TommyH's GTB-powered mk1 vRS

[TommyH]

Seeing as I've had it a year now, I've decided to start a project thread for my car. Currently the main changes to the car are a Stage 1 Shark map, EGR delete and 312mm brakes

 

The car has been in the family from new, I've had it roughly a year now. It's my second stint with the car, I learned to drive in it and drove it for a couple of years before getting myself a newer (and significantly worse) mk3 Clio.

 

Here are the two together shortly after I got the Fabia:

 

 

It'll probably take a little while to catch up with all the little things I've changed over the last year but I'll post them up as and when I can.

 

 

[TommyH]

First change was to get rid of the tatty old, rust-stained number plates. From this:

 

 

 

 

Had to drill the screw out of the back one as it had literally fallen apart. Turned from a very simple job into a right pain in the arse

 

 

This was the final result, plate surround on the back was from Creations Motorsports. Looks much better IMO

 

[TommyH]

Just realised, number plates weren't actually the first thing I changed. It was this cheapo Kenwood radio. Does a job but I'm looking for something better.

 

 

Worked properly after I switched these cables. Turns out the live and the constant wires are backwards on VAG cars in case anyone was wondering why their car keeps forgetting what stations you like. Mine decided to revert to demo mode constantly until I realised what was wrong.

 

[TommyH]

The first big job that needed sorting out was the brakes. All discs and pads needed changing so I took the opportunity to uprate the front brakes to 312mm from an Audi TT. I got myself a set of calipers and carriers on eBay, front discs from ECP, Brembo pads all round and Brembo rear discs.

 

 

These are all the parts once I'd sourced them, took them to John Roberts Garage in Llay near Wrexham to be fitted. I'm not the most experienced with spanners so unfortunately had to pay someone to do the job for me. Changed the brake fluid at the same time to make sure everything went as smooth as possible. Quite honestly I don't think the 312mm brakes are that much better than standard, a bit better yeah but its not a massive transformation

 

 

 

They do look good behind the standard 16s, not a lot of space behind there now. Please excuse the state of the wheel and quality of tyre, neither are my doing

[DanHam]

312mm brakes was one of the best things I did to my car mate!

Get Brembos up front now

[TommyH]

After this, I picked a weekend in about March to make a few little changes. A trip to Awesome GTI to get myself an LCR splitter. Also decided to paint the grille surround black and take off the bump-strip things off the doors.

 

 

Can basically see all of them in this picture. Taking off the side strips is a total nightmare, took ages to get all the glue off the doors. I do like how the doors look now, I can see why you'd leave them on though

[TommyH]

312mm brakes was one of the best things I did to my car mate!

Get Brembos up front now

 

Yeah they are good but I just didn't think it was like a massive change, I'm sure Brembos would be more of a dramatic transformation

 

Maybe its just cause my car was too slow haha, was literally totally standard when I did it

[TomR88]

bet they have got some serious stopping power. Liking the black grille surround. is the chrome easy to paint?

[TommyH]

bet they have got some serious stopping power. Liking the black grille surround. is the chrome easy to paint?

 

Wasn't too hard. I got some etching primer, matt black spray paint and some clear lacquer. I took my time with it and did like 3 or 4 coats of each. It does stone chip (got the first one the other day) but it's holding up quite well apart from that

[TommyH]

Next thing to change was one of the better ones I've done so far. Most people will probably think it's totally unoriginal but personally I think the best wheels on a fabia are 17" Spiders so it was always a plan to get some fitted. As luck would have it Alex_e3 had just decided to put his car back to standard so I snapped up the ones he was selling. Even had my pink spoiler machined polished while we were swapping the wheels over.

 

Here's a few from that day. Even a sneaky one of Alex, I know how much he likes to have his photo taken on the sly 

 

Before...

 

 

After...

 

 

I know it looks like it's riding on stilts (unfortunately it still is  :| ) but the wheels are an improvement IMO

 

Here's the obligatory half and half spoiler shot...

 

 

And a sly one, especially for Alex 

 

[TommyH]

Not a lot happened for about 6 months, as a student I had to forget about the car and write a dissertation apparently. 

 

I spend a fair amount of time cleaning my car, tried out a few differnet cleaning products. Few shiny photos...

 

 

 

[TommyH]

Also did the polo wiper on the back, really easy to do. I think it looks a bit better

 

[TommyH]

Best mod I've done so far is the stage 1 map. My EGR was leaking oil all over the place so I deleted this with a kit from Joel's group buy and took the car down to Ant at AP in Telford. He put a Shark map on for me. On the whole I was very impressed, great service from Ant and the map really is a massive improvement over standard. Had a great time driving the 50 miles or so back from Telford. I also have the peace of mind that it's (relatively) sympathetic on the engine components.

 

Here's the EGR delete fitted...

 

 

Decided to rep AP Automotive for a little while, I'm sure Ant will be pleased...

 

 

I also had a go of the S2000 air filter mod, Ordered what I thought was a red one and got this ghastly monster. I tried it anyway and the noise is quite cool but the car felt a bit sluggish so I took it off after about 2 weeks. Might try and get a better looking one on there eventually. If anyone likes the blue one, PM me I'll consider offers 

 

[TommyH]

A mod I'm really happy with is my headlights. Not too fussed about xenons for the money the cost etc so I wanted some Depo lights with the black mask. Conveniently Alex happened to be selling a set of these as well. Quick couple of texts and I was on my way to get some new lights on the car. Here's the 50/50 shot...

 

[TommyH]

This is roughly where I'm up to now. The turbo has been sirening at me for a few weeks so I've been slowly gathering parts for the last month or so. I foolishly had a go in Alex's car (http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/324414-alexs-red-mk1-fabia-vrs-gtb2260vk-ex-hybrid/) and decided that a GTB was a good idea. As a result I've ordered a GTB1756 from xman750 which was delivered Christmas Eve; aka the perfect Christmas present to myself

 

 

I've got hold of a Piper decat downpipe from Rob@W8Performance which arrived to me via most of the other houses in my street    Rob will know what I'm on about

 

This brings me to today, came home from work to a large box which contained this... (the cooler, not the cat)

 

 

It's a very nice looking piece of kit - cheers again to Rob for the swift delivery and great price

[iiPaul]

Nice car you have there Tommy! Wish I got a red one! Soon to be for red fabias running big power with gtb setups in Wales, shame dans selling up.

Nice build tho I look forward to updates

[alex_e3]

Oh great... more sneaky pictures of me...!   :peek: 

 

Good move you've made with the 1756. I'm pleased I managed to talk you out of a hybrid! Or should I say that my car managed to...

 

There's becoming loads of fast red ones in North Wales Paul!!

[DanHam]

There's becoming loads of fast red ones in North Wales Paul!!

Too many, one less soon I hope

[TommyH]

Oh great... more sneaky pictures of me...!   :peek: 

 

Good move you've made with the 1756. I'm pleased I managed to talk you out of a hybrid! Or should I say that my car managed to...

 

There's becoming loads of fast red ones in North Wales Paul!!

 

Yeah your car managed to haha!

 

Can't wait to get all the parts fitted they're just sitting in a massive pile at home

 

Got stuff delivered to do elephant mod, I took off the top boost pipe the other night and it was like dripping with oil it was horrible so hopefully I can sort that. Got the pd150 headbolts as well for when the turbo goes on. Oh and an Ibiza crash bar, I don't particularly want to modify the standard one or run without one so hopefully it fits straight over the Airtec but if not I can mess with that one and keep the standard one as it is in case I ever decide to put it back on

[TommyH]

Too many, one less soon I hope

 

Should stay the same amount, mine isn't yet GTB but yours is still here. Then mine's going big turbo and yours is getting sold so 3 will stay 3 unless yours stays local. Maybe we should have a mini-meet that you can only go to if you have a red mk1 GTB powered fabia vrs and live in N.Wales haha! After my turbo is fitted but before you sell yours on obviously

[DanHam]

We should have a 1756 meet. Alex you're not welcome

My cars up for sale on facebook but I'm considering removing some of the easier modifications

[silky16v]

We should have a 1756 meet. Alex you're not welcome

My cars up for sale on facebook but I'm considering removing some of the easier modifications

 

heads up on any bits you remove please, ideally the brakes for my new Fabia

[alex_e3]

You're only jealous of the 2260 Dan

[devonutopia]

We need a 2566 meet!  OK, just me then

[TommyH]

We need a 2566 meet!  OK, just me then

Have fun with that one... Haha