BUDGET MODIFICATIONS

[Tomeleon]

I am looking to mod my puma, nothing major but some "budget" improvements that would keep me busy.

Any ideas folks?

 

[Dal]

Will you want cosmetic or performance modifications? Or both?

 

[Tomeleon]

Both

 

[Dal]

Have you had a little look through the forum? Bit tricky to sum up all the modifications possible in a post.

 

[Tomeleon]

There is so much stuff here...too much to comprehend for a newbie

 

[crystalpuma]

There is some sort of tube or something that you can buy from plumbing supply shops that you can use as an air intake.

I know nothing. I repeat what I hear, with possible errors! As Dal says, best have a look for yourself and you will find some expert opinions

I mod my car on a budget. I do this by replacing parts as they need replacing but with better spec parts, e.g. stainless steel exhaust when my back box blew, and powerflex bushes when my bushes were knackered. This way you are spending same amount on labour but slightly more on quality of parts.

Perhaps listing your 'dream' mods would make a starting point for discussion!

 

[Neil]

I'd say get the car up to scratch mechanically, then start modding it.

I can virtually guarantee all the bushes will be shagged and need replacing

 

[Tomeleon]

The Puma that I bought came with all "standard" features:
-knocking suspension,
-wet footwell
-faulty hcv
-etc :wink:

That is all sorted now I'd like to"personalize" it a bit, but I am not a fan of vehicle molestation.
What I am after is some "quick fixes" that can be done by a dummie such as I.

 

[pumapilot]

K&N panel filter - straight fit, helps engine breathe/pick up better.

Other mods depends on your budget, and how good you are with a spanner.

Also if you bought a 1.7, then make sure the cambelt has been changed.

 

[Tomeleon]

Yep, it's 1.7 and it runs sweet. The cambelt was changed by the previous owner not so long ago.

Where on the wen could I buy this filter for decent price?
The budget depends on the effect.... :wink:

 

[XIIVVX]

Why piss about with the filter? The performance improvements are minimal, it makes the car more noisy.

HID lights will make the car safer to drive at night and be visible, with no down side.

 

[Mark1]

I would say lighting:

Upgrading the default headlight bulbs to Xenon types and the indicators to either Silvertec or Osram Diadem

 

[Supersonic]

As has been said i'd fix the running problems first, see what you can replace with aftermarket parts. Set aside and evening on here and Google doing searches.

I wouldn't worry too much about trying to get a cold air feed unless your going to spend a reasonable amount of money as you already have one as standard though admittedly it's not directed into the airflow.

You can do virtually anything to this car from just a panel filter right through to a wide arch FRP or S1600 bodykits (the only ones acceptable :wink: ) and roll cage with F2 spoiler. What's running around in your imagination?.

 

[yippeekiay]

300mm Mondeo/ST170 brake setup....awesome and cheap (c£100)

 

[Tomeleon]

Thanks for all your responses thus far...

hmmm...I am not fond of bodykits, spoilers etc. I'd rather mod the engine. So what are my budget options in this department?

I think I will lower her - what springs and shop do you recommend?
Has any of you managed to change the dashboard light i.e from green to blue? Is it worth it ? Where to start?

HB3 bulbs are on my shopping list now

 

[Anonymous]

Dont get big wheels, they ruin handling and performance. I had 17" then put my standard millenium 15s back on and its perfect in handling and performance now. So try using standard rims jus paint them if you dont like the.try colours chrome,red,black or glossy white on rims.it looks nice. Another mod remove front ford badage of grill it just pulls off. Get 40mm springs from ebay. Gives the puma a nice look from the crappy standard monster truck height.i could go on forever as im the god of modification lol!

 

[Anonymous]

O and buy hid kit.if you not bothered about being illegal. I use a 10,000K hid kit and not ever been flashed by other drivers or got pulled by cops i have even been behind cops. Cops use the same hid kit themselves in the vectra vxr and some t5. I recommend a 8000k hid on ebay about 35quid from hong kong just email them tellin size of bulb.or if you want quality like mine they cost about hundred from uk because these last longer

 

[Cherie]

Dont get big wheels, they ruin handling and performance.

Crap.
Dal's had 17" wheels on his for years which improved the handling.


In the end, it's all down to you what you do with your car. There will always be people who like or dislike what you do aswell, the trick is to only do what you're happy with, and not because other people think you should.

Performance mods: air filter (negligable need), SS exhaust, ecu re-map, FRP air intake (££££), throttle bodies (£££££££££££££)
Handling: lowering kit, bigger wheels, suspension bushes.
Looks: wheels, bodykit - spoilers (sorry Rob), side skirts, fog lamps, headlights (Halford Extreme Brilliance are good , don't need HIDs)
Interior: Door cards and seats, stereo, glove box light (more useful than you'd think!), a second light in the boot, interior LED bulbs.

You're only limited by your imagination and your budget. Or if you're doing it yourself, your ability.

 

[Anonymous]

how can you tell me off for saying DONT GET BIG RIMS wen you just said YOU DONT NEED HID KIT. Lol if YOU dont like them doesnt mean other people wont like them.them other bulbs which i have seen are crap in my opinion

 

[XIIVVX]

Larger wheels may make an improvement in the roadholding under certain situations. In other conditions, rain or snow, they could be detrimental to the roadholding. How these changes affect the handling is then rather a matter of opinion. If I did a mod that made the car tail happy I'd be delighted and say the handling had been improved, others, brought up on FWD might feel the handling had deteriorated. It is totally subjective.

What is not disputed is that larger rims and lower profile tyres do compromise the ride, with consequent NVH (comfort) issues