Alex's red Mk1 Fabia vRS BMN/BLT 16v hybrid - GTBvklr

[alex_e3]

Mega thanks to Adam (Southy on here), who did the machining work to my block. He's done a cracking job of it! The crank has been polished as well. Picked it up yesterday afternoon...

 

 

 

 

 

Adam also kindly ordered my new pistons, main and big end shells...

 

 

 

Since my engine was BMN and had the PPD piezo injectors, I've bought some BKD PD injectors too. Also picked up some new seals...

 

 

 

I will be getting the car up and running on standard nozzles first. What with this being somewhat bespoke for John (Faboka) to map properly. After that, I'll get some Firad 120's on there to fuel more power

 

 

I also bought a second hand cam cover off a BKD, as the BMN one is very tall and has the CCV pointing upwards. I'll be getting this carbon dipped at some point...

 

 

 

I've also ordered the ARP stud & nut kit from Darkside, along with a bottom end rebuild kit. So pretty soon I'll have everything I need for the bottom end to get built up. I have a second hand BKD metal inlet manifold on the way too. As the BMN has swirl flaps in and is plastic.

 

 

Next job is for me to get the the wire drill attachment over the faces of the block, to get as much paint and rust off as I can. I've ordered some Bilt Hamber Deox C, and will be soaking the ends of the block and water & oil channels, so that it's all cleaned out nicely. After that, it's off to Camcoat with the block, new pistons and both manifolds!

Edited 4 November, 2017 by alex_e3

[hutchysrs50]

The block looks like it's just been painted!

It looks immaculate really.

Great update though, been waiting for this to come together

[alex_e3]

The block looks like it's just been painted!

It looks immaculate really.

Great update though, been waiting for this to come together

 

It was painted pretty much a year ago! Should be documented in this thread some pages back.

 

It's the front that's the problem. Rust has come through the paint on it. Hence I want to ensure it's well treated this time.

[hutchysrs50]

Of course, I'd expect nothing less from this build.

I can see around 4 big builds going on at the minute, can't wait to see them all finished

[alex_e3]

Very stressed out and busy with work at the minute, so been finding it difficult to motivate myself come the weekends to work on this. Excuses aside, got back to it today at last.

 

My focus now is getting everything ready for ceramic coating. First off, stripped my new turbo down...

 

 

Felt pretty wrong taking apart a brand new and very expensive turbo! The compressor snail and manifold/exhaust snail are going in for coating.

 

 

Moved onto my second-hand BKD inlet manifold, which recently arrived. As you can see, it's pretty manky and needs a damn good de-gunk inside...

 

 

 

So soaked it with oven cleaner inside, and popped it in the supplied plastic bag to soak overnight. I'm positive that it's gonna need a few doses of this in order to clean it out properly...

 

 

 

Next up, the block. Spent ages with the drill and a wire attachment getting as much paint off as I could...

 

 

 

I then prepped some Bilt Hamber Deox-C rust remover in a plastic tub I'd bought earlier in the day to suit. Recommended mix is 1 part Deox-C to 19 parts water. Can go as much as 1-4 mix ratio if you wish. I went for around 1-10. I've soaked the rusty end of the block in the solution, and left it for tonight. I've tilted the tub up slightly with a wedge, so that the solution doesn't go in the bores.

 

I'll be back there tomorrow to remove it, have a look and then possibly soak for a bit longer. Plus I also need to let the other sides soak too. Will also do a bit more cleaning of the inlet manifold.

 

 

Pretty boring update, but need to get these mundane tasks out of the way before I can progress and actually start the build-up!

Edited 4 November, 2017 by alex_e3

[Lofty]

Mundane but essential! Days can be spent working away in the garage and nobody sees the fruits of your labour, but if it's yours, you know it's done right

[alex_e3]

Got on with it today. Soaked the block at several different angles to get everywhere. After that, took it out, hosed it down, then dried it off meticulously to prevent surface rust forming in any crevice or thread. Then a good dose of penetrating oil to lower the risk of surface rust appearing.

 

The block has come out nicely. The worst face still has some corrosion, but it's looking a LOT better than it was. I could have left it soak for longer, but a friend found out the hard way that Deox-C is strong stuff, and subsequently ruined his block by leaving it in for too long! Hence I'm happy with the results. Cam Coat assure me that rust won't be a problem once they have worked their magic!

 

Not very interesting pictures, but all cleaned off, dried and oiled ready to go...

 

 

 

 

 

Also cracked on with cleaning the inlet manifold up. Got a huge load of crap out of it, since it had been softened overnight. A does of foam oven cleaner came next, and another good rinse out. I've now left it to soak again filled with another bottle of oven cleaner solution. I still think it'll need another couple yet, such was the horrid gunk on the inside.

 

Glad I've got that job out of the way. Pretty messy couple of afternoons down the unit. Once the inlet is clean, it's all ready for ceramic coating

Edited 4 November, 2017 by alex_e3

[alex_e3]

Inlet all cleaned up nicely. Managed to get a small bendy brush inside the ports, so all the gunk has definitely gone. Inside of manifold is stained in places by the crap over the years, but it's all gone. For good measure, I left the manifold in the Deox-C solution overnight. Went down on Friday to remove it and rinse it off ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loaded everything into the car, including some parts that I wasn't originally planning to have ceramic coated...

 

 

 

Made the drive through Friday afternoon traffic over to Camcoat in Warrington - http://www.camcoat.com/main/    Met the guy who manages the place, Nick. Really sound guy, and very helpful. After some discussion on what I wanted coating, I decided to opt for the following...

 

• Block - TLTD (thermal dispersant - satin black) - coating to stop corrosion also
• Inlet manifold - TLTD (thermal dispersant - satin black)
• Exhaust manifold / exhaust turbo snail - BHK (thermal barrier - black)
• Turbo compressor housing - MCX (thermal barrier - chrome)
• Crank and con-rod bearings - DFL-1 (lubricant)
• Pistons - CBX (thermal barrier) on the crowns (and then polished smooth), TLML (lubricant) on the skirts, and TLTD (thermal dispersant) on the piston underside

 

Details on their specific coatings can be found here...

http://www.camcoat.com/artwork/coatings_summary.pdf

 

Nick was great to deal with, and he gave me a very good discount on all the coatings. I'll be back to pick up and pay in about 3 weeks' time. We had a chat about which parts would benefit coating, and ultimately decided to avoid coating the rods, but agreed on coating the brand-new crank & rod bearings with a lubricant. Here's the lot all ready to be done...

 

 

 

Excited to see the end results!

Edited 4 November, 2017 by alex_e3

[AshVrs]

Looking good mate, be nice to see the finished results!

I jet washed out my BKD plastic inlet manifold a few weeks ago and don't imagine it has every been off the car before in its 7 years of life. The plastic inlet manifolds seem a lot less prone to as much carbon build up as the aluminium ones.

Edited 6 November, 2016 by AshVrs

[Jase009]

Half way through the thread and loving it mate lots of hints and tips and amazing attention to detail

[Gimba]

Are those front seats a straight swap? No faffing about?

[TommyH]

 

 

 

Bet that subwoofer sounds ace down the Maccies car park

[alex_e3]

Small update. Just got back from Camcoat in Warrington. They've done a stirling job of all the bits! I'll let the pictures do the talking...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pictures don't do the parts justice to be honest! The block looks a million times better, especially on the front face. Plus the coating will actually help to draw heat away from the block. All I need now is to buy some new thrust washers and a new sump, then I will be building the bottom end up

Edited 4 November, 2017 by alex_e3

[hutchysrs50]

Beautiful, don't wait to long, I want to see this running before Christmas :p

[coskev]

Beautiful, don't wait to long, I want to see this running before Christmas :p

Christmas which year?

[Titanium_Man]

Porn

[andsoutham]

Holy c**p! This is awesome! I usually get annoyed when I see the way fabias are going on the Facebook pages but this (and lofy's thread) gives me hope

Keep up the good work

[alex_e3]

Beautiful, don't wait to long, I want to see this running before Christmas :p

 

Kev has a point! It's nearly a year since the engine let go. Time goes quick...  If I got it done before Easter next year, I think that would be an achievement. There's lot of work to be done yet. Considering a spray job too...

 

 

 

Holy c**p! This is awesome! I usually get annoyed when I see the way fabias are going on the Facebook pages but this (and lofy's thread) gives me hope

Keep up the good work

 

Cheers! Agree with you - I've had many a moment where I've thought about selling up due to the recent image problem of Fabia vRS's  :wonder:  :think:

[Dark_Hero]

I'm not a member of any of the Fabia groups. Problem solved

[andsoutham]

I'm not a member of any of the Fabia groups. Problem solved

I've just done the same after seeing a fabia go up for less than 1k today. My soul can't take it

[alex_e3]

Not much been happening lately. Mainly due to the fact that I'm a wuss and really can't be arsed doing anything in the freezing down my unit. Started doing a few things again now the weather is slowly starting to improve. Unfortunately, I've got a load of jobs to do on my other cars - Focus and 2nd vRS. So having to prioritise them at the moment. Doing my head in having most things ready to build up!

 

I have managed to get something sorted recently though. Took my TT Comps to City Powdercoaters again. Opted for dark grey this time. As nice as the gloss black looks, it's an absolute 'mare to keep them looking mint - small scratches always appear no matter how hard you try not to! Got the wheels back yesterday. Very impressed with the finish on them, especially for £20 a wheel...

 

 

I've also just bought some Nankang NS-2R semi-slick tyres. Never tried any before, and these seem to have good reviews. Will be getting these fitted on Friday. All ready to go!...

 

 

I love the red lip on them, so I've bought a set of 'Rim Blades' in red, which will be fitted after the tyres.

 

 

On another note, I'm ditching the Brembo's, in exchange for some Tarox 6 pots 

 

Cylinder head has also gone off to get a light truth skim and rebuilt. I'm keeping the head and cams stock for now. Will get it up and running and see what it makes first. Then consider head work and cams if required.

Edited 4 November, 2017 by alex_e3

[Lofty]

Wheels look loads better in grey, it makes them look less heavy. Will the tarox calipers clear the spokes?

[alex_e3]

14 minutes ago, Lofty said:

Wheels look loads better in grey, it makes them look less heavy. Will the tarox calipers clear the spokes?

 

Yeah I'm well impressed with them - they look ace!

 

Yes mate they should clear no problem. The Comps have excellent clearance as standard. Clear my Brembo's fine, and I believe they're worse than the Tarox.

 

[stevobeavo]

Very nice up dates. The taroxs should clear fine. Compared to the brembo there's quite slim, do you know which model you've gone for? 

 

If only I wasn't planning for a wedding I'd have had the brembos off you for my car if you were selling them. 

 

I've also been running the NS-2R's for about a year now, there not bad wet but do need a bit of heat in them to really feel the grip benefits, some I found quite hard to do on the road. 

  

And in regards to the wheel blades if it's the type I'm thinking of that hammer in between the wheel and tyre then make sure it correctly installed. A girl at work had them for a few months then one detached itself and destroyed the door and wing.

Edited 6 February, 2017 by stevobeavo

[Toxicvrs]

Any more progress on it mate?