Fabiamania is Fabulisious....

Fabia17

Torque Junkie
Points
322
Location
Lincoln UK
Car
Fabia Monte Carlo
I have just arrived home from two full on days of modding.

First was an early start in Leeds at Tony Banks Exhausts : his best chap worked tirelessly on my behalf to built the work of art that is now my new exhaust system.
It is glorious, in looks, sound and nature.

The following day was a morning of dyno tuning on the rolling road at JBS Car Designs in Chesterfield, where Kevin tweeked the living daylights out my lowly 1.2tsi to a healthy 152 bhp.... That makes the car just over 120 bhp/tonne... Grin factor 9000
Photos I will up load
 
Sounds like a great result.

Was that at the tyres power?

Did you get a before and after overlay of the dyno sheet so we can see exactly where the gains were made?
 
Yes this is at the tyres: the difference is phenomenal, I will put the photos of the exhaust build in my Fabiamania folder in the gallery. David who built the system did an amazing job to carry out my wishes; as we discussed, as large as possible dump pipe into the cat then onwards to the resonator, from there back to the rear muffler and then he cut an exit hole in the rear scuttle and took the tail pipe between the scuttle and back side of the bumper and created the centre exit point I so desired. He said I spoiled his day :( but the overall design and flow is fantastic, and it sounds just like a quietened down R5. A massive grin factor of 9000.
 
What a little beast you have now |B It will be some time before you can wipe the smile off your face.

That result reinforces what I found out way back in 93 when I had a big bore 3 inch exhaust and got IIRC app 20% more torque and 15% more power at the wheels fitted to my otherwise stock JB Starion.
 
Having issues getting the photos up, but have a go tomorrow.

I'm focusing on the induction side now, and I would love to get hold of a genuine R5 rear wing, so it functions. I'm not into bolting stuff on that won't serve the end product.
I have also been toying with the idea of a single mass lightened flywheel and comp clutch, but so many conflicting ideas and reports, it's something I'll need to ponder carefully.

You take care of that leg my friend. We need to get you back on the road. Best wishes Kev
 
Fabs that dyno report is all the proof needed that a big bore MANDREL BENT exhaust system is the absolute first mod for any vehicle with an exhaust driven supercharger .

Hope you have a LSD in that Monte Carlo as you're gunna need one to get traction powering out of tight corners wet or dry.

NOTE (especially for those new to turbos etc) AFR'S and ignition will need tweaking on a RR /Dyno by a skilled mapper/tuner to get the maximum benefit.

My advise is to never ever increase boost or fit different injectors with different flow rates and drive it like you stole it before getting it remapped or you may end up with a damaged motor and a large repair bill.
 
Fabs if and when the clutch starts slipping you have the choice of just getting a pressure plate with a higher clamping force and a stock clutch plate or upgrading to a button clutch plate that can be a sprung cushion plate an unsprung cushion plate or a solid button plate . I see no need to go for a multi plate clutch in your car

Just my 2 cents worth |B


FYI I had a solid unsprung plate in my 400 hp turbo car and managed to drive it in traffic BUT would not advise that for your daily car.
 
Thanks for the information and advice. Once again, very helpful.

I have just had my bonnet vents fitted and noted the oil temperature has dropped by two degrees C across the driving range, did a 330 km run out yesterday with ambient temperatures of 22 - 24 C so I'm very pleased with the result, that new big dump pipe and cat was getting a bit hot under the bonnet.... Shame the painter didn't match the colour so well.. But I need to tidy the job up a bit... Not to my standard sadly.

Hope you are doing OK and leg is healing, I wondered what your specialist had said last week? Take care.

Ah jeez can't load my image the right way round now... It only wants to lie down
20210710_104653.jpg
 
Was at the specialist today and he is happy with how it is healing but at least another 2 weeks or so before driving as have to keep my leg elevated as much as possible.

Good result from the vents so they are doing a good job |B

Did you get the dump ceramic coated or heat wrapped to help keep under hood temps a bit lower and help maintain gas exit speed ?
 
Was at the specialist today and he is happy with how it is healing but at least another 2 weeks or so before driving as have to keep my leg elevated as much as possible.

Good result from the vents so they are doing a good job |B

Did you get the dump ceramic coated or heat wrapped to help keep under hood temps a bit lower and help maintain gas exit speed ?
Pleased to hear healing is going well, such great news.

Unfortunately at the time the exhaust was built, which took eleven hours, there was no option for coating or wrapping. I have been looking at both this week as it happens.

There is a nice Titanium / Carbon Fibre / Basalt Fibre mix which looks very good value and has amazing thermal properties, and is affordable.

The ceramic coating would be around $aud 3000 so a bit too expensive. The other really big problem I have is I can't physically manage to remove the exhaust from the car. This would mean having in done in a workshop which would easily double the cost.

I'm going to see whether I can manage to wrap the dump pipe without removal, but it's all down to back to the motor, so firewall and other stuff all in there. I'm waiting for a break in the weather again.... Good days don't last long here... There is also a turbo jacket by the same manufacturer.... Jeez though, these guys charge like wounded bulls..

My tuning guys have been in touch with a new offer late last week, a new hybrid turbo they have just finished developing for this motor and they are telling me I can have 200hp with it... I'm very excited but it's another $aud 4000.... .... Mmmm nice thought.... But wonder how long the bottom end would last, but not like I'm going to be driving it on max power all of the time....

Plenty to be going on with....
 
Am shocked at the price you mentioned for the ceramic coating.

I had my dump HPC coated in and out to help lower engine bay temps and keep heat in the exhaust system.

I called them and the price for a 3 inch pipe coated in & outside is $132.00 AUD per foot so you can see why I was stunned by the price you were told.

 
Hi, yes it's a bit of a nightmare situation.
I would need to have the front halve of the exhaust and the turbo removed and refitted for me as I'm not physically capable any longer. 6 hours at aud $90 = 552

The turbo would require the turbine housing removed so it could be coated. I guess at this... About 100 bucks plus a gasket set at 100 bucks

There is about 700mm of 80mm pipe to coat and the cat which is about the same area.

The turbine housing aud $423
The dump pipe is aud $ 396
The cat is aud $ 395

So aud 1996, these are up to the minute prices.... If the turbo requires a cartridge or there are any other issues it'll soon hit the 3000 mark... Might have to settle for wrapping it..
 
You could fit a Beanie on the turbo's hot side as that will help lower temps and keep more heat in the exhaust .

PS don't stress about not being able to do everything that we both could easily do when we were virile young chaps as reaching a ripe old age is something that so many never achieve.
 
You could fit a Beanie on the turbo's hot side as that will help lower temps and keep more heat in the exhaust .

PS don't stress about not being able to do everything that we both could easily do when we were virile young chaps as reaching a ripe old age is something that so many never achieve.
I have been looking a Beanies for the turbo, a couple look excellent, and although comparative in price to coating, none of the disassembly hassle.

I have never used wrap before on pipes, and it looks like one of those things that if you get it right it's good, get it wrong and it's a complete waste of money.

I will have to do some experiments with a crepe bandage and see if I can manage the dump pipe in situ... Hanging down the back of the motor with tight curve to, could me a right nightmare.

Watch this space.

Hope everything is on track for you and your leg, and healing is well under way.

Best wishes.
 
Fabs if you are intending to heat wrap the dump it helps to wet or dampen the tape to help make it more flexible .

I have a Drs' appointment Mon Wed & Friday to get the dressing changed and to check progress.

Today was a good day as my leg is feeling the best to date and am told it's looking good even though it still looks a bit bloody and still has quite a way to go before it has healed completely.

Have you seen Clint Eastwood's movie The Mule and listened to the words in the song from the movie "Don't let the old man in" as it has good advice for us oldies ?

 
Fabs if you are intending to heat wrap the dump it helps to wet or dampen the tape to help make it more flexible .

I have a Drs' appointment Mon Wed & Friday to get the dressing changed and to check progress.

Today was a good day as my leg is feeling the best to date and am told it's looking good even though it still looks a bit bloody and still has quite a way to go before it has healed completely.

Have you seen Clint Eastwood's movie The Mule and listened to the words in the song from the movie "Don't let the old man in" as it has good advice for us oldies ?

Aww thank you for the video song, that's very emotive....

Glad the leg is healing well. Take care of it.
 
Well good news at last as the surgeon has ok'ed me to drive and get back in the gym but be careful and don't push things too hard.
Wound looking much better but will always have a "divot" in my leg as my Dr's wife, a nurse calls it when she has been changing the dressings 3 times a week.

Just returned from a 20 k round trip in the Honda to get the feel of using the clutch pedal as nerves were cut/damaged in the op and the foot feels a little strange but it is what it is and I intend to get on and enjoy whatever time I have left doing the things I love and enjoy.
 
That's is such great news, really pleased for you, and a relief that you can use the clutch OK. You get used to the altered sensation I'm sure. Job well done I'd say, and yes, time to get back to living. I'm very happy for you. Enjoy. Best wishes Kev
 
Hope everything is going well.
All the best
Kev
Yes it is and was getting dressing changed at the Dr's 3 times a week but now doing that daily after showering without a bag over my leg and almost no intermittent pain spikes. Still doesn't look pretty and never will but happy that the very rare desmoplastic melanoma was completely removed.

Sadly we are under lockdown again and an historic event that I have been competing in for more than 10 years and spectating well before that may be prevented from proceeding again like what happened last year. Google Leyburn Historic Sprints if you want to know more .

Driving is only permitted to see a Dr or buy medicine or food and they are now doing roadside checks like they do for DUI and drugs testing to see if one has a legitimate reason to be out and about .
 
So pleased to hear you're OK, and the healing process is progressing well. Terrible shame about lockdown again, it just seems to go around and around... I'm not convinced we will ever truly get on top of it. The virus is to smart and quick, and humans are to stupid. A shame.

Our government has given up! It's a free for all here now and we have been left to own devices. 65million people on what is far less than Queensland, what are you going to do? Especially when only a minority do what's right... The wife and I are being careful about where and when we go and stay away from crowds.

I have just fitted an MST intake Kit on the Fabia so hitting the 160hp easily now, and I have lined up a hybrid turbo which I need to save up for, this will take me to the 200hp mark. I think that will be my job done in the power department. (massive grin) I have a power to weight ratio of 5.7kg/hp at the moment, and the car is in stock trim. My mate in his 230hp Vrs had trouble staying with me on acceleration and corners... And he's not shut up about it since, especially as I'm an "old guy with a grey beard", he thinks I'm a lunatic (massive grin face)

Chat soon my friend, and stay safe.
Best wishes
Kev20210805_200654.jpg
 
Good to hear that you are very happy with the performance of your Monte Carlo and that induction kit looks neat but keep an eye on the cleanliness of the K&N as they are not great when it comes to fine dust particle retention and don't over oil them when cleaning it as it can build up on the AFM. FWIW I have fitted one in the Type R.

I think that we all need to get vaccinated just like we get yearly shots for the various influenza strains that appear every year.

Over here more have died from the flu each year but we have never had the hysteria and fearmongering that every media outlet seems to be fostering when it comes to Covid and they call every death from it without autopsies when people have other ailments that may have been the culprit.

Over here testing has resulted in revealing that less than 1% have returned a positive test and less than 1% of them are in hospital.
Cheers and stay safe and enjoy your car.
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Fabs if you are intending to heat wrap the dump it helps to wet or dampen the tape to help make it more flexible .

I have a Drs' appointment Mon Wed & Friday to get the dressing changed and to check progress.

Today was a good day as my leg is feeling the best to date and am told it's looking good even though it still looks a bit bloody and still has quite a way to go before it has healed completely.

Have you seen Clint Eastwood's movie The Mule and listened to the words in the song from the movie "Don't let the old man in" as it has good advice for us oldies ?


jxdn even in the dark
i like that song too. thanks for sharing .
 

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