Panda 4x4 (modern) engine swap with Abarth 1.4T
Discussion
Hello,
Just thought I would ask the PH collective about my mad idea as per the title. I absolutely love the panda 4x4 and would love to turn one into a bit of a sleeper car. the 4 wheel drive system is via a viscous coupling and I know the petrol TA version has a very low 1st gear. I am not very mechanically minded but do know a few people who would know how to perform an engine swap.
What I would like to accomplish is have a panda 4x4 that still looks like a panda 4x4, still has the ride height and 4 wheel drive but with significantly more poke. I don't have the money for this project atm so for the moment purely hypothetical but could it be done, and what would need to be done?
I would love air suspension to adjust the ride height, as well as discretely upgrading the brakes but I really want the car to remain looking stock.
As far as the engine, drivetrain, gearbox, clutch etc. what work would need to be done to make it happen?
Thanks!
Just thought I would ask the PH collective about my mad idea as per the title. I absolutely love the panda 4x4 and would love to turn one into a bit of a sleeper car. the 4 wheel drive system is via a viscous coupling and I know the petrol TA version has a very low 1st gear. I am not very mechanically minded but do know a few people who would know how to perform an engine swap.
What I would like to accomplish is have a panda 4x4 that still looks like a panda 4x4, still has the ride height and 4 wheel drive but with significantly more poke. I don't have the money for this project atm so for the moment purely hypothetical but could it be done, and what would need to be done?
I would love air suspension to adjust the ride height, as well as discretely upgrading the brakes but I really want the car to remain looking stock.
As far as the engine, drivetrain, gearbox, clutch etc. what work would need to be done to make it happen?
Thanks!
I've idly considered the same myself, it should all sort of just bolt together, as the basic engines are identical, but I've never been sure quite how much the gearbox would take before doing itself a mischief.
I think the only big gotchas may be if the turbo location fouls something in the Panda bay, and whether you can use a standard ECU without a lot of hassle from integrating the security stuff into a different car.
Be interesting to see.
I think the only big gotchas may be if the turbo location fouls something in the Panda bay, and whether you can use a standard ECU without a lot of hassle from integrating the security stuff into a different car.
Be interesting to see.
Almost anything can be done with enough time/resources/money..
Whether it's worth it or not is very much a different matter.
It would undoubtedly be much easier just to add power to whatever engine is currently in the car and working, unless whatever you propose to swap is an easy bolt in job.
Whether it's worth it or not is very much a different matter.
It would undoubtedly be much easier just to add power to whatever engine is currently in the car and working, unless whatever you propose to swap is an easy bolt in job.
Thanks for the responses. The 0.9 TwinAir engine is just a 2 cylinder jobbie and although it makes a great little noise it isn't powerful and it's not good on fuel either. Financially the whole enterprise makes no sense but I'd love to have a little unassuming car with a bit of poke. I spend a lot of time in Cornwall and it's not an issue hustling a low powered car through the corners but it does get a bit boring when there's no power to overtake or get up a steep hill.
nitrodave said:
Your easiest and by far cheapest option would be bolting on a supercharge for a R53 mini cooper.
Standalone ecu, bigger fuel pump and injectors will see you get some decent gains
Would that not be horrendously laggy? 2 cylinder turbo-charged petrol with a supercharger bolted on? I know VW had the twin charged unit and it was plagued with reliability issues. I was hoping to install a complete unit from an abarth so it remains usable as a daily car.Standalone ecu, bigger fuel pump and injectors will see you get some decent gains
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