W347 - Developments

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grayfox

Active member
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
1,238
Location
Saaarfend
The 'aim' of my 'Project' is fairly simple one for now, don't expect to be reading about Turbocharging or anything like that I'm afraid, it's to keep the puma running as smoothly as possible with quality components mainly for road use.. having said that I am however looking into starting out on track as a novice and be learning and feeling my way forward..

A brief History of W347

April 2008

I brought her from a small time dealer in Runcorn (NorthWest) Spec/condition wise - 1.7 2000 Lux model, Moondust Silver, 52k, 9-spokes, larger 258mm discs, everything worked as it should, only downside was a drivers side bubbly rear arch, dealer wanted £2500 got him down to £2200 as the cambelt needed doing, wouldn't go any lower in relation to the rust but I was still happy with the price so drove it away..

I had already brought some:

smoked side lenses
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flat wipers
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DMB 'Puma' Gel Badges (like these but Chrome)
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so fitted these when I got her back home:

I need to dig out an old photo which I cant find at the mo, but basically looks the same as the next pic of the puma after it's return from PB minis the mudflaps and lower stance

In May

I took her to PumaBuild and had the following work carried out:

Cambelt change with Genuine Ford Kit + Rocker Gasket
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WaterPump
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Full Powerflex bushes all round (part from 'front lower rear' which are 'uprated FRP')
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Eibach Pro Lowering Springs
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PiperX Panel Filter
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Front & Rear Mudflaps
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Ford OE Brake Discs
!BmU!e4gB2k~%24(KGrHqIOKiIEtkgGeEbBBLfQ,)GNVg~~_35.JPG


Also had the Air-Con topped, DOT5.1 brake fluid and a Full Service Carried out.

when I got her back home and she looked like this:

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In July

I decided to wet-vac my Puma Mats and refresh the logo:

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In October

I brought a full stainless-steel Powerflow Catback Exhaust System with 4" inward rolled pipe and had it fitted in St Helens.

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In November

Removed front indicator plastic 'cluster' and fitted Osram Diadem bulbs and dipped and full-beam Halfords Super Brilliance Bulbs (BOGOF)

132878d1273809423-tuning-sammelthread-fuer-neuen-fiesta-ja8-osram-diadem.jpg

images


I then didn't really do anything untill 6 months later (got the Detailing Bug):

May 2009

Full Service and had a full genuine CF Splitter fitted (FRP Mould)

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June

I got a dog installed in the boot :lol:

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and my Girlfriend brought me many pressies for my Birthday including a soft Cat's Tail she spray painted herself :thumbs:

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Nothing again really for 6 months (mainly detailing) until:

Dec

Shined up my Nob: :lol:

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Fitted some 'Puma' decals to my Mudflaps (which are still perfectly on today I might add)

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March 2010 (3 months later - More detailing in meantime)

Guess what DetailingWorld URL Decal!! and Pumapeople URL

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I also completed the 'FRP Airbox Mod' with front cold air feed (after a little trip to B&Q :)

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April

Another Full Service and had ITV16 Denso Plugs installed

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I also made up my own custom Stainless Steel Grill Mesh (check out the shine from the rear - Pretty sure that was under 13 layers of Jeffs Acrylic Jet Trigger :twisted: )

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July

Added some more odd decals and this is how she looked at the monthly warrington NorthWest Meet at the FarmersArms.. do miss that place.

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I then unforuntely got made redundant, couldn't find work for ages and eventually moved to London in June 2011 - Focus on the puma came to a stop (part from another full service) for 5 months untill:

Nov

Bridgestone ER300 Turzana's fitted all round

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Also new Drums, shoes and Front & Rear Wheel Bearings

March 2012

Saving up for goodies for Ford Fair in August.. Full Service in May

August

16" Speedline Turini's (Anthracite)

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Added some Rim Tape

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195/45/16 UniRoyal Rainsport 2's

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ST150 Calipers Painted with details + DS2500 Pads

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http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8175/7913255910_97828f3dae.jpg[/img
[img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8175/7913217164_12f8984f46.jpg

Plus ST150 OE Discs

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Plus Alloys and Tyres

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I brought a replacement Bonnet as someone kindly run into mine leaving a big dent and drove off, I also spray the underneath as it was white and not very nice

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Fitted new Gel Badges as mine had seen better days (I actually returned these for Silver/Chrome)

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New Headlamp Units, Front L-Plate, Removed Splitter to Wrap, Air Ram + Gauze (sprayed gauze red and rough mod of bottom grill)

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20.5mm FRP Alxe Spacers (Hammerit'd as seen the state of one's that have been on for a while)

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Hammerit'd the Underside, Rear Beam, all Suspension and Drums

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Sprayed Grill Red

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Tow hook White

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Got the tracking Sorted, New Blue 501's, and Pistonheads Decals (Red) on Fuel


The car before leaving for Ford Fair (Camping on Sat 11th August)

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Are we to assume the dog is still in the boot and has in fact eaten the cat? :lol:

Can rim tape be changed after a tyre has been fited i.e after the rim tapes been messed up or after you have messed up a wheel and want to cover it up?

Also does it come in different colours?

Ta
 
quest63 said:
Are we to assume the dog is still in the boot and has in fact eaten the cat? :lol:

I wish I still had the dog in the boot, he added at least 20bhp :D ... but no his name's Taz and his my misses dad's dog and lives in Crewe. The cat's tail is in a bag under our bed somewhere.. sound a little morbid that don't it :-D
 
Actually sounds more kinky than morbid, could be worse though if the misses dads dog was under the bed... morbid that is not kinky...... did an edit and asked questions about rim tape ^^^^^
 
quest63 said:
Actually sounds more kinky than morbid, could be worse though if the misses dads dog was under the bed... morbid that is not kinky...... did an edit and asked questions about rim tape ^^^^^

Guess there was quite a few 'terms' there.. shining..nobs...rim tape.. B&Q.. LOL
 
Can rim tape be changed after a tyre has been fited i.e after the rim tapes been messed up or after you have messed up a wheel and want to cover it up?

Also does it come in different colours?

Ta
 
quest63 said:
Can rim tape be changed after a tyre has been fited i.e after the rim tapes been messed up or after you have messed up a wheel and want to cover it up?

Also does it come in different colours?

Ta

Can be added before or after mate, easy as pie to fit as they're curved, mine said they would fit up to 19" wheels and where actually advertised for motorbikes (so bikes or cars doesn't matter) and are 7mm wide if I remember correct.

If you do curb your wheel and mess them up just peel it off and put a fresh one on. As for fitting them to cover up curb damage I'm not too sure as mine aren't at all, maybe just don't put it over badly curb alloy edges though as you might be able to tell as the tape wouldn't sit flat.

Yes in all colours.
 
quest63 said:
So you dont even have to deflate the tyre to do it?

Oh no no, the tape doesn't touch the tyre just goes round the alloy edge.

I fitted mine before the tyres went on but it would have actually been easier if I'd done it afterwards. I don't know how much easier it is with mine (195/45/16) compared to say 195/50/15 as the tyre wouldn't be so stretched I'm not sure how much of the alloy lip it would expose but I really can't see it being an issue.
 
I actually forgot to take any pics of my puma when at Ford Fair so I took this from the meets section hope no one minds..

At Ford Fair 2012

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Plans next are to experience some track days then I get used to them in general I'll then think about up'ing the power.

I'm in no rush for squeezing extra bhp out of the 1.7, so upgrades such as cams, remap, 4-2-1 and inlet are going to be then I personally feel I need the extra power and will more than likely tie in with when I begin to get tired/bored with what I have to hand.

I'm up for opinions in regards to where I should focus my efforts next in terms of reliability and safety with track days and pushing the car hard. I'll list a quick run down of the items I have that I feel will aid me and one's I plan to get but please suggest others.

Current:
Full powerflex bushes
All suspension components in good nick
eibach springs (-35mm) not interested in going lower at the moment
Lightweight alloys
Decent tyres - (However will obviously be buying spare sets if I end up doing quite a few)
ST150 Calipers 280mm discs DS2500 Pads
wide track 20.5mm
Hel Braided Lines (not fitted yet)
Fire Extinguisher

Plan to get:
Bucket Seats

Anything to suggest?

Was going to look into weight reduction too, the biggest weight reduction I'm guessing would be to simply remove the spare wheel and tray, but is there much further too go after that and is it actually worth it considering I'm not looking to remove the air con and replace panels for carbon fibre ones?

Thanks.
 
LSD diff is a little advanced I feel for myself at the mo, its something I'll likely invest in if I can tell and feel the difference for myself on track after a bit of experience.

Ive read through scubasteves thread and his gone pretty extreme with saving the kg's which is why I first thought being a road car more than anything ill stick with just losing the spare and tray possibility along with the carpet but that's as far as i'll go.

Has anyone experience real terms benefits from fitting a front lower strut brace?
 
Blimey - you have been busy. And is that Steavie's gaff in the background up there? If so - nice one! :thumbs:
 
In response to the lower strut brace I connot comment. On the LSD I can, get one. The difference between not having one in a fwd and having one is massive, corners like it should doesn't under steer just grips and pulls outta corners.
 
evilrob said:
Blimey - you have been busy. And is that Steavie's gaff in the background up there? If so - nice one! :thumbs:

It sure is! need to get myself back over there soon for a full service for one! and fitting some goodies second.

Still need to get some coolant (Superpurple if I right :? )

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NGK spark plugs are wrapped

Some goodies

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Ginger Tom said:
In response to the lower strut brace I connot comment. On the LSD I can, get one. The difference between not having one in a fwd and having one is massive, corners like it should doesn't under steer just grips and pulls outta corners.

OK thanks, waiting till spring to start properly attacking the track and thinking about an LSD, on the brace front think I'd get new oem engine mounts before attempting to fit one, that itself will massively improve the car but that way there defo won't be any rubbing probs when it comes to fitting it.

Flying Scotsman said:
Love the attention to detail on this! :thumbs:

Cheers dude, kind of you.

My attempt to Organise

Small list of stuff done, stuff brought (not fitted) and stuff yet to get

Varta 075 Silver Battery
FRP Airbox + Twin cold air feeds
Eibach Springs
Custom stainless Back-cat Exhaust + Powerflex hangers
Denso Iriduim Plugs
PiperX Panel Filter
Powerlex Lower Fronts, FRP uprated Lower Rear Bushes
ST150 Front Brake Setup + DS2500 Pads, Painted Calipers
OEM Rear Drums painted + Ferodo Pads
New Rear wheel bearings
Osram Diadems
OEM Mudflaps Front + Rear
DMB Ford Gel Badges
Custom Stainless Front Grill
20.5mm FRP axle Spacers
16" Anthracite Speedline Turini's
195/45/16 UniRoyal Rainsport 2's
Replace Bonnet
New Headlamps
Painted Grill
New smaller Front L-plate

New Front+Rear Top Mounts
Get Cam Cover, Caps+Strut Covers 'Dipped CF' (Steavie)
Bucket Seats
FRP CatBack Exhaust or OEM Backbox (Brought)+Hoffman Race Tube
Underbonnet Silicone Hoses
Stainless Battery Cover

Brought (Not Fitted)

Matt Black Sunstrip
Richbrook Stainless Handbrake
Hel Braided Brake Lines Front + Rear
OEM ARB and Rear Beam Bushes
6000k HID Bulbs
Carbon Fibre FRP Splitter + Stainless Rally Support Rods
New OEM HT Leads
TRS Tow Strap

Longer Plans

ST150 Helix Clutch (Brought)+Flywheel Skimmed+Lightened
FRP or SS4 Cams
Piper or Sportex 4-2-1
Remap or FRP Map
LSD
 
jamesoggyogden said:
how did you go about meshing the front grill?

Brought a mesh grill sheet I liked the style of, took some measurements, cut it out, attached with wire clips.


Been very sensible last few days having the following carried out by PerformancePuma (Steavie):

Great work, service beyond the call of duty and very well priced!

In the last few days

Oil Change (ford grade)
Coolant change (ford premium+de-deionised water)
Brake Fluid change (Super racing blue)
New oil + fuel filters
Magnetic Sump Plug
NGK Spark Plugs
New OEM HT Leads
New Rear Brake Pipes
Hel Braided Brake Lines Front+Rear
New OEM rear bushes
6000k HID kit
Re-Attached Real Carbon Fibre Splitter (FRP Mould)
Stainless Rally Support Rods
TRS Tow Strap

Before I took it over I gave the engine bay a freshen up a day or two before by fitting a Ford Racing Stainless Battery Cover and sprayed painted the underbonnet caps, maf air feed, battery bar + used a paint-pen to do the writting on the cam cover (will get a pic up soon) with a stainless alternator heat shield I just had delivered today.

Just run out and took a pic (very crappy phone camera with flash I afraid) trying to showing the splitter and rally bars, looks mean as!

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Also I an confirm that fitting braided lines after a brake upgrade make a 'significant' improvement as in they're frickin awesome now!

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New Year Plans (Before Spring & Rockingham!)

Flywheel Skimmed+Lightened
FRP Cams
Remap or FRP Map
Hoffman Race Tube
4-2-1 mainfold
Flowed 2.0l Mondeo TB
Flowed OEM MAF
New Front Top Mounts
New suspension – (not decided on route I'm taking)
Bucket Seats
 

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