[janskjaer]

Hi everybody,

This is my first post on pumapeople.com. I've just registered as I think this forum will be very useful to me.
I am not yet a Ford Puma owner, unfortunately, however I plan to be one, as soon as I have the cash to purchase a Kat.
I am a student at the moment on a work placement. I would like to use some of my wages to get one, but at the minute, I'm biding my time as I don't know which Puma to choose.

I've always liked Puma's since they were released. Now I've been driving for nearly 3 years, I am looking forward to changing from my beloved Renault Clio to a Ford Puma. But I am stuck for choice???

I want to buy one and have it as a development project. If I get a Puma, I want as much power and performance as possible. I looked at the ultra sexy FRP's, which have everything I desire, however, because I'm only 20, many insurance groups won't give me a stable estimate until I'm 25. So if it is gonna be a FRP, I'm gonna have to be holding on a while. :cry:

On the other hand, I thought of getting a Std Puma and modifying it to FRP specs, and even beyond!!

My main priority would be the engine. I would love to get something ultra beefy. What kind of engines would I be looking at?? Cosworth engine, RS Turbo, or maybe a 2.0 16v Zetec (Like the kind in the Focus ST170)?? Are any of these possible?? :twisted:

Failing that, how modifyable is the 1.7 ?? How much power can you squeeze out of that??

Obviously, I would have to put the engine on the backburner, as the insurance would have a field day with me. So I would concetrate on other parts of the car for the time being (styling - interior, exterior, exhaust, alloys, suspension).

At the end of the day, would it be worth my while, getting an engine mod, and how much are we talking?

Any info from anyone, would be of great help.

Cheers,

Janskjaer.

[Turby]

IMHO you are going to need to take reality pill here

If you cannot afford to insure an FRP which is standard from the factory then how do you think you are going to modify and then insure a standard 1.7 for less money to the same spec as an FRP ? Bear in mind that second hand FRP parts are very rare and you cannot buy new unless you already have an FRP. The cheapest base 1.7 Puma is around the £5,000 mark. The cheapest "FRP lookalike" I have seen is around the £8,000 mark, the cheapest genuine FRP as assembled at Tickfords is around £10,000.

Unless you got £000's to spend don't even consider getting much more power than what is available from the FRP as standard. I'm afraid its just not going to happen despite what you may be told - if you do be prepared to walk away with no engine and a lot of wasted time and effort.

Bear in mind this engine is till fairly new and was not produced in large numbers unlike the CVH / XFlow which makes it likely that serious development effort (time and money) will not be recouped.

My suggestion is that you buy a ready mod'ed Escort Turbo or Peugeot 205 GTI, they are cheap and parts are readily available.

Saying all that if you do decide to take the plunge then good luck

[BOK]

I have to second Toby on this one.

You are much better off buying a Fiesta Zetec-S for about £5-6k and saving your money to get an FRP later on. The Fiesta Z-S is said to handle even better than a Puma 1.4/1.6/1.7 but is much friendlier on insurance and parts costs. And according to some owners they can do over 130mph...but I'd take that with a pinch of salt

Try not to mod it because every penny you spend you will not get back when you sell and if you don't tell insurance it isn't worth insuring it at all because they won't pay out when it comes to the crunch.

Oh and get yourself to a track day to improve your driving skills...more useful than any dodgy mods would ever be...

[daglesj]

I think also the point (other than the intrepid exceptions ) of if you want a turbo or a fast powerful car, buy a turbo car in the first place. Puma's are designed for bends and corners not drag racing.

Build up your insurance NCB to full protected status on a lower spec car and use the money you saved up from there to get as good a car as you can sensibly afford later.

Dont hammer yourself with huge costs right now. :wink:

[daglesj]

No doubting that!

[Turby]

Mind you,

http://www.pumapeople.com/album_pic.php?pic_id=26

Does look better than the Zetec that was there before ;-)

lol - looks like an old 8 valve CVH designed in the late 70's... next you will be singing the praises of the A-series

[daglesj]

maybe slap one of those hobby steam engines that we used to have as kids in there!


"C'mon I want to get to the shops!"

"Sorry dear, just pouring in the meths!"

have the first FDRP - Fred Dibnah Racing Puma

[janskjaer]

OK, I see, point taken. I appreciate your honesty, and thanks for the advice!!

janskjaer.

[Deano]

Janskjaer,



You must be on the Door step!!!


Keep an eye out for a Millenium, flying past. If it ever gets completed. :wink:

[janskjaer]

Whereabouts are you Deano????????????

[ALAN at PUMABUILD]

Watch out for Deano's car it will be an FRP eater

[Deano]

In the words of my guru...




Yeah Baby.............................. :twisted:



Oh yeah..Rotherham, if you want me (Oh err missus) send me a mail.