Some advice please – in 2 parts :confused:

Part 1

I've been toying with the idea of getting a new (used) car and after seeing the ad on here for the Subaru WRX SL I got quite excited. I then read a bit more about Subaru ownership and decided a) SWMBO would kill me if I got a Subaru because, the running costs would probably kill me if SWMBO didn't do the job first and, c) there's less room in the Scooby so no good for the family – see point a).

So, what else can I do to the Octy to make it a faster, more involving driving experience? As you can see from my sig I've covered most bases but there must be something else …?

I really want some FSDs to sort the comfort out, but after that…

Part 2

I've noticed latey that the steering wheel feels like there's some play in it at low speeds. Nothing too disturbing, just a 'feeling'.

When I had the new suspension fitted in April last year the garage said they'd patched up a steering gaitor that was a bit worn, and it sailed though it's MOT in December so they didn't spot it then.

Would a damaged gaitor affect steering wheel play? Would a new poly steering rack bush help? And how big a job is it to fit gaitor and new rack bush?

Any thoughts welcome. Ta

K04 and a LSD, thats what im planning next year hopefully

Better brakes, turbo back exhaust, FMIC, 4 bar FPR and a stage 2 remap... then wait until you get disappointed with that and want a big turbo LOL it just doesn't stop...

going by your sig you havent got started with this car yet lol there is so much you havent done

frount mount

exhaust mannifold

turbo back exhaust

lsd + uprated cluch + light weight flywheel

large bore tip pipe

port and polished inlet mannifold

uprated brakes/ suspension

short shifter

decent remap to cover the extra mods

r32 quick steering rack

water methanol injection

i can keep going on and on buddy

lots for you to do to make the car better buddy

then a remap to suit the mods and away you go.... good luck

Oh the slippery slope!

Cheers all

As the great Magnus Magnusson might have said, "I've started, so I might as well finish."

So first up is get the FSDs on for the comfort, and then look at new exhausts …

Anyone got any recommendations for exhausts? Do I do front or back first? What gains can I expect from an uprated exhaust?

Guess it's back to the search button

BTW. Has anyone got any ideas about the Part 2 steering thing as I think I should I should solve this first?

Ta

IIRC the steering rack bush is held in a U-shaped bracket and holds the rack down to the subframe, so if it's deteriorated then the rack could shift left and right. Once you've got the bracket off I'm not sure if you clip the new bush round the rack then replace the bracket or whether you have to slide the new bush down the rack (after taking the track rod arm off one side) then bolt the bracket down.

Edited 28 October, 200916 yr by chicken_eyebrow

Cheers chicken_eyebrow. I'll check the movement again and see what it feels like.

I'm not a Freedom member at the moment so can't access the right forum but I think if you look in the Technical Guides forum for GarryC's guide to fitting the Audi TT steering rack its got pictures of where the steering rack bush and bracket are

Better brakes, turbo back exhaust, FMIC, 4 bar FPR and a stage 2 remap... then wait until you get disappointed with that and want a big turbo LOL it just doesn't stop...

That's what I'd do too

Some tuners don't require a 4bar FPR for a stage 2 map. APR is one, so you have to run the standard 3bar with them.

But a Revo stage 2 demands a 4bar FPR.

Anyone know why one tuner needs the extra fuel pressure and one doesn't? I only just discovered this today, so I'm intrigued. I'm presuming Revo and APR get similar outputs at stage 2.

I also wonder why some maps (Custom Code) whack the boost up to 23psi whereas others get by on 14-17psi :confused:

Would be useful if someone in the know could compare various maps in terms of the boost, air/fuel mixture at different revs etc and what the bottom line torque and flywheel bhp figures are.

Get a MKII and have a play with that, you know you want to

I'd love to, but unless I get a MASSIVE pay rise that ain't going to happen :(

However, I could stretch to some FSDs and a Milltek CAT back on the Mark I

Get a MKII and have a play with that, you know you want to

why they are pants:eek::P

I am having my stage 2 done next Tuesday

It's a Revo so I'm having the 4 bar FPR fitted too, which I think is from a mk5 GTI?

And as for exhausts, I have a Blueflame and love it. Maybe try Piper though?

I am having my stage 2 done next Tuesday

It's a Revo so I'm having the 4 bar FPR fitted too, which I think is from a mk5 GTI?

And as for exhausts, I have a Blueflame and love it. Maybe try Piper though?

I have the Revo stage 2 with the 4 bar FPR and it is a huge difference to the stage 1.

Getting traction down is interesting so a LSD is going to be on the cards next year.

If you are going for a exhaust you might as well get a turbo back and be ready for the remap when you have the other bits sorted.

Blueflame sometimes sell on ebay, they do the cat-back section for £290 and will throw in the downpipe and 200cel sports cat for £290 and if you can get the car to them will fit it for another £40

£290? That's almost a ton cheaper than the Milltek. Hmmm, ebay here I come

I've found it:

BLUE FLAME STAINLESS EXHAUST SKODA OCTAVIA RS 1.8T on eBay (end time 21-Nov-09 17:11:07 GMT)

But will it fit the Elegance? I'll have to cut out the rear bumper to allow the tailpipe access won't I :confused:

Is that an easy job?

Cutting the bumper shouldn't be too hard, only thing I'm wondering about is whether the non-VRS 1.8T has fully independent rear suspension like the 4x4 or a big rear beam like the VRS as I guess that would make a difference to the routing on the pipe between the mid silencer and the rear silencer

Looking at Vag-cat the pipework and the bends on the rear section look the same for all 4 cylinder FWD Octavias:

Octavia 2002