Got this for the misses a couple of weeks ago and its not bad to be fair. Engines a bit weird,loads of torque but doesn't like revs. Found a cam and a manifold in south Africa but nothing over here. Does anyone do anything for these? There dirt cheap from south Africa but I want to keep the cat really. So was thinking of just the cam to get it to rev a bit.

 

for a simple performance upgrade, drop in a well tuned puma lump. More power and torque, better fuel economy, lighter engine so better handling etc.

win win.

if you want lots of power then zetec turbo is the tried and tested way to go really.

Although for a nippy run around, the sportka just doesnt need it. 150-160bhp and an LSD would make it a very fun machine on the back roads.

 

puma engine also MUCH better on juice.

or fit the manifold and when you get a system made, add a sport cat, done.

or a 1.6 zetec SE

again, all bolt in kits available and much better than the crap that ford fitted IMO

 

I thought they were a pretty revvy little lump, been a few years since I've driven one though! Sound brutal with a cone filter too lol

 

Its allready got a k+n and a bluefin on it. Think I will just try the cam for now. Its only 76 quid. Not going as far as an engine swap. I'm not even sure if there's room under there for a cat after the manifold.

 

ofcourse there is

i looked after a KA challenge car, they had a sport cat under the floorpan

 

What i want for a daily drive would be a slightly lightened sportka with a puma S1600 lump (kept 1.7L) with roller barrel throttle bodies, FRP gearbox and LSD, decent brakes and a light suspension tune up.

Would be fast as fuck and nail most things on the twisties, yet could still be driven semi-sensibly, wont look too outrageous that it gets nicked/vandalised and with most of the interior intact still reasonably sensible for comfort purposes.

 

for approx 10bhp then the cost of all the shims and tax and postage id look at something else

manifold would be much better gain.

fuck the cam/shims up and will drink even more fuel and be slower

just my oppinion ofcourse

 

Says no need to shim. There hydraulic anyway.can get cam and Manu over here for 400quid. Should be 120 brake with it all fitted.

 

Ł300-500 should be everything you need to puma it.........

 

you need to add a timing chain and tensioners on your list too,

ever done one on a 1.6?

they are NASTY! lol

dont loads of headgaskets on these and they are horrid

 

FRST Engine goes in easier and with a 165chip will be much more fun than the Puma lump.

 

Don't think there is anything you can do with that nasty old heavy lump other than remove it for something better (anything).

Other big improvement on them is get rid of the stupid tyre size it's too low profile and spoils the ride and too wide has far too much grip for 100 bhp.

Based on how great a standard Ka is the Sport Ka should have been a great little hot hatch but ford messed it up.

Slow
Noisy
Low geared horrible on motorway
Ride too hard
Engine sounds harsh when revved
Engine would make a good boat anchor
Seats too high and no side support on them
Puma is 100 x better to drive even. 1.6 puma