Just inherited a Puma - advice sought

Just inherited a Puma - advice sought

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Discussion

brum

Original Poster:

5,892 posts

208 months

Sunday 1st June 2008
quotequote all
Due to me changing jobs i've handed back my company motor and i've come into possession of a Puma as interim wheels for the next few months.
Its my mum's old car - 2000 - 44k, and i have driven it for a couple of hours today and been blown away with it's handling, sweet gearchange and rev happy engine - so am understandibly chuffed as its basically a freebie.
I have a couple of questions if anyone can help.

1) At, 6ft 5in tall, the driving position is, erm, cramped to say the least. Is there any way i can get the seat back further without ripping out the back seats? - is there a suitable replacement which sits lower in the car?

2) The brakes don't seem to be up to much - whats the best way to uprate performance without it costing a packet?

I don't want to be spending fortunes as will be swapping it for a different car in the new year but will be my daily driver until then.
Cheers guys.

stu_the_flat

1,167 posts

220 months

Monday 2nd June 2008
quotequote all
Yes thew brakes are rubbish.

you can get rear disc brakes but there a problem with fitting the ABS sensor to the rear discs.

So I recon the best way to go is disics with red stuff pads on the front. becuase converting the rear brakes properly will be exspensive.

As for the driving position I'm 6'2" and I find the rear view mirror is in the most stupid place. I tend to put the seat to its lowest setting and the recline the seat back.

get it so you can see out the car if you make your self comfotable you'll spend your time bobbing you head about to see out the car!

Ice White Socks

72 posts

200 months

Monday 2nd June 2008
quotequote all
Your Puma may have the 240mm or the 260mm front brakes (they changed around that time)- either upgrade to the 260's or go for 280mm's off the new Fiesta ST (just changed mine this weekend- these are a direct fit).

You can also use Cougar/Mondeo V6 brakes if you use spacers.

They are sweet cars to drive tho ;-)

brum

Original Poster:

5,892 posts

208 months

Monday 2nd June 2008
quotequote all
Thanks guys.
I will investigate the ST kit for the front brakes - do you need to change the lines, would it make a significant difference?

I need to change the seat, something that sits me 3" further back and 2" lower would be perfect. anyone know of something suitable?

stu_the_flat

1,167 posts

220 months

Monday 2nd June 2008
quotequote all
brum said:
Thanks guys.
I will investigate the ST kit for the front brakes - do you need to change the lines, would it make a significant difference?

I need to change the seat, something that sits me 3" further back and 2" lower would be perfect. anyone know of something suitable?
It sounds like you might have the detuned puma. they put Ford Ka seats in it. Have a look at slightly older puma and see if they have better looking seats.

I've got the older seats but sometimes want to change my seat. but with the fuel price I'm using it for longer miles so I don't want a bucket racing seat. type thing.

stu_the_flat

1,167 posts

220 months

Monday 2nd June 2008
quotequote all
Maybe the Ford racing puma seats might be the obvius option if you can find any.

brum

Original Poster:

5,892 posts

208 months

Monday 2nd June 2008
quotequote all
Detuned Puma? Excuse my ignorance but what's a detuned Puma? I thought it was either 1.7/1.4 and later FRP and a 1.6?
It has the same seats as all the other 1.7's i have seen and it feels every one of it's 123bhp.

The problem is that at 6'5" i have a 35" inside leg - the seats are perfectly adequate for normal sized people.
I'll have a search round for a FRP seat - will it actually sit lower or further back?
Cheers.

stu_the_flat

1,167 posts

220 months

Monday 2nd June 2008
quotequote all
If you look there are too 0-60 times for the 1.7L

8.8 and 9.3 or something like that.

The 1.7 was very close to the CO2 emissions bracket so the made it burn less CO2 so that it could go down a road tax category. They did a few more penny clawing modification's such as putting the Ka seats in. in some dash board changes.

Are you a member of Pumapeople.com?

There quite good and know a lot more than me!

spectre17

210 posts

208 months

Monday 2nd June 2008
quotequote all
Enjoy, a good mileage! indeed check out Pumapeople.com, they will be able to help you out.

Ice White Socks

72 posts

200 months

Monday 2nd June 2008
quotequote all
The two 0-60 times for the 1.7 are just due to a later cars having a 'stricter' torque limiter in 1st gear- the engine is exactly the same- as is all the performance in gears 2-5.

Interesting point about the KA seats in later Pumas- I know early Pumas had electric adjustments and this was phased out on later ones- but the seats look exactly the same for all the Pumas (Bar the Recaro's on the Millenium and the Sparcos on the FRP's).

brum

Original Poster:

5,892 posts

208 months

Monday 2nd June 2008
quotequote all
I have posted a on Puma People. I have had the car out for a couple of hours hoonage this afternoon, there is no way i will be able do 25k+ a year in it without it causing me significant back/leg problems with the current set up - my knees are literally jammed under the steering wheel.

Hopefully I will find a solution - its a real hoot to drive and i'd hate to have to sell it straight on. weeping

stu_the_flat

1,167 posts

220 months

Tuesday 3rd June 2008
quotequote all
Ice White Socks said:
The two 0-60 times for the 1.7 are just due to a later cars having a 'stricter' torque limiter in 1st gear- the engine is exactly the same- as is all the performance in gears 2-5.

Interesting point about the KA seats in later Pumas- I know early Pumas had electric adjustments and this was phased out on later ones- but the seats look exactly the same for all the Pumas (Bar the Recaro's on the Millenium and the Sparcos on the FRP's).
Ahh. Now I know!

binman jim

27 posts

191 months

Wednesday 16th July 2008
quotequote all
take the driver seat out and sit in the back lol.
or maybe go talk to a metal fabricator and ask if theres anything they could do with the runners.