Tracking a Puma...
Discussion
The Puma is a great track car - I know as I've taken mine on 5 so far and originally that's all I bought it for!
With the 1.7 it's never going to be the quickest thing out there, but it's fun and agile. On the straights you're not going to rip up the tarmac (as the idiot in the Clio Cup who kept on indicating to the right so I could pass and then flooring it so I had no hope, only for me to catch him at the next corner - not because the Puma is better, he was just a bad driver!), but the engine is revvy, responsive and really does the job.
Mine is standard save for Eibach springs (ashamed to say sill standard dampers), Mintex pads (think they're 1144 - give off a lot of dust and squeak a bit in normal use, but never faded on the track), and decent tyres. Also change the brake fluid each year just so I minimise the risk of boiling it like I did in a Type-R once....
Stick a 1.7 in and you'll love it, really gives you the chance to drive a car at 100% and learn how to get more out of it making up for the power deficit. Cracking fun!
With the 1.7 it's never going to be the quickest thing out there, but it's fun and agile. On the straights you're not going to rip up the tarmac (as the idiot in the Clio Cup who kept on indicating to the right so I could pass and then flooring it so I had no hope, only for me to catch him at the next corner - not because the Puma is better, he was just a bad driver!), but the engine is revvy, responsive and really does the job.
Mine is standard save for Eibach springs (ashamed to say sill standard dampers), Mintex pads (think they're 1144 - give off a lot of dust and squeak a bit in normal use, but never faded on the track), and decent tyres. Also change the brake fluid each year just so I minimise the risk of boiling it like I did in a Type-R once....
Stick a 1.7 in and you'll love it, really gives you the chance to drive a car at 100% and learn how to get more out of it making up for the power deficit. Cracking fun!
Thanks! All show and no go :-)
The wheels were a bit of an indulgence. Could have got Mondeo ones that 'look' the same, but with the wrong offset, so decided to bite the bullet and buy new ones with the correct 35 offset. Just keeps it looking 'right' and handling as its supposed to.
The wheels were a bit of an indulgence. Could have got Mondeo ones that 'look' the same, but with the wrong offset, so decided to bite the bullet and buy new ones with the correct 35 offset. Just keeps it looking 'right' and handling as its supposed to.
Edited by XAF on Monday 14th January 10:43
Edited by XAF on Monday 14th January 10:44
I was given a Puma a while back when the Mrs got a new car, was a 1.7 and went well enough on track.
She had doen a few bits to it (standard issue halfords mods) 17" wheels, cheap suspension, big exhaust and air filter so I binned those off for some 15" wheels on toyo T1Rs, standard exhaust some 20mm rear beam spacers and got a 300mm brake kit from one of the guys on projectpuma and I'll give it it's due it went well, was a touch underpowered but then any wally can go fast in a straight line. The body kit was smashed off with some spirited driving but hey for a free car it wasn't half bad.
Truth be told if I didn't have another track car taking up space in the garage I would have kept it and driven it into the ground.
I'd have another one if a good one came up for the right price.
She had doen a few bits to it (standard issue halfords mods) 17" wheels, cheap suspension, big exhaust and air filter so I binned those off for some 15" wheels on toyo T1Rs, standard exhaust some 20mm rear beam spacers and got a 300mm brake kit from one of the guys on projectpuma and I'll give it it's due it went well, was a touch underpowered but then any wally can go fast in a straight line. The body kit was smashed off with some spirited driving but hey for a free car it wasn't half bad.
Truth be told if I didn't have another track car taking up space in the garage I would have kept it and driven it into the ground.
I'd have another one if a good one came up for the right price.
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