I had a 2007 VRS 130pd until about 18 months ago when I sold it due to having a company car forced upon me. I am now changing jobs and expect to take over my mother's car this summer as she is in her 80's and about to give up driving. Yes - a genuine one owner 2005 VRs with less than 50k on the clock and of course full service history.

 

I am thinking of a power upgrade and wonder what the your thoughts are? I see that Darkside do a fairly impressive couple of options but what is the best overall value for money for power whilst maintaining economy, driveability and reliability? Ideally I would like around 200bhp with commensurate increase in torque. I don't plan on any other mods although I could upgrade the front brakes. I'm an old professional bloke so it won't be driven like a nutter but I do like some power and fun.

Sensible low cost option is a custom remap. You'll get 170BHP +/-5BHP. The clutch will live longer if you limit torque to 280lbft. They can get it into 310lbft territory but that risks clutch slip in cross country enthusiasm or in 5th/6th gear motorway "the lane ahead is now clear" type moments. You can go further by replacing the turbo and fitting FMIC and mapping. That's the start of it getting expensive though.

 

On the handling front, fit a Whiteline RARB. Again, as a low cost option.

However, I feel the handling on the standard springs is dire. I may not have been completely objective at the time as I'd been driving around in an Impreza P1. However, it lurched, had no springiness to the body control and dived/rolled forward under braking.

 

See "Bonestter's" handling topic for ideas.

J.

^^ Exactly what he said. Just get a torque limited remap and focus on the desperate standard handling.

What's the next step up though and where would be the best place to get it done?

 

Hybrid turbo and uprated Intercooler to start... Depends on where you live as to who does what...  If your paying folk to fit things then £££££  whoever you go to.

 

Its more the parts and the custom map that are important, Any garage thats reputable can fit them but the custom map is important and a reputable company is important.  I went with a rebuilt hybrid etc etc etc and did it myself with lots of help and advice from here but either way it darn expensive.

 

Long story short the next step up is on my sig and profile ( lots of folk done this and probably done a better job than me!)

Edited 9 June, 20179 yr by Graffiti

Unit 18 in Milton Keynes. Ali (the owner) knows more about these cars than most and has built some awesome Fabia's as well as many other awesome cars 

 

Send him a email or phone up and have a chat with him. 

2 hours ago, Graffiti said:

Hybrid turbo and uprated Intercooler to start... Depends on where you live as to who does what...  If your paying folk to fit things then £££££  whoever you go to.

 

Its more the parts and the custom map that are important, Any garage thats reputable can fit them but the custom map is important and a reputable company is important.  I went with a rebuilt hybrid etc etc etc and did it myself with lots of help and advice from here but either way it darn expensive.

 

Long story short the next step up is on my sig and profile ( lots of folk done this and probably done a better job than me!)

 

You forgot the new clutch and flywheel, he'll definitely need those in addition to a hybrid and FMIC.

 

OP, you're entering a high-torque world of expense if you do anything other than a torque-limited remap, your call but anything else doesn't fit your remit.

23 hours ago, jonnylandagent said:

What's the next step up though and where would be the best place to get it done?

 

 

Unit18 - Milton Keynes - http://www.unit18.co.uk/

Auto-PS - Brackley - http://www.autops.co.uk/

 

I've used both, albeit, not for mods. There's also Jabbasport in Crowlands, nr Peterborough - http://www.jabbasport.com/

 

If you decide that bigger/better brakes are needed, the 312mm disks from Golf MK4 etc will fit the Fabia. You will need the carriers and calipers too.

 

J.