The Free-Esta1.25

[amancalledrob]

Hi

I've got a 1998 Fiesta 1.25 that I was given for nothing. It's not an exciting car (I've got a FireBlade which covers that) but I've become quite attached to it and the engine leaks a bit of oil.

I've decided this is the perfect excuse to swap the engine for a 1.7 Puma lump. Pumaspeed in Yorkshire have a great reputation for this stuff but I'm in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, so they're a bit of a trek.

Can anyone recommend somewhere a bit further south, or should I just go for Pumaspeed?

Thanks

[_Nathan_]

amancalledrob said:

Pumaspeed in Yorkshire have a great reputation for this stuff but I'm in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, so they're a bit of a trek.

Can anyone recommend somewhere a bit further south, or should I just go for Pumaspeed?

Thanks

IIRC - that conversion is £4k

You intend to spend £4k on a free old Fiesta ?

[avenger286]

Do it your self ! Buy a conversion from eBay or a puma and strip it . Puma speed don't give a flying f about pumas anymore and there are better puma specialists such as lightning motorsport. Or sell your free fezza and buy a puma as its a better car and less hastle than doing a conversion .

[amancalledrob]

_Nathan_ said:

IIRC - that conversion is £4k

You intend to spend £4k on a free old Fiesta ?

It's £800 for the labour. I've found donor cars for £200, so it's pretty affordable given the grin factor

[amancalledrob]

avenger286 said:

Do it your self ! Buy a conversion from eBay or a puma and strip it . Puma speed don't give a flying f about pumas anymore and there are better puma specialists such as lightning motorsport. Or sell your free fezza and buy a puma as its a better car and less hastle than doing a conversion .

Frankly this is a five-spanner job, and I'm only really a three-spanner guy. You're right in that buying a different car would make a lot more sense, but I really like my Fiesta. The heart wants what it wants...

[avenger286]

I don't think its that hard of a job . Do some research on the fiesta forums as plenty have been dun before . The puma lump is a fantastic wee engine and will last for ever if looked after .

[poing]

Are these guys a bit closer in Essex?

http://www.oc-motorsport.co.uk/index.php?products&...

[amancalledrob]

poing said:

Are these guys a bit closer in Essex?

http://www.oc-motorsport.co.uk/index.php?products&...

This is exactly the kind of response I hoped for - I've called them and they'll do it for £700. They can even move the power steering gubbins over so I'll gain that. Much appreciated, thanks.

I've also discovered that with a bit of exhaust fettling and some new cams, the 1.7 can be tuned for a reliable 155bhp.

This promises to be hilarious

[amancalledrob]

Ok, so this is slightly more complicated (although still very doable) - it turns out it's necessary to source a pre-99 Puma, due to changes to the loom and ECU for later models. Does anyone know if it's possible to just get a '99 or later car and use a different loom/ECU, or am I being a bit naïve there?

[soad]

[amancalledrob]

Update for anyone interested - I've found a 1998 Puma for £250! I've paid a company to trailer it to the mechanic in Essex for £117. Not too bad so far. They reckon labour to swap engine, wheels and brakes is £700. Later this year I'll do cams and exhaust, stick a decent panel filter in, should make about 150 ponies in a 900kg car. Hilarity and a road traffic accident will no doubt ensue. Pics to follow

[poing]

Glad to see you going through with it, easily one of the most PH things to do with a free car, including the inevitable crash

[Gallons Per Mile]

Sounds like a good little project! You should check out my £50 Puma thread - it really is easy to swap engines out on these cars

[avenger286]

The ecu you really want is the Tape one its on the sticker on the ecu . You can also get the frp map put on it easy if you are putting cams in . You would be better getting some descent suspension and re bushing the car over cams first . Would also use feista st150 brakes not the puma ones as a 98 puma will have the smaller brake set up later ones had slightly bigger brakes .

[s p a c e m a n]

Curious why people choose a 1.7 puma lump over a 2.0 zetec and asking here is easier than googling and reading through long threads

[avenger286]

1700 puma drops strait in using the mounts and is very light as long as your not going for mega power its a cheap conversion . 2.0 needs a lot more work to fit and is heavier obviously more tuneing parts available .
The puma engine is a brilliant engine loves to rev and has a good bit of grunt low down .

[yellowstreak]

amancalledrob said:

Update for anyone interested - I've found a 1998 Puma for £250! I've paid a company to trailer it to the mechanic in Essex for £117. Not too bad so far. They reckon labour to swap engine, wheels and brakes is £700. Later this year I'll do cams and exhaust, stick a decent panel filter in, should make about 150 ponies in a 900kg car. Hilarity and a road traffic accident will no doubt ensue. Pics to follow

Much kudos is due! That will be a lot of fun!

[s p a c e m a n]

And now I know Just assumed all of the mounts/box were the same as they do zetec fiestas.

[amancalledrob]

avenger286 said:

The ecu you really want is the Tape one its on the sticker on the ecu . You can also get the frp map put on it easy if you are putting cams in . You would be better getting some descent suspension and re bushing the car over cams first . Would also use feista st150 brakes not the puma ones as a 98 puma will have the smaller brake set up later ones had slightly bigger brakes .

Thanks, it's the Tape ECU so that should be good. Didn't realise about the brakes. You're right about the suspension, but that was fully re-bushed in October when the car failed an MOT on it, before this decision was made. Although I'd love to do an upgrade there I think I want to get a few miles out of the new bits in there first it's just had new springs as well, one of them snapped on the motorway

I'll see how she goes on the Puma brakes and wheels, it's a light car so hopefully should stop well. I might upgrade the shocks as that's pretty affordable and can make a big difference. Fingers crossed this Puma doesn't turn out to be a dog when I see it tomorrow...

[geeks]

Thread is hilarious I love it! Keep at it OP, it will be alot of fun when finished. We have a Mk4 Zetec S laying around that I keep threatening to do something with, off the back of your thread I might even move it into the "to be worked on queue"