Hi.

Since August 2018 I have been the proud owner and driver of a 2001 1.4 16v Fabia Mk1.

Between myself and the last owner, there's been a new clutch, alternator, slave cylinder, assortments of oil leak fixes, a new wing mirror, several junkies jumping on the roof and a plethora more.

But recently, having seen a boy-racer in my home town driving around in a slammed mk1 looking very gaudy, I began to wonder if it's possible to completely customise mine without making it seem too obvious to the undiscerning eye.

Obviously first steps are the handling and drive train as currently, although comfortable, driving a boat around isnt exactly ideal and there is most certainly room for improvement. I'd then like to consider performance improvements and eventually end up with a car that under the hood is as far from stock from possible, but still looks like a total junker, complete with car-length key scratches from a jealous neighbour.

Where do I start? I have no clue what parts to look into and how to go about it so any and all advice is more than welcome.

Welcome.

Maybe have a look at others projects in the Fabia Project Section.

eg

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/471644-tech1e's-'new'-fabia-slayer

 

Thanks! I'll go check it out

If you got a 2.0 petrol mk1 that was an MOT failure and for breaking - that's a good start ! Even a mk4 Golf GTi that is for breaking - 

 

Putting cams and upgrading a 1.4 is a money pit and very little gain - 

 

Make sure the donor car is a runner and work from there ! If you are relying on the car as a daily driver bear this in mind as to do this sort of conversion will take a right few weeks !

 

Try and think of all the pitfalls and good luck !!

I have a 2.0 and it already has the 288mm brakes as standard, mine is polybushed and running a full Bilstein B12 suspension kit with a Whiteline RARB so it stops and handles, the gearbox ratios are not ideal but the biggest problem is the tiny clutch, it can barely hold the torque and there's no room in the low profile bellhousing for a beefier item.

Other than that it's a proper hot hatch for no money.

No point for the 1.4, nothing you can do to make power without pouring tons of money in.