at all. I assume it will take colder/clearner air into the engine as they state but don't know about a power increase as they also indicated.

Anyway I will report back once fitted. I suppose I will notice any difference for better or worse or maybe not - anyone got a quick test I could do to determine a power/performance loss or gain?

thanks

sneaky.

Cold air travels faster than hot air, more air = more power in the engine.

sneaky_alien_2 said:

I had a word or two with my specialist outfit who will be fitting this K&N and they are clued up on fitting this K&N Induction Kit to my Punto. They will be putting the air intake hose down at the front bumper - more or less as indicated on K&N's fitting manual for that part and model of car.

I am however unsure as to exactly what this K&N will do - if anything at all. I assume it will take colder/clearner air into the engine as they state but don't know about a power increase as they also indicated.

Anyway I will report back once fitted. I suppose I will notice any difference for better or worse or maybe not - anyone got a quick test I could do to determine a power/performance loss or gain?

thanks

sneaky.

Click to expand...

errrmm.........take it for a drive??!!! :d

If you dont notice any differance I would say it was a waste of money.

yeah yeah I know take it for a drive is the obvious one but in general I notice certain differences day to day on performance allbeit very small but that's my point I probably won't know if this K&N has done anything unless it is a fairly noticable change - although in general more clean air is good for the engine even if it does nothing else - and I fail to see how this can reduce the performance.

I suppose that I am trying to determine if this K&N is worth it or not hence my original post - other punto owners who may already have one installed could tell me yes it is great or no it is crap.

If it does do nothing other than provide better air intake/filter then its cost cost me £90 to find that out but again its still good for the car. Half the time thats what upgrades are, all in the mind, its good even if its not improved the cars performance/speed.

Ive got a k&n on my 1.2 8v, and because the cars still under warranty i have to take the k&n off, and the standard back in everytime it goes in. When ive driven it with the standard airbox in, then re-fitted the k&n there is a difference, like ive said above the engine feels more responsive especially higher up the rev range. It also gives a nice induction 'roar' when u fully open the throttle (which is nice)

The filter is less restrictive than the standard, so not only does it clean the air more efficiently it gets more air into the engine. This is where a bigger exhaust helps aswell, it can get rid of the extra gases produced due to more air getting into the engine.

if you want a test try running your car at different times in the day cos i find that when i'm driving during a hot day my car seams really slow because of the hot air but when i'm driving in the early hours of the morning i find it's a lot faster nice cold air gettin in to the engine, the only problem with the punto is it's so damn hard to get more air in because there isn't a vent in the bonnet!!!

My car goes in at 10am tomorrow for this K&N induction kit to be fitted, I will report back once its fitted - I have decided not to worry about the warranty issue on changing the stock exhaust system - my dealer tells me that its only that part of warranty that will not be covered if I change it (of course that's assuming I don't get a new problem which could be related to the new exhaust) so what the hell i'm gettin the powerflow custom exhaust built. I specified quiet on low revs and slighty loader at higher revs.

I've also left a message will angel tuning to phone me back with a price for an ECU remap.

I will let u know how I get on with the K&N + the other upgrades once their on.

sneaky

Ok, so here's the report on the K&N Induction Kit for a Punto Sporting 1.2i 16V MKII.

I put my car in this morning at 10am and had it back by 11am. Opened the bonnet and was impressed with how this thing looks - made sure the air feed was properly routed down to the front bumper. Took car for at least a 35-40min drive and I have to say I have noticed a difference in particular at high revs, the car seems to pull quicker all round (quite a hot afternoon too), although this could all be in my mind as I've just got it back and its that induction roar (which is nice!) could be blinding my judgement.

I could not say that I have gained any BHP but a worth while investment.

Next up the powerflow exhaust

sneak.

yeah- it is only at higher revs u can feel any differnece- try it in 3rd at around 55-60mph thats where i get the most pull, but i dnt put my foot fully down.

the exhaust will make even more difference, so get that on asap

by the way how much did u get charged to have it fitted??!!!