Hello there,

 

I currently own a Fabia VRS (BLT) and am thinking about purchasing a cheap car to modify for use on the road and track.

 

What are the main differences between a PD100 and a PD130? 

 

Is it true that they are very similar apart from the turbo, injectors, MAF and gearbox?

 

How strong is the PD100 gearbox?

 

Could I get to 190-200 bhp reliably with the appropriate mods?

 

Would it be a waste of time, money and effort, assuming I can do all the work?

 

My car is remapped and fast enough, but I care and worry about it too much to take it to a track-day! And I prefer the unassuming appearance of the standard Fabias.

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

IMO a Fabia is a heavy beast to put on a track day. It has been done. People have fitted KW V3, big turbos and bigger brakes. None of that is cheap or IMO worthwhile though. Probably better off with a 1.8T of some description. Audi A3 or 1st Gen TT maybe?

"A Furbie is a heavy beast", which should make it easier to "add lightness".

pd100 would be good for 230. Gearbox about the same.. Although like any fab they also need a few quid chucking at them to get them to handle "ok." I'l say get something better out of the box and the fab can pull the track car home if need be

It is a very nose heavy car, remember reading 66% or so of the cars weight is on the front wheels. With some money thrown at it it will be ok but for the same price of a Fabia and some mods you could probably buy a Clio 172/182 or ep3 type r which will be quicker and more fun to throw around. 

There are plenty used vRS though many mapped and even saw one on FB £1k as a cheap start to track, no need to **** about making a std TDI into a vRS plenty of alraedy uprated cars and some with minor faults hence going to little money. dont forget you probably plan to strip out the car remove aircon etc so doesn't matter if they have failed, which knocks price down.

Although might be cheaper/better/lighter options even just depends what you can find.
Personally with my Fabia become my 2nd car and possibly towards end of life and had some great time with it, just thinking why not do have it go being really enjoyed

 

Some might suggest my MGF ( 160hp) which is a bit lighter 1080kg odd would be better proposition but thats not even really light, when you consider same engine in a Lotus is more of the track tool, and that the K series not even the best Lotus powered car. - But somehow I feel the Fabia with tuning would probably have the edge as for some reason my MG ( naturally aspirate) just doesn't feel the same power you have to really work for it, almost the opposite of the TDI lol. But what a sound it makes with some nice pipes. That I think has more patterns for long term possiblity for collectibleness though, not for decades though and has silly low miles, 18k and mint 2002 model VVC
Wish I could turbo/super it but its far harder than the MX's are being only front engined....
 

There is a 172 on ebay £1500 but also saw a £2k fabia on FB meant to be 230hp, you could see if you could knock him down as mentioned it was on a cat d.......from footage I have seen they aren't the best in the corners but not a bus either....

Edited 19 February, 20197 yr by vRSAnt