ENGINE SWAP

Been looking for an UT for ages, got an Uno Start 1.0 and was thinking of putting an UT engine in it (well paying my mate to), but even this seems to be a problem as no engines around???
So I was wondering what other engines would go in a MK2 Body shell, I mean something with a bit of power not replacing my 1.0 with a 1.1 LOL.
Has anyone on here had experience or known of a good engine to fit?
I thought I saw somewhere a Lancia or Fiat twin cam engine in an Uno, but cannot be sure????

Then I will be on the lookout for bigger brakes etc???

Cheers (fed up with pottering about)
Bob

I've fitted a lancia delta HF turbo engine in my mk1. Dunc also fitted the 2L 8v in his mk2 and now fitting the 2L 16v now.

Any FIRE engine will fit if you just want a bit of a power upgrade. 1242 and 1.4 8v will go in with maybe just an exhaust spacer needed, and give you some useable power, plus are easily and cheaply available. FIRE T-Jet engines swap in quite nicely though you are getting into custom territory with many changes needed to fit one. And you WILL need to upgrade the brakes and suspension before you even contemplate driving a Uno so equipped.

As Minty has also pointed out, Twin Cam Lancia and Fiat engines can be fitted though you will need custom mounts and modified parts. They are not straight swaps by a long way.

Genuine Uno Turbo engines come up on Ebay occasionally. Remember though, you need more than just the engine. You need all the ancillaries, drivetrain, gearbox, braking system, wiring looms, exhaust system, ECU's, fuel tank etc. etc. Sticking a UT engine into a standard 1.0 without upgrading everything else will have you heading straight into the first ditch. The Turbo installation is a lot more than just the engine.

If you've never done a swap like this before, or as you said, you'll pay your mate to do it, to be honest I would suggest you have two choices.

1. Buy a genuine Uno Turbo
2. Stick with swapping in a bigger FIRE 8v for a bit more power until you can get all the parts and knowledge to do a full UT conversion.

Best of luck.

Mmmm interesting, my first choice is certainly to get a genuine UT, still looking and have been for a while now.
I may go down the FIRE engine route if nothing comes up soon.

Fed up with getting overtaken by Clio's and Corsa's!!!!

Thanks for the advice
Bob

I would fit a punto gt3 engine, you will need some uno turbo parts for it to fit

st1allstar wrote:I would fit a punto gt3 engine, you will need some uno turbo parts for it to fit

I agree with this! Keeps the original idea of a UT, but with much more up to date management!

Dunc

Thanks again for the advice, anyone know where I can get one from?
How much should I pay?
If I keep an eye out for one myself what year should I be looking at???

As you can tell by the above I'm not clued up on this sort of thing,
but I am if nothing enthusiastic and my heart is in the right place - LOL

Best places to look for a Punto GT3 are the usual places - Ebay, Gumtree, PuntoSports forum etc.

How much to pay? Depends on mileage, condition and the usual checks for an old car. For an engine, it depends on how complete it is (will it come with wiring, ECU's, Turbo, ancillaries etc?) You might pick up a bare engine for as little as £200, a complete GT3 Punto with MOT, probably at least £1K, likely more.

However, a Punto GT3 will only give you the engine/ loom/ ECU and gearbox. You will still need all the other parts from a Uno Turbo to make your conversion work in full. Hence why you are better off starting with a complete Uno Turbo to begin with.

The GT3 engine/ management is an excellent upgrade for a Uno Turbo. Ideally, you should re-shell your 1.0 to bring it up to Turbo spec. first, and THEN look at either swapping in the GT3 management, or swapping in the GT3 engine/ management complete.

ST1Allstar did a thread somewhere on here showing how to do the Punto GT3 upgrade on a mk1 UT. Might be an idea that you read through that first so you can see what's involved. Look at some of the project car threads also, a number of which show re-shells and what's involved. Do you think you have the abilities, time, money and facilities to undertake such a job? My concern is that you say that you're "not clued up on this sort of thing". If you're very inexperienced with mechanics/ engine swaps then you're going to struggle without outside help and/ or spending a great deal of money.

My suggestion is to do the following:

1. Buy a rotten UT and re-shell your 1.0 to UT spec.

or

2. Buy an original UT that is already complete and running, preferably with an MOT

then

3. Upgrade to Punto GT3 management/ swap in a complete 1.4 GT3 engine

Read through a lot of threads on here and see if you feel that you are going to be capable of undertaking such a project. If you feel that you are trying to run before you can walk, then consider fitting a bigger 8v FIRE engine as your first project. You will get a useful power upgrade and get some good experience with swapping engines without having a too challenging 1st project. As with any power upgrade, also ensure your suspension is upgraded and that your brakes are in good order.

If you ARE going to upgrade your 1.0, I'd do this first:

Get some uprated and lowered springs, -35/ -40mm are good for daily driving, and fit some decent gas shocks all round. Then check your front calipers are working well, and as a matter of course fit new discs and pads. Check the rear cylinders and shoes also, and whilst you're at it, you might as well change them and the brake shoes. This will ensure your braking system is in good order. Lastly, fit some decent tyres, or upgrade your steel wheels for UT alloys and tyres. Even without a power increase, your Uno will be quicker round the bends simply because it will have a more capable chassis. Once you've done this, then a bigger 8v FIRE will help you get the most out of your improved chassis.

If you found an 8v upgrade not too challenging, then start looking for parts/ a complete spares car to do a full UT/ Punto GT3 upgrade.

Wow, ideally I just want an UT.
Trying to find one, specially a good one is very hard!!!

I just though an engine upgrade would be ok for now?
Fed up with getting overtaken by shite!!!!

If anyone knows of anything going let me know.
I'm on ebay and all over the internet everyday (lunch hour) but nothing as yet!!!

Thanks again for all the help and advice.

All good stuff from Chas as usual.. Do you have a spare 5K to spend Bobbylad?

No ha ha.. trying to do it on a budget as I pay my mate who owns a garage to do the more complicated mechanical stuff.
I'm Ok at pottering about doing little stuff, but I'm certainly not confident with an engine swap!

There's one on ebay at the moment, but not got anywhere to keep it.

What usually happens if anything needs doing to my cars (as in the past) I drop it off at his garage early in the morning on my way to work, he fixes it and brings it back to me so I can go home in it.
If I break down he comes and gets me with a breakdown truck etc.
(I've known him for over 30 odd years and we've been through some scrapes and tuff shit in the past)
If it cannot be fixed or it's going to cost to much to fix I get something else.
I always take my cars to him when I get them and he gives a check over for me to see if I've got a peach or a lemon!!!
He lets me know what I need (if anything) and I get it done, like with the MOT.
"It's How Much to get through the MOT Eddie", then either do it or I bin it and start again!

if you cant even do a engine swap you have no hope with a full on conversion, its not just case of dropping the lump in then go, you have to swop over looms, front and rear subframes, the whole braking system etc,

dropping in a punto gt engine also takes knowledge as there are parts you need from a uno turbo,

if you want a uno turbo then just buy one when one comes up,

this is me mid way through my 11k reshell project

I know it's a big ask, but like I said my mate who owns a garage (his business) can get it up on one of his ramps and do all the big stuff and I can just potter about with discs etc.

I'm finding it really hard to find stuff (although I've got my eye on a couple at the moment) I don't want to be throwing loads of money at it!!!

Bobbylad wrote:I know it's a big ask, but like I said my mate who owns a garage (his business) can get it up on one of his ramps and do all the big stuff and I can just potter about with discs etc.

I'm finding it really hard to find stuff (although I've got my eye on a couple at the moment) I don't want to be throwing loads of money at it!!!

Most of the basic information regarding a re-shell has been mentioned in this thread, and the member's Uno projects thread goes into much more detail as to what's involved with re-shelling and rebuilding. You and your mate need to read these first to see whether you really are prepared/ willing to carry out such a conversion. It is much more than just simply swapping an engine - you will be replacing the entire drive-train, suspension, braking system, fuel system, wiring looms etc. This is not a job for the inexperienced or those on a budget. You will be working with parts at least 2 decades old, many of which WILL need either rebuilding or replacing. You WILL find rust. It WILL cost you money, it WON'T be cheap.

Have you got a Uno Haynes manual? If you don't, get one and read through the supplement (UT) section and compare it with the rest of the manual. It will show you much of what is different in a UT compared with the lesser models.

A UT is not a slightly warm hatchback, it is a potent hot hatch that can still hold its own amongst some modern hot hatches 20 years its junior, especially with a few tweaks that can have it boosting at 1 bar instead of 0.6 bar. You cannot cut corners on a car like this, it has to be done properly else you will end up in a ditch, or worse still, in a serious accident.

From what you say, I really feel that you should start off with a bigger 8v FIRE upgrade. That will give you a useful power increase and it is a relatively straight swap. You will learn a lot about what is required and how long it takes to do change an engine. Once you've done that, multiply what is required, how much it cost and how long it took and multiply each by at least 3. Then you will start to realise what is involved in converting a non turbo Uno to Uno Turbo specification.

Hi, yes I take this all on board and gulp at the prospect of doing this, I admit this was only something I was considering (trying) to do. Ideally I just want to go out and buy a running UT with tax and MOT, not bothered about it being scruffy (I'm driving a scruffy start at the moment). Then start from there, it's just trying to find one is near impossible.

I do appreciate the help and advice and you guys on here are the best for information.
I'll stick with it and sort something out hopefully soon.

I bought one a couple of years ago with an Mot, for £700, its been on the road since then, but i've probably replaced most mechanical parts, inc all fuel, brakes, engine, rack etc!. Learnt loads about them using it as a rolling taxed/mot'd project.

The body is still tatty, but its fun to drive and i'm restoring other cars so don't need another basket case.

So if i was you hang on a find something similar, too many people buy them strip them down, then loose interest because the rebuild is a big job even if you know them inside out!

Yeh, I'll keep looking, one on fleabay now for less than a grand - see how that goes????
I did ring about one in Ireland about 6 months ago (a nice looking Mk1 off the internet for £3k), but it had been sold for ages!!!!

I'd buy that mk2 on ebay and do that one up.

Leaving it now as I've just had to get my little uno sorted out, new clutch and back wheel hub!
I'm gonna do a bit to my old Lancia after Chrimbo and then get back on it or buy a mark 1 uno and do that up!??