Technical Panda 1.2 8v abarth swap

[Humi]

Hi!
I own a 2011 panda 1.2 8v
I’m looking to abarth swap it
What should I look for?
The bcm can communicate with the abarth ecu?
Should i bring a whole new loom with the abarth bcm and ecu?
Thanks in advance!

 

[koalar]

GitHub - pandamime100hp/fiat-panda-tjet-conversion: The Fiat Panda 100hp was released with an NA engine. The TJet engine is essentially the same NA engine though with a turbo mounted on it. This project is to document the process.

The Fiat Panda 100hp was released with an NA engine. The TJet engine is essentially the same NA engine though with a turbo mounted on it. This project is to document the process. - pandamime100hp/f...

github.com

 

[Humi]

GitHub - pandamime100hp/fiat-panda-tjet-conversion: The Fiat Panda 100hp was released with an NA engine. The TJet engine is essentially the same NA engine though with a turbo mounted on it. This project is to document the process.

The Fiat Panda 100hp was released with an NA engine. The TJet engine is essentially the same NA engine though with a turbo mounted on it. This project is to document the process. - pandamime100hp/f...

github.com

This is for the 1.4 100hp model unfortunately

 

[irc]

Pandapter with a Bravo TJet ECU and Bravo TJet engine loom is definitely easiest and neatest way, although you can "roll your own" with a bit of care, soldering iron, wiring diagrams and bits of a Bravo main wiring loom too.
Don't know anyone who has used a non-Bravo ECU yet, but someone probably has.
Very tight for space, aircon makes it worse, underbonnet heat is a problem, and most off-the-shelf intercoolers are restrictive if going for over 150hp.
Lots of knowledge about if you search for it, mostly for 100HP upgrades, but some for 1.2 upgrades too.

 

[Humi]

Pandapter with a Bravo TJet ECU and Bravo TJet engine loom is definitely easiest and neatest way, although you can "roll your own" with a bit of care, soldering iron, wiring diagrams and bits of a Bravo main wiring loom too.
Don't know anyone who has used a non-Bravo ECU yet, but someone probably has.
Very tight for space, aircon makes it worse, underbonnet heat is a problem, and most off-the-shelf intercoolers are restrictive if going for over 150hp.
Lots of knowledge about if you search for it, mostly for 100HP upgrades, but some for 1.2 upgrades too.

The question is if the pandapter works with the 1.2 69 hp bcm, I don’t know I those are the same between the 1.4 and 1.2

 

[koalar]

This is for the 1.4 100hp model unfortunately

Yes

Starting with a 1.2 because you have one is the most expensive route

If you want it to also handle and stop as well as go

 

[irc]

You could contact Pandamime directly and ask him. I've only been involved in a couple of 100hp swaps so far, but have come across at least one based on a 1.2, although I didn't get to talk to the guy who built it.
I'd be surprised if the 1.2 BCU won't talk to a Bravo ECU via the 1.2 main loom, but I can't give a definitive answer yet.
(I do have a "spare" 1.2 and a Bravo TJet engine laying around at the moment though... so I could be interested in the answer!)

 

[Humi]

You could contact Pandamime directly and ask him. I've only been involved in a couple of 100hp swaps so far, but have come across at least one based on a 1.2, although I didn't get to talk to the guy who built it.
I'd be surprised if the 1.2 BCU won't talk to a Bravo ECU via the 1.2 main loom, but I can't give a definitive answer yet.
(I do have a "spare" 1.2 and a Bravo TJet engine laying around at the moment though... so I could be interested in the answer!)

The pandapter was made to connect the ecu with the bcu am I wrong?
So I theory if the 1.2 and 1.4 is the same loom and bcu it should work fine with the bravo ecu on the abarth engine

 

[irc]

The Pandapter converts the main loom connector to use an ECU connector compatible with the Bravo TJet ECU. As far as I can remember, the Pandapter is only intended for use with the Bravo ECU, which is Euro5.
The 100hp main loom connector is correct for the Pandapter. If your 1.2 main loom connector is the same as the 100hp one, then theoretically it should work. If not, then perhaps Pandapter is not the way to go.

The engine loom has to use a Euro5 connector as used on the Bravo. So, if using an engine and loom from a Euro6 Abarth 595, for example, either the engine loom needs to be swapped for a Euro5 one, or the Euro6 loom ECU connector plug has to be re-pinned for the 94-pin Euro5 connector.

 

[Humi]

The Pandapter converts the main loom connector to use an ECU connector compatible with the Bravo TJet ECU. As far as I can remember, the Pandapter is only intended for use with the Bravo ECU, which is Euro5.
The 100hp main loom connector is correct for the Pandapter. If your 1.2 main loom connector is the same as the 100hp one, then theoretically it should work. If not, then perhaps Pandapter is not the way to go.

The engine loom has to use a Euro5 connector as used on the Bravo. So, if using an engine and loom from a Euro6 Abarth 595, for example, either the engine loom needs to be swapped for a Euro5 one, or the Euro6 loom ECU connector plug has to be re-pinned for the 94-pin Euro5 connector.

Thanks a lot!
I think I just will get a whole donor car with all the ecu and bcu looms and go that route, but I will check the connectors if they are the same!
I will keep post the progress here!

 

[svennelainen]

You could piggyback too. There are a lot of setup videos for Punto among others. Ecumaster DET3+ is very popular.
Jonik has been swapping back and forth between 1.2, 1.4 and had a compressor too for a while. He has quite few vids about DET3.

 

[koalar]

You could contact Pandamime directly and ask him

They are on here somewhere, see if I can find there user name

Here it is @Makarintosh not logged in since Oct 12, 2024

So Facebook might be better

https://www.facebook.com/Pandamime/

I'd be surprised if the 1.2 BCU won't talk to a Bravo ECU via the 1.2 main loom, but I can't give a definitive answer yet.
(I do have a "spare" 1.2 and a Bravo TJet engine laying around at the moment though... so I could be interested in the answer!)

No idea you can probably work it out

From the github

Personally a donor 100hp hp seems more cost effective, easier route if you want it to corner and stop as well as go

You can then decide if the turbo is worth while latter on

From the github Bosch ME7.9.10 ECU - Either from Fiat Bravo 12/150HP or Fiat Punto 120/150HP are the only known p'n'p solutions



Yes there are other ways

Front Stilo 1.8 16V discs and calipers
Rear punto hgt, discs and calipers
Modify the rear axel
Fit a stiffer anti roll bar
Change springs and shocks
Fit a new handbrake cables

Normally if you add up all the parts, it works out more expensive, I haven't done the maths for the panda

 

[DaveMcT]

BRAKES BRAKES BRAKES

100HP has vented from discs and discs all around, meaning the ABS will pulse any one or all brakes. 1.2 has drums at the back which are given reduced force when ABS activates.

The main issue with 100HP is the fragile front bumper. The material shatters incredibly easily and costs massive money to replace. IMO a project like this should use a "standard" Panda bumper. You also get a cheap panel for prototyping intercooler brackets. Put it into the bumper lower air intake. The 100HP splitter can be fitted to a standard Panda bumper. Try to get a spare one.

Put the entire 100HP bumper aside to refit when the project is up and running.