Tuning Cinquecento project ideas

[cinquey]

I have a 899cc cinquecento and does would like to have some fun with it.

At the moment it is completely stock. I am thinking about a punto p60 engine conversion, maybe a turbo. I have no prior experience with car modding.

What else can i do?
Any ideas are welcome, engine mods or otherwise...

 

[andys cinq]

Have a read thru the guides and faqs plenty of options in there but before you consider doing any modifications think about your insurance costs going up dramatically

 

[fingers99]

The P60 (or Cinq Sporting, even) conversion isn't tooo hard. Note that the gearbox and driveshafts need chganging as well as the engine, though.

Turbos tend to cost an arm and leg.

Lots of stuff in the FAQs and Guides, this is probably a good place to start.

 

[blu73]

it is all on here, go searching and reading, come back with questions your unsure about.

End of day - anything is possible, with time, effort and of course cash.

 

[Lecook]

I would highly recommend you buying a full mot failure sporting if you want to do the changeover to a bigger engine, I've just spend nearly 1000pounds converting my 899 to 1242 and I did the actual conversion myself, and also you can get a good sporting for 1000 pounds. Just something to think about

Lee

 

[cinquey]

Is the sporting neccesary? Mine in the cinquecento s, (whatever the 's' means), and it is in relatively good shape. Can i go for the punto sporting 16v? Or the p60? Or is it only worth it to do it on a sporting?

 

[andys cinq]

The sporting is just an easier place to start off with and as you have no prior experience i wouldnt think of 16v or turbo yet you need to break your teeth on something less involved ive been a mechanic for 30 years and have just finished a 1368 16v 6 speed conversion and it gave me some serious headaches literally:bang: have a read of my thread and you will see but it was all worth it in the end:devil:

 

[cinquey]

Are there any easier engines that would work with the standard Cinquecento? If i have to get a sporting i may as well start with a different car entirely, the main point here is to do something with my current car.

 

[blu73]

1242 spi engine from P60 is prob the best for you..

You could at a later date - once you knowledge and experience has gone up, upgrade that to mpi (essentially upgrading to P75 engine), or turbo it or whatever. But P60 is a good start, cheap to do, simple swap which has been literally loads of times so plenty of members that can give you help.

And don't forget suspension and brake upgrades are also a must

 

[cinquey]

That's 60hp? What will the performance gains be with a good intake + exhaust?

And regarding brakes and suspension...punto gt brakes? I think that would mean upgrading to 14's is that correct? And where do i start with the suspension?

 

[blu73]

yes 60bhp..

Punto GT brakes require 14" wheels yes.

Suspension, you start with budget.

 

[Lecook]

Yea I agree what blu says p60 is the best bet to start with but see if you can pick up a full sporting,maybe an mot failure or one with the headgasket gone, I was just saying that by doing it by collecting parts will end up costing a fortune, however splitting the cost of buying parts does make it a lot easier and by god its a good feeling once you've upgraded

Its not as simple as changing the engine though u will need (off the top of my head

Sporting Gearbox
Sporting driveshafts
Sporting gear selector box
Sporting engine mounts
Sporting speedo cable/drive
Sporting clutch cable
Sporting exhaust manifold
P60 engine
Wire and connectors to extend the parts of the engine loom for the new engine

Plus all the rebuild parts that you may aswell get whilst ur at it

Headgasket set
Clutch kit
Cambelt kit
Water pump
Fresh oil filter
Induction kit of some description

Then there's the fluids
Gearbox oil
Engine oil
Coolant
You may aswell replace the brake fluid at the same time

In my opinion ( and many will disagree) the 899 brakes are more than up to the job of stopping the p60 upgrade mine was running stock brakes and steelies and it stopped just as well as it did with the 899

Sorry for the essay but there just a few things to consider when doing the engine conversion and aren't cheap to buy even from a scrappy

Its do-able but u really are better off starting with either a sporting or buying a worse for wear sporting to strip for all the parts you will need

Lee

 

[cinquey]

Thanks for all that, i'll have a think.
Regarding the brakes, i'll have to do something, they hardly stop the car at the moment, they're going to have to be upgraded.

 

[Lecook]

New disks and pads and adjust the rears up, if you want to save money pgt brakes aren't cheap and as previously said ull have to upgrade the wheels to 14s at the same time

Good luck btw with whatever you decide to do

Lee

 

[blu73]

yes, service the brakes, they should stop the car fine really. And lets not forget the 899 has tiny little tyres, you will get much more stopping grip if you fit some wider wheels and rubber even if its just sporting alloys

 

[cinquey]

Is it a straight swap to 14's or does it need lowering?

 

[fingers99]

Should be lowered. You can probably get away without it if you run 6J rims and 195/45/14 (pretty much same diameter as original tyres). Otherwise, needs to be lowered for safely reasons.

 

[cinquey]

Ok. What does that entail?

 

[fingers99]

Lowering springs. If you don't go below -40 (on a Sporting, -60 on a non-Sporting) you can get away with standard shocks and some trimming of the bump stops. But, if your shocks have done more than 40k miles, they'll be on their last legs anyway.