I'm not touching the mechanics though, I can do a few basic things but this kind of conversion would be way beyond what I'd feel even remotely confident with myself - looking at what Ross has done, that definitely was the way to go

Made a trip to Unit 18 this morning, the car filled with allsorts of bits and pieces including a PC for the Unit, shelving and a few other odds and ends.

As I messed around installing some software on the PC and wiring it all up etc, Ross started working on the car

Allard EGR delete pipe, and Basil's custom pipe, replacing the weak clips completely, or possibly 1 left, in the system. It should have got rid of the last point of common failure when running with higher boost levels

First and second gear were playing up a bit, so Ross replaced the gearbox oil, and re-aligned something (think a cable slipped but he might want to explain better hehe).

After donating some goodies to the workshop, Ross then donated back to me a few items that he shouldn't have had in the first place (read: cr*p that was in the back of the wrong car when the car was dropped off for him to strip). So I've got a couple of boxes to sort through.

I found back my Parrot kit which I had stored away, and I will be fitting that in the near future, if the weather is good I may even do it tomorrow. 4WA on Friday.

Also the gearbox mount was changed for the latest incarnation of the vRS one. This appears to have got rid of a bit of movement that was occurring before.

There are a few small details left to go, but the visitors at Unit 18 all had some very positive things to say about the Fabia Estate vRS, Unit 18 Edition

So, when are you signing up to the Castle Combe thing? :P Will surely be well run-in by the end of April.

No money at the moment for that, plus I may be in Colombia for my job by then for a few months :eek:

Got the worst part of the Parrot CK3100 install done, which involved popping the head unit out and routing those blastedly large connectors somewhere. The Parrot itself needs to be fitted somewhere tidy, will probably drop the glove box and try to fit it on a metal support bar with some padding to stop it rattling (cable tied on top). Then I need to route the microphone wiring behind the dash.

It already works but of course it needs to be out of sight. The contorl unit is in the same place I used to have it previously, on a blanking plate just above the HU where it is in easy reach and not obstructive

Got the worst part of the Parrot CK3100 install done, which involved popping the head unit out and routing those blastedly large connectors somewhere. The Parrot itself needs to be fitted somewhere tidy, will probably drop the glove box and try to fit it on a metal support bar with some padding to stop it rattling (cable tied on top). Then I need to route the microphone wiring behind the dash.

It already works but of course it needs to be out of sight. The contorl unit is in the same place I used to have it previously, on a blanking plate just above the HU where it is in easy reach and not obstructive

Fitted the box on the Parrot I had in my Furbie on top of the glove box with sticky pads, there's a recess above that it fits into

if you need a hand wiebo then give me a shout, electronics is my strong point.

Cheers, will have a look at that then, I couldnt quite remember where it was fitted but it was somewhere round there - fingers crossed I can squeeze it in this week, work is a tad hectic LOL

Had a 4WA done and it appears there is a bit of a problem with the rear axle at the moment, plus the subframe needs shifting. It is better then before, but still out. Luckily a bit of a good mates thing is going on there so did a bit of a deal

If that rear axle is bent I wouldn't be shocked. It was allways going to be a little bit of a gamble and looking at the thump that the rear wheel had in the accident I suppose it was always a good chance.

Its easily sorted just will cost us a bit in parts, but we have the technology, we have the means it will get sorted.

I only hope once a new rear beam is in the alignment is somewhere near friendly. I'm not expecting perfect, Fabia rear axles very rarely are but even would at least be nice.

Will bring in the paperwork hehe

The front is a lot better already, and Andy gave some suggestions to get that spot on, but it was not worth doing considering the rear was too far out.

She is a bit more stable though, which is good

Will see you at the Unit tomorrow

Shims are your friends... Certaintly cheaper than a replacement rear axle....

HTH

Bas

You ain't shimming this much out I tell you Bas

I managed to rescue the orignal rear beam. Beat the living sh!t out of the standard bushes and now waiting for some Powerflex ones to slide in. Axle has been shot basted clean of rust and nastyness so can be primed and painted.

I think in all fairness its a sub axle that has actually bent but Ill build this one up with some new bearings and slide it on, job done.

Was an interesting day at the Unit today

My original plan was to scan the car for faults, reset the CEL (caused by the EGR delete) and see if I could get the recirc motor to reset - annoyingly it did not :(

Then upgrade the hard drive in the PC at the unit to something a bit bigger. Of course a chip had to blow out on the drive GRRRR.

So instead I have now taken it home and doing it now with another drive that will hopefully not pop its clogs before getting at least a few years good service out :P

Fitted the Parrot CK3100 unit and got shot of the visible wiring. Just need to work out how to fit the microphone as the little plastic clip that holds it has gone MIA. Will sort something there. Looks much nicer already without all the loose wiring at least.

The new Unit18 stickers now internally fitted at the rear side windows, rear window and windscreen, removed the external one now. Looks good

I saw this this afternoon at U18. The wheels are gorgeous in the metal, the whole car looks thoroughly mean and moody and I have to say I'm envious as hell.

Was good to see you, it was a bit brief but :P - I'm sure in the end the whole package will work in yours, maxidot looking nice in there

Parrot kit now tugged away nicely, did take two pics of it but not posted as yet. Managed to get the PC sorted and all software installed, Ross did a lot of car cleaning

Unit18 stickers are in, asked about for Briskoda internal stickers in the freedom section, will see what happens

Hopefully I can arrange to move the Escort to the unit soon, but time is rather tight this week due to boiler check, office visit on Wednesday, and visit to the courts on Thursday to get the decree absolute requested at long blimming last

Ross did a lot of car cleaning

Oh, oh.............

Oh, oh.............

I thought it was better not to do it myself as I don't have a pressure washer, mits or two buckets

Came up really nicely

I thought it was better not to do it myself as I don't have a pressure washer, mits or two buckets

Came up really nicely

Well it sounds like he has a good process so I am impressed...............:P

- he could hardly not do it right after asking me not to wash it :P

well it could have been worse, benji and his 2 car one bucket method

well it could have been worse, benji and his 2 car one bucket method

to be fair one of those cars was a Clarke car

Both of them were Clarke cars..lol.

I got the Karcher working Baker, works a treat. two buckets, a propper wash mit and microfibre cloth used, you would be proud

i am disappointed ross, what a waste of buckets.

Both of them were Clarke cars..lol.

I got the Karcher working Baker, works a treat. two buckets, a propper wash mit and microfibre cloth used, you would be proud

ahh, I thought one was Helen's poxy old vectra?