this project is just utterly amazing! It will be so nice to see more petrol mk1 fabia's

Skodaguy, have you actually got your car up and running now? Or is Mr Dendy still fettling?

Here's some inspiration http://www.carsbase.com/photo/Skoda_Fabia_WRC_model_5773.html

If I could only try... they seem to vanish out the back door before I get a chance. :(

Awesome GTI in Manchester managed to get hold of one a few months back for a customer, if i remember correctly. Maybe have a word with them and see if they can source you one? much better engine than a 1.8t.

LOVING this project though. im rather jealous.

I left my details with Awesome GTI and a few other people...

There is a possibility in a few weeks but I think it's going to be (way) over budget. :(

Seems to the be THE engine to get at the moment and there are obviously not a lot of them about in the first place!

I think you should make a 4x4 sleeper. Leave the car looking exactly how it is with 400bhp 1.8T 4x4 running gear. DO EET!

I have to admit I am leaning towards this at the moment, but I'm not sure how easy it'll be to get the haldex rear end in the width of a Fabia. Am looking into it just for research purposes...

Having a very flash looking modified Fabia is nice, but it's not really my style, which is why I like my VRS SE so much.

It's just looks like a well kept example until you surprise people.

Part of the fun for me is the fact that it's a Skoda Fabia and people won't expect it, and while a WRC style Fabia would look good I think it'll start to lose the surprise element a bit with the wide body and huge rear wing. Subtle it wouldn't be.

Long term I think a more normal looking one would be easier to live with too. I'd look less like a boy racer and I'm not 20 anymore.

Maybe just get it looking like a normal VRS. I think they look good without being over the top.

R36 engine? Now that would be diffrent and youd have 300hp to start with but i reckon it would be a tight squeeze if even possible

I've got time fotunately to source an engine, the actual engineering to get the shell 4x4 ready and install the drivetrain is going to take quite a while as it's not going to be worked on 8 hours a day for a week, it'll be a bit here and there when there is time. I don't expect the car fully ready, tested and screaming about until late this year really.

So if I can't source the engine I want in the next three or four months I'll look for an alternative.

Current favorites are the 1.8T or the 2.0 TFSI from the TTS/Golf R which makes 260-odd bhp as standard and is a strengthened engine over the Skoda VRS Octy unit so would take modification better.

What I don't want is something heavy. It may be fine for Santa Pod but it'll kill the handling.

Overall when it's finished the front should be lighter than a VRS diesel and the back heavier with the 4x4 rear end, giving more balance.

For that reason, I might rule out the 2.5 TFSI, if you find one. I would imagine a 2.0 could be bought and modified to provide the wanted power levels.

Yes, it's a difficult one Jason.

The 2.5 is pretty light considering it's power output. Something like 185kg for 335bhp that will make 420bhp with very basic mods, and do it all reliably with a pretty linear torque curve so it's very drivable.

The 2.0 is obviously far cheaper to buy and probably about 30kg lighter. But it's going to take a lot of tweaking to get 400+bhp which will probably cost a fair whack. And the power delivery won't be so smooth.

I have to admit that if the 2.5 was not so good I wouldn't even be tempted.

Are the people that made the Bonneville Flats Octavia still selling the car/lump? I remember something a while back. That was 600bhp odd.

Are the people that made the Bonneville Flats Octavia still selling the car/lump? I remember something a while back. That was 600bhp odd.

As far as I remember there was a hewge garrett twin blade turbo on that, that only started spooling at 4500 rpm. Nothing.. Nothing.. Nothing.. boost!!!

Good luck with the project, I aswel as many others will be keeping an eye on this thread.

Are the people that made the Bonneville Flats Octavia still selling the car/lump? I remember something a while back. That was 600bhp odd.

That's a good point, if not they may be able to provide some techy info, or know some people to speak to.

To be fair, big power on a 2.0 or 1.8 is not the issue. It's making it drivable that is as you are then relying on mahoosive turbos.

I don't want a one trick wonder that kills other cars at Santa Pod, but you can't drive on a track without being overtaken by a Morris Minor unless you are at 6000rpm.

That's why about 400bhp seems "right". They are not too laggy on that engine size.

Yep, it's driveability that will be the issue, when you get upto that level of power output, and level of modification.

The Bonneville car was done by VW Racing in Milton Keynes, with input & expertise from Revo on the running/mapping side.

The 2.5 unit sounds ideal Richard, for what you have in mind - both in terms of intended use and your power output aim.

Right... had a good think about this last night.

Basically I'm rushing it and like that it's not going to work unless it costs a fortune.

I have time and it doesn't need to be done until 10 months time for the 2013 season.

So I've decided to move away from my usual "s@!t or bust" way of doing things that tends to get quite expensive and go at a more relaxed pace.

With that in mind I've got plenty of time to source an engine and other parts so I'm going to wait for one to come up at the right price.

I want to do it right, and the best way to do that is take my time and wait for the right bits to come up.

100% agree with that logic! You've got lots of parts still to source, although I'm torn between the 2 ideas, it seems a shame to loose it's heritage by ditching the wrc kit, that's kind of what makes it really special I think. But I do get the sleeper idea, but as you said you've given yourself plenty of time to think it all over now

Do it, and do it right

No one cares how long it takes, as long as it's done and done well!

Probably want to lock this thread until you make updates otherwise you'll get "Are we there yet?" every 5 mins.

Marge, can I have another sandwich?

You dnt need to go big tubo for big power. Much cheaper option is a KO4 tfsi engine with a hybrid KO4 turbo which will give 400-420hp. The std internals off an ed30/cupra/S3(identical internals in all of them) can run this power with no issues, but its on its upper limits.  The pistons will be fine, might be wise to uprate the rods as that's the weak point.

That relates to a 12.7second(stadtlers and jabbasports golfs) 1/4 mile on a fwd 1400kg Golf with nothing stripped out.  The fastest TFSI time is from APR's Golf R which made a 12.2second at the pod but was still on the std turbo.  With your fabia being 4wd, lighter and runnjng a kO4 hybrid tfsi I reckon you could be around 12 flat maybe better

Thanks for the input Sy.

12 to 12.2 would be seriously impressive.

The GT-R is 11.7 to 12 standard. Not far off!

Have i missed something - Did the rallycross car not come with an engine? :S

I thought the plan was to "just" transplant everything from LHD rally cross into a RHD donor?

Why are you sticking to VAG engines? Because they fit easily or?

Just thinking of BMW 1M! 3.0 Straight Six Twin Turbo 335bhp on tap standard...

A 4.2 from the Audi S4? Heavy but good power from the off...

Smaller engine with turbos or bigger engine with no turbos?

Have i missed something - Did the rallycross car not come with an engine? :S

I thought the plan was to "just" transplant everything from LHD rally cross into a RHD donor?

Try to keep up Cliff.

Yes, too easy and I may retain better value by sourcing the parts I need elsewhere and then once I've used the Rallycross car for a template I can move it on as a usable, FIA approved Rallycross car.

Nothing set in stone yet though...

Why are you sticking to VAG engines? Because they fit easily or?

Basically, yes.

It's just going to be easier and we already know what will or won't fit.

And if the options available do the job then it just doesn't really make as much sense to me as fitting something odd, baring in mind I'll be paying out to get any wacky conversion done to an engine specialist.