Colinjb's Fabia vRS

[Colinjb]

Svetlana is back: The difference in handling is amazing. Feel so much more confident now in driving her, my credit to Winchester Skoda who were professional, friendly (...not as expensive as I thought they would be) and courteous. The collection of receipts for the service history can only be a good thing. They have also provided a quote for the repair of the front passenger side wing and a bonnet respray.... It seems to be affordable, may book that in soon.

 

 

Next three jobs I have decided now that the car has been given the once over.

 

Now stereo to be fitted, looking at this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-2-DIN-Bluetooth-Mixtrax-Aux-In/dp/B009KZ95QQ. It does everything I need and the hands free phone capability is a must. Will be fitted tomorrow afternoon, i'm open to advice on speakers to improve the sound.

 

Engine re-map (Booked into Southampton remapping on thursday morning.) Looking at a balanced re-map, up to 155 bhp, Torque up 65 Nm to 375 and an anticipated MPG improvement of 5-10%

 

Rear anti-rollbar on order. Shall be fitting this myself on arrival.

 

In response to the one question:

AshVrs: I believe the exhaust is totally standard.

Edited 21 October, 2014 by Colinjb

[Jrjg]

Now stereo to be fitted, looking at this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-2-DIN-Bluetooth-Mixtrax-Aux-In/dp/B009KZ95QQ. It does everything I need and the hands free phone capability is a must. Will be fitted tomorrow afternoon, i'm open to advice on speakers to improve the sound.

Not looked at the head unit you were looking at but I would just ask: has it definitely got an output, that is, an output to take signal to an amplifier?

If you are considering upgrading the speakers, an amplifier will take a set of aftermarket door speakers to the next level.

E.g - let's say you bought a pair of Alpine type R component door speakers to replace the current factory ones, there would be a good improvement in the sound quality, but they will be powered from the head unit, which, will no doubt put out more power than the factory symphony head unit, BUT...

The aftermarket speakers will run at let's say; only 50% of their potential by being under powered by the head unit which is not dedicated to powering them, as it has to share its total output to the rest of the speakers. Installing an amplifier ( not the easiest for where to put it, as well as the wiring etc) will open new levels as to what sound the door speakers can produce , quality and clarity will be improved also.

The next thing is insulation, a regularly overlooked step in upgrading car audio. The more the better, reducing rattling and vastly improving audio quality.

I probably wouldn't worry about upgrading the rear speakers as it isn't really necessary, unless you want to entertain the empty space behind you.

I would recommend the separate amplifier and the sound deadening of the doors however.

One of those 'How big is your budget' / 'How good do you wish your audio to be' cases.

Let me know what you choose to do and how you find the improvements. I will be interested to know

JRJG

[Jrjg]

Ps :

The brand and price of speakers you go for will make a difference. But read some reviews, I haven't for a long time, there may well be some speakers not normally in the competition that match up and are a better price than the usual pioneer/alpine/rainbow audio podium leaderboard.

JRJG

[Colinjb]

Not looked at the head unit you were looking at but I would just ask: has it definitely got an output, that is, an output to take signal to an amplifier?

If you are considering upgrading the speakers, an amplifier will take a set of aftermarket door speakers to the next level.

E.g - let's say you bought a pair of Alpine type R component door speakers to replace the current factory ones, there would be a good improvement in the sound quality, but they will be powered from the head unit, which, will no doubt put out more power than the factory symphony head unit, BUT...

The aftermarket speakers will run at let's say; only 50% of their potential by being under powered by the head unit which is not dedicated to powering them, as it has to share its total output to the rest of the speakers. Installing an amplifier ( not the easiest for where to put it, as well as the wiring etc) will open new levels as to what sound the door speakers can produce , quality and clarity will be improved also.

The next thing is insulation, a regularly overlooked step in upgrading car audio. The more the better, reducing rattling and vastly improving audio quality.

I probably wouldn't worry about upgrading the rear speakers as it isn't really necessary, unless you want to entertain the empty space behind you.

I would recommend the separate amplifier and the sound deadening of the doors however.

One of those 'How big is your budget' / 'How good do you wish your audio to be' cases.

Let me know what you choose to do and how you find the improvements. I will be interested to know

JRJG

 

Well, the installation of the new audio equipment didn't happen, changed my mind and stretched a little further to an Alpine single DIN unit that will have DAB capability as well. Namely, this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Headunit-Receiver-Bluetooth-compatiable-Illumination/dp/B00GD9ASKE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1414161140&sr=8-7&keywords=alpine+dab+bluetooth. This is being fitted on Tuesday morning by Accutek, a specialist in Kings Worthy.

 

Thanks for the advice on the speakers, will stay standard for the time being I think but may change later. 

 

The remap has been done though and wow, the extra torque really makes a difference low down. A longer run from Hampshire to the West Midlands next week will let me check out any MPG gains. 

 

Annoyingly the RARB will not be here for another few weeks, the supplier I've ordered from has run out and is awaiting a new shipment.

 

I'm thinking of switching this to the projects section as it has become more of a chronicle then Q+A. Could a helpful moderator oblige?

Edited 24 October, 2014 by Colinjb

[awfabia]

Colinjb, I had to leave my company car behind when made redundant in 2008. Fortunate enough to be able to buy Fabia2 1.6 petrol. Really appreciated it and only sold it earlier this year 'cos I bought a Yeti.

Interested in your ' vRS story', hope it comes together well as you get it in trim.

Eldest son bought Octavia with similar pumpe duse engine in July - he loves it, especially the fuel economy. I expect fuel economy lower down your list of priorities judging by your mod's .

By the way, welcome to BRISKODA, you'll get good help and advice saving £££s.

[Colinjb]

Note again to any friendly moderators, please can this be moved to the project section. (With a new title if possible.)

 

And to awfabia, thanks for the kind words.

 

Next bit of work has been undertaken, some nice shiny new badges have been fitted using the hairdryer and dental floss method. Some adhesive remover from Halfrauds (£5 a can) took car of the remaining adhesive from the old badges.

 

 

The old badge on the grill panel (Removed)

 

 

The new badge fitted, much better....

 

 

...And looking very purposeful once the grill was back in place.

 

For the rear, a couple of action shots. 

 

 

The remaining glue after badge removal.

 

 

Easily taken care of...

 

Next major job. That front arch damage and front bonnet respray. Time to take care of the astonishing number of stone chips! The 'glazed' front lights will also be looked after at this point. The body shop will have her in on Monday 10th November.

 

A couple of little things in the mean time, including fitting a new front fog light. Also, will be changing the fuses for the power windows and fog lights in an effort to get them working.

 

Incidentally, the new stereo/DAB/Hands free kit has been fitted. Kudos to Accutek in Kings Worthy for doing a bang up and professional job with it.

Edited 29 October, 2014 by Colinjb

[Damo]

Moved and title amended as requested

[Colinjb]

Moved and title amended as requested

 

Many thanks Damo. Appreciate it.

[Colinjb]

Today has provided a chilling insight as to how tyre maintenance and care can make an incredible difference to not just how a car behaves, but to what it means to be 'responsible.'

Pictures will be posted soon, but Jesus..... Just how negligent people can be.

[Colinjb]

Here we go. She is really coming together now. Lets start with the resprayed bonnet.

 

 

All stone chips gone and looks so much better, she now absolutely gleams.

 

 

The damage has been repaired on the passenger side arch. Looking very tidy now.

 

 

Looking very handsome on the newly refurbished wheels. They came back from the shop last week, kudos to AVC customs in Romsey, they did a superb job.

 

 

There was a shocking moment of realisation though when the front tyres were removed. The sidewalls of the front had completely split. The previous owner had clearly driven around with essentially no air in them causing the damage, they could have let go at any moment! So lucky not to have had that happen.

 

She is currently running on Autogrip AG66's, cheap chinese rubbish. I am open to suggestions for replacement boots, ideally after something good in the wet and economical (and not too pricey). On the run back from the west midlands today she only managed 49mpg. We can do better then that!

 

Next jobs:

Sort out the small dents on the driver's side.

Get the rear bumper refitted properly.

Repair the electric front windows. 

De-fog the front headlights.

Fit the RAB when it finally (!) arrives.

Edited 23 November, 2014 by Colinjb

[Lofty]

Loving the work, glad you have stuck with the OE badges, they just look right on the MK1's

[Colinjb]

Loving the work, glad you have stuck with the OE badges, they just look right on the MK1's

 

Thankyou Lofty. As coincidence would have it I was actually considering changing the badges and wheel centre caps to the new style badge to match the paintwork and wheels better. I've started to get a taste for personalisation! No need to rush mind.

 

As detailed on the main Mk1 Fabia forum, an impromptu repair was required for the car last week, the boot decided to cease function, it wouldn't latch properly or release. 

 

The problem stemmed from the latch release mechanism itself. As seen in the pic below it should rest in position '1,' it was however stuck in the 'release' position '2'.

 

 

This ensured that it was pushing against the little nodule on the orange latch itself which frees the boot to open (the click you normally hear when you push the release button on the key fob.)

 

 

And the cause? A seized actuator motor that you can see the power supply to here underneath the plastic trim. Easy enough to get to, remove and disassemble. It has now been freed up thanks to some degrippant oil and a clean, there was a bit of gunk in there.

Here's the thread where I asked the question: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/334711-boot-not-shutting-properly-release-catch-issues/

Many thanks to softscoop for his help.

 

#

 

As a final point, does anyone know what size screws are used to hold the plastic trim in place on the boot sil? Two screws are needed and both seem to be missing!!

Edited 27 November, 2014 by Colinjb

[Colinjb]

 

 

Oh, look what finally turned up.....

[Colinjb]

 

That was an easy fit. Once the bar was secured onto the suspension arm it was simple to remove the damper support bolts, put in the new ones and secure the drop links.... Or it should have been if I had a large enough alan key for the damper bolt! One phone call to the father later and the job was completed.

 

First impressions... the car does seem more stable when accelerating out of corners. A little tricky to judge in wet/damp conditions though. 

 

While washing her yesterday I had the misfortune of finding a lump...

 

 

Must be rust accumulating beneath the trim, are these easy to remove?

Edited 7 December, 2014 by Colinjb

[Colinjb]

First bit of project for the new year, and it was time to rectify one of the biggest irritations that Svetlana had given me since purchasing her.....

 

 

Thanks to FleaBay:

 

 

All done.

 

Her 110,000 mile service yielded no major problems other then the handbrake needing a new cable. She feels tight as a drum, not bad considering that there is no evidence of regular servicing in the book since 40k in 2009 aside from her cambelt change!

 

Still work to do though. 

[Colinjb]

It's typical..... You finally get around to ordering some 25mm lowers springs and shocks, then bang goes the turbo!! Haha!

In all seriousness, holding back tears!

[Colinjb]

Delighted to say that progress has been made! The turbo has been fitted and further upgrades completed. Not all positive news though, more to follow this weekend....

And as a teaser, Lofty..... I am sorry.......

In the mean time, sharing in my pain from the turbo failure:

Edited 18 August, 2015 by Colinjb

[Colinjb]

 

Bit of faded sunshine type effect.

 

She has been awkward recently. Here's the list of 'happenings.'

 

1. After losing another front badge I have switched her to the latest Silver badges over the old green ones. So far, not fallen off... and I think it suits the colour/wheels very nicely.

 

2. Turbo repaired, she went so well to begin with.... then a boost leak began. Wheezes above 1800rpm, Fuel economy is now down to 45 and she dumps unbrunt diesel from the exhaust under any kind of acceleration. On the verge of buying the bits for the turbo pipework from fleabay. Fitting it will be another matter though.

 

3. Suspension switched to 25mm AP's from DPM. Having seen how much she has dropped i'm glad I didn't go any lower!!! She was smooth as silk to begin with, but now the suspension is creaking at low speed. Shorter drop links were added to remove any possibility of clashing with the driveshaft, so it's not that causing it.

 

4. Rear bumper has been refitted. No longer looks like it's falling apart at the seem.

 

5. Wax on, wax off. She is asthmatic, clunky, but at the very least shiny!

 

 

 

Edited 12 September, 2015 by Colinjb