Tuning 899 power increase

[Cinquecento40k]

So I'll be looking to get a little more out of my 40k old 899 spi engine, I understand there won't be that much to get out of the engine but every little helps, I've been looking into throttle body conversions to mpg of a punto or something? Can anybody please explain the best route? I may even want to go down the engine conversion route, the best engine? Thanks

 

[Cinquecento40k]

*conversions to mpi

 

[super sprint sei]

U can put 1.2 8v in cinq and 1.4 16v in sei i think

 

[Cinquecento40k]

I was considering converting to 1.2 I'm pretty good with the spammers and have done some engines on minis so I can do it, however just slightly concerned about the insurance as I'm only 18 what engine would I need, ie number wise from a punto as I know they are different

 

[fingers99]

You could, in theory, convert the 899 engine to MPI. But it's not practical -- too many one off parts, etc.

Best bet is engine, gearbox and driveshafts out of an SPI 1108 Cinq or Sei Sporting. You'll also need the gearbox cables, exhaust manifold and exhaust system.

 

[Cinquecento40k]

Yes was considering both option, as I am young I do want a little bit more power haha, however don't want to have something un reliable. I have seen some 1.2 conversions and they look tasty

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

Why not save yourself the hassle and sell your 899 and buy a sporting?

 

[Cinquecento40k]

Because I want to make something different to be honest, I can see where your coming from and it's a good point, sticking with the SX though

 

[blu73]

it will be cheaper to just get a sporting, insurance sees a 899 with 1108 8v engine as modification and will charge extra accordingly. So if you get a sporting it will be far cheaper and its a much easier base for other conversions (1.2 8v/1.2 16b/1.4 16v), they all go into a sporting much much easier.

 

[Cinquecento40k]

Why what is it that's needed to convert to 1.2

 

[fingers99]

Punto 60 or 75 engine, Cinq or Sei sporting box (or cups), gearbox cables, (if P75, at least ECU). Better brakes, suspension, advised.

Were you doing it with a Sporting, you'd have just about everything but the box and ECU, and could even just use the 1242 block from a Mk2. You'll need some fabrication on the exhaust side, but a Sporting exhaust will be a must.

The real killer with Cinqs now is rust, so that should be a major factor in your choice.

 

[blu73]

the major difference to converting the 899 and 1108 to the bigger engines is wiring. the sporting has the D4 connector that joins the engine and body looms, but the 899 has one big loom. So to swap an 899 to any of the other engines requires alot of cutting and joining wires or more easy complete removal of the entire loom and replacing it with the sporting body loom and whichever engine loom you need (depends which engine)

A P60 is a straight swap into a sporting, literally swap the bottom end of engine, can use your head and loom and ecu and everything.

1.2 16v from mk1 punto into a sporting is a matter of bolting engine in a connecting up the D4 with a little bit of chopping and moving the wires at that connector only.

later 1.2 16v engines and the 1.4 16v is basically same as mk1 1.2 16v except you need the loom, ecu, codebox and key etc from a mk1 punto 16v as well.

For a new sriver it makes perfect sense to start with a sporting, wit for premiums to come down and then convert or modify. But fingers makes a good point about rust, if your shell is really nice then it is worth considering keeping it really unless you know of a decent sporting without rot.

 

[Cinquecento40k]

Thanks for the replays really helps a lot, my shell is good apart from the rear arches, however I know someone who's putting the new ones in and painting it for a very low price. I really liked the idea of making something different, I am prepared to do the work however as I will be keeping it a while until I move onto bigger things and then making a track car out of it. On a budget scale avoiding the sporting option how much would it roughly cost for a 1.2 or 1.1 conversion

 

[fingers99]

Ball of string question.

I'd guess you're looking at 100 - 150 quid for the engine and box from a Sporting. They scrap for around £100 on a good day, so a running big MOT fail is a good bet. You can then nick anything you need from it, scrap/part out the rest, and be quids in.

 

[Cinquecento40k]

Thats true yeah, they are quite cheap some of them, that's probably my best bet, will consider this after the body work has been done and it has a new coat of paint, thanks guys

 

[ycming]

Yuo can use the 899 loom to fit the fire engine. Just extended the wires and the ECU is plug and play once immob is removed.

But it's true for insurance purpose, buy a sporting is the way forward.

 

[super sprint sei]

I was considering converting to 1.2 I'm pretty good with the spammers and have done some engines on minis so I can do it, however just slightly concerned about the insurance as I'm only 18 what engine would I need, ie number wise from a punto as I know they are different

Well id just convert and keep down as 899on log(cheapest option) police are quite stupid aslong as ur car doesnt get took to poice statuon for investigation youl be perfectly fine plus people want quick car but cheep insrance good for resale

 

[fingers99]

Well id just convert and keep down as 899on log(cheapest option) police are quite stupid aslong as ur car doesnt get took to poice statuon for investigation youl be perfectly fine plus people want quick car but cheep insrance good for resale

Not sure how to respond to all that.

But this is a public forum.

The average policeman probably doesn't care that much about cars, except that they are legal on the surface and don't ping ANPR. There are, however, some with extensive training on what's what. There are also VOSA out there -- generally with police accompanying them.

On top of that, an engine change will, if undeclared, invalidate your insurance.

A case in point. A mate was driving around minding his own business in a shonky old beemer with a spoiler on the back and a faux air intake. Police speculatively pulled him.

Czech driving licence and UK licence on insurance certificate. Policeman rang insurance company who checked their records and discovered an administrative error (he'd declared Czech licence, the insurance company had messed up the certificate). What about these modifications, then, stumped up the PO.........

In the end, the insurers turned a blind eye, but I doubt if they'd have done the same with a bigger engine.

 

[blu73]

:yeahthat:

Well id just convert and keep down as 899on log(cheapest option) police are quite stupid aslong as ur car doesnt get took to poice statuon for investigation youl be perfectly fine plus people want quick car but cheep insrance good for resale

you may as well just drive around without insurance, it amounts to the same thing. You won't get much love saying stuff like that on this forum.

 

[Cinquecento40k]

Hmm it is a bit risky, I know someone who had a fiesta 1.2 with a 1.7 ford puma engine in, fast, fun but when he got pulled over he very nearly got caught, luckily his bonnet catch was broken and couldn't open the bonnet haha I doubt ill risk it with the not declaring side of things, may even just try convert mpi?