Technical panda project

[jonnybravo88]

hi me and a mate are on with a summer project we have a fiat panda 4x4 and we are wanting to fit into it the biggest fastest turbo engine that we can , which would be the easiest to do electrics wise etc. if anyone has any ideas would apreciate it. thanks

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Idea number one... DON'T DO IT!!!

Car will not last long! Largest engine that the gearbox and running gear will cope with is a standard none modified 8v 1108cc engine. Might survive the 1242cc 8v if lucky!

I wouldn't go near to the project with a barge pole. The 4x4's are not designed for speed.

My Summer project (don't know what summer yet) is putting an 8v 1.1 Injection Panda engine in, and that's the most powerful engine I'd put in one.

Jon.

 

[purple haze]

Type a search on here for lots of info.....there is a guy with a V8....how deep are your pockets and how much time you got...you wont find many friends on here if your going to kill a 4x4!!!!
Big engine=big driveshafts, big brakes, big ecu's,big gearbox big everything!!!
Modified exhausts, cooling sytems, modified everything!!!

the 4x4 gearbox will be useless...

The most simple of convertions cost the earth...easiest thing is to cut the top off an weld it to a big Merc, bmw..etc...or just drive the bigger car!!!

Good luck...kev

 

[grinni]

there is a 4x4 in germany with around 150 hp for racing. take a look at http://thiel-tuning.de/

 

[jonnybravo88]

hi the gearbox isnt a problem or transmission i have a mate who works at minisport who can change all the gearing in the box. im just wondering what the biggest engine turbo i can get in the engine bay thanks

 

[purple haze]

hi the gearbox isnt a problem or transmission i have a mate who works at minisport who can change all the gearing in the box. im just wondering what the biggest engine turbo i can get in the engine bay thanks

killing a 4x4 gearbox!!!...you really know how to make enemies...

New prop and diff as well then...dont bother with the turbo...just fit a Merc V12 from AMG..that should work...

 

[jonnybravo88]

whats wrong with having a project, just giving the panda more grunt|!!! so it really can go in the wild lol

 

[carlt]

whats wrong with having a project, just giving the panda more grunt|!!! so it really can go in the wild lol

Nothing's wrong with the idea -

but as has been pointed out it wont work !

much more grunt than the 1242 fire engine and things will regularly break

the 4x4 gearbox is an ULTRA low ratio crawler 4x4 system , not designed for more than 30mph max

If you want a ballistic Panda use a 2wheel drive model

Im sure someone will be happy to swap ?

 

[pandamonius_maximus]

Hi there,

I would like to say I have thought along your lines in the past, but after invetigating into it becomes impractical to keep the original 4wd system. It was originally designed to cope with 48hp and so anything over 70-80 hp is asking for trouble. If you dont mind rebuilding the gearbox as often as most serious motor racers re-build their engines then go ahead. But the housing will need serious work at strengthening around all the shafts. Otherwise something WILL break!!

I am not one to p155 on camp fires so if you really want to go down the powerful 4x4 route then buy a 2wd and fit the 4wd system from something that was designed to cope. There are some small jap 4wd cars developing ****3 loads of power you could get hold of. If you want the support of the guys and gals on here, save the 4wd for an enthusiast, as they are getting very rare now. I hope you can see what I am saying. 2wd's are soooo much cheaper as well so you'll make a good return off the 4wd. There is a lot of knowledge and experience on this forum for similar powerful panda plans so please dont dismiss our advice. Its not the kind of forum where we talk about fitting bodykits and lexus lights so when we talk technical it usually gets intense! Just read some of the stuff in the 100hp classic panda thread!

I hope that you're plans havent been put to a stop as panda's are a bit of a collectors item, and like any popular classic there are going to be panda projects that will give everyone some laughs.
Let us know what you decide,

Si

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

whats wrong with having a project, just giving the panda more grunt|!!! so it really can go in the wild lol

Grunt isn't everything in 'the wild'. Hence why standard Panda 4x4's are already better than most chealsea tractors!

If you do fit a different gearbox (assuming your probably thinking along these lines as I don't know how easy a Panda 4x4 box would be to convirt) could I aquire the origional one please

 

[CLXCraig]

buy a suzuki alto or something jap and small with 4wd. will cope much better. probably easier because its japanese. loads of parts available.

This is another case of a 4x4 panda being quite a novelity item i think. there are so many small cars out there that would be easier for what you want to do. Don't ruin what could be a great 4x4 panda.

 

[Chas Uno]

whats wrong with having a project, just giving the panda more grunt|!!! so it really can go in the wild lol

Adding more power isn't necessarily the answer if you can't get it effectively on the ground. If you're really thinking of off-roading it then all a turbo engine is likely to do is spin the wheels in the mud while a 999cc engined 4x4 will leave you behind. You're probably, and incorrectly, thinking that having a 4x4 in the Panda it will behave the same as 4x4 rally cars. It won't, as it doesn't have viscous couplings or LSD's for a start. It's a low speed/ low geared 4x4 system designed to work effectively off road in true 4x4 style. It's NOT a 4x4 rally car system.

As others have said, put a powerful turbo engine through the Panda 4x4 system and you'll tear the transmission, driveshafts and rear axle apart. You'll also not be able to go much above 40mph with the 4x4 engaged as it's not designed to go above that speed. This is stated quite clearly in the handbook as above that speed you must disengage the 4x4 and use 2x4 only.

Therefore if you want a fast Panda you should get rid of your 4x4 and start with a far more suitable 2x4 Panda. If you want to up the power for going off road then buy a more powerful off roader designed to cope with the power in the first place. However, bear in mind that what makes the Panda 4x4 so impressive is not its power but the fact that it is light and can use its small amount of power far more effectively than larger more poweful off roaders. And if you really want a 4x4 rally slag, buy one designed as such like an Integrale, Quattro, Sierra Cosworth 4x4, WRX etc.

However, if you really are intent on building a 4x4 turbo charged rally slag Panda then take a look at this site:

http://www.nyssa.ltd.uk/Y10/

You could do the same with a Panda seeing as it shares similar floorpans and construction with the Y10. However this is besides the point as you'll need to cut most of the floor pan out to cut and shut it with a shortened Lancia Integrale floor pan and drivetrain. How much time you have and how deep your pockets are will dictate whether you can even start to think about a project like this...

 

[james2609]

Don't do it!! If you want to put a big engine in something just for the fun of it, Put a 3.2ltr Turbocharged 6-cyl in a Transit! :slayer:

 

[purple haze]

He has gone a bit quiet James...maybe we didn't give the right response??