Now, before you start with all the hairdresser gags, I’ve heard ‘em all already. The fact of the matter is, this little turbo’d terror already has 225bhp, Audi’s famous Quattro 4WD system and even my Mum likes it… but then I suppose she is a hairdresser. It may look like an expensive motor too, but nowadays these can be picked up for just a couple of grand.
Okay admittedly there’s a big, fat list of stuff I’ve got to replace, fix or gaffa tape back together on this one, but it was cheap, it’s only done 90k and there’s a distinct potential for modified VAG awesomeness. First though it’s time for a spot of housekeeping and I started with my usual routine for when I get a new project underway (and there’s been more than a couple – Jules) change the oil and replace the battery.
Obviously it pays to stump up for the best possible quality products so I chose 5-litres of Millers finest fully synthetic and a bulletproof, high-cranking Alphaline battery from the Battery Megastore.
With the basics out of the way, it was onto the more pressing matters, run-around or not; I don’t do standard. In a bid to not leave it stock for any longer than humanly possible though, this month I got onto Forge Motorsport and ordered myself a rather spanky ‘Splitter’ valve. Now I already know these are awesome because I ran one MK4 Golf turbo for 3-years and, from what I hear from the current owner, it’s still going strong.
Like a traditional atmospheric dump valve it’s designed to vent off excess boost to keep your turbo spooling when the throttle is shut but, what makes these really special, is they not only vent to the atmosphere for the authentic BOV pchsssssssssst sound, but they also retain the recirculation aspect needed for smooth running of the VAG 1.8T. You can even choose ‘full recirculation’ mode when you need something a little more stealthy. Not me though, above all the one thing I miss about the Scoob is that spine-tingling sound every time you let of the gas. So there you go, one mod down, about 4357 to go. Lovely.
Spent
Car – £2800
Millers XF 5w-30 oil – £54
Battery – £53
Forge Splitter Valve – £166
Total
£Lots
