My long-term project A2Steve

A2Steve

A2OC Donor
Wales
I'll never refer to one of my cars as a keeper again, because I've been there and as you all know, it never lasts. So I'll call this a long-term project.

I've lately been contemplating the idea of buying a small hot hatch for my commute to work down country lanes. Nothing too radical something a bit nippy that handles well. I would then have kept the Jaipur A2 for A2 get togethers and occasional driving.

The problem with this plan would be I would end driving something French (probably) on a daily basis and not an A2.

So I've now got a much better plan.

Buy a TDI 90 and turn it into a hot hatch, the best of both worlds. I've already had one with my previous TDI 150 and it was a blast.

I set about looking for a 90 with a failed DMF. Although this may sound like a bit of a strange plan. Most TDI90 drivers spend their time hoping that their DMF doesn't go, so why not buy one for the right price that already has a failed DMF and take the element of surprise out of the equation.

Looking for a TDI90 is a tall order, never mind one that's on good condition and also with the added request of a failing DMF.

I was shocked to find a car that fitted the exact bill within a week.

So here's the new project car.

A Piemont red pearl TDI 90. 1 owner from new with full service history (predominantly Audi main dealer). 2 keys, full bookpack, unabused car.

Bought from a dealer down in Newquay Cornwall, he was selling it as a trade sale because it didn't make financial sense for him to do a DMF change on it.

So a deal was done and the car is now safely on my driveway at home.

This project will be all go and no show. Planned mods are:

GT1749VA Turbo
Custom remap
Bigger intercooler
Silicone turbo pipes
Coilovers
Bigger brakes up front
Rear anti roll bar
HEL brake lines
Leightweight alloy wheels

I'm planning to set the horse power around the 140 mark for a good turn of pace without killing the new DMF with torque.

And because you all like photos here's some.

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First job is having a new DMF and clutch fitted, along with a new timing belt kit and water pump.

I've been searching around for the best price for a DMF and clutch and all the big retailers are coming in at around £425. Surprisingly my local motor factor has quoted £358, so that's where I'll be going.
 
Nice colour but no OSS. Have you ever considered going electric, Steve? To whom did you see your 20 mm spacers and did he use them? They seem a bit pricey on the net' ....

David
 
Another great colour and a great project Steve. Would be interested in the SE wheels when you upgrade. Paul
 
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Nice colour but no OSS. Have you ever considered going electric, Steve? To whom did you see your 20 mm spacers and did he use them? They seem a bit pricey on the net' ....

David

No OSS saves 30kg so that's fine by me.
I will definately go electric when the time comes.
The spacers are now being used by the member I sold them to.
These are very good quality
 
Another great colour and a great project Steve. Would be interested in the SE wheels when you upgrade. Paul

Ok mate, a member is already on the waiting list for a good set of 16s from me, but if he's already got a set by the time I remove these you will get first refusal.
 
The spacers are now being used by the member I sold them to.
These are very good quality

So that's 2 sets, (obviously}? £78's a few Bob .... Does it improve the look AND the handling?

David
 
So that's 2 sets, (obviously}? £78's a few Bob .... Does it improve the look AND the handling?

David

I've run 20mm spacers on pepperpots before without issue, but to guarantee no rubbing 15mm ones are a safer bet. A wider wheel track can improve handling, but its a balancing act, best to do some research on Google before buying.
 
Hi steve

Very interesting project , and look forward to many photos on the turbo side of the engine mods
Basil is running at around 120 bhp , and 290 nm ,while this is a noticeable lift from 90bhp it’s not what I would call fast ...

Noting your comments regarding the DMF , and torturing it . Do you know the limits of the DMF , and for myself , how much a MYP gear box can handle ...
Regards Mark
 
Hi steve

Very interesting project , and look forward to many photos on the turbo side of the engine mods
Basil is running at around 120 bhp , and 290 nm ,while this is a noticeable lift from 90bhp it’s not what I would call fast ...

Noting your comments regarding the DMF , and torturing it . Do you know the limits of the DMF , and for myself , how much a MYP gear box can handle ...
Regards Mark

This is all from research on the net, but having a 90, we are in the enviable position of already having an ECU that can run a vnt turbo. We also have the correct N75 valve. Our injectors are also far from at their limit in their current tune. This should all mean that we can fit a GT1749va turbo complete with just the 4th port cut off and welded. It would just need setting up on a rolling road with a custom map which would be the most expensive part of the swap.

My old TDI 150 had just shy of 300lbs of torque and I had to be careful with at what point in the rev range I use the throttle to avoid judder.

I've found articles from diesel tuning centres on the net where on a fabia 1.4 tdi, they did the same work and managed to get it to around 145hp before the intercooler became the limiting factor
 
The trouble is, no matter how much power you have, you always want more. If you were to step out of your 120hp TDI now into a 75hp tdi it would seem worlds apart.

I see you have audi fat 5s fitted. Although these aren't the worst audi wheel for weight, they are pretty chunky. Have you considered a lighter wheel?
 
And in terms of photos, I'll be putting the car into my local mechanic for that job. Anything that requires welding, or potentially heat to remove/fit goes straight to him.
 
The trouble is, no matter how much power you have, you always want more. If you were to step out of your 120hp TDI now into a 75hp tdi it would seem worlds apart.

I see you have audi fat 5s fitted. Although these aren't the worst audi wheel for weight, they are pretty chunky. Have you considered a lighter wheel?

I have a 75tdi , and a 1.4 petrol .... the petrol is called squeak due the noise the driver makes when pulling out onto fast roads ... I think the 75 has a mild map ,it feels like mid 90s

The fat fives, are also fitted with 205/45 tyres .... I have in the shed 8 9 spoke alloy all shaped like 50 pence coins , the roads round here , can have brutal pot holes at any time of the year . I just added the 312mm Disc and calliper set up off a MK1 tt , this adds further unsprung weight , so it may be time for an adjustment on the wheel front ,

I have a set of 16” rims which I may lob on for a compatible/ contrasting test

Outright speed , not my thing , making progress on twisty A roads , safe overtaking and good MGP

The larger 46mm compressor wheel on the turbo should give good results , dark side developments have used this on a range of projects

Regards Mark
 
I agree completely. The A2 is never going to be a fast car but it can certainly be made to feel that you are going fast.

I've driven fast cars (on paper) and you can sneeze and be doing over the speed limit, but there is no sensation of speed. I would much prefer a small agile, light car with a little bit of power that can be thrown about on twisty B roads
 
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