Recently bought a 2011 1.2tsi 105 fabia estate SE (55,000 miles, fsh)

Needing advice on whether it can be lowered with springs from a different model or if it needs the shocks as well? My thinking is I’d quite like to improve the cars handling and reduce body roll. I’m not looking to sit in on the floor, but want a good compromise between drive ability and it not looking like it’s on stilts. 

Looking at 17 inch Monte Carlo wheels. 

Not looking to re-map engine as I’m worried I’d kill the gearbox. I think it’s limited to 200 on torque, I’m no expert. Cars been driven previously by a 98yr old man and not done many miles so I’m worried I’d blow the head gasket if I started toying with it too much.

I’ve read it’s possible to transfer a standard 1.4tsi VRS air intake and trumpet to replace the 1.2tsi one. That’s probably all the modifications I’d want to try on the engine. Is a blow off valve a good idea to give the turbo an easier life or would the car not need one? 

Thinking about upgrading the front headlights off a Monte Carlo. Set of mudguards and get some paint work repaired. My budgets in the region of £500-600. Bought the car for £2200

Pictures of car as is just now attached.  Any suggestions or ideas are much appreciated. 

Welcome.

First thing i would look at is the Timing Chain and see if your engine might be one that would be one that would be best to get a timing chain / tensioner kit update.

That will use up your budget sadly.

Then as far as tuning mods i would hold off on that and be sure the brakes are serviced, discs front and drums rear and brake fluid changed.

 

Can you do the pain rectifying yourself to save money, 

then when funds allow fit lowering springs, but the dampers and other suspension parts might be needing replaced anyway.

I would forget the BOV, Induction / air box changes, wheels etc for now.

When you do stuff like that you might find parts for sale in your area in the Briskoda For Sales or among members in your area which helps save you money.

 

Maybe check out local meets in Scotland.  Maybe on Facebook pages or someone will be along to tell you where and what is happening.

http://briskoda.net/forums/forum/274-scotland

 

Edited 11 June, 20197 yr by Skoffski

13 hours ago, Keemo said:

Recently bought a 2011 1.2tsi 105 fabia estate SE (55,000 miles, fsh)

Needing advice on whether it can be lowered with springs from a different model or if it needs the shocks as well? My thinking is I’d quite like to improve the cars handling and reduce body roll. I’m not looking to sit in on the floor, but want a good compromise between drive ability and it not looking like it’s on stilts. 

Looking at 17 inch Monte Carlo wheels. 

Not looking to re-map engine as I’m worried I’d kill the gearbox. I think it’s limited to 200 on torque, I’m no expert. Cars been driven previously by a 98yr old man and not done many miles so I’m worried I’d blow the head gasket if I started toying with it too much.

I’ve read it’s possible to transfer a standard 1.4tsi VRS air intake and trumpet to replace the 1.2tsi one. That’s probably all the modifications I’d want to try on the engine. Is a blow off valve a good idea to give the turbo an easier life or would the car not need one? 

Thinking about upgrading the front headlights off a Monte Carlo. Set of mudguards and get some paint work repaired. My budgets in the region of £500-600. Bought the car for £2200

Pictures of car as is just now attached.  Any suggestions or ideas are much appreciated. 

 

40mm H&R springs on standard shocks work well, H&R Anti roll bar isn't essential but will help and wider wheels should sort out the handling. In terms of power doesn a remap on the 1.2tsi take it to around 140b hp? I think its a pretty safe remap.

 

How much do you like DIY? Styling wise a lot of the exterior mods can be done yourself with a bit of painting or vinly wrapping. Mines was all done from a rattle can.

 

 

 

Interior wise I've picked up a lot of parts from china to jazz up simple things like window/mirror switches, Chrome switches and knobs skoda want 3 times the price than it is to buy from Aliexpress.com

 

 

 

On 11/06/2019 at 06:25, Skoffski said:

Welcome.

First thing i would look at is the Timing Chain and see if your engine might be one that would be one that would be best to get a timing chain / tensioner kit update.

That will use up your budget sadly.

Then as far as tuning mods i would hold off on that and be sure the brakes are serviced, discs front and drums rear and brake fluid changed.

 

Can you do the pain rectifying yourself to save money, 

then when funds allow fit lowering springs, but the dampers and other suspension parts might be needing replaced anyway.

I would forget the BOV, Induction / air box changes, wheels etc for now.

When you do stuff like that you might find parts for sale in your area in the Briskoda For Sales or among members in your area which helps save you money.

 

Maybe check out local meets in Scotland.  Maybe on Facebook pages or someone will be along to tell you where and what is happening.

http://briskoda.net/forums/forum/274-scotland

 

 

Hi Skoffski. Thanks for the reply, thankfully mine doesn’t have the chain so I’m alright there. Good shout on the brakes, I’ll get them looked over to be on the safe side. I see a lot of fabia Monte Carlo’s for breaking and I’m wondering if they have lots of parts I could swap over to mine like the darker front headlights, springs, shocks/dampeners if they are different? Any more advice I’d greatly appreciated. 

Do you mean your chain / tensioner is on an engine after the upgrade happened?

I’m confused and unsure now. I’m not very mechanical to be honest. I couldn’t see any chain inside the engine bay on the left hand side down below, only belts. Is the timing chain covers by any housings? 

On 11/06/2019 at 12:13, Mickmartin said:

 

40mm H&R springs on standard shocks work well, H&R Anti roll bar isn't essential but will help and wider wheels should sort out the handling. In terms of power doesn a remap on the 1.2tsi take it to around 140b hp? I think its a pretty safe remap.

 

How much do you like DIY? Styling wise a lot of the exterior mods can be done yourself with a bit of painting or vinly wrapping. Mines was all done from a rattle can.

 

 

 

Interior wise I've picked up a lot of parts from china to jazz up simple things like window/mirror switches, Chrome switches and knobs skoda want 3 times the price than it is to buy from Aliexpress.com

 

 

 

Hi Mick, thanks for the reply, that was really useful. Anti roll bar seems a no brainer. Springs on standard is what I’ll go for. As for the re-map, I’ll leave it for now and just see how things go, I’m quite happy with the performance and don’t want to strain the engine or put the insurance right up. 

Im quite into my diy so thanks for the tips. Anymore pictures of your car in and out, looks fantastic? I quite fancy getting the snakes black front headlights as an upgrade. 

Yes.

It might not be an issue, the car having had an easy life.

Respect to someone at 90 that bought a new car if it was bought new by him.  If it was Prince Philip maybe not had an easy life.

 

On 11/06/2019 at 12:13, Mickmartin said:

 

40mm H&R springs on standard shocks work well, H&R Anti roll bar isn't essential but will help and wider wheels should sort out the handling. In terms of power doesn a remap on the 1.2tsi take it to around 140b hp? I think its a pretty safe remap.

 

How much do you like DIY? Styling wise a lot of the exterior mods can be done yourself with a bit of painting or vinly wrapping. Mines was all done from a rattle can.

 

 

 

Interior wise I've picked up a lot of parts from china to jazz up simple things like window/mirror switches, Chrome switches and knobs skoda want 3 times the price than it is to buy from Aliexpress.com

 

 

Ignore my previous comment Mick, I clicked on your profile and found out about your car. Lovely job, and nice subtle touches. 👌