helooo!
I have just bought a 1988 1000s panda! The one most of you will have seen in the classifieds area and probably the very one that this thread is about!
Congratulations!
Everything under the bonnet is stock - so if you wouldn't mind helping me:
What basic engine tune ups are out there for it?
Change the oil, plugs and filters, then make sure the timing is correctly set and everything else is working as it should.
Are there any de-cat or better exhaust kits available for my Panda?
As Lewey has pointed out, a 1988 Panda won't have a cat (they weren't mandatory until approx. 1993). For a better exhaust you'll be looking at something custom made and possibly using a free flowing exhaust manifold meant for a 'Cento Sporting.
Are any induction kits available any good?
In a word, no. They'll sound nice but that's about it. Fitting one won't liberate any noticeable power because the standard 999cc carb engine is restricted by its breathing. Unless you can increase gas flow throughout the engine changing one part on its own will do very little.
I have a 1242 conversion on the cards for late March time so for now I'm improving the looks with some driving lights, a Golf front skirt, Italian style numberplates and painting a few things satin black aswell as wanting to do some improvements to the stock engine.
March is but two months away. Save your money on modifying the 999cc and put it towards a 1242.
My target is to have a very low, stiff and mildy tuned (1242 16v) Panda that looks very subtle, striking and old school.
Don't go too low and/ or stiff if you want to keep your car a daily driver. It will just be a pain to drive every day on British pot holed road. And mildly tuned? A good 1242 16v Sporting engine will push out around 85 bhp. Tuning the 16v isn't easy and is likely to be expensive. Plus, 85bhp in a Panda is more than enough for most people!
This project has all stemmed from wanting a Renault 5 GT Turbo but realising that with insurance costs beyond astonomical and the fact that they have all been thrashed every day of their lives by kids in tracksuits - they just aint cool anymore!
I'll start a build thread on Saturday when I get it home
You ought to check how much your insurance will be for a modified Panda with a 1242 16v engine, particularly if you are a young driver with zero no-claims. In fact it may be just as expensive as insuring a standard GT Turbo. Insurance companies dislike modified cars and young drivers, so add the two together and prepare to be raped!
Don't mean to shatter your dreams but be realistic about what you want, what you can do and what you can afford. Pandas are great cars and this is a great forum, so you're in the best place for advice. Definitely check out some of the build threads (Damon's 16v "How To" and Lewey's 1.4 16v for instance) and you'll see how much is involved.
Good luck and keep the forum posted with details and pictures of your Panda
