Josh's progress thread

[vrbob]

cheers guys, spoke to the tech today and he reckons we should (he should) be able to sealant it back up. So that should be done soon. Also ordered up some LED sidelights afer seeing vrbobs last month and loving how bright they were. So these should be on soon also. Might even get the Fog LED bulbs also as so I'm told this isn't too difficult either.

Cheap as chips mods are the way forward especailly ones that look as good as the LED lights.

Saying that though just ordered my new suspension setup for my car as have gone for the AP suspension kit which lowers the car about 20-30mm which after seeing your car should be ideal for me i think. Managed to get it for £315 from DPM inc P+P so will just have to get it fitted and then my geometry done at the same time i think.

 

[afcbjoshd]

That's a bargain mate. Yeah mine was lowered 35-40mm i think as the mine is adjustable and max lowering is 80-100mm and mine are just about half down and I only scrape on extreme gradients and large speedbumps. Like I said let me know when you're fitting and I'll come up to 'help'.

 

[vrbob]

Yeah am very happy with the price as thats less than i would expect to pay for stadard quality items.

I didnt go for coliovers as i dont think i would ever change the ride height of my car once they are fitted. So the 20-30mm should just give it less of a tractor look. I may well give the rears a go at fitting myself as have done similar on a VW Bora and was quite straight forward. As for the fronts not done that before eg played with top mounts etc so may have to goto a grage to get them put on but will give you a shout if i am gonna give it a go

 

[afcbjoshd]

sweet mate yeah give us a shout for either mate.

 

[afcbjoshd]

Right following the split flange on the filter this is my fix for now' silicone sealant with ductape. In no way ideal but it will have to do for now.

Obviously need to get a new filter, but has anyone on here experiment with creating a longer flange for it out of silicone pipe or something? Just thinking of options here, as the tech at work and a few friends said I should go K&N as they have a longer flange and are less flimsy...??!!

 

[afcbjoshd]

Okay so the LED sidelights arrived so I went about fitting them, fairly simple just a PITA to get a hold on the brown and red wires to pull the sidelight bulb through so it can be replaced. The new LED ones could only be fitted one way, as I found out when I switched the sidelights on to find they didn't work, so turned them around, twist and push and tried again, they were on! They are a lot brighter and look more fitting with the xenons.

The bulbs

Close up

Just sidelights on

Main Dipped beam + Sidelights on

And look what arrived in the post, apologies for rubbish pic I didn't want to take everything out as not getting fitted til wednesday.

XS Power 3" DP + 200 Cell Sports Cat:

 

[vrbob]

LED`s look good mate much more intune with the xenons now. Will get a piccy of my fogs when the bulbs arrive from Hong Kong

So out of interest how much did the shiney metal bits cost? and are you getting them fitted at work for beer tokens? You also going to do a FMIC? if so let me know what you are planning as i may think about if i want to go stage 2 in future.

My new shocks and springs should arrive monday but am suffering with the flu at the mo so may get them fitted by a local indy garage and get the geometery done at the same time.

 

[afcbjoshd]

Cheers Rob, the metal bits are £450 on the xs power website but were on offer on ebay for £382.50 with a best offer section, saw a thread on here that if you offer £300 you get it for that so I did that. I will definitely look into a FMIC - I've heard mixed reviews about whether to get one - some say the side mounts do well enough, and others say with the extra heat stage 2 generates you need one other wise once the car gets hot it can't use the power as efficiently. And ref getting it fitted - can't do it at work in case it needs trimming to fit as we don't have the relevant equipment to be cutting and welding... SO got it booked in with the same place that did my custom cat back...

 

[vrbob]

Nice good price that mate.

Once i have done my suspension i think i will look at doing possibly the 3" downpipe and possibly upgrading my ebay special silicone tip to a B5 one like yours with a proper air fiter if funds allow but have xmas etc to deal with first.

 

[afcbjoshd]

yeah cheers fella, booked in tomoz, only issue is it doesn't come with the required gaskets! Rang up the place and they said they have the materials to fabricate what ever ones they need so job done! Will post about it later on tomorrow!

 

[afcbjoshd]

Right well got it fitted, after the place telling me over the phone it could be anywhere between an hour to three hours... Took it in and they stuck it up in the air, to tell me the DP is buried and its a hell of a job! Long story short... 7 HOURS LATER it's done! they apparently had to drop the subframe and support the engine plus remove bits to get to it... I don't know how much of this was really required... apparently they even had to unbolt the seats... Anyway took it for a drive, slightly louder and pops and bangs nicely when you lift off. Also feels slightly quicker due to the less restricted air flow. However now I'm getting a slight metallic rattling noise when i lift off in 1st and 2nd gear, but not when i rev the car when not in gear, and not any other gears. Rang them back up and its going in to be looked at.. but can anyone shed any light on how easy/difficult it is to fit these? Also they said the hanger was in the wrong place to they had to cut it off and reweld it on... is this proof that the DP and cat are not the revised items I was told they were?

 

[s3dave]

It is a **** of a job to be fair ..but 7 hrs??

 

[Dani_B19]

Dave, who fitted yours?

 

[afcbjoshd]

Yeah, well a lot of it was spent engineering new bits gor the custom exhaust they had made previously, and the needed to fabricate new brackets etc so it could all fit up to their system they installed on my car a couple of months back.

 

[s3dave]

Dave, who fitted yours?

previous owner, but knows whats involved first hand

 

[afcbjoshd]

well it was back in today to get the rattle looked at and was just a loose exhaust hanger which was adjusted and all seems fine now. took it for a spirited drive earlier and can definitely tell the difference!

 

[afcbjoshd]

Right well a couple of weeks back I took it in for a full service at A.P.D. or now called VAS Works. Had everything done, service I received was great. Oil & Filter, Haldex Oil & Filter, Spark Plugs etc. I was also due to go stage 2 at the same time but they're unit was stolen! Drives a bit nicer now it's all fresh again.

 

[afcbjoshd]

Had the brake pad warning light come on a while ago and have finally got round to getting the front and rear pads changed. At the same time since the rear dics were lipped and worn I got those done too. I ordered the bits and pieces online and got the techs at work to do it. In the end went with mintex sets I'd read about on here. However, a calliper seized and so that needed replacing also.

At the same time I replaced the fog light bulbs which were a dull yellow to the LED bulbs and now they are bright white like the LED sidelight bulbs I did a few weeks back and all looks good. Here's a couple of quick pics

 

[vrbob]

glad to see you got your brakes sorted mate, Lights are looking good too

 

[afcbjoshd]

Cheers Rob, altho my clutch has JUST started slipping... shopped around and used all my trade connections and best price I can find is £146 all in, LUK clutch. with slave cylinder/release bearing. all in all a right result. My mate's dad owns a garage and so he can fit it for £300 cash. Considering it's a 7.9 hour book time job and requires dropping the Subframe etc I think again that's a right result. 446 for a clutch change.. Not what I'd budgeted for at all and a right PITA but gotta be done before it starts ruining the flywheel. Sad times Stage 2 is well and truelly on hold now...

 

[vrbob]

Gutted guess no launches for you for a while then.

If you can get hold of a flywheel that you can return new in the box if you dont need it i would concider doing so as they do tend to wear and if its original on your car then my guess is i twould be worthwhile replacing it as you say its a 7-8 hour job.

Also is it worth doing a cambelt swap whilst they have the car apart as the parts are not that much?

My poweflex full suspension bush kit is on its way to me so thats my next job.

 

[afcbjoshd]

Cambelt was done before I bought it so that is sorted. Weird thing is, it only really slips very slightly in 3rd gear/4th gear and only sometimes. was doing it between 3000-4000 revs in those 2 gears and last night it hardly did it. Obviously just at the start of going but might as well get it done asap cos i can't go stage 2 with it like that can i!

 

[afcbjoshd]

S'been a while, but I have had the clutch done now, along with the power steering fluid pipes which cracked when doing the clutch. Also since then I've had a rear wheel bearing replaced, need to get the front 2 done and a brake pipe done too. Boring stuff aside I've ordered the pipework, hi-grip clips and AH V2 Intercooler. So excited about this!

 

[vrbob]

S'been a while, but I have had the clutch done now, along with the power steering fluid pipes which cracked when doing the clutch. Also since then I've had a rear wheel bearing replaced, need to get the front 2 done and a brake pipe done too. Boring stuff aside I've ordered the pipework, hi-grip clips and AH V2 Intercooler. So excited about this!

Not seen you on here for a while mate, So you going to go stage 2 now then as your doing the FMIC i see will be good to see how this goes as i am tempted.

Out of interest where did you get your clutch etc done cos i still have a full poly bush lit to get fitted to my car and as yet have not found anywhere local that will do it for a reasonable price.

 

[afcbjoshd]

my mates dad has his won garage so did it for cash...! although they broke the power steering fluid pipes by doing it. so the money i saved went on getting that sorted. I'd jus get regal or somat to do it for you mate as the specialists know the cars better. or come down here and get VAS works to do it. they've done all the work on mine.. mostly!

 

[vrbob]

Cheers for the info bud, Will get a few more quotes as its only labour costs as i have all the bits.

Now the weather is improving (well inbetween the down pours) we should do another Beaulieu meet at some point if your upfor it.

 

[afcbjoshd]

yeah mate - well also i've joined a local vag forum who meet on 2nd sundays of the month in poole which im yet to go to but will do next time. you going to aitp on 12th august? I am so would be gd to do a road trip to that if ur up for it? only a fiver!

 

[future]

just seen this thread and your car is looking really good! and very close to me by the looks of it so if a meet at beaulieu does go ahead let me know

 

[afcbjoshd]

thanks fella, yeah we've had a couple beaulieu meets and lots of people posted interest, then when it came to it it was was ust me and rob both times! definitely gonna get another one sorted though if ur up for it, where abouts are you?

 

[vrbob]

yeah mate - well also i've joined a local vag forum who meet on 2nd sundays of the month in poole which im yet to go to but will do next time. you going to aitp on 12th august? I am so would be gd to do a road trip to that if ur up for it? only a fiver!

Yeah could well be up for a mission to AITP as not been to any shows as yet so will have a look and see if i am free that date and get back to you about the convoy etc.

 

[future]

i was thinking about aitp as well so we will have to sort something out I'm just outside of highcliffe how about you?

 

[afcbjoshd]

yeah AITP seems good. would u wana camp? its about a 31/2hr drive which we could smash out on the sunday morn or just go the sat night and have a laugh. its like 20 quid to camp the sat night.

and i'm just by winton mate, also would be gd to see ur car with the spacers as that's what mine needs. u got a thread or pics any where? 25mm rear 20 fronts>?

 

[afcbjoshd]

Had a day off Wednesday so thought I'd get on and paint the callipers

And also last night in the pouring rain i thought i'd fit the 008 too... The strut brace was right in way! Anway managed to get the clips off the old pipes - what a nightmare! But it's all on now and it's lovely.

- this was the tightest and worse clip to get off.. I sustained injuries doing this little b. !!

- strut brace being in the way I undid the other clips and disconnected the hoses to be able to pull it out into the open a bit more to gain better excess the the b clip!

- it's on!

- injuries sustained... lol

 

[future]

sorry just seen your reply josh the only pics i have of mine at the moment are these:

tom

 

[afcbjoshd]

sweet looks good fella, you can keep an eye out for replies but checking your settings etc cos all the threads u posted in come up there. yeah look forward to seeing the spacers on sunday then

 

[future]

thanks dude she's getting there
ahh learn something new every day

 

[afcbjoshd]

yeah don't we all ! just taken delivery of the full interior led kit for thecar inc. number plate leds - from trups on here.. need to get those in!

 

[future]

yeah don't we all ! just taken delivery of the full interior led kit for thecar inc. number plate leds - from trups on here.. need to get those in!

get them in on sunday mate really considering doing mine and would be good to see them in the flesh

 

[afcbjoshd]

i'll bring them along and we can give it a crack then on sunday. just need to figure out what's what as they all came together in 1 pack, should have a list of what's what though the difficult bits are getting the trims off without damaging the clips and then putting them back on in a good fit!

 

[vrbob]

Shouldnt be too tough to fit most of the LED`s fingers crossed its not raining