Got some cash for potential upgrades... but what?

[big_treacle]

I have been holding off fixing my clutch problem/getting service while I waited for a cheque so that I can possibly get some other stuff done at the same time. My free money has now come through so its time to decide what to do.
But what to get? After service & clutch I reckon I should have a few quid left & have been thinking about what to get done.

Needs doing:
- clutch: either slave cylinder or whole new clutch
- service + associated stuff that might come up
- new purple pipes (the wire has started poking through)

Kind of need doing:
- new exhaust. Current one is a bit bent & catches the gearbox when cornering hard but still works fine.

Current car spec:
4.5, 18" spiders, GAZ adjustable front suspension, standard rear suspension, Red Rose chip (makes it smoother), decat standard (but bent) exhaust.

So I'm thinking that after fixing stuff I could do:
- adjustable rear suspension to match the front
- new exhaust: but which one??
- replace knackered purple pipes with these new short ones & get a remap & rolling road.

Any other options? Who can do these things? How much?
I've got up to 5 grand to spend on this.

[FUBAR]

I'd say:

Clutch £1250?
Service and bits and bobs £1000?
Short induction pipes and backplate, err £1000?
ECU remap and rolling road setup, again err £1000

Leaves you £750 to cover things I havent thought about or where Im wrong on pricing.

New AVOs going on mine today, looking foward to feeling the difference over the standard suspension

[Steve_T]

FUBAR said:

I'd say:

Clutch £1250?
Service and bits and bobs £1000?
Short induction pipes and backplate, err £1000?
ECU remap and rolling road setup, again err £1000

Leaves you £750 to cover things I havent thought about or where Im wrong on pricing.

New AVOs going on mine today, looking foward to feeling the difference over the standard suspension

Pipes and backplates are £650+VAT on the ACT website. Might look nice with some of Carbon Al's airboxes too - they're not cheap, but looking at the finish and talking to the man himself, I know why. You could probably get the backplates lacquered to match the airboxes if you ask Tim nicely too.

[big_treacle]

If you get new short pipes & backplates, does the car work OK without a remap?

[FUBAR]

Not sure treac, I think you can get away without a remap if you just go for the pipes (ala Whilrwinds) but I believe its advisable to get a remap to set your car up for the full backplate/pipe job.

I, as always, stand to be corrected

[Steve_T]

As a minimum you'd need to check the fueling on a rolling road. The result of that check might be a recommendation to alter the fueling via a remap though! The car is significantly improved by remapping, so I'd do it first and concentrate on under bonnet aesthetics second.

Edited by Steve_T on Friday 6th October 12:32

[big_treacle]

Yeah, my thoughts here are that I need to change the pipes, so maybe I should get the short ones while I'm at it. If I get the pipes I *should* rolling road it but its whether I'll have the cash after servicing/clutch etc.
I see where its going though - its like buying a car: i set myself a max budget which I'm almost guaranteed to slip over by about 30%

[FUBAR]

As Steve says, Id put a remap at the top of the 'to do' list (after the needed clutch and service) as its makes the most difference, especially £/bhp, with the replacement pipes next and the pretty stuff after that (and probably a good idea to get new suspension/match up what the Gaz)

All IMO (for what its worth )

[BCA]

I agree with Fubar...

*Remap
*induction
*rear suspension (dampers/springs)



Trackcarsolutions/Austec will sort you out, not sure how the prices compare though. Can personally recommend Trackcar, always superb service for us.

[big_treacle]

So get the remap before the induction change? Not the other way around?

[FUBAR]

BCA said:

I agree with Fubar...

*Remap
*induction
*rear suspension (dampers/springs)



Trackcarsolutions/Austec will sort you out, not sure how the prices compare though. Can personally recommend Trackcar, always superb service for us.

And I recommend Austec for the same reasons Ben recommends TCS

As has been said before, will probably come down to geography

[caduceus]

FUBAR said:

Hehe, love that smilie. Not seen it before.

Anyway, back on topic. With regard to those pipes, they'd have to be aftermarket ones anyway. TVR hav'nt got any purple ones.

[big_treacle]

Right, I've sent an enquiry to Austec - only issue now is getting my stranded knackered-clutch car there from Dorset...

[FUBAR]

big_treacle said:

So get the remap before the induction change? Not the other way around?

Yes, the other way round if you are having both done. If you are just deciding on which to do as a priority, then its the remap/RR

[FUBAR]

big_treacle said:

Right, I've sent an enquiry to Austec - only issue now is getting my stranded knackered-clutch car there from Dorset...

Well, an outside chance the AA/RAC will recover your 'stricken' car to Austec?

Other than that (just dont tell Paul I told you so...hello Paul ) Austec have their own recovery truck (which my cerb is very keen on ) and if you ask them nicely, and as you're planning on spending £5k with them, * they may collect for you for free/small fee?



*Only a guess

[big_treacle]

FUBAR said:

big_treacle said:

Right, I've sent an enquiry to Austec - only issue now is getting my stranded knackered-clutch car there from Dorset...

Well, an outside chance the AA/RAC will recover your 'stricken' car to Austec?

Other than that (just dont tell Paul I told you so...hello Paul ) Austec have their own recovery truck (which my cerb is very keen on ) and if you ask them nicely, and as you're planning on spending £5k with them, * they may collect for you for free/small fee?



*Only a guess

hopefully I might be able to convince them. AA will recover my car anywhere in the UK only if you break down a mile or more from your house. But my car is stuck in the driveway.

[Aerofoil]

big_treacle said:

FUBAR said:

big_treacle said:

Right, I've sent an enquiry to Austec - only issue now is getting my stranded knackered-clutch car there from Dorset...

Well, an outside chance the AA/RAC will recover your 'stricken' car to Austec?

Other than that (just dont tell Paul I told you so...hello Paul ) Austec have their own recovery truck (which my cerb is very keen on ) and if you ask them nicely, and as you're planning on spending £5k with them, * they may collect for you for free/small fee?

They are not that heavy you and 2 mates should be able to cover the mile



*Only a guess

hopefully I might be able to convince them. AA will recover my car anywhere in the UK only if you break down a mile or more from your house. But my car is stuck in the driveway.

[big_treacle]

[redacted]

[mackempete]

Borrow a mates AA card that way assuming he lives more than 2miles away your sorted. I register my AA card at my parents address, sorted free home start.

[FUBAR]

big_treacle said:

Aerofoil said:

They are not that heavy you and 2 mates should be able to cover the mile

haha - yeah i guess i should try that first!

And remember to push the car to a spot that is close to a pub, so you dont have to wait in the cold

Oh, and dont push it anywhere too 'easy'. Broke down on a garage forecourt once (the Audi for a change) and used the old 'kids in car, please hurry' trick, to be told as the car was off the main road and there was no real danger, and as I had food and water available (have they seen the shit they sell in these places?) I was not a priority and it would be up to 2 hours to get someone out to me.

Luckily a passing mechanic (and an even luckier passing 'Snap On Tools' van) got me going in 15 mins