General to chiptune or not

[JLB]

I am in the process of buying a Panda 4x4 1.3 Multijet and am thinking about giving it a little extra power by chiptuning the car (digitaltuning.ch).

Does anyone have any experiences with power modifications on the 1.3. How has reliability been and have there been any problems with the car or clutch?

When testdriving the 1.3 4x4 and during aggresive shifting under power I noticed a "chunky" slamming sound coming from what sounded like the rear drivetrain. Shifting slowly and using less gas cured the problem, but my concern is that the 100bhp which I will get out from the engine might be too stressful for the 4x4 drivetrain..

thnx for your thoughts

 

[Stu DemonD]

Have you approched Angel Tuning [they advertise on this site] to see if they have any advice on this engine? <---is now a totally pointless post, lol :spin:

 

[chrisunoman]

Stu, i think hes foreign, he mentioned a site from Chile (i think)

The 1.3 MJ engine can be remapped though.

But in the UK we dont get the 1.3 in the 4x4 so wouldnt be able to comment on drivetrain issues.

 

[JLB]

Yes, you're right on the foreign part. I will be buying the car in Switzerland and the digitaltuning company is suisse (.ch) but I am sure that several others remap the 1.3.

I've understood from reading in the forum that you brits don't yet have the 1.3 4x4, but I was hoping to hear if anyone might know the theoretical or practical limits of the 4x4 drivetrain.

 

[lanchester01]

Sounds like a fun project.

There is an earlier thread called Chiptunes 1,3mjet engine!! from fraguzz, last updated 10-07-2005. It's worth a read as he was experiencing some clutch slip on his Dynamic.

As for the clunk, I've heard it on my 1.2 4X4. At first I thought it might be the MSR(Motor Schleppmoment Regelung?) cutting in. Now I think it's just play. You will get a degree of play on any drive train. As a 4X4 train is longer and more complex you will have to get more play than a 2X4. I think this is more likely the cause of the 'clunk'.

I can't see the viscous coupling complaining. When there is sufficient traction it doesn't take any load and when it is fully operational it is taking only half the torque from the front. (I presume you intend to increase torque as well as BHP).

The drive shaft to the rear is a big lump of metal. You wont shear that. The two diffs are probebly your weakest point. You will create more wear by transfering more torque through them so they will wear out sooner than if you hadn't chipped the car, but diffs are hardy things.

I don't think you will get specs for max torque through the drive train unless you know one of the designers, so in a word, you're one your own.

My opinion is; The clutch will give problems before the drive train. Put a stronger clutch in and I still don't think you will give it much to worry about.

Disclaimer. This is my 'opinion'. It is your car. If you were the sort to worry about these things I doubt you'd think about it in the first place.

Good luck

 

[Oldschool]

Just spoken to Millenium and they have done some in Italy without any problems so far for drivetrain, engine or anything else that could be affected.

 

[JLB]

The truth is of course that I had pretty much decided to up the power even though there is allways a risk that the material can't handle it. Besides, couldn't really handle the thought of going down to less than a sixth of the power in my summer wheels.. a quarter is way more acceptable.

Just wanted to check if it there was any previous knowledge that would convince me not to go right ahead.

So I will be getting on with it and will pass on any information should problems arise.

Thnx

 

[Johny]

I have to ask, what are these summer wheels ?

 

[JLB]

DB9 coupe

Even though I have taken it up to Verbier one relatively dry January weekend (just to see if it could be done really), I ended up playing James Bond sliding all around and looking for the catapult chair emergency exit.. I expect my new 4x4 panda will be alot more suited for the conditions .. and as a bonus it won't put my driver's license att risk everytime I get behind the wheel..

 

[lanchester01]

Hang on,
Aston Martin DB9, Fiat Panda 4X4.
You weren't actualy playing James Bond were you? You are James Bond.
Cool

 

[JLB]

Yes it's a funny coincidence that both an aston and the new panda will feature in the latest Bond movie, one which I wasn't aware of until I had already decided on the car..

Still, I don't think I should read too much into it.. Jaws wouldn't need more than a few moments to peel open the panda like an orange and have his way with me..

Until my modifications are completed, that is

 

[JLB]

Update.

Had my panda tuned today by digitaltuning. It was a re-map (only software) modification and the performance change is startling. A 30hp increase and 33% increase in torque according to the manufacturer, which I don't doubt after having driven it..

My one small complaint is that the power curve is a bit nonlinear (especially noticeable in 1st gear) between 1500 and 2500 rpm.. hopefully I won't find any other downsides..

 

[MIX]

JLB,

Do You have some problems with the tuning? See my thread Panda tuning.