Br1anC

My fantasy conversion for the Fabia is a tuned version of the V10 in the back driving the rear wheels like the V6 Clio. I think the VW group wasted the V10 derv, could have done so much more with it. I'd say the V8 derv thats in the Range Rover is light for a big derv and has a lot of potential for upgrades. I think the emission laws have curbed development of higher performing variants, likewise with the VW V10. Aren't BMW planning a 40D for the european 5 series? Only thing I don't like about the older 335D is the weight, they are heavy and I know that there have been issues with the turbos for some owners. I think the new 4 series is considerably lighter?

The options are: Upgrade the vRS - pros, known quantity, cheapest to do. Cons, even with a LSD still going to have handling problems Swap the engine into a Lupo/Arosa - pros, going to be significantly lighter, cheap(ish) to do. Cons, handling problems as above, cheapest running costs (prob get £30 road tax and more to gallon as lighter) Buy 335D - pros, better handling, able to put the power down quicker Cons, unknown quantity (could end up with a lemon), more expensive, not going to be that much faster in a straight line as the 335D is lardy, highest running costs

Money no object I'd have the M3, but this is my daily so it has to fit in a much tighter budget, I have £5k saved up and really want to stick to that. I had a E61 525D with a map and I couldn't get anywhere near 40, I know its lardy and was the auto but the E90 isn't exactly light. That's a good idea, I might do it in stages, I've a good VW specialist nearby who could fit the LSD no problem, I'd prefer to go to a TDI specialist for the stuff for the engine though. Whats the prefered choice for the LSD these days?

E90? The cheap ones look to be about £8.5k? Running cost is going to be way higher too, I'm getting ~50 mpg out of mine, they look to be about 35 mpg or less with a map. Going to be significantly cheaper to stick with the Fabia even with the full fat upgrade, won't handle as well but livable I think.

I've asked Darkside for some quotes but pricing it up against what they have fitted to their 309 BHP Ibiza (http://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/ibiza-cupra-mk4-1-9-8v-buk/) I'm looking at about £4.7k in parts, the turbo is nearly half of that cost. This Ibiza is pretty close to my spec with better injectors and a few other bits: http://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/ibiza-mk4-1-9-8v-tdi-atd/ and making about 250 BHP. Do these two sets of numbers look achievable? 60 BHP more for another £2.7k as I'd need the bigger turbo, more expensive injectors, the uprated cam, hmm. I could offset that by selling what I'm replacing but I wouldn't expect that much for it. 280 for that much isn't enough for me for the extra cash, 310 would be though. The TT brakes are more than enough at the moment, I could do with better quality pads/disks than what I have right now if I have more power (boggo TT ones) as they are at risk of fading but I think they are big enough for the amount of grip that I have.

Really don't want more power on standard injectors, I'd consider what I'm running on them at the moment as high as I'm going to go on them, the car is my daily driver so I have to trust its going to run. Current setup has done about 24k of hard driving, the next upgrades has got to do the same again. BMW is one of the alternate options, fab derv engines but total price to change is likely to be more or the same as the upgrade price on the vRS, and that is a known quantity, lower running costs, etc. What's the increase in power/difference in lag of Gtb2260 turbo going to give me over my PD150 stage 2 hybrid?

So I haven't been around in a long while, but I have been off enjoying my vRS last couple of years, I over twenty years I have never owned a car this long before! Shows that when you tweak a car to how you want it you'll keep it. However I am getting itchy feet and I'm looking to either replace my vRS or upgrade it to Stage 3 and would appreciate some help pricing up what I need. Over and above standard the the car has: 312mm TT Brakes on front Miltek manifold back exhaust with cat removed Turbo Technics PD150 Stage 2 Hybrid Seat FMIC PD160 Air intake Jabba single plate clutch Upgraded turbo & FMIC pipework Bigger MAS & MAF Removed A few of the key bushes replaced with decent poly ones Best guess its running at about 220 BHP at the moment I want more power and more grip as I can spin in the first three gears in the wet. 99% of my miles are on poor quality B roads so I do not want harsh suspension, this is why I've left that stock (but it was all replaced for new about 12 months ago). I also do not want to go lower as I have a lot of speed bumps nearby and I can already catch them with the tray if I'm not careful. So I was thinking as a starting point: Bigger Injectors Stronger Headbolts LSD Any recommendations for make & suppliers for those? What else should I be doing? What sort of BHP would you class as stage 3?

Knew I should have put a smiley. :p However you did ask for best bang per buck and I doubt you'll beat the BHP increase per pound over that engine swap from standard, 280 BHP is possible out of that lump with the right exhaust & intercooler(s) for not much cash. Fabia with a 1.8t is at least 250kg lighter than a TT, and I think more than that for a S3, plus the vRS is cheaper to buy, run and insure, shame the TT & S3 would leave it over the twisty stuff.

Remap, 312mm brakes, and replacement speakers if you use the stereo for anything other than radio 4. Biggest band for buck would be to swap the TDi for a 225 1.8t, brakes and remap. I'd bet the net cost could be less than a grand if you shop around, not bad for ~240 bhp and 50kg saved. Won't mention the increase in insurance or the near doubling of you fuel bill.

Since the battery was last disconnected I've done 1631 miles @ 38 mph achieving an indicated 52.5 mpg. Actual mpg (calculated by my Mileage app on my phone) since the new Turbo went on is 50.7 mpg.

35 and brought mine last October.

I wouldn't put them on the back either. I'd put one on the engine cover though.

Power steering warning sounds like load sensor wire, but I'm no expert.

Not sure they are that popular in the UK, in the US (as its legal in certain states to use a laptop while driving) there are plenty of units you can get that bolt onto the centre console: http://www.jottodesk.net/laptop_desk_jotto_desk_car_desk.htm

Have you measured the load on the battery with the engine off? Should be pretty easy to see if something is draining the battery. It could be that the battery just isn't being charged, either short journeys or dodgy alternator, load sensor wire (this afflicted me over Christmas), or other wiring.