Back with an A2 Project – A2Steve

Evening Steve,

Let me know your thoughts once you’ve made your mind up regards the way forward with this project.

If you were going down the OEM+ route I might have a complete set of black roof furniture available. It can also come with a black auto dimming mirror with compass (same as my Twist item in OEM).

Should also have an Ebony Black headlamp washer bumper (complete kit) which of course would require painting.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
It’s just sitting on the driveway at the moment while I sort other DIY projects.

I think the colour would work well with a cream leather interior ?

@2work how have you come by them in black? They are Uber rare and only sold in Europe?
 
Steve,

It’s the items I was planning on fitting into my old commuter which I’d course gave up on me.

When I went to reupholster the headlining in OEM I just couldn’t bring myself to go for the colour change from Twist.

All my items started life as Platinum and gave them some Lidl Matt Black treatment, as recommended by your food self.

The Automatic Anti Dazzle Mirror with Compass has not been recoloured. It’s factory black and only received it from Kentucky beginning of this month. The other driver in the house declared that it’s not needed in her A2.

Let me know your thoughts when you’re ready as I’m sure I could reupholster a headlining in black for you.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
I think he is referring to the front bumper with complete headlight washer kit. That's what is exceptionally rare, even in Europe. ?.
 
I fitted twist in the front seats my Akoya sliver A2 but I had a 5 seater so I sold the set as it was a 4 . I now have Red sport
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Well the keeping it factory plan lasted 4 days.

It’s booked in at the end of April for a number of parts I have here to be fitted:

Monroe Reflex shocks
Eibach 25mm sport springs
H&R front anti roll bar
Whiteline rear anti roll bar
Fabia VRS front hubs with 288mm brakes
Forged wishbones
Cambelt kit
Service

Sorry guys, it will be relatively subtle from the outside though.
 
Don't we all know the feeling? Those are the first things I do to a car, brakes and suspension. ? Looking forward how this project will evolve.
 
First job started. Refurbish a Whiteline rear anti roll bar. A good sand down with an 80 grit pad on the DA has got it smooth and it will have a good few coats of silver to protect it.
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Some good progress made over the last few days. I now have a H&R front anti roll bar, Whiteline rear, Meyle HD drop links, Eibach spring, Monroe shocks, cast wishbones, 288mm brake upgrade and a sickly midland hybrid turbo (needing new seals) ready for the build.

May give it a rest tomorrow but will start the strip down of the car Monday. Hoping to get it on the road in a few weeks with a nicely refurbished underside.
 
Hi Steve ,
Again alot of upgrades alot of us would fancy.
What made you choose for the H&R / Whiteline combination? Was it what you had laying around or a deliberate choice? What is to say about the Whitelines over the H&R rear ? What are your plans for the engine regarding the turbo upgrade?
 
The shocks, brakes and anti roll bars came in on a breaker.

I would personally have chosen a H&R rear too as I think it’s a more robust design (doesn’t use link arms) but it’s not a race car so will be an improvement nonetheless.

The turbo came via @Hef as the turbo seals have gone on it (despite having only done maybe 5k miles) and so he changed to a Turbo Technics one instead.

In fact perhaps I should change the project name to “Project Hef’s handmedowns” ??
 
The stripdown started tonight. Here’s a photo of the state of the suspension components and brakes before. Everything is quite badly corroded and the wishbones are dangerous. Won’t be looking like this for long though ? The whole lot will be going in the bin and replaced with shiny new upgraded parts.
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After reading a few scare stories about removing driveshafts I’m please to report that they pressed out beautifully with very little tension.....phew
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Good bit of work done this afternoon. Cleaning wire head on the drill to clean up the VRS hubs and the little bit of surface rust on the Monroe’s. Hubs and Meyle HD drop links painted in hammered finish hammerite and the shocks done in gloss black smooth. Then new Eibach 25mm springs to finish it off.

Have also painted the VRS callipers and carriers in silver too, so they look a little more discreet that the factory lime green.
 
Looking good Steve, that will look 100 times better when fitted compared to the savage amount of rust and corrosion it had.

I know where I need to go when I have my suspension replaced:D
 
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Good bit of work done this afternoon. Cleaning wire head on the drill to clean up the VRS hubs and the little bit of surface rust on the Monroe’s. Hubs and Meyle HD drop links painted in hammered finish hammerite and the shocks done in gloss black smooth. Then new Eibach 25mm springs to finish it off.

Have also painted the VRS callipers and carriers in silver too, so they look a little more discreet that the factory lime green.
Discreet? You’ve changed Steve! ?
 
I put the Monroe sports on back and front when I removed my Coilovers (which went to you Steve :) ) - ride is fairly comfortable combined 30/30mm drop Weitec springs....also combined with rear ARB bought from @timmus which makes a marked difference for stability in the corners.

Only slight regret for me is the droop effect at the back - I'll likely need to address by putting on 20mm drop springs on the back I reckon....
 
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